Traverse City

Saturday, May 31 (Day 15)

Distance: 0 miles

Total: 867 miles 

I woke up late and had a leisurely morning before walking a few blocks to see a bike swap. There weren't too many bikes left but I'm told there were people lining up to get in and have at the bikes. I see bikes everywhere around here and many people have several bikes for different purposes and trailers for groceries or seats for children or baskets or panniers (saddle bags for bikes), which is really great.

I walked around downtown Traverse City for a while and looked in local art galleries, which were beautiful, then on the beach for a bit. Lots of people were out today.

After a delicious lunch with Laura, I took a nap and walked to the co op again. 

Laura and Bob had a blog (they took 10 months to cycle tour around the country) and had it made into a book, which I was very happy to look through.

We went to dinner, then to a high school graduation party which had a very nice community feel.

Laura was telling me quite a few very interesting things (I wish I had a better memory to share them properly!). One thing I did manage to hold onto was when she was talking about the economy. She has been reading a book about the economy, and she told me "Our economy is based on GDP and other things but not on things like happiness or taking a year off of school."

Laura is incredibly nice, and very interesting. She and her husband Bob are thinking of doing all sorts of awesome, adventurous things like more bike touring, thru hiking the Appalachian Trail, and joining the Peace Corps. I've really enjoyed talking to her and trying to save a bit of her wisdom!

It was a great day off. I really like Traverse City.