For the birds

This ride was literally for the birds...the birds of Horicon Marsh, as Sandy and I took part in the first-ever "Tour de Marsh" event in support of our fine feathered friends on Saturday.

The first thing you learn there is that after the long drive on the freeway you discover that the marsh is in some very hilly territory. Now, that's fine with me, but it proved to be a real challenge for my wife.


Some how she managed to ride her bike for the very first time today since last fall for a total of 24 hilly, hot, windy miles. We were able to cross the entire marsh on a gravel road called Marsh Road today, with water just feet from us on both sides. It was a little tricky because I was riding my Klein with road tires, but no problems thank goodness.

Before crossing the marsh we stopped at the federal visitors center, where they offered up cold water, bananas and apples along with a lesson or two about what birds had been hanging around. The big attraction today was a group of white pelicans. I was able to do an interview with a ranger there and then on we went. (The audio can be heard on the Monday PhilCast show, found at thephilcast.com)

While crossing the marsh the sun broke through and it was HOT. I was treated to the sight of a white pelican floating right in front of me at one point.


Just as I got the binoculars up to my eyes and zeroed in on the bird it decided to take off, meaning I got quite a close-up show of it taking flight. Now that's something you don't see every day on a ride.


There is a quiet in the marsh that is calming to the soul. The chirping of birds seems to be the only thing you hear. No cars. No buses. No horns. No people. You get a sense that this is nature's house and you are but a temporary invader of the space the birds call home.


Here is a picture of me with some of the great guys who helped organize and run the Tour de Marsh. Turns out I have some fans up in the little town of Kekoskee. Thanks guys!

I hope this will be an annual event, because if it is I would like to get a big group together and combo this event with a Tour de PhilCast ride perhaps.




So at the end of the ride Sandy had pushed herself to her limit. We made it back across the marsh on the gravel and then took a hilly country road or two back to the visitors center where Sandy waited for me as I cranked it up a couple of big hills back to the park where we had started off from so that I could get the truck and drive back to pick her up. In the end it all worked out.


Sunny and Hot!
80's
Breezy
30 miles/Tour de Marsh


I was so proud of the effort Sandy made today. She really gave it her all and enjoyed herself in the marsh portion of the ride especially. It was a rare chance to get up close and personal with another beautiful portion of our state.



Season Miles: 848