We started out in Chicago, IL riding the Chicago Lakefront Trail.
From there we drove on up into Michigan where we rode the Little Traverse Wheelway.
Then a ferry to Mackinac Island to ride.
Back to the mainland to ride the Betsie Valley Trailway.
Then back down and towards the middle of Michigan to ride the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail.
Coming home we stayed nights in Springfield, IL and Hannibal, Mo.
We drove a total of 2765 miles.
We were pleasantly surprised at all the rails-to-trails and varied scenery Michigan has. Another great trip!

Going through some scans of old photos and found these from our trip to the Grand Canyon around 1993. Just Nova and I on this trip.

On a trip finding rails-to-trails and other neat places to ride.

Day 1: We drove to St Charles, Missouri where we did a little sight seeing and ate at Llywelyn’s Pub in the historic old part of town along the Missouri river. On the way back to the hotel we stopped for desert at a frozen custard place named Lyon’s.

Day 2: We drove across the river to Alton, Illinois to ride the Sam Vadalabene Great River Road Bike Trail. Photos and info on the ride here. After the ride we had supper at Fratelli’s Ristorante and Doozle’s Frozen Custard for desert.

Day 3: Left St Charles for Bowling Green, Kentucky. On the way we stopped off at the St Louis Arch and then in Evansville, Indiana to ride a few miles on the short Pigeon Creek Greenway Passage along the Ohio River. Ride photos and video here. Once in Bowling Green we ate supper at Double Dog’s. checked out the historic part of town and had desert at Culver’s Frozen Custard.

Day 4: Rode the Mammoth Cave Railroad Trail in Kentucky. Photos, video and info here. Ate dinner at Cheddars and had Culvers again for desert.

Day 5: Drove from Bowling Green to Chattanooga, TN. Stopped in Nashville on the way and had lunch on Music row (Photos). Once in Chattanooga we found a bike shop by the name of River City Bicyclesto buy me some new tires as I had noticed one was bad during yesterday’s ride. Ate supper at Las Margaritas.

Day 6: We rode the Tennessee Riverpark trail. Photos, info & video here. In the evening we ate at Senior Salsa for dinner and had Brusters ice cream for desert.

Day 7: We left Chattanooga late morning heading to Greenville, SC. We shopped and ate lunch at Red Robin before leaving Chattanooga. Once in Greenville we rode the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Photos and info here.

Day 8: Drove to Myrtle Beach, SC. Just outside of Myrtle Beach we stopped at Sparky’s for boiled and deep fried peanuts. We arrived at Myrtle Beach early evening. We walked the beach and had dinner at Planet Hollywood.

Day 9: No riding. Spent most the day walking Myrtle Beach. Had lunch at Dirty Don’s and dinner at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville. Photos from the day here.

Day 10: Drove to Charleston. Once in Charleston we rode the West Ashley Greenway. Photos and info here. In the evening we drove to the old part of Charleston along the water. Ate at Ruby Tuesdays next to the hotel.

Day 11: Spent the morning and lunch walking around Folly Beach and downtown Charleston. Ate lunch at the Noisy Oyster downtown. After lunch we hit the road and stopped just West of Atlanta, Georgia for the night. Photos from the day here.

Day 12: Drove to Helena, Arkansas stopping in Tupelow, Mississippi at at Elvis’ birthplace and Clarksdale, Mississippi at Robert Johnson’s “crossroads” on the way.

Day 13: Rode the Delta Heritage Rail-to-trail near Helena, Arkansas. Photos and info here. After we took a scenic drive, ate dinner at a Chinese buffet and then went across the Mississippi to Tennessee to a casino.

Day 14: Heading to Columbia, MO to visit family. Stopped in Memphis on the way and rode the riverwalk. Photos and info here.

Day 15: Visited family in Columbia and drove home.

15 days, 3705 miles, 9 states, rode in 6 new states.

Misc. non riding photos here.

My friend at work Kim went to the Grand Canyon last year in 2009. She wanted to go back to hike it and decided to put together a girls trip. She asked all 5 of her walking friends at work, a couple of us were interested but it was just myself and her that could really swing it. Kim also has a friend Jean who has always wanted to do the same thing. Kim called Jean and in turn, Jean contacted, Nancy (friend) and Rita (sister).
We all got together and made it happen. We went through a company called Just Roughin It Adventure Company. They provided a guide, all the equipment and food on the trail. The guide does all the cooking and the setting up of camp. Although the trail was rated easy you needed to train for it and our training did pay off the last day. For training Kim and I would go up 13 flights of stairs twice a day. We would also walk 8 miles once a week carrying backpacks with weight (we got some strange looks and people would ask you going on a hike?). They got used to us at Sedgwick County Park.
We flew to Phoenix and drove to Flagstaff. Our guide picked us up in Flagstaff and dropped us off in Phoenix the last day after hiking. Our trail was the South Kiabab trail (Kiabab means Mountain lying down) and the Bright Angel trail.
We stayed at Phantom Ranch camp ground at the bottom. Hiked 1500 feet and stayed at Indian Garden camp ground the second day, the last day we hiked up 3000 feet to the top. It was difficult but do-able. Our theme song Hurt So Good. I bought Vasque boots and didn’t have a blister one. My hiking gal pals had Merrell’s and Keen. It was beautiful and I would do it again!

I had been to the Grand Canyon before years ago with Randy but we just looked over the edge. Here is a photo.