Day 43: Michigan…. Why?

Hey it’s Julia! So today we discovered why my boyfriend, Jon, on multiple occasions described this state as “crap” and as his dad put it “we’ve lived in a lot of states, but Michigan was definitely not on our list to come back to.” My apologies to anyone who really likes Michigan, but we now hold favoritism for Wisconsin. 

Our morning started off great with a nice breakfast with Jon’s family and then his dad was gracious enough to drive us back up to the route….or what we thought was the route. Dustin tasked me with the gps, but only said a town and then eventually gave me the trail name. Well somehow Google Maps decided to actually bring us two towns over on the trail but too far north. As you can imagine mine and Dustin’s friendship was really tested in this moment. 

We eventually got to where we needed to be and it actually didn’t change our mileage all that much, so all was forgiven. This trail that we ended up spending the vast majority of our day on….. Awful with a capital A. It was a mostly unpaved trail, which would’ve been fine except instead of compacted dirt/gravel (like Wisconsin - the superior state), it was sand. You know how when you run/walk on sand it takes all the energy out of you and you go basically nowhere. Well it’s no different on the bike. 

The trails even added some insult to injury by throwing in a small segment of paved road every 10 miles or so just to get your hopes up that the sand was over. These trails were really starting to get to us so enjoy some of our random conversations that came about: 

Pat: Is that pavement or am I just seeing a mirage?

Dustin & Julia *looks at each other simultaneously*: I wanna die

Dustin: Julia what do you mean you have an inner monologue? I think hearing voices all day just means your crazy. 

Brian: I really don’t like the “Live Laugh Love” style

Julia: I don’t really like it either. I like country chic

Dustin: Julia those are the same thing! That was the most basic white girl thing I have ever heard. 

Brian: ya to get through some of these rides I just zone out for 2 hours with no thoughts what so ever. 

Julia: I can’t go 2 seconds without a million thoughts in my head. Sometimes it’s just a song on repeat. 

Dustin: Julia… again… psychotic 

As you can see, we were losing it so part way throw we decided that instead of going to Flint we were going to go to Durand. Yes, I did say that we were originally planning on going to Flint. Is the water poisonous? Most likely. Did we learn that Flint is in the top 10 for murders in the whole country? Yep. Did we have people at gas stations question our sanity for even considering going to Flint? Absolutely. We clearly came to our senses and decided on the cute small town vibes of Durand instead. 

Riding on the chaotic energy of the day, we rolled into town with no plan on where to stay. Throughout this trip, gas stations have really been our sanctuaries, so what better place to ask random people where to stay. We got pointed in the direction of two motels - both of which were completely full. I’ve been designated in the group as the one they send in when it’s time to play the pity card and beg to stay places (I like to think it’s because I’m more persuasive, but it’s probably actually since I’m the easiest to get to cry). The guy at the motel didn’t have it, though, and informed me that everywhere is booked because of some wedding. Who the heck is getting married out here in Durand, Michigan?!?!?

We only had one card left up our sleeve - the Catholics. I had heard somewhere that churches will sometimes put up people who have no place to go (none of the boys had heard this, so maybe I completely made it up), but either way it was time to test it out. Again, off I am sent to share our tale of biking for charity, while everyone else is off in the corner making sure they remembered their confirmation name, the Hail Mary and the Lord’s Prayer. The church volunteer was super nice and immediately let us set up our tents in the back courtyard area of the church. 

We then went into town for some food and beer - the usual. We also used this opportunity to get a booth with an outlet, so we could charge all of our electronics. This restaurant was probably so confused as to why we were just hanging out for 3 hours until closing, but hey the pitchers of beer were only $6! 

Tomorrow we should be by the Canadian border! So tune in to see how our last day in Michigan is going to go.