Yes, I'm still alive: Michigan, Wisconsin and Chicago

Now that I've been on the road for a while, I figure that it'd be a good time to show you some of the culinary delights I've been preparing for myself to fuel me on the trip. I had a flash of inspiration somewhere in Michigan and created the ultimate in carbohydrate-laden stomach punishment: A glazed donut, nestled between the peanut butter-smeared halves of a bagel. And if that wasn't enough, I washed it down with a cold Mountain Dew. MmmMmm!


I also experienced some of the regional delights to be found in Michigan's food outlets. While in a cut-rate grocery appropriately called "Save-A-Lot" I came across a pretty impressive array of canned fish products. After some consideration, I settled on the herring steaks in a spicy cajun sauce for 59 cents. The next day I stopped off at a small local convenience mart and found a truly impressive drink. The Camo 24 ounce XXXXX High Gravity Lager. Yes, that's right, there's not the customary three X's denoting high alcohol content, but FIVE. The can also proclaims it as being "extra smooth," although I would have to disagree. But regardless of how it might taste, I obviously could not pass it up. So as I sat down to dinner that evening, I saw before me a truly authentic Michigan meal.


Cheers!

As I continued through Michigan's Upper Peninsula, I passed through some more remote areas. I saw Tahquamenon Falls, which is a big curtain-style waterfall that falls from what looks like a giant shelf of rock. There was also a microbrewery/bar at the state park, which I found a bit weird, but I couldn't pass up a very good oatmeal stout with some onion rings, even though it was 11 am.


After the Falls, I went through about a 30-mile stretch of very little else than wild forest.



After I got out of the forest, I noticed something was different. While passing a house, I noticed a basketball backboard which confirmed my suspicisions:

Yes, I had entered the Bible Belt! Along the way I started noticing more signs that I was in God's country, including several large homemade signs declaring the maker's allegience to Jesus, or asking if I had found Him. Outside of the Save-a-Lot a lady had a short conversation with me and asked my name so she could put me in her prayers, which was nice of her.

And of course, I saw some funny stuff along the way.



There has to be some symbolism in this one.

I then headed south through Wisconsin in the direction of Chicago. Most of the riding I did was through field after field of corn, alfalfa, wheat and whatever else.


But it did make for some beautiful sunsets and twilight.


It wasn't too boring, though, since there are a lot of smallish towns scattered around the countryside. While passing through these towns, I discovered something interesting about Wisconsin: people like to drink, lots. There are very few stores which sell beer and liquor, but there will invariably be at least 4 bars in even the smallest towns. One town I passed through called Pulaski had no less than six bars within two blocks of the main intersection. Since the weather in Wisconsin was so hot when I was passing through (90 degrees plus, with humidity) I often took long afternoon breaks in the taverns I passed, downing a beer and several glasses of water.
Oh yeah, Wisconsin also has cheese and cows.



Once I got through most of Wisconsin, I headed for Kenosha, which is right on the border with Illinois, so I could take a commuter train into Chicago. My Toronto debacle definitely taught me all about the perils of riding a fully loaded touring bike into a large city. The train ended up being great- fast, comfortable, and only cost six bucks. I was able to get off at the station just a few blocks from my Chicago hostess Natalie's house.
So since then I've been relaxing really hard, trying my best to eat and drink as much as I can. We did do some sightseeing, checked out some of the great architecture and sculpture downtown, went to the Art Institute... I also made sure to tip back a few cans of Old Style, which is not unlike Pabst Blue Ribbon, both in price (cheap) and taste (questionable.)


Some typical-looking bars.

This is a bar right down the street from Natalie's apartment in Andersonville, which is a Swedish neighborhood.

I also took the "EL" train, the elevated train lines that run all through Chicago.

And of course, I saw Wrigley field.



That's about it so far, other than that I've been relaxing, eating some good food, and generally slacking off to make up for all of the hard riding I've been doing. Eventually, I will have to drag my food-stuffed and beer-sodden body off of the couch and start riding through the exciting midwest. Oh motivation, where have you gone?
When I eventually find it, or when Natalie throws me out, I'll let you know.

P.S.- teeheehee.