101-102: with skim milk, parked, good advice, the exception, cornholing, world's largest sundae, lighthouse, steve & pat, back deck deals, friend or foe?, if you don't finish, does not compute, the white towel clan

August 6, 2025 to August 7, 2025

rest days in Ludington

The next couple of days are rest days, and catch-up days for the blog.

I stopped at a coffee shop to get breakfast and overheard the overweight woman in front of me order:

"I'd like a lavender white chocolate mocha."

I don't know how many calories that has, but I'm guessing it's substantial. Then she added, loud enough so that everyone around could hear, "with skim milk." It makes me wonder if she'd like the Uncle Willy's latte I saw a couple of days ago.

Like a car on blocks in the Appalachias, I parked here all morning and part of the afternoon working on the blog, in absolutely perfect weather.

Axe & Knife Throwing, Cornholing, and Darts

If you’re from the Midwest, you should be aware that you might get some odd stares if you use the word “cornhole” in the Southern part of the country because it has a completely different definition. Having been raised in the South, I’d never heard of the game until I moved to Minnesota. “Cornhole” involves players tossing beanbags filled with corn into a hole on a sloped platform. I learned a definition in a completely different context, which I won’t share here, but if you’re interested just google “cornhole definition in the south.”

Then think of my utter horror when a friend of mine mentioned that she loves cornholing, and does it every chance she gets, especially at family reunions and restaurants where you can eat outside.

I'll also add that Iowa City had a place like this until recently, for hatchet throwing. There were signs posted here and there that a person couldn't have more than three drinks per hour while throwing a sharp blade through the air. Keep in mind that this is a college town. What could go wrong?

Ludington was on the map for a brief time for making the "World's Largest Sundae" when, in 2016, it held the record with a half-mile long sundae (2,970 feet/905 meters) along the lakeshore. It took 906 gallons of ice cream, a nod to the local area code, and I celebrated their fame with some ice cream each day I was here. Kilwin's is pictured here, but I also ate some from The House of Flavors. However, I waited until the second day because the line was as long as The World's Largest Sundae when I first went there.

Ludington's The House of Flavors is the largest producer of ice cream in Michigan, and you've probably eaten it because they sell it to retailers under different brand names. They produce 25 million gallons (94,635 liters) of ice cream every year, almost enough for me to consider going to work again if I could get a job there.

You can tell which side gets battered by the sea, and how well it's worked for the past 154 years...

...but can it withstand the onslaught of children? Unlikely.

While tooling around town, I spied a couple on pannier-laden bikes pulling to a stop under the City Park pavilion so I pedaled over and introduced myself. Steve and Pat were taking a lunch break as they made their way around Lake Michigan. I can't remember the last time I had such a pleasant conversation, the content of which bounced around from bikes to Japan to gear to clothing, and they gave me some great tips about the upcoming sections I'll be riding. They put in a lot of miles every day, and have been making such good time that they're ahead of schedule.

this store is literally in a parking lot, the back section of a house

You'd think they'd come up with a less adversarial acronym than "FOE." Maybe "Fraternity of Responsible Individuals and Eagles in Noble Duty" or, if you want me as a member, "Fellowship of Ravenous Ice Cream Enthusiasts and Eagles for Nonstop Deliciousness."

What could go wrong when you pull one of the towels that are tightly stuffed into the rack?

When Heather and I were talking last night, she casually mentioned that, “…if you don’t finish your trip this year.” Upon hearing the phrase, I didn’t understand what she was saying. It wasn’t that I was disagreeing with her or denying it as a possibility, it was more that the words just didn’t make sense, and I felt like the robot in that ancient TV series Lost in Space saying “does not compute.... does not compute.... does not compute.” I never really considered the fact that I wouldn’t finish. I had a fuzzy, vague idea about the trip's length, but never calculated the amount time it would take.

And that was kind of the point, you know, not knowing where I’ll be or when I’ll be there.

So, here I am: I’ve arrived at the point where I am, and the time is now.

After rearranging some blocks in my brain, I sat down this afternoon and looked at a map. I’ve been on the road since 3/18, and today is 8/6…. 142 days, and I’ve covered a little over half the total distance. In another 142 days, it’ll be Christmas Eve. Do I want to be riding then?

Additionally, Heather’s been very gently lobbying for me to come home in early Fall. She misses me. I count that as a definite plus, and much better than her saying something like, “I’ll bet you’re excited about your next trip. Something even longer, maybe?” or "Ohhhhhhhh.... I see you're back."

I've come to the conclusion that I won't finish this year, and the realization that that's okay. Like I've always said, it's not about the getting there, it's about the going. How far will I get before I stop?

It just doesn't matter.

With the exception of the jersey I'm wearing, all of my laundry was dirty by my this evening so I gathered it up and dumped it all into the wash. That meant, as you can guess, that I'm only wearing the jersey and a towel. I stayed behind that dryer the entire time, practicing my excuse with the seriousness of a mortician, just in case anyone asked: "I'm from Scotland. Part of the White Towel Clan."

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Today's ride: 3 miles (5 km)
Total: 2,707 miles (4,356 km)

Rate this entry's writing	Heart	13
Comment on this entry	Comment	8

Rich FrasierI have to say that it's pretty cool when your wife wants you to come home. Lucky guy!
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4 months ago

Mark BinghamTo Rich FrasierI am truly the all-around luckiest person you've ever met, and grateful for it.
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4 months ago

Nancy GrahamI so very much enjoy your journals, and it is BECAUSE you take your time, see all the little things, and tell us about the interesting parts of your riding around. So — if being only half way of your journey at this date means not finishing and continuing perhaps next year so be it. Slower, more focused on where you are and what you are seeing and experiencing is what make any tour memorable.

I will be with you here through the end of this one, and then wait enjoying next year’s journey with you. Thank you Mark.
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4 months ago

Bill ShaneyfeltYou realize the big downside of going home is that you will need to stop eating so much ice cream...

But that only sounds temporary. Keep on keeping on!
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4 months ago

Mark BinghamTo Nancy GrahamNancy, you are SO kind, and always say the nicest things. ❤️
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4 months ago

Mark BinghamTo Bill ShaneyfeltI don't think I considered that, Bill, and it sounds like a good reason to continue riding through to Christmas Eve, and beyond!
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4 months ago

Bill ShaneyfeltTo Mark BinghamYou can ride at home too... I do almost every day, but at lower temperatures it is no fun and sub zero is a real pain.
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4 months ago

Karen PoretAt least IF you DID keep riding until Christmas Eve then the ice cream would NOT melt ;) Go home to Heather ..❤️
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4 months ago