escanaba, michigan

Iron County, Michigan 

This morning didn't look like a good day to go for a bike ride but we did. The day began with drizzling rain, 44 degrees, and wind. To stay warm I wore my bike shorts and Levis, I also wore an insulated long-sleeves t-shirt, a cycling jersey, my cycling windbreaker, and my raincoat. I'm not sure if I looked more like the Michelin Man or the Pillsbury Doughboy but I did stay a little warm for the morning part of the ride.

I noticed at a Michigan rest area that we were in Iron County. We came into Michigan in Ironwood, stayed one night in Iron River, and bought bike tires in Iron Mountain so I'm not sure where all this Iron stuff goes. Maybe it doesn't.

The bike tires were purchased and installed at Build A Bicycle - Bicycle Therapy, a shop Margaret found on a back street in Iron Mountain. I think Google helped her but I give her all the credit. The guys at the shop sure were helpful, took about an hour to change the tires, and loaded the bike for Margaret. In the meantime, Phil and I were headed east on Route 2 to Escanaba. In fact, from Ironwood to St. Ignace, the entire length of the Upper Peninsula, we pedal on Route 2. Can't get lost unless we try!

I told you when we came into Michigan that we were in the Eastern Time Zone. I had previously looked at a U.S. map, saw the time zone line, and thought it was on the Wisconsin/Michigan border. I was wrong. I saw the official sign as we approached Escanaba today. We are for sure, however, in the Eastern Time Zone . . . now!

In Build A Bicycle - Bicycle Therapy, I saw a sign with two bikes and a portion of a Bible verse from one of the best-known and most-used chapters in the Scriptures, Psalm 23, a Psalm of David:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2  He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3  He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake. 4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me 5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever."

Have a blessed day & follow your Shepherd.