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I took a two-day mini-tour by bicycle from my home near Akron, up to Sandusky to catch the ferry over to Kelley’s Island. I borrowed a Yakima cargo trailer from a co-worker, to see how I liked touring with a trailer compared to panniers. I had a delicious and inexpensive lunch of pancakes and a ham and cheese omelette at Gramma Joe’s restaurant in Vermillion.

After the 90-mile ride to Sandusky, I found that the ferry there was shut down due to high winds. The other ferry was an additional 45-mile ride away, around Sandusky Bay. I hitched a ride with a generous local stranger, who drove me directly across the bay on the freeway, where it was just another five-mile pedal to the ferry at Marblehead. I will remember to call ahead to check the ferry status next time…

Once finally on Kelleys Island, I set up my tent and showered at the state park campground, which was very nice. I had a cheeseburger for dinner at the Kelleys Island Brewery, then a couple drinks with a few locals at the Village Pump Bar.

The next morning, I had pancakes and strawberries for breakfast at Bag the Moon restaurant, which was again delicious, and surprisingly inexpensive. I had to take the ferry to Marblehead again, where I caught a ride with a nice woman named Cindy back to Sandusky, and then pedaled home.

Random sightseeing during the drive home from Waterloo, Iowa.

Coralville, Iowa City, West Branch, Springdale, West Liberty, Atalissa, Moscow, Muscatine

Marengo, Williamsburg, Holbrook, Windham, Cosgrove, Coralville

Newton, Reasnor, Sully, Lynnville, Searsboro, Montezuma, Brooklyn, Victor, Ladora, Marengo

Waukee, Granger, Polk City, Elkhart, Bondurant, Mitchellville, Colfax, Lambs Grove, Newton

Audubon, Wichita, Guthrie Center, Monteith, Redfield, Adel, Waukee