22-Vassar-Bay City: Road Angels!

38.9 miles/ +493.2 ft./ Total miles 974.8

The big storm that was predicted for Saturday night and all day Sunday actually passed by Vassar and Bay City during the night. There was quite a bit of thunder and lightning, and rain of course. But when I pulled out of Vassar around 8 AM, the skies were already starting to clear up. My route took me on quiet back roads to Frankenmuth, a fake Bavarian town (the Leavenworth of Michigan, except with no mountains), and then to the northwest to Bay City on the Saginaw River, near Lake Huron. 

Coming into Bay City, the route turns onto the Bay City Loop Trail. Just before I made the turn onto the trail, a man riding a recumbent asked if I needed any water, or anything else. Even though I didn’t have far to go, a fill-up on the water bottle sounded like a great idea (I was out of water), especially since the weather was getting hotter and more humid by the minute (headed for 86 degrees). So I said sure, and we turned in to his driveway. The next thing I knew, his wife asked if I wanted to have lunch with them! Of course, it would be a rare day when I turn down an offer of food, so I sat down for lunch with the couple, their grown daughter, and her three sons. Wow, what a treat for me! 

The roads today were much quieter than the past few days, which is a welcome change. I didn’t like riding with heavy traffic volumes, trucks, 55 speed limit, and 18 inches of shoulder. I hope I have left those conditions behind for now.