Catch up time. Day 8-11, Aug 1-4

Since we last posted, we have occasionally been without internet access, occasionally been too tired to speak coherently, and occasionally been lazy. Let me try to catch up.

I should also mention that while Margaret has been taking pictures, none of them have made their way from her camera to the computer as yet, although such a migration is promised for the future.

Day 8, 8/1 Rest Day
We had breakfast at a very nice restaurant called "Kay's." We then went downtown to Algonac, shopped around, found a computer bag for cheap at Good Will, picked up a pint of bourbon and a six of Perrins Grapefruit IPA, then went back to our room and vegged out. Later that night we went to Johnnie Lega's again. Another good meal.

Day 9, 8/2 Algonac, MI to Blenheim, ON, 45 miles
General route for today: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/15538926 We did modify the route as gravel roads dictated.
Breakfast at Kay's, of course, then about three more miles to the ferry in Algonac. We just made the 8 o clock boat, and were the only vehicle. Total cost for bike, trailer and people=$2 American. There were four or five dogs waiting for us once we got off the ferry on Walpole Island, Ontario. Ears were scratched all around, at least for the dogs. Altogether, the Canadian side was much more relaxed and friendly. Our own border people acted like they had dried corn cobs up their asses.
The zipper on our $1 computer bag broke this morning. You get what you pay for.
After Chatham Kent, where we stopped for lunch, the day got tougher. Temps in low 90s, high humidity, and head winds really slowed us up. About 2 miles short of our ending for the day, we passed a Best Buy. Found a much better bag there, though not as cheap. We finally reached the home of Chris Nanni, our Warm Showers host for the night, around 4 PM.

A word about Warm Showers, which is an international organization of people who will host touring cyclists. The hosting is free, you are most often provided with dinner and breakfast, laundry is almost always available, and you are greeted by incredibly interesting people who are your hosts. In fact, that is the big draw back. The camaraderie is so good that sucks you in, and you neglect to do those maintenance type things that need to be done. In this case, Chris made a killer fruit martini that begged for seconds, which we gratefully accepted. We did, at least, get a load of laundry done.
Here I also learned that my cell phone is so technologically backward that it won't work in Canada. I feel rather isolated. If anyone is trying to call, I will get back to you when we reach Niagara.

Day 10, Blenheim to Port Stanley, 58.3 miles
General route for today: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/15538756 We did follow a route change suggested by our Warm Showers host which added 3.7 miles.
Another hot,humid day. Usually when we start out at about 7 AM, the conditions are cool, but as the day progresses, everything gets tougher. By the time we had five miles left, we were toast. We sheltered for a bit under a stand of maples to drink water and cool off. The owner of the property came out and ended up offering us iced bottles of spring water. Helped a bunch.
We stayed at the Windjammer B&B in Port Stanley. The house had an historical plaque which said it dated back to 1854. We had dinner there, went up to our room, and had a short discussion about what our route should be for tomorrow. We both agreed that a sixty mile ride into Simcoe was not in the cards for either of us. Before I passed out from exhaustion, er, fell asleep, I agreed to agree with whatever route Margaret chose for the next day.

Day 11, Port Stanley to London, 20.1 miles
Route for today: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/15616795 Spent most of the day on a gentle climb, although there were a couple descents. Max speed 32.9 mph.
After the two longest days we have ridden this year, and remember we pull a 70 pound trailer, we decided on a semi-rest day into London. Part of the reason was that I needed to be back into internet contact with my office, otherwise we would have loved to stay in Port Sheldon. At any rate, up and on the road by 07:30, and into our motel before noon. Great day, we both felt strong. Tomorrow we plan to explore London, maintain the bike a bit, and talk about where next. As you may have discerned, my gentile reader, we are becoming more concerned with experience than progress.
More Later.