We had a a very nice night with Andrea and Todd’s family last night and a lazy morning today as we are boarding the Badger Ferry at 1:00pm . . .

Connie was a little apprehensive about being on such a big ferry. She has been on 6 car ferries before so this is a new experience for her . . .

. . .  it takes a LONG time to ‘decar’ a ferry this size.

. . . especially when some of the cars needed to be pushed off!!!!!

. . . someone left their electric system running and needed a jump!!!!

. . . at the ferry we met Matt who is traveling from Nebraska to point east . . . destination undetermined at this time!!! Nice!!!

Mark’s wife Laurel brought him back to the ride today along with three homemade rhubarb pies . . . Allison was the first to jump in for a piece . . .

. . . and emJay and I shared. (but only the plate though, we each had our own piece on it!!!)

. . . emJay had a road find for Rod from Hwy J yesterday. . . a large bolt with the start of a nice patina . . .

. . . he was VERY grateful!!!!!

. . . he also had a present for Denise, the ‘key’ to MI.

. . . and last but not least, Wade had a pair of Packer glasses for Rod, obtained at Lambeau Field during Doc Mike and his visit.

. . . it was time to board, but there was time for a final group shot in WI at the SS Badger Ferry dock.

. . .the bikes are sort of ‘shmushed’ in wherever there is room.

. . . Connie found refuge on the starboard side in this little stable!

. . .at precisely 2:00pm the horn was blown,the gangplank lifted and away we went!!!!

. . . Todd told us there is great viewing of the ship from the end of the breakwater, so emJay took a hike down it to wave good bye . . .

. . . goodbye to my Smoochie and thanks you so much for being part of our ride and of my life . . .

. . . see you in one months time. No more 3 month tours!!!!! I love you and miss you.

We say goodbye to WI . . . as we head for MI.

The poop deck below the bridge. It is a four hour ride to MI. The ship has movies, bingo, a bar, food, trivia contests and lots of activities to help make the time pass . . . and the weather is beautiful with calm seas.

. . . however, the ship is a coal burner and puts out quite a plume of smoke. The EPA has evidently tried to shut the ship down several times but has not been successful. It is too expensive to switch to natural gas propulsion, so twice a day the coal driven ferry motors on!!!

We had a great time in MN and WI. Both states did a great job of showing themselves off and the riders loved them both. We had our first forecasted tailwind of the whole trip when we entered WI, at St Croix Falls. We also had the strongest tailwind of the trip four days later, a constant 15-20 miles hour, ALL DAY. I thought we had the most beautiful day of riding since leaving the mountains, Hwy K out of Boulder Junction and Military Rd on the national forest. But . . . we also had the first day long rain of the trip, and in 50 degree weather, as well as the most rude encounter of the trip in Boulder Junction.

Just like life in general, there is good and bad thrown at you everyday. It’s just a fact of life. Try to minimize the bad, move on, and enjoy the good when it comes along. This trip has been amazing and we still have a month ahead of us!!!!

MI here we come . . .