7-2 See Ya, Friends at Traverse, Mich

The day is for all of those that made our visit a great experience!

0822 Del and Sharon stopped by our camp and we had another good visit with them and they gave us 2 cases of water for the trip and their daughter, Dana, also left us 2 cases of water and some neat going away presents. Thanks! We said see ya later to Tom and Phyllis and after getting our truck and trailer in order, we slowly got on down the road and made a stop in Traverse City to shop and then on down hwy 31, cross 44 to 66 and south to Lake City.

We found a neat state campground at Goose Lake and holed up for the nite. It stayed overcast and slightly drizzly and the breeze kept up most of the nite but it made for good sleeping. It was still raining in Kewadin when we left there but had let up a little along the way. The loons on the lake were again very neat to listen to.

Lady has been getting spoiled as we travel along and the fire crackers going off really get her heart rate up and so I let her lay on the bed with us but lo and behold, sometime during the nite she did the same number that she had done before and so it was down on the floor again with her. Dang! Gail was upset as she had to strip and wash all of the bedding again along with the rest of the laundry. There was a laundry mat in Lake City and Gail said the gentleman running the place was very nice and was a bike mechanic and was very interested in our bikes. He is 74 years young and his wife has had a stroke and he takes care of her and runs the laundry mat. She had a great visit with him and he gave her plenty of info on places to stay.

I dressed for the ride and left from Lake City and I think the few days off really gave my old bod a rest as the next 70mi. slipped away like the contents of a cool Bud after a long day in the saddle.

I cannot think of the words to express our visit to the Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. It was a very moving and lasting connection and the friendships made during this time will always be with us. This is the first time in my life that I have had an opportunity to express my feelings and the experiences of a journey in the way that was given to me at the gatherings. I have played a lot of venues but it was just set up, warm up and play. These meetings were totally different and to be able to convey the journey and play the music was a most rewarding and heartwarming time. My most gracious thank you to each of you. You will always be in my heart and prayers.


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