CHAPTER ELEVEN: IT IS ALL DOWNHILL FROM HERE

 

Monday’s miles:  148.1   Total Miles: 1,867.7

When I first pulled into Monique’s driveway I had a couple hours to wait before she got home.  I went into the bag on the bike and I pulled out all the clothes that I would need over the weekend while visiting with my vast two generations of offspring.  I closed up the plastic Hefty Bag that I lined my bike luggage with and zipped up the bag.  My plan was to not have to touch that bag again until I reached the hotel in Waterford on Monday.  So far, all is working within that plan well.

Before turning off the light last night I prepared my backpack and what little I had left in the house.  I assumed that all I would need in the morning would be my basic morning toiletries and the clothes that I would be wearing.  My assumption was correct and within minutes of waking up I was completely set to leave.

Living up to my reputation, I was up before anyone else although Monique wasn’t far behind.  I sat in the dining room and chatted with her as she did her last minute pre-work rituals.  She was going to be my last farewell of my Northern Michigan leg of the trip.  Ivan and Nancy were sound asleep and I knew that they would slumber right through my departure.  Once again, I had a really, really hard time saying goodbye.  But we did it and I watched as she pulled away……..sigh!

I grabbed the last of my stuff and headed to the bike.  I had turned it around in the driveway when I pulled in last Thursday so it was already facing out…AND…it was already facing south.  From this point on I would, for the most part, be heading south.  Since I will be heading down hill for the next 1,500 miles or so I will assume that I should be getting a lot better gas mileage.

I did a last check of Radar and headed out.  I hit the mile or so of gravel road and the couple miles of pavement before coming to the I-75 ramp.  I-75 would be my home for the next 140 miles…..give or take.

The weather and traffic were fantastic.  There has been more than once when I have pulled out up in Northern Michigan to head south and it would be COOOOOLD.  It was not cold and it was not hot and if I had been Goldilocks I would have told you that it was just right.  Hmmm, I guess I did tell you it was just right.

I rode as far as Saginaw, MI and the Flying J there.  I filled up, called Lisa, and called my friend that I would be meeting later in the day after I got to my hotel.

Crossing the Saginaw River is a high rise bridge called the Zilwaukee Bridge because it is in the town of Zilwaukee, MI.  The bridge, which was replacing a very annoying drawbridge on I-75, was started in the late 1970s with hopes of being completed in less than 4 years.  When the bridge was about two thirds completed they found defects in the construction and all was halted for YEARS while they sorted out solutions and squabbled over lawsuits and counter-lawsuits between the state and the contractor.  That settled and a new contractor in place they finally finished the bridge.  It opened for traffic late in 1987.  I know that it has passed all of its inspections and it is deemed safe but whenever I cross it……WAY UP HIGH….I can’t help thinking about the 3 or 4 years it sat UNTOUCHED because it was unsafe.  In case you are wondering….I made it safely across.

When I got to Waterford I stopped by the Waterford Cemetery where some people dear to me are buried.  I took pictures of their sites and sent them to relatives.  I know that it is hard for people, especially those that are out of town, to ever get to those gravesites so I try to help when I can.  They also have a nice Veteran’s Memorial there that is pleasant to stop at.

All that being done I whipped to the hotel.  I was about an hour and a half early for check-in time but I gave the gal my best pouty face while trying to force a tear.  Even though the tear probably was confused as drool I guess I was pitiful enough and I got the room early.  And, I might add, just in time.  As I walked into the hotel with my luggage lightning flashed, thunder roared, and rain came down in sheets.

I cleaned up, sorted my belongings so that I could easily pack before the BIG ride south, and got myself ready for dinner.  I peeked outside and the rain was gone.  Heck, there was even a hint of sunshine.  I checked the radar and I was good to go.

Just before 4:00 I headed out closer to Pontiac and to Kennedy’s Irish Pub.  My friends were there when I got there.

Ed and his wife, Diane, and their son, Eric, were all at a table waiting.  So good to see them.  Ed and I separated from the Army roughly at the same time and we started back working with GM from our military leaves on the same day.  We were sent to the same department and were given to the same foreman.  We became lifelong friends from that point on.  In the first couple of years we shared some great adventures.  As of this writing, Ed and Diane are about 10 months from their 50^th Wedding Anniversary.  I was privileged enough to be in that wedding and I vowed to Ed that I would do my best to make the ceremony and reception a night to remember.  I don’t have time to go into it but I would venture to say that I was very successful in my endeavor.  We have relived and retold the story of that night many, many, many times…………….AND they were still able to make it 50 years.  Well, only 49 years and 2 months so far but I have faith that they can put up with each other a little longer.

After a great dinner and conversation I headed back to the hotel.  I gave Lisa a “good night” call, did some email reading, Social Media checking, and I hit the sack.  Tomorrow is packing day.  Hope you will join me.

If you enjoyed your read give this a Like and Share.  Also, feel free to drop me a line by email at donbova1966@yahoo.com, in messenger, on my Facebook timeline, or a comment on the blog.  Lastly, if you have missed previous chapters all you have to do is find them over to the right and catch yourself up.