August 19
A day's ride near the coastline went by a lot of posted "Private Property". I was relieved to see a nice public park in St. Joseph, MI, where Lake access is not just for shore property owners and boaters. At this park a young couple approached me to ask about my ride. As I spoke with them, another couple they knew spotted them and joined the conversation. All were residents of St. Joseph, a town of 8000+ people. When I described my route, they said it was a dream route. When I told them I didn't have time to visit the brew pub in Sawyer tonight, they told me I should take it slower.
Approaching Sawyer, MI at dusk I saw a threatening situation taking shape in my rearview mirror, so I rode off the road just in case that car behind me didn't have a chance to merge left before it reached me. All told, I did that maneuver just twice in 3400 miles. My wide tire bike is pretty good off the pavement (and in general gives a cushy ride with its 35psi tires.)