Musketawa Trail - Muskegon to Ravenna (MI)

On a bridge near Ravenna, MI

The Musketawa Trail lies on what was originally the Central Michigan Railroad.  The 26-mile rail bed was acquired in 1992 and made into the beautiful bike trail shown.  The trail stretches between Muskegon and Grand Rapids where it turns into the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail.  We are riding half of the trail today making a round trip total of 25 miles.  It was 74 degrees at 10:15 am on Tuesday, August 4 when we began our ride at the staging area on Broadway Street in Muskegon, MI.  Our destination is east of us to the town of Ravenna.  We have ridden this trail 3 or 4 times in the past 6 years because it is not all that far for us to travel to begin the ride.

The pic on the left shows the trailhead and our entrance to the trail.  The entire trail is paved with asphalt, is wide and well maintained.  There is not a lot of canopy on this trail so it is a trail that we avoid during the hottest part of the summer.

Just a few miles from our trailhead in Muskegon we find the most unusual grouping of "facilities" that we have ever seen along a bike path.  What more could a biker/walker need?

During our ride to Ravenna we observed farms on both sides of the trail.  There are corn crops, beans (we think soy), and blueberry fields.  There are blueberry stands throughout this area of Michigan all summer long, or so it seems.  The picture on the left is one of many blueberry fields.  On our way back to Muskegon this field was full of workers picking blueberries.



After 12.5 miles and approximately an hour of biking (and taking pictures) we reached Ravenna.  The picture on the left is the trailhead in Ravenna.

Our destination was Ravenna Roundtable Restaurant for a light lunch before heading back to Muskegon.  Service was good, prices reasonable, and food acceptable.  While at lunch two bikers came in and we were able to visit with them a few minutes.  Their ride had started from the Grand Rapids area, the opposite end of the trail from ours.  While visiting with the couple they mentioned that we would notice a big difference in our ride back to Muskegon.  Evidently the wind had picked up and we would be riding into about a 20 mph wind.

Ravenna (pronounced Rah-Vannah) is a community of approximately 1200.  Pics on left and right give a glimpse of the town.

This trail is not as interesting or as "pretty" as many that we have ridden in Michigan, but it is smooth and good for a biking workout.  The wind was formidable as we made our way back to our trailhead. As we reached our trailhead and car, we saw a man sitting at a nearby picnic table.  We had seen this man earlier today heading west as we were heading east and here he was next to our car with his face buried in the biking magazine that all of us Michigan bikers use as a guide.  He also had an atlas open on the table.  When we stopped at our car and started unloading our bike we had the opportunity to meet this remarkable man.
We want you to meet Chet.  He was headed for the P.J. Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon.  Earlier in the day he began his ride just outside of Grand Rapids and estimated he had ridden 40 miles thus far.  As you can see from the pics he was on a trike and was pulling a small, but fully loaded, trailer.  Upon reaching the state park he was going to camp and stay a couple of nights.
The timing of our return was no accident.  Chet's face was buried in the trail guide for a reason.  He is legally blind.  He also has Multiple Sclerosis.  Because this trail literally ends here, he must use city streets (with bike lanes hopefully) to get to the state park on the west side of town.
Chris was able to pull the park up on his phone and find the appropriate streets for Chet to travel to reach his destination.  We had quite a visit with this very nice man.  He told us about his bike/trike and modifications he had made.  He has a kinetic energy recovery system and 2 batteries to help him out if or when the going got to be too much.

Meeting Chet was the highlight of our ride today. This dear man had much he could have complained about, but he didn't.  His focus was all about plans he had made and things he wanted to accomplish.  His attitude and approach to life was inspirational.  We wished him well on his life journey and God's blessings before heading home.

Saturday means Farmer's Market in Muskegon (MI)

The blue dot on the map above shows the North Muskegon area where we are located.  When a Michigander tells you where they are from, and if you have a blank look on your face when hearing the name of the town, then they usually respond by holding up their right hand, palm outward, to demonstrate the "mitten".  Then they will show you where on the mitten they live.  This works for folks living in the Lower Peninsula.  Those from the Upper Peninsula usually reply "upper peninsula" and that explains everything.

This is our 7th trip to Muskegon, Michigan and as we travel people ask us why we summer in this particular area.  There are a variety of answers to this question, the first being that my sister lives here and that is how we found the area.  We have family in Oklahoma and Texas, as well as many other places around the country, yet we repeatedly choose Muskegon as our summer destination.  Other than coming to spend time with family, we come because of the people, the summer temperatures, and because so much of what we enjoy doing is here.

Over the past 7 years we have made several close friends.  Their kindness and acceptance has touched our hearts.  Upon entering the state several Michigan friends said "welcome back" and a few said "welcome home"!  Wow!  Oklahoma has always been home to us, but now Michigan has become like a second home.  This is a comfortable place for us to spend 4 1/2 months of the year.

Breakfast at Hennessy's

This year we arrived at Duck Creek RV Resort on a Friday, which was perfect!  We were just in time for Farmer's Market on Saturday.  Our Saturday started early with breakfast at Hennessy's around 8:40am.  They have a buffet that begins at 9am, but we like to order from the menu.  (I should note that this is not early for Chris and I, but it is early for this community).  Hennessy's is located in downtown Muskegon and is a block from the Farmer's Market.   The establishment has tables that are a beautiful thick, dark wood.  A fire is burning in the large brick fireplace.  The atmosphere is warm and inviting.  In a couple of hours the fire will not be needed as the day warms into the 70's.  The wait staff is friendly and quite efficient.  The manager always checks to make sure everything is just the way we want.  We can get a tasty and filling meal for $6 or $7.  All breakfast orders come with coffee!  My kind of place!

After breakfast we moved our car a little closer to the Market as we were not sure what prizes we might find and need to carry back to the car.  Below are pictures of Muskegon's Farmer's Market.  At 9:30 in the morning the market is not very busy but as midday approaches there will be quite a crowd.  As we move slowly through the isles so as not to miss anything we see fresh fruits and vegetables for sale.  Lots and lots of asparagus is available.  Also, we see cheese, jerky, and fresh eggs.  We try to find the "pie lady" as she is one of our favorite venders.  Also the lady with dog treats is a must find.  Schooner tolerates her treats best.  The man who has the best granola ever made is here today with a variety of homemade breads.  There is cordial (non-alcoholic), cookies, fudge (homemade, of course), and at this time of year we see a huge number of venders have plants for spring gardening. 

Entrance to the Market

An isle inside the Market

Entertainment and seating near the Market

We are going to try growing some plants outside our rig this year.  Today we purchased basil plants and Mosquito plants,  which will entail a trip to Meijer to get pots and potting soil after we leave the Market.  We also bought locally made Elderflower Cordial, all natural insect repellant, cookies and Michigan Cherry fudge.

The trip to the Meijer garden center was productive.  Found these attractive planters and placed them near our front door. 

 Time will tell if the Mosquito Plants help repel mosquitoes.  

Berry Junction Trail - Muskegon (Duck Creek Park) to Whitehall (MI)

It is late morning when Chris and I decide to do our "Pekadills" ride.  This ride utilizes the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail that we hop on just outside of our campground in North Muskegon.  There are several reasons this is a favorite trail of ours.  The trail is accessible from our park.  It is paved, well traveled, well maintained, and absolutely beautiful--spring, summer, and fall.  And the other reason it is a favorite, after riding a very reasonable distance of 7.5 miles we find ourselves at Pekadills!  

Riding North toward Whitehall many of the trees are beginning to turn.

Another view of our favorite trail sporting new autumn colors

This is one of 3 wood bridges that we cross.

After peddling 7.5 miles we have reached our destination.  Pekadills! 

                                 

Notice the flag to the left says "open".  That is always a welcome flag to find upon arrival.  We did ride up on two different occasions to discover the restaurant was closed.  One time the electricity was out everywhere in Whitehall so we stayed on the trail another mile and dined elsewhere.  The other time we figured out that it is a really good idea to check operating hours of local establishments after Labor Day.

On the left is a pic of owners John and Sue (in background). Their lunch special is soup and a sandwich.  The soups vary each day throughout the week and are OUTSTANDING!

Here comes my favorite part of Pekadills.  Just out the back door of the main building,  John and Sue maintain a beautiful garden with tables along a path that runs between beautiful flowers, shrubs, trees, and fountains.  There is also a large deck area that can accommodate diners.  It doesn't matter where we choose to sit for lunch...every choice is perfect!

The beautiful garden at Pekadills 

The best part of any dining experience is spending time with friends.  Pictured below are Bob and Nona!  These two Michiganders are winter Texans and had to travel all the way to Texas to meet us in the little town of Kerrville two years ago.  We have spent two Texas winters together and they are starting to resemble "family".  This weekend they came to camp and visit us in Muskegon, MI!  So fun to renew our friendship.  Special friends visiting means a trip to our favorite restaurant!