A famous poet once said, “Thousands have lived without love, not one without water.” I am fortunate. I have found both.
Why does water have such an allure? We are all too familiar with it. Our bodies, as well as the earth, contain about 70% water. It should be mundane. We see it on a regular basis, in the rain and as we sweat. Yet, mere words cannot explain the beckon to which we respond. The moon seduces the tides of the sea, creating unique and inspiring experiences every second, minute and hour of the day. A tall glass of water nourishes the soul on a hot and thirsty day. Sailboats and mighty ships navigate the deep. Sandy beaches on the shore host thousands of romantic sun seekers.
Perhaps God created the earth as well as our bodies to remind us of the Living Water.
John 7:38
I love the beach, sounds of the crashing waves, seagulls and lighthouses. Lake Michigan has a magnetism different from the balmy ocean shore. A beach without salt, in cooler climates, and a natural wonder–it is the perfect combination to check off an item on our bucket list. However, several attempts by my hubby and me to ride there have been averted by weather or personal circumstances.
Until now.
When the HOG National Touring Rally announced they were going to circle Lake Michigan, my hubby and I were “all in!” #Ride365
The routes were planned and hotels were reserved. Rain or shine we were going, encouraging others to ride along. This would be the longest trip to date on Free (my Heritage), in a line-up of bikes with my hubby on his Road Glide. A few other friends decided to join us on this epic journey.
I ride because I can. I can because God is continuing to work miracles in my body. When the doctor said I had less than two years to live, God had other plans! (That was five years ago and my body is stable.) While I will always be considered “terminal,” “incurable,” and therefore “disabled” by legal standards, I believe God has something more to do in my life. I push myself to the limit, because my limit is not God’s limit. What I cannot do by my own strength, He provides.
I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:14 NLT
Our kick stands were up on August 26th, 2021, two days after our 36th anniversary. Twelve days later–Labor Day, September 6th–we would be back home, bikes safely nestled inside our garage. Just in time for several birthday celebrations. So, this was kind of an anniversary / birthday / “I can do all things through Christ” combination ride.
Facebook contains daily logs of our travels, with lots of pictures too. We also made a video (surprised? ðð). Highlights included riding the Natchez Trace Parkway all the way from the southern to northern terminus, finding the “big egg” in Mentone Indiana, the HOG Touring Rally events, riding through the “Tunnel of Trees,” Legs Inn Historic Landmark, Lighthouses, crossing the Mackinac Bridge (it’s a suspension bridge, and we had to ride on the grates ðģðģ), riding by Lake Superior, Door County Loop and Al’s Swedish Restaurant (best known as “the restaurant with goats on the roof”), the Harley-Davidson Museum and Hometown Rally, scenic byways with Amish in carriages led by horses, watching a horse slip on wet pavement and fall to the ground right in front of us (ðģ), early morning fog, and of course the camaraderie of all our riding buddies.
All around the Lake we had the most beautiful weather. Blue skies and cool riding temperatures. We only had a few patches of rain on the way up and back, but otherwise it was picture perfect.
Here’s a link to the video recap, which barely scratches the surface. Be sure to turn on the sound to hear Flat Cowboy’s ðĪ reflections on the trip. ðððĪŠðĪŠ He’s our Chapter Mascot. You’ll also hear from our Shooters, the leaders of the Rally, and an extra rider we picked up in Mentone Indiana at the big Egg ð. The guys from the Woodlands Chapter turned down an interview, but we enjoyed having them on the ride as well!
In addition to the video and pictures I took on my iPhone in the previous movie, I also shot some footage on my GoPro, which was attached to my mustache bar. Unfortunately, most of the time I couldn’t reach the record button from the saddle. (I did try a couple of times on a straight and traffic-free road ðð.) The video below includes a conglomeration of shots from that angle as well, which is totally new footage not previously seen. I think it’s pretty cool.
A little disclaimer here. I’m still learning how to record the bluetooth intercom system with my Hero 3+, but it was fun to try. When making movies it is important yet very challenging to anticipate scenes in advance. For example, when to turn on the video to get that “perfect shot,” how long the battery will last, and how much footage that little disk can hold. It’s especially hard when riding in a group, setting up the camera while trying not to hold everyone up. I don’t have a production crew. Motorcycling requires one to practice minimalism. It’s just me and my iPhone, or my GoPro camera. I shoot, and I edit. (I use iMovie because it’s free and easy to use.) I’m just thankful to have the equipment to do something I love. And I am especially grateful when people do silly antics or say amazing things to make it more enjoyable.
That’s probably way more technical stuff than you care to know ððĪŠð. So, now you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride!
I really wanted to record the entire Bridge crossing, but I was SO scared just hanging on for dear life. I didn’t know for sure if it was recording. Seems the battery died half-way across the bridge, sadly ðŠ, just before we had to ride on the grated lane ðģðģ. But, I was pleased to see some footage of the bridge and tunnel of trees on the download, which I thought I had missed completely.
Since Big Mac is the only way across to the Upper Peninsula, that’s proof enough. Did it. Checked the box. Probably won’t do it again ð. Well, I could be swayed.
From that point on, the GoPro stayed in my bag. I couldn’t be bothered.
There’s a lot to remember when gearing up for a ride, including putting everything away and locking down all the saddlebags; pre-checking the bike with T-CLOCS (does anyone do that?ðĪŠðĪŠ); gearing up with sunscreen, lip balm, headband, bandana, turtle neck, jacket, chaps, gloves, goggles, helmet, headphones, intercom, phone, GoPro; and entering the address into my GPS. I take my time so as not to forget anything, but it’s never foolproof. Just ask some unknown rider who lost their gloves and hat a short ride from one of our hotels. No, we didn’t stop and pick them up, although we probably would have found their owner at the next Rally meet-up point.
“Can you hear me?” Silence. Tim’s Sena battery had a propensity to run out ahead of mine. On those occasions, I took the lead since I had the address plugged into my phone. We discovered my riding style changes when I’m in the lead. Generally, I take off faster, ride down the road at higher speeds, and don’t hesitate as much since I don’t have to figure out what the bike in front of me is doing. At least, that’s what I’m told. If you ride in front of me (or behind me for that matter), be prepared to wait. ðĪŠððĪŠ
Tim’s reassuring voice was in my ear as I rode 3,936 miles on my bike (my biggest ride yet), and an additional 209 with him on the Road Glide, for a grand total of 4,145 miles. Quite a trip! If you haven’t gone there, go! Memories that will last a lifetime.
à la prochaine…Until Next Time!