Saturday, July 26th: Manitowac Wi and Salt Lake City, UT or … Hello Kathy Wojta! Good-bye Cycle America!

We have an early morning since we want to ride with the picnic station van to Kathy’s house to surprise her! But my woman is a bit too early and we end up sitting on the curb of the road, waiting for the staff to take us along. The group has a 40 mile ride to Manitowac – they have to arrive by 1 pm since the ferry that will take them across Lake Michigan will leave at 2 pm. Following the arrows in the van is not so easy and we have to make a short detour because we missed a turn. Lake Michigan is still covered by clouds, but these will soon be blown away. When we finally reach Manitowac, my woman jumps out of the van and runs towards Kath’s house. I can tell my woman is happy to see her old friend again. I know this woman: she has been in Oostende a couple of years ago! Look at that table – all that food she made for the cyclists. 

This Kathy woman is still the fantastic caring person… even though my woman cannot stay for long, she feels happy to see her friend again. Who would have thought she would see her this summer? Meanwhile the first cyclists are arriving and my woman is now in a picture taking mood. Meet some of the people we have met this summer:

Kathy and Sue (the room mate!)

Staff Vicky who gave my woman an award for just keepin' rollin'

Kerry - the tornado aware woman!

Volleybal partners: Hilary and my woman

Rob mechanic 1

Ann and Dave

 Cody mechanic 2

At a quarter to noon the shuttle van for Milwaukee airport arrives. I know my woman has a hard time saying goodbye to everyone. Thanks CA, for the support on AND off the route! There’s only three persons leaving the trip this weekend. The shuttle van driver gives us some interesting details about the region – like the largest flag pole in the world, build by an insurance company (where does our money go to?) Once at the airport my woman and I are traveling alone again. We first have to fly to Atlanta – stay there for a couple of hours – and then fly to Salt Lake City. It’s midnight when the plane arrives at the gate. About an hour later, we are in our hotel – happy to go to bed, but sad about leaving good friends.