Made it to the Coast!

Sunday 6/3 Day 44
I woke up very early his morning and just laid in my sleeping bag. One of my favorite things to do in the morning, just lay around in bed and just think, not about anything important just random thoughts. After about an hour I packed up and went in for breakfast. There was a hug breakfast prepared, eggs, toast, banana, and some coffee. I was also loaded up with some cliff bars for the days journey. Before I left I helped Rodger take down some cabinets in the garage and got a picture with him and his wife. Then I was off.

I"m le tierd

It was 10 miles to Merrill and then another 80 miles to the coast. The scenery was the same today but I don't mind it. Something about the trees and the hills that I love. When I left Merrill I called Jann and got directions to the house and predicted that I would get there around 730 in the evening.  I was making pretty good time through the hot climate today.  I even had time to stop a couple of times for some ice cream where I devoured a three scoop sundae.  One thing that I have come to appreciate throughout the state of Wisconsin is that the roads I have been on have no mile marker signs. I basically am blind to how far I have gone and how much further I have to travel.  I really enjoy this because then in my mind I'm not contently thinking of how many more miles I have left until I'm done.  Keeps me thinking in the present and what is around me. I'm hoping that it will remain this way for a while.  I think one of the reasons that there are no mile marker signs is that I have been basically on the back roads the entire state.  That is OK with me, less cars more tractors :).
When I road away from my last ice cream stop of the day I had about 20 more miles left and thats when the wind started up. The wind shifted from coming from the west to coming from the east and it really slowed down my progress. It took me a little longer than expected but I was able to make it to Jann and Chuck's house and meet them with open arms. They had a cute little house right on Green Bay.  I was able to park my bike in the garage and get a shower. Yes I made it to the coast, I was almost tempted to call it a trip for how beautiful it was.
Then came dinner which I had an amazing beef stew with some bread which I think I had about four or five helpings of, I was pretty hungry.  My appetite has gone through the roof lately...I have no idea why ;). I also drank about 5 glasses of water, with ice.  Ice is the clear gold on the road. I also met Mel who is Jann's father who is staying with them for the time being. During dinner we got to know each other and learn about each others lives. Jann works at an at risk charter school, so we spent plenty of time talk about teaching and the world of at risk kids.  Chuck is a sales manager and shared a bit with me about what he does. The time flew and by the end of it I was lined up to stay with them another night.  It would give me a chance to ride into Green Bay and see a few things there.  For sleeping I was able to sleep on a cot tonight, which was the first time I had ever done that. It was really comfortable.

Riding into Their house

Oh one other thing that was amazing was the view from the house.  To the north there are really no neighbors, and to the south they are a good distance away so they have plenty of privacy on their property.  But the best part was the deck and the windows in the house which overlooked Green Bay.  Unbelievable sight, I was able to watch the moon rise tonight.  So beautiful.  With that I fell asleep.