Yesterday I drove back into town from Harlow Lake where I have been sleeping. I parked in a city provided parking lot offering the first 2 hours free then walked about downtown. I bought a piece of smoked lake trout, looked @ docked sailboats, and shared the bike path with bikers.
Back @ the van I checked my tires and the pavement for meter maid chalking connoting time check. i didn’t find any. Internet signal was strong so I sat inside on my balance ball working on the computer. I heard a greeting and looked out to see a meter maid who told me I was past the free 2 hours and she could write me a parking ticket like she was going to do to other cars. I said I would leave. Somehow a conversation was started and the ticket failed to be written. She was interested in my stickers and we talked about places we had been to. She mentioned this crazy art work outside of town and pulled a flyer from her pocket. It’s her brother’s welding art. Crazy, Paul from Sunday’s ride told me about his work. I will go see his stuff. She told me I could stay longer w/o a ticket.
Time came for me to leave for my 4:00 meeting w/ Don for a ride on the west side trails. Don built a yurt outside Ishpeming. From there we drove thru town out to a parking spot to access the trails. These trails are all built by whomever where ever on former iron ore mining sites. Turns out the trails are old school purpose built tough trails. Need a local to navigate. Don’s GF Margret, 62yo, and Paul from Sunday’s ride joined. Ya gotta know the trails to know what’s around the next bend. How long does the climb last? Make proper gear change in time. Some tight bar banging trees. I missed perceiving a log w/ broken stickers sticking out to the edge of the trail @ handlebar height. My left grip hit it which stopped me dead and pitched my off my bike directing me to a trajectory down a 15′ steep slope. Time stands still as I was comprehending my flight. Reflexively I grabbed a small tree while still in the air that kept me from the drop. Sheesh. Trails here are not machine built but old school handbuilt sustainable. Punchy little climbs.
There is a ski jumping facility
We encountered a sandhill crane that was talking. Don said it is the oldest bird.
They took me up a steep slope to view and exposed vein of iron ore
During the ride I learned more about the meter maid from hell. She wrote a parking ticket for the governor and wouldn’t back down. She let me slide.
The terrain is riddled w/ ore shafts from olden days. There are occasional fences in the regrowth to keep people away from the caving in of the ground.
Paul is a 5th generation ore worker and loaded w/ local lore. Back when the ore deposits were discovered there was a lot of hanky panky behind the big players staking out claims. The ore deposits are mostly gone.
back into Marquette and a shower @ Anytime. Cleaned and fed I drove back to Blackrocks brew pub for socializing. I regaled the bartender w/ stories that kept thirsty customers dry and engrossed. Happening place later in the evening. I left @ 11:00 for bed.
I have a van service appointment @ Dodge dealer in Negaunee just up the road on Thurs. Oil and filter changes and a computer diagnostic exam.
I have a ride invite for tonight from Quick Stop bike shop for the South Mountain trails and another group ride on Wed for the West side trails. My knees hurt. Too much fun to turn down.
I have until the end of the month to buy additional medicare insurance. I keep putting off digging into the material and make choices.
Marquette is a lot of fun. I looked for the young woman I fell for last time here to no avail.
Paul has this wonderful Yupper accent that some people describe as Canadian. The accent must be shared by north country lake people. Sometimes difficult to comprehend but enjoyable to listen to.