UPAT, Day 3, St Ignace, MI – Paradise, MI

We kicked off the day in a charming old yacht, nestled right by the Mackinac Island ferry. As the sun began to rise, we fired up the coffeepot, and gradually made our way to the bikes. Life aboard the yacht was nothing short of different from the norm; the space seemed to spark conversations about our favorite bikes and shared military adventures while we drank beer on the back deck, checking out the stunning views. The water mirrored the sky, perfectly still like glass, adding to the serene atmosphere. Surprisingly, the beds were comfortable, making this unique airbnb a bit.

After that, we hit the road, heading south to the scenic southern tip of St. Ignace. After checking out the views, we turned around and started our trek northward. About 11 miles out of town, the smooth blacktop transformed into a gravel path, and that’s where we were able to use these bikes for what they were designed for. The roads were fast and dusty, twisting and turning, keeping us on our toes.

https://www.airbnb.com/l/4UNH4CQ8

After gearing up and loading our gear, we set off for a little breakfast spot called Java Joe’s. The moment we walked in, we were met with a hilarious waitress who had way too much energy for that time of day. The food? It was hands down the best we’d had on our trip so far.

https://www.relive.com/view/v26MdRWD13O

Every now and then, we stumbled upon stretches where the sand and mud seemed to conspire against us, prompting us to stick to the more reliable big bike routes. Yet, every so often, we ventured off the beaten path, navigating overgrown two-track trails that led to unexpected adventures.

Earlier that day, we encountered a couple of unexpected hurdles that put our adventure to the test. First, the kickstand on one of our KTMs decided it had enough and snapped clean off. Then, to add to our troubles, the Honda started acting up with a troublesome chain guide. This unexpected hiccup meant that we had to order a replacement part all the way from California, set to ship to one of our upcoming VRBOs.

With no time to waste and our excitement slightly dampened, we quickly made our way back to the highway, eager to reach our next destination. We set our sights on Paradise, MI, where a stay awaited us at the Paradise Inn. Although we had to forgo much of the thrilling off-road trails that day, it became clear that priority number one was getting the broken bike sorted out. Adventure can wait, but the journey continues!

We arrived three hours early for check-in, but the front desk lady let us into our rooms without a second thought. With half a day to spare, we took advantage of the time by doing laundry, taking showers, performing some basic maintenance on our bikes, and figuring out sightseeing options for the afternoon.

We embarked on an exciting journey north to Whitefish Point, a location shrouded in mystery and known as the Lake Superior ship graveyard. With approximately 550 shipwrecks resting beneath its waters, the area is steeped in history and intrigue. As we wandered along the waterfront, we couldn’t resist capturing stunning photos of the rugged landscape and the haunting beauty of the lake.

After some pics, we returned to the hotel. From there we went to a local restaurant, enjoyed a good dinner, some drinks, and some tubes.