Welcome to Canada! After getting searched at the border crossing for cannabis (visitor-profiling for having a Colorado license plate!… the border agents seemed mildly disappointed we had none), we arrived last night and stayed in Sarnia, right by the St. Clair river and the Blue Water Bridge. Just north of the bridge is Lake Huron, our second Great Lake so far.

In her quest to paddleboard all the Great Lakes, Jax took on Lake Huron this morning. Thanks to some late night rain and early morning wind, the shore breakers were quite heavy, especially for an inflatable board.

While Jax battled Lake Huron’s waves, I battled a cold north wind and heavy humidity. 53 degrees Fahrenheit (that’s 12 degrees Celsius!). Another Lakeshore Road, with beautiful views of Lake Huron, led to the Howard Watson Nature Trail – which proved to be quite similar to Michigan trails, only measured in kilometers instead of miles.

Eventually running out of trail, I found myself on Ontario highway 21 heading northward towards the lakeside town of Grand Bend. Thankfully, the 2-lane highway has a very generous bike-route shoulder with a double-lined ‘buffer’ between vehicles and bicycles. Occasionally, a truck or camper-trailer would roll by (at 90 km/hr) and create a favorable wind vortex. These only last a few seconds, but provide a quick (and free) respite while cycling into winds. And towns always seem to be less windy than the open road (must be all the trees and buildings), so it was nice to arrive in Grand Bend for a grand lunch at the Lake Hound restaurant.

From Grand Bend, Ontario Highway 21 looses that wide bike-path shoulder, so the recommended bike route is on little-used farm roads. On one 13 mile stretch from Dashwood to Bayfield I counted a dozen cars and 4 bicyclers – including an 80-year old rider on an e-bike. I rode alongside for a bit and learned he was riding to visit his son in a nearby small town. I sure hope I’m still riding in my 80’s – on a battery-powered e-bike or whatever newfangled two-wheel mechanism might be available by then. For now, pure human power is a fabulous way to propel oneself across the continent.

After 142 kilometers (88 miles) I reach the self-proclaimed ‘prettiest town in Canada’, known as Goderich. It is in fact, quite pretty, with remarkably vivid blue waters kissing a long sandy beach. The wind has died down, the clouds are starting to give way to the sun, and we are ready for one more sunset over Lake Huron. Tomorrow we head eastward on the 127km Goderich-to-Guelph (G2G) trail.

Back on the trail after a very nice break. The morning started off with some turkey crossings on the South Lyon City Trail. The Huron River Valley trail was next, followed by the Michigan Air Line Trail (MALT) – a wonderful paved connector to the West Bloomfield trail, which winds thru lakes, nature preserves, and suburban neighborhoods on the far Northwest edges of Detroit.

The Bloomfield trail runs right next to a popular park on Orchard Lake, where Jax took the opportunity to launch a paddleboard and meet me trailside:

The Clinton river trail running thru Pontiac and Auburn Hills was a bit rough, using recycled asphalt in some places (not the best stuff to ride on). Then came the best trail of the day… the Macomb Orchard Trail, which runs 24 miles from Rochester to Richmond. A splendid trail with many other cyclists today.

From Richmond, a long run on Gratiot Avenue to the town of Port Huron, where I came across the first draw bridge stoppage of this coast to coast trek. Come to think of it, it’s probably the only time I’ve ever had to stop for a draw bridge while bicycling.

And finally, a view of the Blue Water Bridge which will take us over the St. Clair river into Canada. Unfortunately, bicycles are not allowed on this bridge, so we will load up the bikes and cross the bridge into Sarnia, Ontario, where tomorrow’s ride will begin.

Time for a couple days off from riding. Jax and I stayed at a Michigan lake house near Ann Arbor to meet with friends.

While there, we took in a college football game to see our alma-mater, Colorado State.

Over 109,000 people packed the University of Michigan’s ‘Big House’ on a warm September day. I wish the Rams would have given the Wolverines a game, but instead they were more like lambs led to the slaughter… 51-7 was the final score.

Back at the lake house for a pontoon boat cruise.

A very enjoyable break. Now, back to cycling.