It's been fifty years since Whatcom Community College began with the intention to provide access to higher education for all students. The school began as a "college without walls" because, as coordinator Everett Sanders said, “since capital funds are not available, it seems that District 21 will operate without a campus … We can serve people, not buildings.” Things have changed greatly in the past five decades. The college now sprawls across a 72-acre campus and serves more than 11,000 students annually. What has not changed is the school's mission to provide access to higher education for all students. Part of providing that access is making sure that all students have the funds to attend the school. That's where we all come in. You can donate here to help provide scholarships to deserving students.
We experienced another "small world" coincidence last night. Though I posted that we were near Appleton, which we were, we were close to the small town of De Pere. When I emailed my friend, Steve Swan, recently retired WWU VP and chair of the Whatcom Community Foundation, to find out where he grew up he responded — "De Pere." In a later email Steve said that he had "created many divots" at the Mid-Valley Golf Course, right next to our campground.
I had slightly overestimated the distance of today's ride. Last night I'd said the ride today would be a short one — 40 miles. After posting that I had to laugh at myself and ask, "since when is 40 miles a short ride?" I guess all things are relative. After riding 82.6 miles the day before, 40 seemed like a breeze. It turns out it was only 35 miles to where we loaded up the bike to prepare for our ride across Lake Michigan on the Badger...but, I'm getting ahead of myself.
The day began very pleasantly. At 8am, just about 4 miles into the ride, it was 59 degrees. A short distance later I crossed the Fox River and this slightly foggy sight greeted me.
A ways farther along the fog became much more dense.
After a short time of riding on the shoulder of busy roads I was off on quiet county roads that were fairly smooth. There was a bit of breeze coming from the south. I was riding southeast.
Inspired once again by the audiobook Bored and Brilliant, I decided that today would be a silent contemplation day, with no playlist. Ironically, the first thought that came into my mind was a song lyric from yesterday's Beatle bash —"I'm fixing a hole where the rain gets in and stops my mind from wandering where it will go." I was much more aware of the sound of insects and birds, and my mind did wander. I haven't been meditating on this trip, which I usually do every day. This was the closest I've come to meditating, except I didn't close my eyes.
On one of the quiet back roads I spotted this sign and was fascinated. It obviously serves a good purpose, but you sure don't see this often.
Wildlife spotting began slowing — lots more grasshoppers, some birds, and a couple of butterflies. Then another White-Tailed Deer leapt across the road, much closer to me than the one yesterday. Once again I didn't have time to get to the camera, but for those who've never seen one, here's a photo.
I came upon this collection of flowers and weeds (who knows the difference?) that looked like a fall bouquet.
A while later I came across this nice bit of landscaping. My eye first caught sight of the buggy. Dee saw one of these on the road the other day.
I wanted to mention an accessory that I've come to love, especially on narrow shoulders in traffic. It's a mirror that my friend Janet Ott recommended. She's used hers for six years. Fairhaven Bicycle carries it. I bought mine at the Bike Spot in Anacortes from friends Carolyn and Nick (Carolyn used to be Village Books' children's book buyer.) Here's a front view and a back view.
I know this won't work for racers or for those more concerned with aesthetics than safety, but a quick glance warns me of anything behind me. It's called an EVT Safe Zone Mirror.
At about 22 miles I came to the Devils River Trail.
This was again a crushed limestone trail that was better in some spots, where the gravel was heavily packed, and not as great in places where loose gravel was on top. The greatest surprise was that these signs appeared every 1/4 mile from the time I entered the trail until the trail ended.
It was certainly very clear when the trail ended.
At an intersection just a mile beyond this point I spotted this sign and was so pleased that there were Seattle fans around.
After packing the bike into the Rialta we drove to the Manitowoc ferry dock. Dee snapped this photo of the Badger arriving from Ludington.
Once checked in an attendant drove the Rialta onto the ferry and we boarded. Here's the office and boarding area.
The Badger is the last of the many historic ferries that ran out of Manitowoc during the heyday of train car ferries. Here are a couple of signs that explain that history.
It was a pleasant ride across Lake Michigan. Much of the time was passed in talking to Jim Dickinson, a retired Forest Service firefighter who began a cross-country ride a week after retirement. He's 68 days into the ride from South Lake Tahoe to Portland, Oregon, and across to this point. He's riding to Portland, Maine, and will be riding with us tomorrow.
Our friend Lori Tucker-Sullivan joined us at the Ludington Pub after we'd eaten. She's the chair of the Book Industry Charitable Foundation board and will be joining me on the ride to Reed City tomorrow. It should be a fun day.
Day Twelve by the numbers:
35 - miles ridden
902.2 - feet in elevation gained
3500.04 - calories burned
0 - falls
0 - dogs
Comments