Stage 31 - Bayfield, WI to Mackinaw Is., MI - June 24, Monday 

A DAY IN THE VAN ...  

We have a long day ahead of us: a 300 mile van ride to Mackinaw Island. We start the day repacking so comfortable seating is available for all six of us. It’s a jigsaw puzzle but we do it. We have one stop before leaving the immediate area. 

One of the benefits of cycling cross country is the serendipitous opportunities to learn more about the people and businesses in America. We spend more time in places. We meet more people; folks are fascinated by what we’re doing and willingly open up and share their own stories and experiences. I surmise the very human and immediate presence of the cyclist is more inviting than the anonymous, faceless car passenger. 

TETZNER’S FARM ... 

One such experience is our visit to Tetzner Farms. Tetzner’s is home to a self service dairy store offering milk, cheese, and most importantly, ice cream. We learned about their store and ice cream separately, highlighting the power of high quality products and word of mouth referrals. Us kayakers learned from Mitchell, our guide. Judy learned from a store owner in Bayfield. Both gave glowing recommendations. 

The ice cream is as good as advertised. The best part of the visit though is the tour of the milking operation and their welding / fabrication shop. Matt, one of four owners (brother, uncle and grandad? are co-owners) offers to show us where and how the cows are milked. 

Everything is automated and it is absolutely fascinating. I’m enthralled with all the details and how it works. The milking is done by machine which knows the details pertaining to each cow identified by a tag on their neck: when last milked, amount produced, expected production, nutrition needs, location of teats. The machine cleans the cow’s udder and automatically places the suction devices. While the cow is being milked, the machine dispenses the correct amount and content of food to be eaten by the cow. After milking is complete, the machine cleans the suction devices. Each cow’s milk production is accounted for, recorded, and stored separately. 

What’s even more fascinating to me is that the cows voluntarily line up to be milked. They have an instinctive understanding of when they need to be milked and the milking is a positive experience for the cow. It’s a win-win for man and animal. 

The Tetzner Farm’s automated milking operation began in 2014; the technology has been in the market for ~20 years. Automation reduced human labor for Matt and his uncle from 13 hours per day to 3 hours. Matt used the extra time to develop his welding and fabrication business. He proudly shows us his shop and examples of his work. It’s amazing. Matt is very talented and his work is of the highest quality. 

What an amazing experience! 

A LONG DRIVE ... 

We depart Bayfield. As it turns out, the weather will suck on and off all day. What is bad looks worse when we consult the forecasts. Our current storm is followed by another. We won’t get any sustained good weather all day. At a certain point, David realizes cycling is out for the day. We tack another 90 miles of distance to our day’s drive.  

David plays a song from his phone on the radio. It’s called “Chocolate” by Hera from the album ‘Don’t Play This’. It’s cute. David plays the song in my honor in recognition of my love of chocolate. 

We pass through a town called “Bruce Crossing”. The only thing noteworthy about the town is the name. Blink and we’re through.  

We stop to get the van’s oil changed per the panel indicator. The technician says an oil change is unnecessary. There’s a casino nearby with a huge Santa Claus in front. I pose for a few pictures. 

DAY’S END ... 

We arrive at the Mackinaw Ferry and catch the 6:00 boat. We make overnight bags and leave the larger pieces of luggage. Due to the weather, we leave our bikes on top of the van. We can rent bikes to ride around the island tomorrow if conditions improve. 

Everyone is tired. There’s a palpable sense of frustration with the weather and our missed cycling opportunities. The ferry ride is enjoyable and short. After checking in, we find a restaurant and enjoy dinner. 

David and Judy retire to their room. Api, Jonah, Morgan and I go to our room. We end up chatting for a while sharing different stories of our lives. It is a nice finish to a long day. 

ODDS & ENDS ... 

My belly persists in maintaining its round shape. I know I have lost weight. I don’t know how much and haven’t tried to find out. Like miles ridden, it’s not an important metric. Despite the hours of cycling and effort involved, my shirt still rests comfortably on my belly emphasizing its roundness in any picture taken. I don’t know if it’s testament to lack of fitness or age but suspect it’s more the latter. 

David is having great fun with the disparity in how our Garmins are tracking calories consumed. We are similar in build and weight. I am a decade plus older. Riding the exact same route, David’s Garmin says he’s burned four times more calories. If I burned 2,000 calories, David burned 8,000. David has concluded (humorously I’m sure!) that I am not working hard enough and therefore should be eating less. He keeps threatening to put me on a diet and restrict my pie and ice cream consumption. The running gag has been source of a lot of fun the last week or so. We get our humor where we can.