I can’t remember the name of the owner who gave me permission to camp next to the Atwood Sloane Premiere Gallery, my brain wants to say Ray was his name. Whoever it was, thank you for giving me a place to pitch my tent for the night. Later that day, I found out that the Warmshowers host I stayed with knew the Gallery owner.
I was lucky enough to happen upon the Elk Rapids Farmers Market. And, predictably, I made a visit to The Flour Pot Bakery and Coffee Shop.
Because I rode farther than expected yesterday, it wasn’t very long before I picked up the TART trail system coming into Traverse City, Michigan. I had heard that Traverse City had an excellent bike trail system and was looking forward to experiencing it. What I didn’t know was my Warmshowers hosts, John and Rachel, were involved with the non-profit, TART Trails, that established the system and is working to expand it.
The Traverse City Area Recreation Trails (TART) vision statement:
“Our vision is a future where pathways are woven into everyday life—shaping culture and community, fostering movement and connection, deepening care for each other and the environment, now and for generations to come”
Sounds like a good vision.
The TART trail coming into Traverse City runs along Lake Michigan.
I was welcomed to John and Rachel’s home. They let me take a shower, do my laundry, clean and lube my drive train and fed me an excellent dinner. Then they asked if I would like to go to a local brewery to hear a friend of theirs play in a band. It sounded like a good time to me and it was. I really enjoyed spending time with them and hearing about their past trips, their kids and the community they have built in Traverse City. Thank you John and Rachel.
Slow and Steady 
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