Interlochen Michigan - Sleeping Bear Dunes

We were up and showered shortly after 7:00 AM. It was 70 degrees out with 92% humidity. The forecast called for the humidity to drop to the mid 50's as the temperature went up to the high 80's in the afternoon. On the bright side, atypically, there was no rain forecast for the weekend.

We drove straight to Dilbert's Restaurant where Ray, Lisa, Gearman and The Grouch had already ordered. We took a table next to them and were soon joined by the Indiana Three (Jim, Tim and Dee). I had an omelet but the piece de resistance was Big Jim's order of biscuits and gravy.

Rainman Ray, Fireball Lisa, Gearman and Big Grouch

Sandy and her decaf

Big Jim, Tim and Dee

Serious biscuits and gravy

Big Jim tucking in

Back at the campground, I unloaded the bike from the trailer. Since I hadn't replaced the stabilizer jack that got destroyed on our way to Arkansas last year, I had to dig out the jack stands so the trailer wouldn't tip up when the bike hit the ramp. In all the sand here, the stabilizer jacks would have been a pain anyway.

Big Jim had planned to show Tim and Dee the Old Mission Peninsula today. This is the spit of land that protrudes into Grand Traverse Bay, dividing it into its East and West segments. Since they hadn't been here before and Sleeping Bear Dunes would probably be the other must see place, I suggested we do the Dunes today since they would be much busier tomorrow. For my suggestion, I won the privilege of leading.

The group headed west on US 31, stopping at the first gas station we saw. Then we rode into Honor and took Deadstream Road across to M 22. The ride north to Empire is pleasant, with a few areas of winding road. In Empire, we parked at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park Visitor Centre, where we found surprisingly few cars in the parking lot.

Fueling up on US 31

Interesting exhaust choices

I had been explaining to Tim and Dee about the National Park Service passport book. I stamped mine again and they got one for themselves. We bought park passes so we could explore the Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive, the best way to get a taste of the dunes in a short time.

Riding north out of Empire, we followed the road to the gate of the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. This is a single lane, one-way road that winds up to Lake Michigan and back. Usually we get stuck behind some painfully slow car driver but today there was nothing ahead of us. The first stop was at the Dunes Overlook and the second was at the Lake Michigan Overlook.

Riding north on M22

Pierce Stocking covered bridge

Dune Overlook

Tim and Dee

Rainman, Sandy, Grouch and Fireball at Dune Overlook

Intriguingly short diesel pusher (Allegro Breeze)

Where did the other folks go?

This is a fun little road

Wow, there were parking spaces at the Lake Overlook

People at the top looking down

Fair warning

That is over 450 feet down

Same photo, full zoom

Having seen the wonders of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, we had to decide on the next step. We could go on up and around the Leelanau Peninsula. Or, since it was near lunch time, we could head back south for a meal at the famous Cherry Hut in Beulah. Lunch won out.

The group followed me south on M22 all the way to Crystal Lake, where we turned left on Crystal Lake Drive and traced the lakeshore all the way to the village of Beulah.

Crystal Lake

The parking lot at the Cherry Hut was quite full but they were able to get us all seated at one table within ten minutes. Many of us ordered cherry pie a la mode, but I had a BLT on rye. The sandwich was excellent while all the pie folks seemed happy as well.

The Cherry Hut in Beulah Michigan

Big Jim

One table, happy group

Big Grouch's manly reading glasses

The sun was baking down on us so the next request was to head back to the campground. It was a straight shot across US 31 through Honor, getting back about 2:00 PM.

Sandy and I walked over to the campground office. The overnight rates are very reasonable but we aren't camping. However, we are here during the days and the trailer and bike are staying here, so I wanted to see about paying some kind of day rate. I was told not to worry about it, just enjoy. These are great folks. The also have some strange machines laying around.

Back at Cycle-Moore

This was an odd machine

Honda SilverWing Interstate (mid-80's vintage)

What is this?

Oh, Chinese

We spent the rest of the afternoon swapping stories and just visiting. Big (OK, not so big these days) Norm and Betty showed up on their Voyager trike. They were moteling too, but at another place on 31 because the Interlochen Motel was full when they called. They were only paying $100 but had no AC or TV. I had a chance to have a longer talk with Tim. It's funny how you will cross paths with someone for years and yet never get a chance to sit down and get to know them. We set some of that right today.

Dee and Betty

Tim and Big Norm

After an afternoon sitting around visiting, we started to wonder about supper. It was fish night at Rico's. In fact, Friday was fish night at most places here, suggesting to me a strong Catholic influence back in the day. Rico's it was. We took Tim and Dee with us in the truck while Grouch, Rainman and Fireball rode.

Rico's was hopping so it took them about twenty minutes to set up one table for all of us. While others ordered pizza or fish, Sandy and I took advantage of the ample salad bar and the clam chowder that went with it. I had more than enough and enjoyed it all.

Waiting for a table at Rico's

After supper, I took Dee and Tim for a drive down Silver Lake Road and back up around Long Lake. Returning to the campground, we found they had set up the cornhole boards. Watching the first few games made me realize that we had some serious players here. Then I remembered that Big Jim had won the tournament at WWR in Bryson City last year. One different feature here was that, as the sun went down, rings of blue LED's lit up to illuminate the holes. Nice. Knowing I have no skill at this game, Sandy and I watched and visited with the other spectators.

We left the bike at the campground for the night and were back at the motel by 10:00. I guess we are just not the late night folks that we used to be. One other thing, though, is that this is a camping rally. Moteling at a camping rally takes you outside the mainstream activities. The same can be said for camping at a motel rally. But both are still better than not being there.

We were in bed and asleep before very long.

Today's Route (78 motorcycle miles):

Interactive map

Sudbury Ontario to Interlochen Michigan

Still no cigarettes since June 4th. We're off this weekend to the VROC Interlochen gathering in Michigan.

I spent yesterday trying to catch up on some essential things that I had been neglecting and, with my brain in overdrive, couldn't get to sleep until after 2:00 AM this morning. That was unfortunate because we had volunteered to get up at 4:30 to drive Sandy's cousin Lorna and her partner Kelly to the airport to catch a flight to San Francisco. This was the first leg on their return trip to New Zealand after having been in Canada for a few weeks. We were up on time and Sandy's mom Jan joined us for the drive to the airport.

Jan, Lorna, Sandy and Kelly at the Sudbury Airport

Back home, I got a couple of more hours of shut-eye before struggling to get vertical about 8:00 AM.

With all the other jobs I was working on yesterday, the bike was still in the garage, the trailer was still unhooked and I was still not packed. Shifting into high gear, this was all accomplished by 9:15. The last task before leaving was to shut down my laptop. This was the moment Windows 7 decided it needed to install 15 updates. XP used to give me a choice as to whether to install now, but 7 just seems to go right ahead. The computer spent 25 minutes that I will never get back before finally shutting down.

We were finally out the driveway at 9:45. The GPS projected an ETA of 4:30 but I estimated that would be at least 5:30 with stops. After a stop at Tim's for breakfast to go, we were finally on the road by 10:00 AM under mostly cloudy skies. The temperature was 18C. We weren't far out of town when Sandy noticed that we didn't have the US cell phone. I took it out of the truck for safekeeping and forgot to put it back. Not a good start to the weekend.

We passed a lot of eastbound motorcycles on Highway 17, mostly Harley. I suspected they were mostly on their way back from Sturgis. I spoke to a few New Brunswick riders at the Tim's in McKerrow and they confirmed this.

We arrived in the Soo and stopped at the West End Tim's. Then we found the streets in this part of town were torn up and we had to loop all the way round to Queen Street to get to the bridge to the USA. Canada bound traffic was backed up more than usual on the bridge but, oddly, the US side was almost clear. Customs took less than a minute and then we were on our way.

The International Bridge with no traffic

A lake boat ready to enter the locks

Foreign traveler in the toll both

We headed south On I-75 into a stiff headwind while I contemplated what route we would take after we crossed over to the lower peninsula. There was quite a stretch where the highway was down to one lane each way although, other than countless orange barrels, there was no sign of any work being done.

Orange barrels on I-75

After making a quick stop at McDonald's on US 2 in St, Ignace, we crossed the Big Mac. I opted to take US 31 through Pellston to Petoskey and then follow that road through Charlevoix to Traverse City. In fact, Interlochen and the Cycle-Moore Campground are both on 31. I-75 is quicker and easier despite being longer, but the deciding factor was that the slab is just so boring.

In Petoskey, we stopped at a BP where I paid $2.99 per gallon to fill the truck up. Inside the station, I heard a crying baby which made me think of a Youtube video Sandy showed me a while back which our daughter Heather had posted on her timeline. Babies grow up but these things can live for 75 years. Yikes.

As we approached Traverse City, we could see what looked like big storm clouds across the bay. They were probably all the way over the Leelanau Peninsula, that long finger of land that separates Grand Traverse Bay from Lake Michigan. I had to look up the source of the word "Leelanau". It appears that it was originally believed to be an Ojibway word meaning "delight of life", attributed to Indian Agent and anthropologist Henry Schoolcraft. More recent thinking is that it was a pen name of his wife Jane Johnston Schoolcraft, a truly remarkable native American woman.

Just another Mackinac crossing

Heavy storms across Grand Traverse Bay

I took an alternate route from Traverse City to Interlochen via Silver Lake Road, Secor Road and Long Lake Road just because it was prettier than 31. More curves, too. It was just after 6:00 PM so we went directly to the Interlochen Motel, an odd little place, and checked in. The place was crowded with folks who were in town for some kind of an engine show. The lady on the desk moved her car so we'd have a place along the side to park the trailer. The fact that it was a strange little place with nothing special to recommend it, that the rooms cost $119 per night plus tax and that it was full on a Thursday lets you know just how popular that area is.

After taking our luggage to our room, we drove over to Cycle-Moore Motorcycle Campground, which was only a couple of miles away. Most of the folks were already there and set up.

Chuckster and Shirley's toy hauler

Wilson and Jamie came by car

But Wilson found some wheels anyway

Big Grouch, Sandy and Fireball Lisa admiring the ride

First time Interlochen visitor Tim from Indiana

Big Jim from Indiana

Sandy and Fireball Lisa

Chuckster and Big Grouch

Flatop

Organizer Rainman Ray

It was nice to see first-timers Tim and Dee, who had come in with Big Jim from Indiana. They hadn't eaten yet so, after I unhooked the trailer, they got in the truck with us while Jim followed on his Nomad. First we checked Dilbert's, right next door, but it was closed. Then we drove east several miles to Rico's, which was still open and had a table for five. The food was good, as was the service, and the conversation was better.

Back at the campground, we didn't stay long. I was still beat from lack of sleep the night before, so we were back in our motel room by 10:00 PM. The lady at the desk had warned the other guests might be a bit rowdy but there wasn't a peep out of them.

Today's Route (377 Avalanche miles):

Interactive map

Travel Insurance

The summer has been uneventful. I've played golf in two leagues at Cedar Green. Leo's Handicap Index remains four or five below mine, so I haven't made the breakthroughs that my overthinking led me to imagine should have happened. Other than golf, I have had not much inclination to do anything. This is a condition I refer to as "Going Down The Rabbit Hole". I guess it is a form of depression but I have not been unhappy. Just unmotivated.

But now, with the Freedom Rally over and Interlochen fast approaching, it was time to go looking for travel medical insurance.

Our regular carrier now is TD. We buy an annual plan that allows us to be out of the country for seventeen days at a time without any questionnaires. The cost for both of us combined is $280 per year. The only requirement is that any pre-existing condition must have been stable for six months or it is not covered. Everything not associated with the pre-existing condition is still covered. And, in the event of a medical emergency, they WILL be checking with the doctors. So, since I only had the stent put in two months ago, I would not be covered for any heart issues. TD does not have any underwriting services for higher risk clients.

Next I was off to CAA where they have a new system and a new carrier. CAA has a questionnaire that is much shorter than the one they used when Manulife was their carrier. Their waiting period is only three months but I am still inside that window and they don't offer underwriting of special cases either. Their plan should be good for the Disney World trip in November, provided nothing else happens. They are more expensive, with an annual plan just for me that covers 30 days at a time costing over $500.

Next, I turned to Manulife TravelEase. This is designed to cover people with unstable pre-existing conditions. You need to provide a comprehensive medical history over the phone. She said if I had toe fungus, she wanted to know about it. One omission can invalidate the entire policy. But they will cover someone who has had a stent as little as six weeks prior. I insured myself for the Interlochen and Arkansas trips for a cost of about $20 a day. On their scale I rate as a 7 out of 10 because of the two heart conditions plus being diabetic. Two weeks in September will cost me more than our regular annual policy costs both of us. That said, I am covered so I can go.

22nd Annual Freedom Rally

The 22nd Annual Freedom Rally is history. We had a usual size turnout, feeding 130 people at the Sunday banquet. Proceeds will go to support local children's charitable causes. Thanks to all who helped to make it a success.

More Cancellations

Another trip bites the dust. We had planned to go to North Carolina with some of the Freedom Riders in August after Interlochen. Gary and Dianne, Ray and Mary Ann, Nepper and Yo plus big Don all had reservations at Two Rivers and then all of us except Don planned to head on to the Outer Banks and then up to Williamsburg, Virginia.

Ray had to back out because he planned to head to the 75th Black Hills Motorcycle Classic in Sturgis, South Dakota. Nepper and Yo had other commitments and Gary and Dianne ended up having to look after their granddaughter. We decided to reschedule the expedition until next summer, while Sandy and I will still go to Interlochen (provided I can get the medical insurance).

This has been one big disappointment as far as our travel plans have gone, but I guess it beats some of the alternatives. We are now at the point where we are realizing that time is not endless and we need to get as much traveling done as we can before circumstances arise that force us to stay closer to home.

Parting Ways

I resigned my position as Treasurer with the Sudbury Chapter of the MS Society of Canada today while Sandy resigned as a member of the Chapter Board. My position had been taking up more and more time and, when we found things were taking some turns we didn't agree with, we decided it was time to step back.

We'll miss the fine folks on the Board and wish them well.

Sudbury to Noelville Ontario and Back

After only taking the bike out a couple of times since the stent was installed to ride to Cardiac Rehab, I went for a ride today. Kevin, an old friend from the snowmobiling days, brought his bike over to see if I was up to a little spin. I called Leo, who joined us.

I led us out highway 17 and down the newly resurfaced road from Hagar through St. Charles to Noelville. We had lunch in Noelville and then returned via the same route.

Noelville Restaurant

Picnic area along the Veuve River on Highway 17

The trip wasn't that enjoyable because I found I was disoriented while riding, which then triggered anxiety. Of course someone will be anxious if their head spins while riding through curves. I've noticed this before, with the onset corresponding to when I started taking the quit smoking drug Champix (Chantix). I explained that it was like I had a one second delay between my eyes and my brain. Kevin, who had taken the drug before, said he thought it was like looking through someone else's eyes.

That did it. I didn't take my pill at supper time and decided that was the end of it. Six weeks with no smokes, so now I should be able to go the rest of the way without this pharmaceutical crutch.

Today's Route (108 motorcycle miles):

Interactive map

Aftermath

The Saturday following the procedure, I was lying on the couch when I suddenly noted a large bruise at my elbow. I assumed that the artery was leaking at the puncture point so I had Sandy drive me to the Emergency Room. They put me in the higher priority section, but the doctor who saw me said he figured it was old blood coming to the surface. He sent me for a ultrasound of the elbow to ensure I didn't have a pseudo-aneurysm. A young lady named Brittany held by arm in her lap as she worked the ultrasound antenna (or whatever they call it) around. Back in the ER, the doc said I wouldn't bleed to death and sent me on my way.

 I'm turning out to be a colorful character

A few days later, I got in to see Dr. Dube, our GP. He was very pleased that I hadn't had a cigarette in several weeks and that the puncture site had been cleared by ultrasound. When I told him about the problems finding my femoral arteries, he said he would send me for another ultrasound to see what is up.

Not long after that, I got a call from the Cardiac Rehab Centre. I made an appointment to go in and see my old friend Trevor. He was my caseworker last time and was my fitness coach when I first started going to the YMCA almost 15 years ago. We agreed I would start at the first level for a few weeks.

Two weeks after the procedure, Dr. H. said I was cleared to play golf. Now I will have to scout around for an underwriter to cover me for traveling out of country. The June Boscobel trip and the July California/Idaho trip are out, but I'd like to salvage Interlochen/North Carolina in August and Arkansas in September, and especially Disney World in November.

The Procedure - One More Stent

The health care system here can move pretty quickly when it wants to. I saw the cardiologist on Wednesday, May 27th and got a call soon after telling me that I was scheduled for an angiogram in the Cath Lab at our hospital here on Monday, June 15th. I was to visit the hospital for my pre-admission interview on Friday the 12th.

The pre-admission visit went fine. A list of medications and a medical history that should have already been in the computer here were entered. I got a sheet of instructions to follow in preparation for Monday's procedure. I stressed the hernia repair I had forgotten last time around.

Yesterday (Monday), Sandy and I arrived at the admissions section by the appointed 6:30 AM time and took a number. The waiting room was full and I got a bit concerned as they called person after person by name, many of whom had arrived after I did. It turns out those were people who were scheduled for various procedures in different places. They got to the Cath Lab people further down the list.

With my hospital armband on, Sandy and I walked up to the Cath Lab waiting room where we were joined by several other people. I was the only repeat visitor. They took us into the ward area where we took off our clothes and donned the traditional hospital gown and robe. A nurse started an IV line into the back of my hand, doing a much better job than last time around. Then I returned to the waiting room where Sandy and I talked to the other folks.

People were called one by one until it was my turn. I walked into the room and climbed on the table. The nurse, a fellow whose name escapes me at the moment, remembered me from eighteen months ago because they had so much trouble getting the line in the artery in my groin. He added more than the usual amount of Versed into my line to make me extra relaxed while they checked out the arteries. Apparently they couldn't get a good pulse in either side and so I ended up with a line in the brachial artery inside my right elbow. I was so doped that I barely remember the warm flushes as they injected the radioactive dye into my heart.

Last time, this was the point at which Dr. H. told me I'd be getting one stent. Nobody told me anything this time, just that I had a 99% blockage in the same artery as the last time. They also said the previous stent looked clear. Then they wheeled me back to the recovery room. Once there, a nurse explained that the doctor had not been able to visualize the functioning of my aortic valve. It was diagnosed as calcified over a decade ago, although I've had the murmur since I was a teen. She told me that if the function was severely impaired, they wouldn't do a stent. Instead, they would open me up and replace the valve, doing a bypass at the same time.

So the next step was a side trip for an echo-cardiogram. The tech was from Poland and he and I had a rousing political discussion as he developed a sound picture of how my heart was working. Back in the recovery room, I was told that the valve impairment was only moderate and Dr. Ravi, the interventionist, would be along shortly to put in a stent.

Back to the lab and more Versed along with a large shot of Heparin. This anti-coagulant is why they keep you in overnight after a stent. The procedure was done in no time and then I was on my way up to the special ward on 8 North where all the stent people go. On my way out, they gave me the before and after pictures of my heart. Someone did comment that I had an unusually large circumflex artery. I'm not sure if that's something I can brag about.

There's the picture

I spent the night in the ward with pressure on the puncture point after Dr. Ravi removed the line. It was good to have my Kindle to read, something I didn't have last time. I had thought that an arm puncture would be preferable to the groin but you use the arm for so many things that I have changed my mind. Give me the groin any day.

This morning, Dr. Hourtovenko came by and signed me out. The nurses gave me several sheets of instructions to be followed and I was on my way. I'll see my GP in a week where he will check me to make sure I haven't developed a pseudo-aneurysm, which occurs when the arterial puncture does not heal correctly.

The Last Smoke

After two weeks of taking Champix, I smoked what (if everything goes as planned) was my last cigarette today.