August 3, 2021
Day 5 - Holland State Park to Muskigon State Park
As woke up again to a wet tent, but the day looked promising with sun and no wind.
After the usual breakfast of oatmeal and coffee we go underway at 8:45 am. We are actually starting to improve here, but Simon is a slow starter.
Straight out of Holland SP, we made a left on Lakeshore Ave where we found brand new asphalt. There was a bike trail next to the road but the black top was to much to resist and we made good time with very little traffic.
Our first break came at Pigeon Creek where we stopped on the bridge to take some photos but not hanging to long as the traffic picked up.
Over the next hour we alternated between the road and the trail depending on the traffic and terrain. We found the trail didn't follow the contours of the road and went down into gullies and had steep climbs to get back up to the road level so avoided the trail most of the time.
We arrived in Grand Haven after a steep climb on Grand Avenue, bad routing on my part.
Grand Haven has 2 lighthouses on the southern pier. We road our bikes out and took some photos.
After riding through the state park campground we headed into the downtown to find something to eat. I am really missing finding diners for 2nd breakfasts on this trip so end up just buying lunch.
Grand Haven is a a designated Coast Guard City, a honorary designation recognizing cities that are of significance to the Coast Guard. Downtown was busy as the Coast Guard festival was in full swing with the carnies in town with their rides and fried foods.
We headed down the main street, Washington Ave and asked around for a good place to eat. The recommendation was The Toasted Pickle and we found a table right outside. We had burgers and the 'share' size fries which turned out to be way to much. I also had a pretty good raspberry lemonade.
We decide our table in the sun was too hot so gave it up and walked a block to find a shady space under a tree to enjoy our lunch.
During lunch I was wondering where the Tri Cities Museum was, looked up and it was right where we were sitting. I went in and found the lens.
Conveniently the Visitors Center was also right around the corner and I was able to get the lighthouse stamp.
We left Grand Haven at 12:30 having to walk our bikes over the Grand River draw bridge, crossed under under Hwy 31, then then took Dogwood Dr. Once again there was a trail but we used the road.
After taking a couple of other minor roads we passed PJ Hoffmater State Park, where they had a campground full sign. We considered stopping for the night but decided to push on.
Closing in on Muskegon, we stopped for a Gatorade at store at Norton & McCracken Road. Refreshed we rode on out to Pere Marquette Park to the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse arriving at 3 pm.
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We decided to also ride out on the south breakwater to the South Breakwater Lighthouse.
Leaving the lighthouses at 3:30 pm, much the same as yesterday we had to round the bay to out campsite on the north side at Muskegon State Park. We started on Lakeshore Drive, but soon picked up the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail which took us to the north side of the Muskegon River. From there we took Ruddiman Drive and Memorial Drive out to the state park
We arrived in at the camp at 5:30 pm. and was given one of the saved walk up sites. After an inspection I went back and asked if they had another site as our assigned site was mainly deep sand. No such luck as they were full so got set up and had dinner.
After dinner we hopped on the bikes and rode out to the beach about a mile away.
After a walk around to the next bay, Simon decided to go for a swim but I'm not that foolish
Then it was a ride back to the camp for showers and off to bed.
Today's ride: 58 miles (93 km)
Total: 208 miles (335 km)
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