We finally got my bike back together and after another round of tests, decided we
were good to go. Before leaving town, we had to check out Dual Sport Plus, an adventure riding shop that we had been hearing about since the
Horizons Unlimited Meeting. Les and Cathy run a great shop, with everything you
could need to prep and stock up for a ride around the world, or country, or
what the heck, town! We got to spend some time getting to know them and hearing
about the adventure they’re planning to set off on later this year… like us…
destination unknown!
We
set off for the border bright and early on Thursday morning, very excited to
see how the day would unfold. And then 5 miles from where we woke up, we sat in
traffic for 2 hours. UGH!
When
we eventually made it to the ferry in St. Clair that would bring us across the river
to Marine City, USA on the other side, we both had a sense of calm and peace.
It was like the stress of the past few weeks of wondering whether or not Roel
would be able to get into the United States, melted away. So we loaded the
bikes on the ferry (YAY my bike’s first ferry ride!) and went on over. With
only a dozen cars per ferry load, we were told that the border agents at these
ferry crossings tend to be more positive and less likely to be put in a bad
mood by thousands of (potentially nasty) tourists who have preceded you that
day.
 |
| Crossing from St. Clair, Ontario to Marine City, Michigan |
We
stopped shortly thereafter and proceeded to dance around the bikes in
celebration and make-out like teenagers. Passers by must have been rather
perplexed, but we were elated.
 |
| Welcome to Holland, MI!! |
After
filling up for under $35 for the first time in 40 days, we were on our way to
Holland.
Holland,
Michigan, that is!!
One
of the many benefits of road-tripping around the States has been getting to
catch up with friends and family I otherwise would have been unlikely to see.
Case
in point…
 |
| The Ruffner Family + 2 |
My
grandmother’s brother raised his family in Holland, MI. I’ve met a few members
of the Ruffner side of the family before, but there are over a dozen of them,
so I was quite excited to meet the rest. We stayed with my cousin Eric, his
wife Jayne, daughter Erica, 1 dog, 4 cats, two horses, 1 goat and 8 chickens.
We had a wonderful time with them…
 |
| Giving the Hondas a rest |
Given
that we were in Holland, MI, we of course had to see some of the “Dutchness”
the city has to offer. Eric and Jayne took us on a tandem bike tour of Holland
and I have to say it was the most fun I’ve had (off of my Honda) in a while : )
It was a stunning fall day, the downtown scene was vibrant with a large farmers
market, complete with pumpkin-carving contest, and we got to check out the
little Dutch Village, where you can actually pretend you’re in Holland, if you
try.
 |
| Nelis' Dutch Village |
In
addition to spending time with Eric, Jayne and Erica, I got to got to meet
several other Ruffners I had never before met and got to catch up with some I
haven’t seen in 15+ years. My father’s Aunt Mary, the matriarch of the Ruffner
family, is an amazing woman. The family she has raised is so full of love, and
kindness and loyalty, it was like witnessing another modern miracle. While we
were there, everyone got together every day… for either dinner, dessert or Aunt
Mary’s famous Strada brunch. Roel and I felt so welcome we immediately felt
like part of the family and it was very difficult to leave.
But,
with snow already having fallen throughout much of the Midwest, it is now or
never… and so, West we go!
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