Milford Trail - Local Deer

The deer in the attached had to have been born in Kensington as it was pretty much posing as I was fumbling for my camera tonight in Milford. I'm pretty sure he/she considers the bike trail area home as unless I need thicker glasses (not yet), that is the same deer I've seen many times before. I passed (yeah, I passed!!!) two people admiring the deer later on. They just happened to be watching it right in the middle of the trail. It's a deer, whoopee whoop; I grew up here and have seen them. Get out of the way! Ha.

Trail Head

Spartan In Badgerland - Bicycle Paradise



The field trip destination last Thursday and Friday was Madison, Wisconsin via car onto boat (ferry from Muskegon to Milwaukee), back into car for the drive to Madison, and onto my Schwinn cruiser once I hit town. Why Madison? Why not. I had read about the UW campus what better way to see an area than by bicycle. I was pleasantly surprised by the bicycle love in the area. As the pictures below illustrate, it seems like the bicycles have the right of way over everyone in town and that is not a bad thing. My hotel was about two miles from downtown so I packed the saddle bags, popped the iPod in the ears and had one of the most enjoyable pedals in some time over the two days in town.

As for the UW campus, I have been to East Lansing, West Lafayette, Bloomington, Evanston, Columbus, State College, and Ann Arbor (of course they are listed last - ha) and would have to say Wisconsin's campus is one of the better ones in the conference. Three good size lakes surround the campus with paths surrounding a good portion of them all. That would be a nice study break taking the bass boat out for a couple of hours, eh? Oh, and it is Wisconsin so you do have a few taverns to choose from. The pub crawl via bicycle is a fun one. I felt my age when I told this bartender that I graduated from MSU back in '89 and she came back with "I was born in '89, what a great year!" Yep....I'm still young at heart though! My favorite local beverage on the tour was probably the Wisconsin Amber. Good stuff. 

On, Wisconsin!

Trail Head

Lake Monona

 

 



trail around Lake Mendota



State Street



ferry leaving Milwaukee (about 6 AM)

 

 

Badwater Bass Club - Unlucky Session VII - Portage Lake

I had the camera available to take fish pictures but when 10 people spend six hours on a lake and can't catch a fish that is even two pounds, we're not worthy of a picture. There are no stories of the one that got away; only ones of seaweed on the hook and bass that are way too small. Portage Lake, it was nice knowing you.

Trail Head








my fish production

 

 

Bike Tour Heads West - Yankee Springs Recreation Area

The tour headed west this past Friday (hooray for vacation!) with a destination of Yankee Springs Recreation Area, just south of Grand Rapids. The recreation area itself reminds me of Highland's version as it is quite a large piece of land. The trail, the Deep Lake Mountain Bike Trail, is 13+ miles and would probably be compared to an easier version of Pontiac Lake. The trail, which also has a hiking path mixed in, is well marked with short cuts throughout for those that aren't feeling it and a handful of emergency access points for those who decide to break an ankle (no, I did not). I was warned in the parking lot beforehand to watch out for a few areas that would supposedly have me riding out of control but thankfully it was nothing compared to the Pinckney, Highland, and Pontiac Lake versions of riding out of control.

Overall, I give Yankee Springs a thumbs up. Nice pace with manageable hills. 

Trail Head