Cared For

Never finish the day with McDonalds and then start the next day with it again. I think that's what I learned today. I hated myself pedaling out of Cassopolis. 

However, the day wasn't bad. The ride was very peaceful and the farmland continued to stream on by.

There were four vehicles approaching rapidly from behind with another four on the opposite side. These are the sketchy moments where I move as far to the side of the pavement as possible. With no shoulder, things got a bit hairy.

One man with a trailer got too close for comfort while the other two vehicles zipped on past me. The last vehicle waited for the other cars to pass, an act that did not go unnoticed by me. As the "Frontier Cable" van passed by I gave a wave to the car in appreciation.

A mile or so down the road, I saw the same van pass me. It pulled over a bit down the road. A thin, bald man leapt out and waved me over. I stopped in front of the car on the side of the road.

"Are you the same guy from the road?" I asked, smiling, already pretty sure.

He smiled back, "Yeah, that's me. Hold on, I got something for you."

He pulled out a large orange Gatorade. 

"You gotta stay hydrated."

"Oh my god! Dude, thank you so much!" I gushed.

Jeff knew the rigors of bicycle touring. He'd done a short week in Germany where he said it was amazing. Some of the best cycling roads in the world with a lot of history to boot. Sounded like my kind of place. He was working with Frontier, saving up money and planning another week long ride through Germany. He told me there was a beach and brewery up the road. We shook hands and he left.

I waited for Josh in the town of Bridgman, eager to tell of the encounter. As Josh approached, he saw the Gatorade and said, "Oh, he got you one  too?"

As it turned out, I mentioned off-handedly  that my buddy, Josh, was a bit behind me. Wouldn't you know it, Jeff got another Gatorade and stopped Josh down the road. Josh said he came up and said, "You must be Ralph's friend." Gatorades for two and hearts replenished, we splurged on the town brewery.

At the brewery, we had a very laid back waiter by the name of Tim take care of us. A burly figure with long hair and a bushy beard, he seemed a bit shy but genuine. We kinda hit it off, trading jokes and getting a mutual respect/energy from one another. 

Toward the end of our meal, Josh and I began attempting to find campgrounds. Everything within fifteen miles was completely booked. We were in a bind.

I went outside to smoke a cigarette (sorry mom and dad, really I am) and Tim was doing the same. 

"Holy shit, when you guys said you biked here, I thought you meant motorcycles."

Tim was in the Navy for a few years, being sent to California and Washington. He loved Washington. "Everywhere you look, it could literally be printed on a postcard. You guys'll love it." He grew up in Bridgman and had returned after his time with the Navy. 

The manager came outside and told Tim he was needed.

Inside, we paid for the check and got ready to leave. Tim came up to us.

"Hey, if you guys want, you could totally camp in my backyard. But if you're going somewhere that's cool," he said.

Josh and I looked at each other. We were saved.

"We were just planning on sleeping on the beach! Tim! This is so clutch right now!" I yelled with excitement.

"This is what we live for. Just people saving us when we're in these positions. Thank you so much," Josh said.

Just down the road, Tim lead in his white Taurus to the house. 

"I have work until eleven but feel free to hangout," he said.

"Come here, man," I said moving toward him. "I gotta give you a hug."

The big man and I embraced. 

"I want one too," Josh said moving swiftly in from behind.

Tim went back to work and we set up tents while briefly meeting Tim's father

"Holy shit... that's a trip!" he told us.

He was driving Tim's brother, Tyler, to work.

Just down the road was Lake Michigan. Josh and I spent the rest of the day on the beach. Children laughed, the sun smiled, and the water waved silently. Silently being the key word. There are no waves on the lake as opposed to the constantly chattering waves of the ocean. There was a constant peace in the sand.

We just got back and Tim's still at work.

This is one of those days where the world is a beautiful place, I have no fear of anything, and I am filled with confidence at the magic inside of human beings.

Lots of love.