PAGE FIVE: Day Two. Part One

July 9, 2025

Morning and Afternoon

No Way Could I Fit All of Today's Action Into a Single Page

I knew I had a lot of work to do in order to make up for yesterday's shortcomings, so I gave The Feeshko a goodbye hug at the early hour of 8:30 and headed back north toward The Edge of America.

The first six miles covered the same roads I cycled yesterday, but this time the weather was perfect. This time I didn't feel rushed. This time I had some new and exciting outdoor recreation areas to explore. This time a night in the tent was a sure thing. This time there was no excuse to turn back. This time I was sure I could regain some of the edge I lost yesterday.

And this time I noticed a few things I didn't see yesterday. Such as . . .

. . . this view from a bridge over the Dead River . . .

. . . and this wood carving of (I think) an egret. The unusual thing about this work of art is that it was not in a museum, it was not in a sculpture park, it wasn't even on somebody's property. It was as if nature itself carved it in a random place along the road.

Before I knew it, I was already at Sugarloaf Mountain--Marquette County's most famous natural landmark. Climbing it is an important ritual for local members of The Church of the Great Outdoors. It's an important pilgrimage for those of us who formerly lived in the area too. Even out-of-staters with no religious affiliation seem attracted to Sugarloaf in a very spiritual way.

The climb isn't particularly long, but it will test your legs and lungs if, like me, you alternate between fast walking and running. And the views from the summit are worth every bit of effort you put into it. Just remember to apply liberal amounts of DEET before hitting the trail.

It gets a little more rugged once you get toward the end.

Near the top, you can look back on Hogback Mountain--that's the mountain I failed to climb yesterday. I'll get you next time, Hogback.

I wish I hadn't spoiled this awesome Lake Superior view by putting myself in the foreground.

I aimed my phone in a different direction for this one. Much better.

This photo, looking north, is my favorite of the Sugarloaf pictures. Maybe that's because the little island off the point will be featured in the next segment.

The Next Segment

When I got my fill of Sugarloaf beauty, I raced down the mountain. I had some anxiety over whether my bike would still be locked to the tree where I left it.

It doesn't matter where I park my bike--be it in front of a small-town convenience store, an inner-city Jimmy John's, a state park visitor center, a museum, a trailhead, etc.--I always panic when I come out and don't see it IMMEDIATELY. That happens every single time! Then I see my bike a couple seconds later, my heart calms down, and I feel like a fool. I fear what might happen to my heart if someday my bike really IS missing.

Sure, there was my usual bout with anxiety, but I found Son of Bing Bong exactly where I left it. Whew!

I took a few swigs of water, ate some trail mix, and moved on toward that little island I mentioned in the caption of my last photo. On the way, I enjoyed a little up and down biking. It was so fun, I filmed a short movie while coasting down a hill. I give the video two thumbs up for the great action sequence & the cinematography, and THREE thumbs up for the musical score. The improvised vocals were top-notch, for sure.

Three thumbs up for the scenery as well.

Eventually I reached the dirt road that led to my next edgy destination--The Little Presque Isle Recreation Area. The dirt road was fun, the hike through a fantastic sandy forest was fun, and the remote Lake Superior beach was especially fun.

The fun beach. (A headstand is my signature move that indicates I'm having fun.)

That's Little Presque Isle in the background.

That dude might be having even more fun than I am. It's certainly edgier fun.

They're pretty adamant about "no camping" around here. Maybe it's a good thing the storm foiled my plan to wild camp on the first night.

I have no doubt I could find a place to camp where nobody would see me, but I had to wonder what the penalty would be if, against million-to-one odds, the wilderness police spotted my tent deep in the forest. A twenty or thirty dollar fine, perhaps? Heck, that would be less than the fee at most campgrounds these days. I'd gladly pay that amount to camp underneath those beautiful pine trees I showed earlier.

After my time at Little Presque Isle Point, I looked at my phone to see what time it was. OH FUDGE! That was a direct violation of my vow--taken in front of millions of witnesses on Page Three--not to use my phone for anything other than taking pictures and videos.

I could easily have not mentioned that innocent transgression, but I'm all about journalistic integrity. Even though the violation of my cell phone restriction oath is embarrassing, it had to be reported. Furthermore, it's only one small addition to my long history of abandoning pledges. For instance, these examples come quickly to mind:

-I don't think I've EVER kept a New Year's resolution.

-I don't remember taking my pledge of allegiance all that seriously when I had to recite it in grade school.

-I know for sure I violated my Cub Scout oath to “do my best to do my duty for god and my country, to be square, and to obey the law of the pack.” Even though I was only in the Cub Scouts for about six months, I still remember the pledge to this day. Probably that's because of the “to be square” part. In the 1960's, “square” was the last thing a hip 3rd-grader wanted to be.

-I don't even want to get into how many times I fraudulently recited the “I detest all my sins because of thy just punishment” line in the Act of Contrition when I went to Catholic School.

Anyway, for better or worse, the no unauthorized cell phone use pledge has been broken. I'm ashamed of myself for succumbing to my electronic addiction after only a few hours. It's too late to take it back now. I guess that means I'm free to use my phone as much as I want. Just in time too, because this un-connectedness is killing me.

Still, I had to be careful. I didn't bring my charger. I didn't think I'd need it. I planned to put the phone on airplane mode which, surely, would preserve enough power to take all the pictures I wanted for a couple days, right?

Wrong! I'm quickly finding out how much I rely on my phone for checking the time, using Google Maps to verify the accuracy of my homemade crayon map, reviewing my photos, etc. And it seems like I can only go an hour (or less) on airplane mode before I feel compelled to check my text messages and e-mails, or to search for some tidbit on the internet.

In other words, I'm appalled at myself for not bringing a charger--just in case. I'm seriously worried that I won't have enough battery power to get me through tomorrow's ride, which I expect to be even better and edgier than today's ride.

************

I can't believe I rambled on so long about my cell phone use. Let's go back to the point where I checked the time while leaving the Little Presque Isle area. It was past noon, and I still had a lot of miles to ride before my destination of Big Bay--The Edge of America.

I got down to some faster, more urgent pedaling. The thing I can't explain is that, despite the urgency to move forward and the consistent strain on my phone's battery, I kept stopping for pictures. Most of them involved taking photos from bridges over all the rivers I crossed. There were so many streams and rivers that I can't remember their names.

I definitely have to learn more about this rocket business once I get back to civilization to recharge my phone.

A timed photo of ME riding my bike is a Greg-journal requirement.

Despite promises of great wealth, I didn't explore the Gold Mine Road.

I saw a beekeeper, fully clad in his white coveralls, headcover, and facemask. If I was a little more outgoing, I might have gone down to his yard and asked for a sample of his freshest, sweetest honey. I'm not, I didn't, and I pedaled on.

A little later, I saw two wild turkeys in the distance. They were right in the middle of the other lane. Before I could get a picture, one of the turkeys (the male I assume) fanned out his tailfeathers. A very short scuffle ensued. I couldn't help but wonder if the scuffle was an act of turkey love.

Also on the bird front, I saw a couple of Sandhill Cranes. I did not know their range extended to the U.P. of Michigan.

"Don't run away," I called to them, "I am your friend." They scurried down the dirt road anyway.

The final descent into Big Bay--The Edge of America.

I made it to Perkins Park Campground and quickly set up my tent.

I've decided to bring "Day Two, Part One" to a conclusion. It is getting way too long, and I can't expect to hold anybody's interest beyond this point. The rest of my day will be continued on the next page. It will cleverly be titled, "PAGE SIX: Day Two, Part Two." I hope it will be worth your time to return.

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Today's ride: 38 miles (61 km)
Total: 56 miles (90 km)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	9
Comment on this entry	Comment	11

Kathleen JonesI’m in agony here. How long do we have to wait for part deux?
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1 month ago

Gregory GarceauTo Kathleen JonesI was having some technical difficulties. Now that they've been fixed, I should be able to produce the next post by tomorrow at the latest.
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1 month ago

Scott AndersonGreat downhill video! You forgot to label the sound track though. What the heck was that?
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1 month ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesOf course we are coming back for the next thrilling installment.
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1 month ago

Karen PoretSon of Bing Bong wants to let us all know, too. Stay tuned? We are at the edge of our seats with anticipation for this next chapter..
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1 month ago

Mark BinghamTo Scott AndersonMaybe it's part of the edginess: with an unattributed song he's creating the possibility of legal entanglements. The guy is crazy edgy.
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1 month ago

Gregory GarceauTo Scott AndersonI believe that was the great Placido Domingo performing a song from The Sound of Music.
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1 month ago

Gregory GarceauTo Mark BinghamI believe I'm covered here by the "Public Domain" laws so . . . maybe not so edgy after all.
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1 month ago

Scott AndersonTo Mark BinghamYup, just another wingnut like the rest of us.
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1 month ago

Nancy GrahamIt is difficult for me to think of you as ‘not outgoing’. But if you say so, it must be so. Your head stand signature gets better with every post ;’-).
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1 month ago

Gregory GarceauTo Nancy GrahamI'm not a recluse or anything, but I really am not very outgoing--at least with strangers. I think I'm a little better than I used to be, though. I might add that if somebody approaches me first, I'm just fine with engaging in a short conversation.
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1 month ago