Manistee Nat’ Forest

I didn’t get up untill 8 am. I was awakened many times and didn’t sleep very well. The campground was very busy with fisherman. It seemed like there was always a group of fisherman coming back from night fishing or headed out to be the first on the water. Its odd that Im a very sound sleeper and can sleep through all kinds of natural noises in the forest and sleep through multiple alarm clocks, but hearing a car door slam or two people talking and I’m wide awake instantly. Everybody was being polite and as quiet as they could though. Its just a hammock isnt very sound proof! That works both ways though. Half the people could of been leaving to get away from my snoring. Haha. The morning was chilly enough that the hot coffee we made was preferred over the cold coffee we had with us. With out us even being aware of it happening, we lollygagged the morning away. It was 11 before we headed out. Today was going to be road riding but at least we would have a little tailwind. We would be on bicycle route 35. Since reaching Lake Michigan in South Haven we have been on it a few times but usually we decide to choose our own roads.

I don’t think Rose had slept very good either. We were both grumpy and irritable. Actually I’m only saying “we” as not to point any fingers. I’m pretty sure I was a beaming ray of sunshiny happiness exuding positivity and cheerfulness. Tailwinds are rare and even a little one can lift my spirit. However it does take two to argue and I was a willing participant in several that morning. They weren’t really arguments, more like discussions with sharp words. Rose and I have a great relationship and its very rare that we don’t reach a compromise long before harsh words are spoken. Some of our disaccord was from our route. I rarely plan a destination, I much prefer just having a direction of travel. All we knew about Bike Route 35 was that it went North. That was fine for me. I was all for riding it as far as we could and just following the road signs. We had everything we needed, when we got tired we would stealth camp. Rose likes a bit more planning and knowledge of the road ahead. Often times using Google maps street view to see if a road has a safe shoulder to bike on. I agree it’s smart and we have benefited from her research many times. Also she will pick a town we are headed to and put it in maps so she can hear turn by turn directions and that way we don’t make any wrong turns .My theory is there is no wrong turns if you don’t have a destination and the road will take you to where you need to be. With us following 35 and not knowing where it went there was no way for her to use Google maps.

After 18 miles one thing we did agree on was being hungry. At a little convenience store we bought coffee drinks and sat at their picnic table to eat our lunch. We had hard boiled eggs, cheese and smoked trout.

After eating we started looking for a campsite. We happened to be right on the edge of Manistee-Huron National Forest. National Forests are great for cyclist and backpackers. Dispersed camping is allowed unless posted otherwise. So we headed down the next Forest Service road and found a nice campsite in some pines. We weren’t the first people to camp there. A small fire ring with a stump by it marked the spot. It was beautiful in the loblolly pines.

Getting there hadn’t been so beautiful though. Haha. It was a great dirt road but unfortunately had big patches of sand.

Sand is nearly impossible to ride through with our thinner tires (35mm) and heavy gear. The front tire sinks in and takes off in whatever direction it feels like. And once the front wheel is under control the back tire slides out from under you. Never fun when fully loaded. A few close calls but neither one of us wrecked. Our peaceful campsite was worth the little bit of struggle.

Dinner was a simple meal. Ham and red eye gravy instant grits and a piece of smoked salmon each. The stump made a good table. By this point Rose and I had exchanged apologies and were enjoying each other’s company once again. Neither one of us holds onto anger very long. We sat watching the light fade into darkness sitting by the little fire I had made. It was a great evening.

To read Rose’s viewpoint her blog is https://wildrosepedals.com/