Grand Rapids, Michigan

Hi everyone, Nic here. We've just had a great five days here in Grand Rapids, Michigan, staying with Drew & Steph Bailey, who I used to work with at CP in Tennessee about 10 years ago. We've chatted lots, caught up on rest, eaten fantastic food, and toured around to see Lake Michigan, and some of the cute towns in the area. We also caught up with many others who I knew from Tennessee days (JenK, JenS, Brian & Becky Z), which was fantastic after all this time, and it was great to reminisce.



Drew teaches at a Christian College (Uni) here called Calvin College, and took us in one day to talk with his students about our cycle tour across America. It was interesting to talk about why/how we are doing this trip, particularly when in USA last year the average American worker took only 5 days of annual leave, and there is no legislated minimum annual vacation. Great discussion.

Grand Rapids is currently hosting a huge Art competition called Artprize, so we were here at just the right time! There are 1300 entries, ranging from paintings, to enormous sculptures, to a massive paper-dart throwing interactive event, all around the city. Here are a few:


A huge painted table and chairs on top of the bridge


Everyday Wonder Woman ... one of our favourites


This moose is made of thousands of nails welded together to make it's fur - it's cool.


A painting of the Chief, deep in thought


fun loving trees!

We also took the opportunity to go and hear Rob Bell speak at his church here in town, Mars Hill. It was really good to see him in person, and he gave yet another good message.

Right now, i'm laying in bed listening to the rain starting on the roof, watching flashes of lightening, and thinking about getting up in the morning to get cycling again. What fun! Oh I hope the weather wears itself out tonight. We are aiming to be in Canada in three days, and visiting Niagra Falls next week. More adventures are too come!