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“Rest” Day #2 (You’ll see why it’s quoted soon). Up early and at ’em, Pauly ordered us some great bagels and went and picked them up. You might have noted that Pauly doesn’t seem to cook — you’d be right, but as an airline pilot, he has a seventh sense for finding good, delicious, & healthy(ish) food. We sure enjoyed what he found and needed a good fill-up before starting today’s activities along M22 – as he explained it’s theme: “More than just a road, it’s a way of life!”
Pauly took us to a hike on the Pyramid Point Trail. It was one of those times when having a local guide you was so helpful. Pauly pointed out that the trail map was incomplete and didn’t show the best part of the existing trails. There was a woman there who he also briefed on the un-recorded trail. We learned that Kimberly had hiked the AT and her handle (well, one of them) was “Bear Spray.” She took off before us and good thing as she was going at twice our speed (Pauly and Dana are not included in that fitness assessment, but they were kind enough to stay with me). Off we went up. And up. Through deep woods and then deep sand. Up to some really beautiful views.
As we followed the secret trail, we saw Kimberly again and stopped to chat. She said that we looked familiar and through some exchange of questions we found out that she was (or at least her parents were) from Lewistown, and that she had been in State College at St. Andrew’s Church Community Cafe, though she was travelling the US in her van and pretty much living the nomadic hiking life. Still, here was another example of our small world. We hiked a bit more with Kimberly and heard more of her story (and called the phone she dropped descending a big dune. The phone was buried in the sand, but she found it). Serendipity.
Back in the parking lot, we again saw “AT” as Pauly called her, and got a quick look at her van and a bit more of her story. Our day, however, wasn’t done, as Pauly had more in store for us.
On the way to the next M22 experience, we stopped at Glen Arbor for some of the best soft-serve ice cream we’ve ever tasted. Sooo creamy. We had some beers at the River Club and then at the M22 store (started by friends of his), Pauly made sure we got some M22 stickers that are now adorning our bikes. We went to Glen Haven Beach and took a refreshing dip in Lake Michigan — the water was almost warm and as Pauly’s hat reinforced, “Not Salty.” Afterwards, another dune hike on the Empire bluff provided equally as stunning views as at Pyramid Point. After that experience, we headed back to Pauly’s for a well earned shower.
But the day still wasn’t over. Dana and Pauly headed out to a local bar for some music and dinner. I stayed back and decompressed a little more, took care of some chores, attempted to catch up on the blog, etc. I headed out to join Pauly & Dana around 8:30 because I did want to hear the band (Pauly knew the musicians of “The Pocket” and heartily recommended them — spot on again). Dana & Pauly were just finishing their dinners and I ordered mine. The band was advertised as playing from 6-9 pm, but they were still playing at 10:15 and wrapped up around 10:30. A fun evening was had by all, and we rode home happily entertained. We listened to some more music, exchanged some more stories from the road, and crawled into bed happy and exhausted. What a day!
WOW!! What a day that was. So happy you got to experience it.