Again took our time getting up and loaded.  That’s ok with me.  I microwaved some water and had Starbuck’s instant, sat outside and pushed out the blog.  930a we were ready to go.  Fueled up and went exploring the WIU campus.  Seems smaller.  Nobody on campus.  Labor Day weekend I guess.  No idea when classes start / resume.  Took some pics of the dorm I was in.  I think it was anyway.  Rumor had it torn down and rebuilt.  No worries.  Saw enough.

Headed east through the flatlands of Illinois.  Humidity starting to build.  The weatherbug app showing storm cells moving south east on the east side of the state.  Good for now.  Nice ride.  Not too hot.  The air we were pushing kept us cool enough.  After a hundred miles or so, passed through Peoria and across the Illinois River.  Nothing especially breathtaking.  Just a landmark.  Kept going east and fueled up in El Paso.  Getting to be about 2 in the afternoon.  Got a tip about a diner 15 miles east.  Headed out.  Typical fare.  After we finished, we made the decision to put our weather gear on and covers for the panniers and duffels.  It looked like we would be riding the tail of the storm.

Crossed into Indiana an hour or two later.  Two lane roads again today.  Makes the ride nice.  Slow down every 15-20 miles or so to see life in middle America.  Also makes it easy to stop and get water, fuel or just a plain break.  Went about 50-75 miles east into the Hoosier state and started heading north to Michigan.  Roads were narrow but nice.  The type of road where there is no shoulder and the vegetation is right up to the white line on the side.  Rural.  Green.  Nice farms.  Much like IL and the other states.  Easy ride.

It was a long stretch on the tank of fuel and we finally found some in a little town called Monon, IN.  Continued north.  Passed into Laporte, IN then across the state line into MI and the eastern time zone.  By this time it was 7p and we had 200-250 miles to go.  We missed the storm.  Got a few drops but we lucked out.

Time to find an establishment and do the google thing.  Pulled into New Buffalo, MI.  Cute little harbor town directly across the lake from Chicago.  Town was packed.  Labor Day and Notre Dame home game.  Notre Dame being only about 20 miles away draws their fans.  The little town was filled with what the locals call on that side of the state ‘fun IL people’ (fips).   Had dinner and a beer at an establishment on the short main drag and started dialing for accommodations.  No luck in town or surrounding towns.  Finished dinner.  Went out by the bikes and continued the search.  Tried as far as 60 miles east.  Apparently there was a big Indian Pow Wow going on as well.  I knew there was something open somewhere.  So we decided to ride and we would find something.

By this time, its 830p and the sun is setting.  Got on my favorite two lane and basted through the MI lakes country.  Found fuel in the middle of nowhere right as the guy was closing up.  Everyone was OK with the night ride.  We pressed on.  After another 50 miles or so, I decided that the two lane riding through the twists and turns at night, after being on the road all day was enough.  I headed north to I-94.  The main interstate between Chicago and Detroit.  In 30 miles we were sailing.  Lots of traffic.  More than I thought there would be.  Fueled up in Battle Creek.  Alex called Irena, woke her and told her we would be home in a couple of hours.  Traffic was heavy on I-94 so we took I-69 north to Lansing.  Clear motoring. Absolutely beautiful evening.  Stars were out and not a cloud in the sky.  Getting very cool.  I had to pull over and close all the zipper vents on my jacket.  Alex had put in his liner.

In Lansing we hopped on I-96 east.  Easy 50-60 mile run to Brighton.  75mph the whole way.  Horses heading for the barn.  Irena had the garage open, lights on and waiting for us.  Hugs.  Pictures.  A drink before bed.  Left the bikes as is for the morning.  15 or 16 hour day on the bikes.

Now I am up.  Boys are still in their happy place.  Already went to Home Depot to get some ‘Simple Green’ for the power washer.  Still have grasshoppers wedged in my headlight.  Stripped my bike of all the gear.  Coffee.  Enjoying the rest.

I will do an “Epilogue” in the next day or so on final thoughts etc.  5,000 miles.  16 days.  14 states. The boys and I had a great time.  Not scheduled to be back to work until Wednesday.

Life is good.