Instead of leaving...

We decided to spend about 30 hours compiling and refining our resume'. Each day's work presented a new decision to delay getting started the next day. We have had a tremendous amount of help with the hiring process for the Forestry Service, so it was worth the wait. It also worked out that Heather's Aunt could use some help installing a dish washer that arrived on Friday, so it all worked out. A new prediction of leaving is no later than Monday and we'll be on the road again.

Day 133 - Monday, August 24th

Click on image to enlarge.

Editor's Note: This is just a wild guess as to Dave & Heather's remaining route. Just using it to fill space. They are not going to visit us in Troy, MI (too close to Detroit). - They avoid large cities and highways.

Volunteering - Day 129

Three days this week were spent assisting the archaeologist and archaeological technician of the Forest Service office in Manistee, MI. What does that entail? Essentially you go walking through the woods looking for "depressions." When we started we had no idea what a "depression" looked like but we now have a pretty good idea, especially if they're lined with concrete walls and you practically fall into one.

Now that we've had sufficient time to recover from the bike trip and have the next few days to recover from all the hiking through the woods we plan to set out on Monday for another chunk of this bicycling adventure. We've had to make a bit of plans for the next week or so. Basically we're doing whatever we can to avoid going near Detroit which means nowhere within the HWY 69 interior. That might seem drastic but having lived in Ypsilanti and ridden our bike there, as well as stories from other bicyclists, it's our best chance of survival to give Detroit a wide berth.

How much more do we have to do? Somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 miles and a few weeks.

Starting Monday, Day 126

We will be volunteering with the Forestry Service. Heather and I will be archaeological assistants. Yes, I know it's not bicycle touring, we'll get back to that sometime. We have approximately 450 route miles and 10 riding days left.

Summary: Day 100 to Day 116++

Click on image to enlarge and it is a big map.
This is a composite map of Dave & Heather's Trip from Day 100 to Day 116.
This segment covers from mile 3000 to mile 3631.

Day 116++ - Cadillac, MI to Day 132?

Editor's Note: Dave and Heather have reached Heather's Aunt in Cadillac, MI where they plan to stay for several days.

They have stayed at many people's houses; but this is the first time that they if they want to stay, they have to clean the bathrooms, vacuum the floors, buy the groceries, cook the meals and do the dishes. Aunt Carol is a Senior Forest Ranger and she runs a big office and you do what she says.

What day is it? - Day 114

Not too sure, maybe 114. Anyway, currently set up in Kalkaska, MI.
8.8 miles yesterday around Charlevoix area and 55 to Kalkaska today.
editor's note: It is Day 114, I am keeping track