August 12, 2024 – Grand Haven, Michigan
Yup, I’m on another lark in Michigan. I left the drum corps world behind yesterday and headed north from Indianapolis on US Route 31. My first stop for a walk and some cultural heritage was South Bend, Indiana. This is where the Studebaker Brothers forged an auto empire from the humble beginnings of blacksmithing and carriage making. Today, the factories are gone, but a museum exists where the cars remain viewable to the public. One can step back in time to the early days of transportation. It just so happens that South Bend is on the original route of the Lincoln Highway. I’m sure Carl Fisher hit up the brothers to help contribute to the idea of the first cross-country paved road. Studebaker produced some interesting brands and models, such as the sexy Hawk and the practical Lark.
Onward into Michigan, just a few miles from South Bend, I headed toward Grand Haven on Lake Michigan. Today, I walked along the shore into downtown and parked here at the local library for water, bathroom, WIFI, and a comfortable chair to catch up with you. Dinner with friends last night was a pleasure but became awkward when the conversation turned to politics. These are unsettled times. Will America weather another storm of political polarization that divides families? I continue to learn lessons. Even at my advanced age, I can improve. Brother Garry said, “Kevin, you seem more strident in your views this year. It is not endearing to your friends.” It’s time to keep the political discussion to a minimum, or I may quickly lose my welcome.
August 13, 2024 – West Olive, Michigan
Michigan is the anchor of the Union. Its people, places, and things represent what is best in America. Let me say that beer is one of the things. Like music, trails, and food, beer is a uniting force. One visit to a Michigan brewpub will help you fall in love with everyone around you. I have just returned from a trip to Muskegon, Michigan, on an errand with my host, Mark. Of course, we decided to have lunch. What better place than RAD DADS’ Tacos and Tequila Bar? And, yes, we had both. Next was a stop in Grand Haven for a visit to the Odd Sides Ales taproom.
Now, I am comfortably back in my temporary refuge, a well-built home at the end of the street in western Michigan. This is home to one of my oldest friends, Dawn, and husband Mark. I am here for one more night before I head to Gross Pointe to visit more Michigan friends—it’s time to hit the hammock for a nap. A hard day of touring on my lark with Mark to Muskegon was exhausting. Tonight, we will have dinner on the waterfront in Grand Haven. Later, we will play Cribbage and bone up on my Eucher. This is a popular card game in Michigan. I’ll keep you posted.
August 14, 2024 – Planet Earth
It’s funny how a long road trip away from home, seeing sights, learning history, and meeting old and new friends can set your mind free. That is, it gives one a chance to contemplate and reflect on the past and present from a removed perspective. When one is far from home, there is this free feeling that one is a citizen of the Earth. I have had an amazing time with my four-phase summer tour. The drum corps phase of my tour of 13 shows, long in the rearview mirror. Now, I am well into my vagabond phase, couch hopping. Today, I am headed to Grosse Pointe, home of the Fords and my friend Johann. He will host me for a day or two. Then, Phase Three: North Country Trail Celebration in St. Ignace one week from now. I hope to get a hike in before then. Phase Four: The journey home – TBD.
12:00 Noon – Grosse Pointe, Michigan
I drove the Silver Bullet on a straight shot to Detroit along the Eisenhower 94. America is under construction. As a former transportation planner and grant program manager for the Vermont Agency of Transportation, I observed decades of neglect and the lack of resources for our transportation infrastructure. We are now finally rebuilding. However, that causes delays. Siri rerouted me off the Eisenhower slow-down at a construction zone for 8.5 miles along a parallel country road. She saved me 31 minutes of delay. I love her.
Now, the Silver Bullet is parked in the shade in front of a nice stone residence in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a Tree City. My host is also retired and was involved with transportation. In fact, he is formerly an international automotive executive. Born and raised in Essen, Germany, post World War II, Johann’s story is a fascinating one. The path from his humble beginnings to his comfortable retirement from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Grosse Pointe is a remarkable journey of personal fortitude and smarts. We have known each other for 30 years. If we had been born 30 years earlier, we would have been on opposing sides. I imagine him in a BF109, trying to shoot my ass off as a tail gunner in a B17 while I was trying to get a bead on him.
This is my second wayside on my vagabond phase. A cruise along the waterfront on Lakeside Drive in the Porsche convertible steps up my profile as we pass the home of Edsel Ford and others. Lunch at the favored cafe’ replenishes and nourishes with a delicious pesto chicken salad sandwich. We nosh in the shade as passersby admire the black convertible parked on the street. Some stop to comment and chat. As we catch up with each other, Johann shares that he has applied for US citizenship. As a 40-year resident with a green card during his career, he has established a terrific life of friends and family here in the anchor state of Michigan. He said, “This country has been very good to me.” As a member of Rotary International, Johann is focusing his talents and time on action on climate change. You can imagine the conversations that we have had over the years. We continue to discuss the most relevant current events and political issues. My understanding is enhanced greatly by his more-worldly experience. My sometimes strident reproaches enhance his social views. He will make a great citizen because he has been, for all intents and purposes, for a long time. Partner Liz is a role model citizen. She is the manager of a county north of here. We will head there tomorrow to enjoy the quiet countryside at their home in Northern Michigan for a few days. I will keep you posted as the adventures unfold with Johann’s planes and cars in his hangar at the airport in his backyard.
August 15, 2024 – Eastern Michigan
I am on another road trip to Northern Michigan. I left the Detroit area this morning en route to Lake City, Michigan. The interstates were crazy, so I decided to deviate from Siri’s preferred route and take Route 15 North to Bay City. This is the dollar store route that the Volvo much prefers as she purrs along at a moderate pace across the Michigan countryside. I am at a local recreation park to take a break, have lunch, and let the Silver Bullet rest in the shade. A cookout with the grandkids, a nice session on the piano, and a great night’s sleep, this vagabond phase has been soothing my soul. I have five more days before meeting up with other friends for the NCTA annual Celebration. I think I will look into a local golf course when I arrive at my destination for today. The Harwood Union High School Golf Team starts its season with practices today. We have 30 kids signed up. Head coach Brian thinks we should make a few cuts. I think it will come down to who puts in scores, good or not-so-good, for the first week of practice. I’m feeling guilty for not being there at the beginning of the season practices, but it is up to the kids to prove that they are dedicated and ready.
I turned a three-hour drive into six with my larking about. It was a pleasure to visit the Bay City State Park. As you know, Michigan is surrounded by the Great Lakes, one its namesake, another Lake Huron. Saginaw Bay has a historic past as a lumber milling center, with vessels coming and going with raw timber and finished lumber. Today, it is a recreation center for the Eastern Michigan area. My hike around the lagoon, marsh, and sandy beach was complimented by a walk along the Chickadee Trail, a rail trail that connects the region. Michigan is the Anchor of the Union because it has a strong ethos of connecting people to their natural environment.
Now, I am in the downtime phase of the vagabond tour with rain and overcast skies to change things up. I am under the tutelage of heir Johann with attention to his hobbies, unique planes, and classic cars. My sturdy, eight-year-old Volvo XC70 transported me here by way of over three thousand miles on tour to DCI events. It has earned my trust and respect and is going the long haul. In the hangar sits a 1967 Volvo wagon in supreme original condition. His 1970 Volvo 1800E is in the shop getting new interior and glass. A 1953 BMW motorcycle with Steib 200 sidecar resides in the hangar, too.
When the weather improves, we will be heading up into the blue yonder in his Pipistrel Sinus 912 motorized glider. Wish me luck! I’ll keep you posted in a few days. Peace out for now.
August 17, 2024 – Lake City, Michigan
“What are friends for if you can’t use them.” said my father. What he really meant was when we do things together with friends, even favors, we all have fun. I am still encamped in northern Michigan with such friends. The rain prohibited flying, so Liz and I went on nature excursions nearby. We first headed to Fife Lake, MI, to hike a section of the North Country Trail. This is what I have been waiting for after a long tour on the hard surfaces in the urban areas that I have visited since August 1. The sandy soils of the area were welcome to my knees and feet. Did you know that the human being can walk all day long? I could have walked all day today on the NCT. Alas, we set the timer for 25 minutes to turn around so we could make it to our next adventure on time. Following the hike, we headed to Smithville Landing on the Manistee River, where we rented two kayaks for a wonderful paddle along the sinuous river, swollen by the recent rains.
Liz is a success story of the American Girl. Her determination and equal smarts have earned her a big-ass career as City Manager of Traverse City, Michigan. Today was a welcome day off for her from the hectic daily issues that crop up in our urban centers. I was honored to spend the day with such a great role model for women of America. She is an outdoor girl with a lively step and graceful paddle strokes. I was treated to the bounty of Northern Michigan’s natural assets with a fun companion. My friends in Vermont are doing the usual weekly activities, such as Peak-a-week, Fri-hike, and SSOAP (Saturday, Sunday Outdoor Adventure Plan).
August 18, 2024 – Michigan, the Anchor of the Union.
Michigan holds fast to the American principle of: You be you, and I’ll be me, but we are all in this together. That is one reason I like to refer to it as the anchor of the union. Another is that it is surrounded by shipping along the thousands of miles of shoreline. One of the elements that holds other northern border states together is the North Country Trail (NCT), which was born and raised in Michigan. I have had fun being introduced to my hosts’ friends as representing the trail as a board member from Vermont. It gives me a great opportunity to share my enthusiasm for the incredible people who began it, have nurtured it, and those who now manage the longest National Scenic Trail. Yesterday, while searching for the NCT trailhead, we asked for directions from Debbie, who was walking along the quiet street near Fife Lake. She was happy to direct us and extoll her love for the trail. She mentioned Dave and Peggy, the folks involved with the local chapter of the North Country Trail. I hope to meet them this week at the NCT Celebration and compliment them on the great trail with reliable wayfinding.
Today, we chose to hike around the airport and meet some of the neighbors. The occasional shower and wet grass did not dampen our enjoyment of the open air of the expansive clearing and friendly conversations with Lloyd and Paula. I was invited in to play Paula’s fine Yamaha Clavinova. She told me the story of how Lloyd purchased it for her. They had gone to look at it, but Paula decided that maybe it was too extravagant a thing to do. Later in that day, she decided that she should purchase it. When they returned to do so, she was surprised that it was all ready to go and here was the receipt. She looked at Lloyd, who had already called them with the purchase after their first visit. Tears. These are the people that I would not otherwise have met if it were not for my vagabond phase of the tour.
August 19, 2024 – The friendly sky in Michigan
Today, the weather improved. After several days of rain and unsettled weather, we finally took to the air for a joy ride in the Pipistrel motor glider. This machine can travel over 1,000 miles on a tank of regular automobile-grade gas, burning between 2 and 3 gallons per hour. It has a glide ratio of 30:1, meaning if you are one mile up, you can travel thirty miles with no engine or lift. As the morning progressed, the wind increased, so we shortened the trip to 40 minutes. That was fine with me; I am not an avid aviator and was glad to avoid the bumpy ride. This was the capstone event of my vagabonding with my Michigan friends. Tomorrow, I will head further north to meet up with a fellow board member of the North Country Trail Association. We will then head across the Mackinaw Bridge to St. Ignace, MI, for the annual NCT Celebration. The Silver Bullet is well-rested after spending a few days off the road. It enjoyed the companionship of the Volvo wagon 49 years its senior. From the Celebration, I begin phase 4 of my tour and will take to the road, homeward bound through Canada. I will keep you posted as I go.
August 20, 2024 – Charlevoix, Michigan
After several days encamped at Lake City, Michigan, I am now couch surfing at a comfortable log home on the outskirts of Charlevoix, Michigan. I am spending the night with a fellow NCTA board member, Duane. He is retired from Ford and now enjoys working on his home, which he built, woodworking, boating, and, most importantly, hiking. Duane spends most of his time on the North Country Trail. He is a Past President of the Jordon Valley Chapter of the NCTA. He is now the project coordinator for all trail projects for the chapter and travels to other chapters to do trail work. Duane is one of many dedicated trail keepers that I have met since discovering the trail back in 2019.
I was on my annual summer tour of DCI shows, writing in my daily blog to chronicle the experience of traveling, the competitions, and the incredible people who support the youth music education activity. That year, I was back into running every day for fitness. Without a predetermined location, I often relied on Siri to search trails nearby and kept an eye out for a park or trailhead along the way. Lo and behold, while traveling along PA 66 near the Allegany National Forest, I came upon a trailhead for the North Country Trail. Pulling into the lot, I saw a pickup truck with a trailer and the trailhead sign. I donned my running shorts and shoes and read the sign. To my complete astonishment, I read the words, “America’s longest National Scenic Trail from North Dakota to Vermont.” Note that I have been very involved in Vermont’s trail community for almost 30 years. The fact that the NCT was recently established in Vermont to achieve the long-term goal of connecting the Appalachian Trail in Vermont to the Lewis and Clark Trail in North Dakota completely escaped me in my retirement. I vowed then to learn more about the trail when I returned home. I left a cold beer and a thank you note on the trailer for the man mowing the trail with DR Mower.
August 21, 2024 – Near the top of the Mitten
The apples are dropping, the sky is clear, and it is a cool morning—perfect for hiking. I am sitting again on Duane’s front porch. It was the shady side of the house yesterday, a good place to write. This morning, I anticipate the warmth that will come from the rising sun. The massive log home sits on a former apple orchard. The lawn is nonexistent; only the natural meadow, fully mature in the late summer. Milkweed dominates, providing a habitat for the Monark Butterfly. Duane is a naturalist. Deer graze lazily without fear. At the dead end of the private road, only the birds are about, and the distant noise of planes and vehicles can be heard.
Today, Duane will introduce me to more of the North Country Trail in Northern Michigan. We will hike a stretch between here and the Mackinaw Bridge before heading over to St. Ignace for the North Country Trail Celebration. He informs me we have a great campsite for the next four nights. The forecast is favorable, with no rain but cool nights. I am going to regret leaving the puffy home. A friendly golf match and a cruise on Duane’s motorboat filled another adventure day on my vagabond tour yesterday. There were no pars but only one eight. The cruise on Lake Charlevoix was choppier than my glider ride yesterday as we made it a quick journey across the lake, then out into the big lake, Michigan. Dinner on the deck at the local lakeside inn was another fine ending to a beautiful summer afternoon on the Mitten. My luck of good weather this summer has been great. What will befall me to balance the karma, I wonder. But lo, hope is in the air again.