Today was a great day because I woke up feeling good, and the sun was out, and I started with a tail wind pushing me for the first 10 miles heading east across Holland. It was nice and cool in the morning and the temperature stayed comfortable all day.

I passed a few fields of grain, about three feet tall, something you wouldn’t see in Alberta until August.

I was on the Blue Star Highway for much of the day, and at one point, it had a smooth concrete bike path. I’ve started to notice things standing out from the general newness of it all. Trees are everywhere, and they are often impressively big and beautiful once I pay attention. I took a picture of the path and a massive tree trunk, with my bike for scale.

I got to Saugatuck in about two hours, which is food stop time. Right there on Lucy Street by the inlet, they put a seating area, like many others in these small tourist towns. Perfect.

So I ate and stared, and enjoyed the quiet and this view.

I got to thinking that this was a beautiful boat and a beautiful scene, and a guy could stay here a while. In fact, all of these lakeshore towns are gorgeous, with big trees, nice houses and yards, flowers, boats, and a restful atmosphere.

Back to the boat, I recalled that boats are expensive to buy and maintain, and most see little use. They represent a dream. But we’re on vacation here, and I know you want that boat, so go ahead and buy it. OK, it’s yours.

Now you need a place to park it and admire it, so go ahead and buy one of those fancy houses across the inlet, or maybe the very house where the boat is docked. Sit in the yard, kick back, and know that life is good.

If you have the money, this is a wonderful way to live. Sweet.

If you work for your money, like most people, you now have boat payments, and car payments, and house payments, and food and clothes to buy for the family. You can’t just sit there. You have to go to work tomorrow morning. You have stress. You have sold your life for a treadmill to depression.

Bummer.

Good thing you have me to help out. Sell the boat, your expensive car, and that big empty house. Downsize. Buy a bicycle. Now you can afford to take time off, and you can quit working a lot younger.

Now you can relax. Enjoy the view again. Beautiful boat, isn’t it? Nothing beats work like a day without work. 🙂

I got so carried away with the charm of this place, that I even got romanced into taking a picture of the shops on Butler Street.

I finally saw Lake Michigan in the sun, and understood the call of the beach.

They have a lot of Lakeshore Drives here, so I took another picture to remind you of how nice they are for cycling.

Dreams sell well here, so this is another one of those high-end housing and retirement areas.

I’m always suspicious of people who make things sound too wonderful, like all the little tourist magazines I keep finding along the way, so I’ll close with a reality every cyclist has to face.

One last item. In the last three days, I’ve ridden 68, 56, and 68 miles. I feel fine. And I’ve rounded the lake with time to slow down and mosey around. Good thing I didn’t buy that boat.