Day 35 (Sunday, July 24th) - Fond du Lac to Manitowoc (on Lake Michigan)

Today we had a short, wind aided 58 mile ride from Fond du Lac, WI to the western shores of Lake Michigan and the town of Manitowoc (pronounced Man-i-twok).   It was a very pleasant ride and included a great tour of a modern day, 7,000 cow, dairy farm.   Here are some pics below:


We load at 8:30 am, a late start on this short day to Manitowoc.
(Adrienne and Nancy loading bags)


Loading is the big event of the morning (like getting ready to go to work)


We stayed in the 7 story Ramada Inn in Fond du Lac (very nice old hotel)


From the hotel, we biked 10 blocks to Lake Winnebago (here is the harbor entrance)


Here is the 60' Lighthouse on the edge of Lake Winnebago


Russell, ME, Dale and Barry ready to climb the lighthouse


Here is Lake Winnebago seen from the lighthouse (nearly 90 miles in circumference, bigger than Lake Tahoe, but only 20' deep)


...more cylcists arriving at the Lighthouse


The Black Rocket with new sleeves (from yesterday) and ready to go


St Mary Catholic Church in Calvary, WI (It's Sunday, should we stop?)


Well, we've practically forgotten which day of the week it is!


Wind Turbines decorate the Wisconsin Sky


The wind turbines are elegant (the photos don't do them justice)


Entering the town of St Mary's (see the stone church on the hill)


Celebrating Nancy's birthday at McDonalds (oh that Pineapple Mango Smoothie)


Barry Spots a Dairy Farm to the Left


We decide to pay a visit (lo and behold, it is air conditioned)


Holstein Cows awaiting the milking station (this place is automated)


Cows step into a revolving milking station (like a carousel)


This is Raoul.   He is cleaning the udder bags in prep for milking


The milking machines are then attached (they drop off automatically when empty)


The milking machines are cleaned for the next cow


Finished milking, the cows step off the revolving platform (the whole operation takes about 5 minutes per cow)


Barry talks with Dave Kennedy of Maple Leaf Dairy.  Dave gave us a great tour of this modern dairy.

According to Dave, the milk goes straight from the cow, is chilled to 33 degrees, then goes straight to the truck below for shipment to the cheese factory.   The milk never touches air in the process.   The cows produce 10,000 lbs of milk per hour.   The dairy itself has 7,000 cows.   (I used to work on a dairy that had about 200 cows, so this is a big one).   These modern dairy's are really something.


The Maple Leaf Dairy Tanker Truck


The Maple Leaf Dairy (a modern dairy of 7,000 cows)


Even the farmhouse was modern.


In a few miles, we are approaching Lake Michigan, just beyond the trees about 5 miles away.   We can feel the cooler air even before we see the Lake.


Here is our first view of Lake Michigan.   Tomorrow when we ferry cross the lake, we will see more.


After this great day and tour of the dairy, Barry and I celebrate with a banana split and vanilla shake

Mary looks a little bored, but she loved our dairy story, right Mary?

This was a great day of riding and touring.   We spent the night in the Holiday Inn in Manitowoc.   Tomorrow we head to the ferry at for a 12:00 pm departure across Lake Michigan.   We are all excited about this trip.

More later,
Love to All,
ME