Beans
Time out: 9:28 (after breakfast).
This is the big day--the final leg home after 2-1/2 months on the road.
I headed to downtown Ithaca for french toast (only one order).
On State Road, I reached another series of "Road Closed" signs
with detours off onto gravel roads. Once again, I elected to proceed through
the construction zone. This one was almost nothing--just a backhoe digging
a hole on the other side of the road and gravel for a few feet on my side.
I waited for only about 30 seconds for the backhoe to turn around.
I passed fields of beans, corn and crops I didn't recognize.
The corn stalks were immense; I would estimate over 7' tall. When I left in May, the fields were almost bare. I've been gone a long time. I missed the entire summer in Michigan.
The Maple River is typical of the muddy rivers in this area.
Sleepy Hollow state park used to be a huge wetland, but sometime
while I was living in Alaska, the river was dammed and a lake was created.
I was hours ahead of schedule. The wind was favorable and I felt
strong, so the ride from Ithaca seemed short. I managed to reach Sleepy
Hollow State Park about 2-1/2 hours earlier than anticipated, so I was forced
to wait so I wouldn't arrive in Williamston before I was being met. I circled
Sleepy Hollow and watched some young park workers digging a hole (actually
one woman digging while everybody else watched).
On my way home, I elected to ride to the highest point in Ingham County--the hill on Barry Road. It was nothing, now that I'm in shape.
At the Williamstown Township Hall, some of my Tri-County Bicycle Association riding buddies met me for the 4.5 mile ride into Williamston.
It was great to be back.
In the City of Williamston there was a police escort and a crowd of people
cheering me in at the Library. I was barraged by reporters and well-wishers
and didn't manage to take any pictures, but here are some Betty Honey took.
 Putman Street |
 Library |
 TV news interview |
 Welcome Home flowers |
I did lose weight, but not as much as I had hoped: 15 lbs.
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63 miles today
 Michigan |
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© Ed Noonan 1996, 1997