Day 1

July 16 - Pittsburgh to Saginaw, Michigan

As always, a departure breakfast, this year hosted by Michael.  Lots of miles ahead, but always good to have a send off.  Special treat was that Michael presented Schultz and I with Stanley Thermos's full of hot coffee which came in very handy throughout the first long day of highway riding.

To get to where we want to go we tend to start out with a harder day on interstates. This year was no exception as we plowed across the PA and OH turnpikes in fairly heavy traffic.

At one point we were pulled over checking maps and the such and as I sat on my bike to try to read I burned the "mother-loving-beJesus" onto my leg via a billion degree exhaust pipe.  Fortunately I was prepared for inevitable occurrence as I was carrying a one-of-a-kind super special magic elixir sun and burn treatment.  While I might have screamed just a tiny bit for a moment I gathered my wits and applied the elixir and, as expected, it worked like magic.

Final destination day 1 was Saginaw, Michigan where somehow Schultz used his mental radar and found this tiny, very friendly, local bar.  Pete, the bartender who has been there for centuries, was gracious and hospitable.

Ok, so you are not supposed to take pictures on the road, but I couldn't help it.

A friend recommended this "world class" deli in Ann Arbor.  Ironically as we were plotting a course for the place when we were still 50 miles away a police officer pulled over to see if we were ok.  He asked where we were going and we told him Zingerman's in Ann Arbor.  He gushed with excitement and gave us explicit directions.  It was worth the stop but we gave it a grade of "B" because the sandwiches were good, but very expensive.  I can think of 4-5 places in Pittsburgh that would rival.

Weather was grand today.  Traffic was heavy, but that was expected for the "interstate" day.  Forecast says rain in the morning - and we won't ride in rain, but onto Canada.  400 miles today, but that is the max that is worth riding on a motorcycle.