Meechigan!

I took off this morning from Kendallville thinking that Sturgis was right around the corner – but it turned out being 35 miles away. Good thing Cathy and I didn’t try to make it yesterday. We would have been riding until midnight! I did break the 2,000 mile barrier today. Booo Yah!

But early this afternoon I entered Meechigan, and the final phase of my adventure. It’s all downhill from here, figuratively speaking. After eating a banana split and two orange shakes at a little ice cream shop in Centerville, I was ready to head into my old stomping grounds of Kalamazoo. The town had grown and changed, but my memories of it have not. I received phone calls from a few co-workers who live here along the way, and it’s great to know that people remember you and continue to love you, even if you haven’t seen them for a few years. Thanks Kim, Nadine and Sandy.

I’ll go to Kalamazoo College tomorrow to visit the alumni relations office and one of Adams friends, BJ Cherup. But tonight I had the chance to spend the evening with my Uncle Larry, and his two daughters Molly and Mary. And it was a complete evening. We had hamburgers at Red Robin, a new franchise that someone should open in Gaylord. They were big and good, and of course, I ate a double. Mmmmmm. Then we played at the Putters Arcade, where Molly showed off her Dance, Dance Revolution steps and Mary whipped me in a virtual horse race. Finally, we topped off the evening with a triple frozen custard at Culvers. Molly and I are going skydiving when she turns 18 – that’s less than three years away. I am counting the days.

When we returned to Larry’s house and watched a real inspiration, Rick and Dick Hoyt. Rick was born with cerebral palsy, and in order to give him the challenge of athletic competition, his father Dick began running races with him. Team Hoyt has now completed over 50 marathons and 6 ironman triathlons together, with Dick carrying, pushing and swimming with his son in tow. Check out this link if you want to be inspired. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flRvsO8m_KI&mode=related&search=

When I lived in Kalamazoo, Larry and I golfed together every Saturday for a few years. He was my only regular golfing partner, beside my wife, so of course we stayed up late and played a round on his Wii. He beat me this time, but next time I'll be ready for his sneaky tricks. It was more fun than all get out, and I want one for Christmas next year, Christa.

Well, I am going to hit the sack now tomorrow promises to be a busy and emotional day, and I want to be prepared. I will be back in Gaylord next Monday and can’t wait. But in the meantime, my trip down memory lane this week will be something to remember.