So Long, UP

Posted on August 25, 2010 by anthonycaferro

This morning I crossed the Mackinac Bridge into the lower peninsula of Michigan. The bridge is the longest suspension bridge in north America and third in the world. (10 years ago Japan built two longer bridges). Sadly bicycles are prohibited, so a bridge authority worker gave me a lift in his pickup. He was full of cool facts (like the one above) and rocked one of the best mullets I’ve seen this millennium.

So in saying farewell to the upper peninsula, I figured a bit of history was in order. Originally thought to be a barren wasteland of uselessness, the UP was originally not part of Michigan. Due to a bit of mismapping, the great states of Ohio and Michigan actually went to WAR with each other in the 1800’s. (Crazy, right? It’s actually not just a college football thing) The two states had a dispute over a border section of land know as the Toledo Strip, a very important commerce port between great lakes back then (much like Buffalo NY). The war was considered bloodless, but I believe someone got shot in the arm but nonetheless, no fatalities. It’s all on wikipedia if you need references.

In the end, Ohio won control of the Toledo Strip and as a concession Michigan was granted the upper peninsula. At the time Michigan considered it huge loss, but since then the port of Toledos importance has diminished and a huge rich amount of minerals and ores have been mined out of the UP; not to mention the timber and tourism it generates.

When I look at it, in the end Wisconsin was the real loser of that inter-state war, and they weren’t even a state at the time.

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Advanced Remote Sleeping

Posted on August 25, 2010 by anthonycaferro

Camping. I was never into much. Until it became sleeping at the end of a long day of bicycle touring. In the western USA this is understood, as town parks not only allow, but encourage to camp in them. But out east, camping is big business. It costs $20 or $30 to set up a tent amongst RVs with satellite TV and sleep for 6 hours. Unless you’re clever.

I’ve heard it called guerilla camping, phantoming, and stealth tenting. Recently, I learned the phrase “remote sleeping”. I love that one the most. I’ve done this all tour: behind a gas station two nights ago, the aforementioned park in Fargo, in the middle of some Wisconsin woods. Wait for the sun to set, pop up the tent, be out before dawn. It’s the only way I know.

So today I arrive in St Ignace Michigan. I need a place to sleep. I look up the state park online, it’s $3 for group camping. I call to verify, sure nuff. Wow! Finally some sanity. But when I get there, they inform me that I need to be in a group of ten to qualify, $30 minimum. I can’t go make friends and be part of a current group. I check my budget, $30 is out of the question.

I cruise the rest of the city. No open fields behind churches. No schools that i can find. Finally I spot some hidden space behind two abandoned buildings. I decide to wait for sunset but the local police are on to me. Snooping me hard. They know what I’m up to. I decide to find another location and head back toward the wooded area on the water. All private property; no trespassing signs everywhere.

Finally I come up on a cemetery, creepy yes. But it’s my last option and it’s getting dark. I ride thru and see a fence with a two foot opening for walkers. I slide thru there, notice some people hanging out and think I’m on more private land. But after a moment I realize I actually came in the back door of the same state park I where had started!! Amazing. Open campsite, tent goes up, I go in. Remote sleeping at it’s finest. Good night.

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Roadkill

Posted on August 24, 2010 by anthonycaferro

I’ve traversed about 2,000 miles so far and I’ve seen all sorts of creatures mashed up along the highway: skunk, deer, raccoons, snakes, birds, and even an owl. But by far the most common roadkill I’ve encountered is oddly butterflies.

Many many many butterflies are meeting their doom along highways and back road across the USA. I understand that people kill deer for sport, typically dislike skunks and raccoons, an may be terrified of snakes (hi Suha!); but what’s with the all out blood lust o butterflies? It’s so senseless.

So the next time you’re enjoying your favorite beverage, poor a little out for the monarch butterflies who have been gnarled up from coast to coast.

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