Left the Same Time Today Just an Hour Later

July 5, 2025

These time zone changes really mess things up. It felt like 6:20 but the clock said 7:30. No worries as it was a shorter ride today, only 64 miles. But I was on a mission…had to be in Manistique before 12:30 for the parade started (more on that later).

Not sure what happened to my navigation brain this morning. Well actually I do…there’s just so many lakes and therefore so many Lake Shore Drives. Long story short (and that would be a five mile story) I ended up right back where I started. Oh well, in the end I figured it out and it was a short route today anyway.

The route took me through Wells and Gladstone both towns along the shore of Little Bay De Noc (aka the lake). And then Isabella and Garden Corners partially along the shore of Big Bay De Noc (aka the other lake). Then through Cooks (no lake) to Manistique and Lake Michigan (aka the land locked ocean…seriously there are light houses!). Good roads and mostly courteous drivers, except as I got closer to Manistique. I’m going to write that off to stressed out parents trying to get their kids to the parade on time (shortly you will understand why that was so important).

But first the trivia question of the day. How fast does one need to pedal to get away from attacking horse flies? ….. is that your final answer? Well based upon my research over the past couple days, the optimal speed when riding into the wind is 14.5mph and with the wind 17.5mph. If you don’t believe me, please feel free to do some independent research and share your results with us. Of course you could just believe me.

And now the Manistique Fourth of July Parade (actually held on the fifth). It was held in the town but had representation from towns 20 miles away. It’s obviously a really big deal.

I rolled into town with 15 minutes to spare. The parade scheduled start time was 12:30. When I arrived, the trucks and floats were patiently waiting for the Marshal to start the parade. the streets were lined with more people than I could count (but pretty sure little Ian could have counted that high). For some reason, which became obvious to me quickly, the kids were sitting on the curbs with bags and buckets. What I learned was that this was like Halloween except instead of going door-to-door, the floats brought the candy to you. I actually had to take a picture of one kids haul (because Max says if there isn’t a picture, it didn’t happen). Well it happened! The parade lasted 53 minutes and I took lots of pictures and chatted a bit with the locals. At the end of the parade, I jumped behind the last float and road my way to my final destination of the day. But not before being required to toss the few tchotchkes and my fig newtons to a couple in the crowd 😉. Totally worth getting there in time and a definite highlight of my time so far in Michigan.

Lots of pictures from the parade (I’ll just add a few) and some scenery too.

A little lake scenery coming through Gladstone.

A little more lake scenery coming through Gladstone.

Looking out into another lake coming through Cooks.

This isn’t just the barn of the day, it’s a whole barn complex in Cooks.

The start of the 4th of July parade. What is a parade without a Jeep.

The color guard snuck in through a side road so I could only get a quick shot.

Antique cars are an absolute requirement.

This is a little kid’s bag of loot and the parade wasn’t nearly over yet. Halloween doesn’t stand a chance!

If you can zoom in you’ll see they actually painted the horse in patriotic style. Is PETA gonna be ok with that…Max?

The streets were lined with people for a dozen or more blocks.

I absolutely take exception to those boujee seats, but I get it when the parade lasts for about an hour. Wonder if you have to pay more for those seats?

Sign of the day and the celebration didn’t let anyone down.

And finally Lake Michigan and the light house. Are we sure it’s not an ocean?

Today's ride: 64 miles (103 km)
Total: 827 miles (1,331 km)

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John BryWe got to have the same experience in Kalispell, MT on the 4th! 10am parade, town of 30,000 and at least that many people were lines up along 5 blocks. We also were wondering why there was a mom handing out plastic bags, but boy we saw the same as you. Hauls bigger than Halloween. And got to love small towns. 30k people and there were three dance troupes and 5 youth baseball leagues!
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3 weeks ago

Timothy GreenI've enjoyed following the re-start in Minnesota! It makes me think of my dad who grew up there, and speaks of missing the area. The horsefly situation makes me laugh. I was born there - I love the pictures! The country roads and landscape bring back memories.
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3 weeks ago

Michele GordonI’m so glad you got to
The town in time to experience the parade ! You were such a good sport to hand out your snacks at the end of the parade to the folks seated at the end of the staging area ( they must have chuckled when they teased you ……asking if you had any candy while
You rode at the end of the parade ….surprise !!!! Have some rode bike snacks for ya rigggghht here in my bag heheh haha😂😂)
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3 weeks ago