2010 Interlochen

Four hundred miles riding north from Columbus Ohio to Interlochen Michigan. Its the annual VROC rally held in NW lower peninsula near Traverse City. After the long (repeat LONG ride for me anyway), I get to set up camp. There is very little better than a motorcycle and tent. The grounds have the hottest showers around. Oh does that feel good after a long ride and sweaty day.

The best part of the time is the people. We had probably 30 VROCers and shared the park with the Goldwing riders and a couple of small Harley groups. It is amazing how such a great diversity in people, machines, and friendships can enjoy the same lifestyle. We had some tough weather, and also great weather.


There are a lot of great things to experience on these rallies. One of my favorite is the local food. We ate at a restaurants that served huge amounts of good food, a tavern that had good perch right on the lake (they would even cook up your own catch as you came in from a day of fishing), and my favorite - The Cherry Hut. This area is famous for its cherries, and this restaurant has some traditional fare as well as cherry burgers, cherry chicken salad, and wonderful (I mean WONDERFUL) Cherry Pie.

Areas all over the US have some amazing history. As we drove around, we took route M37. It dead ended at the Old Mission Lighthouse. It is half way between the equator and the Pole at the 45th parallel.


But all good things have to end. And with most camping trips, there are plenty of challenges that inhibit sleeping comfortable. We had a huge storm which flooded the tent, and then the final night the mattress we slept on a 1/2 inflated mattress. Why we did not get up and inflate it with the pump, I will never know. But we got up, broke camp, and started back on the 400 miles home.

Sleep deprived, we rode off about 40 miles and grabbed breakfast. Three cups of coffee, but still drowsy. Stopped at McD's for their heavy duty caffeine which eventually did the trick.