I spent last night sleeping along the shores of “Brevoort Lake” in the Hiawatha National Forest in the upper peninsula of Michigan.  I chose the dispersed camping area hoping to be able to the sound of a loon!  (I love loons!!), but unfortunately it was a loon-less lake.... or it's possible I just didn't hear a yodel since nothing short of a nuclear explosion would wake me while sleeping.    This might be the most dreaded sign ever!  Ugh.... I've seen it in all 8 states I have traveled through thus far of this “FJR Fall Full Circle”: This sign really means delays & crappy road surfaces that rank slightly above complete junk.  As someone who has averaged riding close to 50,000 miles annually, I've seen my fair share of road construction, especially late summer and early fall.  However, this year has been NUTS! When I was in Minnesota I saw a few signs advertising “Pasties”.  Today in Michigan, I saw a bunch.  Do you have a photo of your bike with a Pasties sign? So, you want to know what the heck this is all about? (Note the pronunciation of “Pasty” in the top right corner): Since I'm not a fan of rutabaga I've never tried one of these things, but I did take a photo:   Crossing the Mackinac Bridge from St. Ignace, Michigan to Mackinaw City, MI - it's the third longest suspension bridge in the world (5 miles), toll of $3:   I left my campsite this morning on US-2 then intersected I-75 southbound for the trip over the bridge.  Thankfully my time on the interstate was very brief (a few miles) and I exited for some of Michigan's backroad solitude and scenery!  Heading to my next Scenic Byway:  ... Highway 119 (M-119), which is also called the “Tunnel of Trees”, a Michigan Scenic Byway: Yeah, I'd say it's aptly named: Once coming out of the trees, it was open farmland: What could be much better than riding a Scenic Byway?  How about this...: ... a National Park Passport Stamp at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore!    My “Stamp-itis” was starting to really flare given it's been longer than 24 hours since I've bagged a stamp!   I was feeling all prepared since I've got Bear Spray aboard in case I did encounter a bear while in the area until I talked with a ranger.  He looked at me funny when I inquired about the potential of an encounter as well as why I didn't see Bear Lockers in the park.  If you'd like to save yourself time and energy to inquire about such issues, here's the answer:   After spending some time in the Visitor Center, I decided to ride through what the ranger told me was a “must do” 7.4 mile scenic loop in the park called “Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive”.  He only needed to point me in the direction and I was off!: More tunnel of trees... ...and a peak of Glen Lake: I've seen countless covered bridges, but never one adorned with a National Park Service logo:   One of the pullouts offered some impressive views of the dunes and Lake Michigan: Those little specks are people making the climb back up the dunes: (You're darn right that'd be me if not for my bum ankle!    )   There are no major roads that run east-west in Michigan.  Most of the ones I took on my way to New Baltimore, MI (just north of Detroit) were classified by my Garmin GPS units as “Minor Roads”.  I'd say anytime you're riding for miles and miles alongside corn that you're on a minor road (or perhaps just in Iowa!):   I spent most of my time after leaving the park trying trying to avoid both of these...tractors and construction vehicles!: Yeah, I did a double-take when I saw this too: Made a stop in New Baltimore, MI to visit with “ExtremeMarine”, a member of the FJRForum.  He worked later than usual this evening, which gave me time to visit with his wife Annette and their kids.  Wayne and Annette sustained serious injuries from a motorcycle crash about a year ago.  Annette talked about their recovery and getting back on the road.  I love meeting people who have not only overcome adversity but have done so while perhaps not having the full support of those around them.  You don't have to look hard to find people who have had motorcycle accidents and the people around them are, shall we say, less than enthusiastic about them returning to two wheels.  I've never personally experienced this, but I know people who have.  While talking to Annette, she said something that I'd like to pass along (ahem, Jake!).... She said she was involved in a fender bender car accident a few years ago and that “not one single person asked me if I was going to drive again.”  She said she never considered whether she and Wayne would ride again and it seemed odd that folks asked if they would.  “Motorcycling is a part of our lives, our kids' lives, and I just couldn't imagine it otherwise.”  To each their own, but I hear ya sistah!  Though the time was short, I enjoyed the evening with both Wayne and Annette:   Earlier in the evening while I was out in the driveway getting things off my FJR motorcycle, their daughter (who is named "Harley") said "AGirl, let me show you a REAL bike!" as she rolls out her pink tricycle (that's Dad's black FJR to the right):   Thanks, Wayne, Annette, and crew!  A great way to end a great day in Michigan!   Map of today's route: AGirl Copyright © 2006-2012, All Rights Reserved.