Aug 25: Reflections on Wisconsin
Aug 25: Reflections on Wisconsin[posted to the Wheeled Migration Yahoo Group on August 25, 2004]
Hi folks! On Tuesday afternoon I took the ferry from Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to Ludington, Michigan. I'm now on my way down the Lake Michigan coast, hoping to reach Kalamazoo by Friday. Here are some reflections on my two weeks in Wisconsin.
Local produce I sampled, buying most of it directly from the farmers: apples, beer, bison, brats, cheese, corn, cream, eggs, fudge, ice cream, melons, milk, peaches, pears, peppers, tomatoes.
Favorite place I visited on purpose: Tunnel #3 on the Elroy-Sparta trail.
Favorite place I found by accident: Rock Ridge Primitive Campground, under construction at mile 11 of the Red Cedar State Trail.
Favorite smell: a field of dill.
Least favorite smell: a field where liquid manure (i.e. untreated sewage presumably from pigs but not necessarily) was being applied.
Favorite cultural difference: In Wisconsin, ice houses are called "fishing shanties," and they have decks and pontoons on them so they can be used on open water as well as on ice. I'm sure someone in Minnesota has thought of this, but in six years of living there I never saw such a thing.
Favorite differences so far in Michigan: Public trails here are called "linear parks" even if they go in circles. Also, a convenience store that doesn't sell gas is a "party store."
to Reedsville, WI
to Reedsville, WIIt was a long haul east from Hortonville through Appleton and an assortment of small towns, due to a headwind and my taking the weekend off.
I used my filter mask for the first time today, to pass a field where they were applying liquid manure. It worked better than I expected.
Stopped for the night at Rainbow's End campground on the west side of Reedsville, within easy striking distance of Manitowoc. It's a nice enough campground, except the showers are coin operated! Humph.
Plans are coming together well for Michigan.
Total distance: 38.29 mi
to Ludington, MI
to Ludington, MII was on the road at 7:30 this morning, anxious not to miss the ferry. As it was, I got to Manitowoc 2 hours early, though very tired from yesterday's ride.
I stopped for a snack at a local place and wound up buying a full lunch plus dessert, the deal was so good. Got to the ferry in plenty of time and checked the whole boat over before it set sail.
As soon as the boat left harbor, I wished I had skipped the rich food on shore... I was queasy for about half the trip. But it was still very enjoyable.
Got into Ludington, MI around 6 EDT and headed straight for the campground Joni & Garth had recommended. As they had warned, it's pricey, but you can't beat the location: right across from their favorite pizza place!
Total distance: 82.01 mi (mostly by boat)
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