July 9, 2018 – Today the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s will ride in tribute today to Ron Schmidt. Ron does not currently have a sponsor. Won’t you consider a donation today?
The 2018 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for a rickshaw for seniors at The Samaritan Campus, a 501c3, so all donations are tax deductible.
July 9, 2018 – Sault Ste. Marie, MI – The Chippewa County Historical Society has well documented Sault Ste. Marie.
Photos and and a timetable are laid it out in storyboard fashion along Historic Water Street overlooking the gateway to Lake Superior.
Commerce surrounding the shipping canal is a huge part of the start of the community and construction of the locks in 1853 put 1,600 men to work; the population of the Sault was temporarily doubled.
The canal contained a pair of locks in tandem each providing a lift of about 10 feet to an upbound ship.
The canal opened in June 1855 and tonnage in the first year was 14,503 but by 1860 the tonnage increased to 284,350; almost 20 times that of nine years earlier.
Courtesy Chippewa County Historical Society
Defenseefforts during wartime
The barrage balloon (above) is ready for deployment at Brady Park. The balloons typically floated up to 2,000 feet with cables suspended from them while flying.
Airplanes threatening the locks would have to avoid gauntlet of the cables
Frank’s Place is a must for eats in Sault Ste. Marie, MI
There were families at Frank’s and food enough to tide you over through lunch. Veggie omelet, homemade raisin toast and coffee for under $9.
Aplace as remote as the moon
French explorers visited Sault Ste. Marie around 1620 but the area remained isolated from the US population centers.
In the mid 19th century Senator Henry Clay called the upper Peninsula “remote as the moon.”
Photo courtesy Chippewa County Historical Society
In the 1880 with no railroad connection mail arrived by schooner but when the ice closed the shipping, native Americans used dog teams to run the mail between the Sault and Saginaw or Marquette.
A trip to Saginaw took from 10 days to over three weeks depending on ice conditions.
Men averaged almost 30 miles per day and usually slept out in the elements.
Courtesy Chippewa County Historical Society
A unique method of fishing the rapids teeming with whitefish attracted the Anishinaabeg people centuries before the first European explorers arrived.
A first-hand description of the fishing technique was written in 1669 by the Jesuit missionary Rev. Claude Dablon
“Dexterity and strength are needed for this kind of fishing for one must stand upright in a bark canoe and there among the whirlpools, with muscles tense, thrust deep into the water a rod at the end of which is fastened a net made in the form of a pocket into which the fish are made to enter.
One must look for them as they glide between the rocks pursue them and when they have been made to enter the net raise them with a sudden strong pull into the canoe.”
Courtesy Chippewa County Historical Society
Toured the Valley Camp which logged over 3,000,000 miles on the great lakes and is estimated to have carried 16,000,000 tons of cargo during her 50 years of service.
By 1966 the ship could no longer compete economically with the larger more modern ships on the great lakes and in the fall of 1966 she made her final trip from Milwaukee to Superior, Wisconsin.
On the lower level of the Valley Camp rests a display of the Edmund Fitzgerald including two of the heavily-damaged life rafts.
More than 10,000 people watched as the $8.4 million vessel slid into the water Saturday, June 7, 1958. The boat was christened by Mrs. Edmund Fitzgerald, wife of the president of the Borthwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company in Milwaukee.
Big Fitz was labeled the pride of the American flag.
On a side note:
– Even through the sign entering I75 says otherwise, bicyclists can cross the International Bridge between Sioux Ste. Marie, MI and Ontario. It’ll cost $1.75
– Rev. Sebastian Kavumkal from Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in Sault Ste. Marie, MI provides a safe space for me Sunday night. Rev. Kavumkal is from India and I found him outdoors watering and taking pictures of his rich red roses. “I’ve lost so many over the years to the cold,” he said.
– There was some interesting art out front of the historic Chippewa County Courthouse.
The crane of the Sault dedicated June 8, 1985 as a gift of Stella be Osborne in memory of Chase Osborne.
Ralph Wolffe is the artist and the statue depicts the Chippewa legend of two young brothers who flee their wicked mother who is pursuing them with the intent to kill them.
When they reach the north shore of the St. Mary’s Rapids they are met by a crane who after hearing their story carries them to the South Shore of the rapids.
The crane than meets the mother on the North Shore and agrees to transport her to the other side.
Instead the crane drops the mother in the rapids and as she hits the stones below the mother’s skull cracked open and her brains become the whitefish that inhabit the rapids.
The crane adopts the boys and one of them remains in the area To marry the daughter of the crane.
Mrs. Osborne commissioned the statue and gave the monument to the citizens of the Sault area as a reminder they are citizens of an ancient city with a rich and wonderful history and legend.
July 8, 2018 – Today the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s will ride in tribute to Tim Daly.
The 2018 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for a rickshaw for seniors at The Samaritan Campus, a 501c3, so all donations are tax deductible.
July 7, 2018 – Whitefish Point, WI – It took a week and A day but managed to reach my destination of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Whitefish Point, MI and it was well worth the ride.
Photo credit: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
The bell, also called ‘The Voice of the Edmund Fitzgerald,’ is displayed as a shiny tribute in the middle of the museum. It is surrounded by other stories of lives lost on the mighty Great Lakes.
Photo credit: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
Whitefish Point has been called the graveyard of Lake Superior. Since navigation began on Lake Superior there have been approximately 550 wrecks.
Prior to wireless radio, ships communicated passing intentions by whistle signals which were often misinterpreted. To make things worse, Whitefish Point became infamous for poor visibility conditions due to fog, blinding snow squalls, and even the occasional smoke from forest fires that conceal ship movements.
Photo credit: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
While many talk about the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the worst disaster was actually on Lake Superior on August 20, 1920 about 24 miles southeast of Whitefish Point. On that date, the SS Superior City (the largest boating vessel ever built on freshwater at that time) was rammed by a much larger steamer vessel the Willis L. King after some passing signals got crossed.
Photo credit: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
Twenty-nine lives were lost; four crew survived to be rescued by the Willis L. King. To this day, The bones of the victims still rest on the deck 265 feet below.
(Audio credit: Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum)
Lightkeepers had to wind the mechanism which turn the light every 2 1/2 hours.
Lenses and chimneys had to be cleaned, wicks trimmed, machinery oiled and equipment checked on a daily basis.
The keeper carried fuel to the lamp in cans from the oil storage house which had to be located 100 feet from the lighthouse in case of fire.
July 7, 2018 – Today the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s will ride in tribute today to Rick Schulz.
Rick J. Schulz Sr. was born in Saukville and raised in Port washington. “I was part of the Port Washington Windjammers,” he said of the bugle corps.
Rick and his wife Sandy have been married 32 years. The couple had six boys and four of the boys played football.
Rick remembered the PDQ was in Port Washington and he also frequented Harry’s Restaurant.
This past June during the 50th anniversary of the Samaritan Campus Rick and Sandy got to take a ride on the rickshaw.
“I’m sitting with my wife all day snuggling and that was great,” he said.
Rick is still looking for a sponsor for his tribute ride. Take a look below at how you can help. 100% of the money raised will go to a rickshaw at the Samaritan Campus.
Rick and his sponsor will also receive a post card from the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s tour.
Sponsors are encouraged to take their post card to the Samaritan and visit with Rick.
He’s an interesting guy with a lot of stories and he’s a good listener.
The 2018 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for a rickshaw for seniors at The Samaritan Campus, a 501c3, so all donations are tax deductible.
July 6, 2018 – Today the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s will ride in tribute to Maria Gamez
Maria is originally from Brownsville, Texas. She is 99 years old and currently lives at the Samaritan Campus.
Maria was lucky enough to score a ride on the rickshaw bike at the Samaritan. “I just love it,” she said. I was just hoping I wouldn’t fly out. We got back and I said that’s it?”
Maria wanted a longer ride.
Maria is still looking for someone to sponsor her Tribute Ride. See the simple for below. Sponsor Maria and 100% of your donation will go to the Samaritan Campus for a new rickshaw. You and Maria will receive a post card from the road.
Be sure to then visit Samaritan Campus with your post card and introduce yourself to Maria. She’s a spitfire at 99 with a December birthday on the way.
The 2018 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for a rickshaw for seniors at The Samaritan Campus, a 501c3, so all donations are tax deductible.
Hardwood floors painted gray, aisles about shoulder-width apart that we’re stocked full with whatever you would need, right down the VHS tapes and canning supplies.
Bob had run the store the past 43 years. He said he kept the gas pumps out front from the 1960s because he liked it. He said it really confused the kids.
There was a glass deli counter up front full of meats and cheeses, ice cream could be scooped by hand and, in typical Otten fashion he discounted the price of a sandwich.
Canned products were hand stamped. Matter of fact, all products carried a hand stamp.
Bob’s Stop & Shop did not carry tobacco products. But he did have beer and a series of wallet-size photos of grandkids lining every bit of open space along with clever clippings and signs. There was zero empty wall space or counter space; there was a kid photo, canned good or homemade sign at every turn.
Asking Bob what town was ahead he rattled off a series in success and then said, “If you stub your toe on the railroad tracks you’ll fall out of town.”
Bob gave me a little message in a small plastic baggie as I left. Click HERE to watch.
Contents: An eraser so you can make all of your mistakes disappear, a penny so you will never have to say I’m broke, a marble in case someone says you’ve lost all your marbles, a rubber band to stretch yourself beyond your limits, a string to tie things together when everything seems to fall apart, a hug and a kiss (chocolate) to remind you that someone somewhere cares about you.
Women of Newberry
Fought the strong headwinds north into the small, but patriotic town of Newberry and I met Alice Schroeder who loved President Trump and wanted everyone to know about it.
Schroeder was straightening her handmade lawn signs, which were a little cattywampus from the strong south winds.
“I got the mannequin June 29 for my birthday,” said Schroeder. “It was a gift from my daughter; the mannequin was already wearing the red, white, and blue swimsuit.”
Schroeder was dressed in a red shirt accessorized with a sparkly USA flag pin and red, white and blue earrings.
“The president just stands for everything I believe in,” said Schroeder. “God, the Constitution, middle class values, the Second Amendment, and family values.”
As we talk under the shade of trees in her front yard people drive by, pull over, roll down their windows and snap photos of the display.
It happens multiple times. “I just felt there was more I could do…. so I made this,” said Schroeder. “So far it’s been well received.”
A note of thanks to Trinity Lutheran Church
Entering moose country as Newberry touts itself the Moose Capital of Michigan!
Fun – there’s even a “moose sightings reporting station” at a gift store downtown.
The clerk points out a white map with an array of colorful stickpins. “So far the season has been slow… but we’re just getting started,” she said. “The moose sightings can be pretty rare as they actually like to stick to the swampy areas.”
Seeing a moose clomp through the middle of town is not commonplace.
A familiar face far from home as the pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church in Newberry is none other than Kyle Kuehl of West Bend. Kuehl is a graduate of Living Word Lutheran and Concordia College. He went to seminary in St. Louis and has been heading up the parish in Newberry the past three years.
While the weather remains sunny, temps this morning started at 52 degrees. There are strong southern winds as I move north, and neighbors say the next 60 miles is expected to be a bit of a grind.
July 5, 2018 – Manistique, MI – I decorated my bike for the July 4 holiday and my new best friend Ritch threw in a splash of the Spirit of ‘76!
Ritch Branstrom, owner of adhocWORKshop, handcrafts giant works of art. A couple of birds that looked like they flew out of a Dr. Seuss book were the first thing that caught my attention.
Ritch is an engineering student turned artist and he has this fantastic ability to create raw-material art out of items cast off by others.
His pieces include discarded farm implements, old cowboy boots, and home appliances.
“When I open the door to my shop it’s like people get sucked into this vortex,” said Ritch.
The piece above is a giant lamp/chandelier. Can you identify what the pieces are from?
Ritch is the master of the Island of Misfit Toys and his talent is astounding.
On a side note: Made it 65.90 miles on July 4 from Escanaba, MI to Manistique, MI. The day was hot and even though Hwy 2 was busy with 65 mph traffic there was a generous shoulder and rumble strip.
Found an anomaly at one of the rest stops just outside of Manistique; it’s an odd creature that apparently makes its home in the U.P.
The attendant at the gas station laughed as a I snapped a couple photos. Anybody else seen one before? Can you name it?
Also entered Hiawatha National Forest. It’s beautiful with green forests on either side of the highway. The National Forest markers always remind me of The Flintstones.
The ‘Give a Hoot’ signs also bring back childhood memories and one segment in particular from Mad Men.
July 5, 2018 – Today the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s will ride in tribute to Jan Schumacher.
The 2018 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for a rickshaw for seniors at The Samaritan Campus, a 501c3, so all donations are tax deductible.
July 4, 2018 – Today the Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s will ride in tribute to my former tour partner for The Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s, Audrey Steffes. Thanks for putting on the mileage and the memories with me!
The 2018 Amazing Ride for Alzheimer’s is raising money this year for a rickshaw for seniors at The Samaritan Campus, a 501c3, so all donations are tax deductible.
