On this morning, sleeping in was doable as today's ride was the shortest that the trip has yet to offer. Today's route would also take me through Michigan's Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route (Michigan State Highway 119). This morning's greeting consisted of the avian variety in the form of chirping, and in the form of continued bombardment from Aedes vexans and/or Culex pipiens. Let it be known, if ever you're feeling alone, mosquitoes in Northern Michigan will provide you unsolicited company; just not the unsolicited company you may have wanted.
I was on the road by 9:15am, and enjoyed the quiet backroads of northern Michigan to the northern terminus of the Tunnel of Trees in Cross Village. The next 27 miles of riding were in many ways offered some of the most unique riding experiences that I've ever had. For starters, while MI-119 is technically a state highway, it is a narrow highway: not even two full lanes in width, a centerline absent for most of its length! The highway follows the shore of Lake Michigan, and despite this views of Lake Michigan are seldom due to the dense forest (hence the name Tunnel of Trees). Michigan's department of transportation explains it best: "M-119 is not a road for those in a hurry." Tight turns without banking, blind hills, heavy timber along the road, and periodic glimpses of Lake Michigan from a high elevation all seemed to encourage taking one's time. These may have been the slowest 27 miles I have ever ridden while touring.
When I reached Harbor Springs, I stopped in a city park along Little Traverse Bay for a late lunch; my first meal without aerial bombardment since lunch the day prior. From here, I rode onward to Charlevoix along an easygoing bay-grade bike path. A portion of this route was unique in that about a mile of the bike path was along a boardwalk, something I haven't experienced since riding along the boardwalk in Atlantic City, NJ. While in Charlevoix, I stopped for a meal at a local eatery prior to pedaling out of town to Fisherman's Island State Park.
The colloquially dubbed state bird was surprisingly absent at Fisherman's Island State Park; at least, at my campsite. While today was a short ride, I was ready for a good night's rest.
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