67.6 miles*/ + 1049 ft. / Total miles 1523.3/ Tailwind
* Rode to Gladstone. WS host picked me up there due to huge thunderstorm, so I missed the last 9 miles to Escanaba, riding on US 2 with the trucks. Too bad.
I wish I knew more about a lot of things. Today I wish I knew more about weather.
The wind continued to blow from the east all day today. The weather – bands of thunderstorms – moved from west to east. Sure, the storms are a long way above the ground. But it would be interesting to know more about how these systems work.
When I got to Manistique about 9 AM (20 miles from the motel from last night), the skies were getting dark and it looked ominous. The radar showed a big storm headed right for town. I ducked in to the Cedar Street Cafe for coffee and bread pudding, hoping to sit for 45 minutes to wait it out.
View of lighthouse at Manistique with dark clouds:
It turned out the the storm stalled and I stayed there for more than 3 hours until it had passed by. When it rains, it pours. No way I want to be out in that stuff. So it was frustrating but I think it was the right thing to do.
So at 1 PM I finally got back on the road – 57 degrees in Manistique. With the tailwind and the easy grades, I made good time to Garden Corners and on to Rapid River. From there, the route turns south toward Gladstone and Escanaba. As I pulled in to Gladstone, I looked for the bike shop, to get the tires pumped up. I knew the back tire had lost some air, and decided to have the mechanic there put a new tube in. No sense tempting fate out there.
The black clouds had returned and I checked the radar on my phone: big storm headed to Escanaba first and then on to Gladstone. I called my Warmshowers host to let her know where I was, and she offered that if the storm hit, she could come and pick me up. About 10 minutes later, she called me to report that the skies had opened in Escanaba, so it would make sense to get a ride. Driving to Escanaba in an absolute downpour made it clear that that was the right decision. You could hardly see 10 feet in front of the car.
Warmshowers to the rescue again! What a wonderful organization for traveling cyclists. The people that volunteer to put up the travelers are so generous, and it is a wonderful way to meet local people. Anyone can be a host, even non-cyclists.
Heading away from Lake Michigan tomorrow toward Sagola, Michigan. Hoping to get a break from the thunderstorms.
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
I’m glad you didn’t ride in the storms. I flew over you somewhere, heading to California for Nomi’s daughter’s wedding up north in Eureka. Clouds over most of the east and Midwest, not surprisingly, then a great view up the Sierras of snow pack shining in the June sun. Hope it’s as much water as they need this year, though I wonder if anything can bring the Central Valley water table up much again.
Say hi to Nomi for me!