Coast2Coast Day 65:  Payne/Puckerbrush to Bowling Green/Fire Lake, Ohio; along the Auglaize to Maumee Rivers

We drove back to Payne to start my day of riding.  Met Brian (the owner of Puckerbrush Pizza) before starting to pedal, and he noted the favorable weather and the route that I would be taking for the day.  I reminded him that he should be dusting off his 10-speed vintage Schwinn, and have some fun on his bike (even though the distractions of two small children and two businesses could be significant)!

Crossed through Florida, Texas, and even Grand Rapids.  Experienced Defiance and Independence.  All without leaving Ohio in a day!  The multitude of small to medium towns and villages sprinkled across the United States, and every one with its own history and idiosyncrasies, is fascinating!

Have stopped at a number of Marathon/Convenience stores in Ohio.  Terri, Lillian and ____ all had Ohio State football programs on their counters, but each of them professed allegiance to University of Michigan!  Today’s travels took me through the section of once-disputed territory between Ohio and Michigan.  Depending on your perspective, it can be argued whether Ohio won Toledo-and-environs or lost in the agreement.

I traveled along the Auglaize River through to Defiance.  The Auglaize on its own is a significant river.  Once it feeds into the Maumee at Defiance, the flow continues to Lake Erie, proving some 5+ percent of the Lake.  The ‘trail’ along the rivers is smooth and the ride was significantly shaded.

We entered Bowling Green, and I biked the Slippery Elm Trail on the way to the campground for the night.  Am amazed at the ‘seasonal’ campers that are set up for nearly year-round habitation, and the trailer-parks along the Trail with single- and double-wides.

We enjoyed Bowling Green, and Eric’s Homemade Ice Cream (I ‘suffered through a triple-dip cup.).  We marveled at a couple of homes-from-churches, and continued our experiencing neighborhood craft beers.

Cathy had considered Bowling Green State University for her graduate work.  We met a trio of graduate psychology students, and wondered how her life would have been different If she had attended BGSU versus her years at the University of Kansas.  The grad students remarked that she should not look back, as she had made the ‘right choice!’

Our journey continues, enjoying the experiences and conversations!!