We start with a bike trip to South Milwaukee.
Conditions:
2 days before Memorial Day 2006. 88 degrees, hot, muggy. Air conditioning weather. Boy do I not miss that, living off the Pacific Ocean.
Pre Departure:
The adventure team meets at their embarking point: Mabbet Ave. Milwaukee. Objective: explore Lake Michigan coastline. Map and navigate new, unexplored territory. Dangers: treacherous potholes, manhole covers, flying Frisbees.
Phase 1
The adventure team gets on their bikes. Mechanical problems surface on mile 1. Kent's bike is about 3 sizes too small. Knees banging elbows. Decision was made to continue despite this difficulty.
First landmark are the condominiums north of South Shore Park. Not known if inhabited. Many rollerbladers and strollers in the area, though.
Phase 2
The adventure team continues. Mechanical problems negligible. Yury showing signs of impatience at having to constantly stop to make observations. We see a bird with a cool red mark on its chest. I quickly document it for the trip journal.
It is vitally important that I photograph all wildlife while exploring new territory.
We approach our destination: south shore park.
This looks like virgin unexplored territory ... if you don't count the lawnmower in the background.
Phase 3
We bushwack our way south through the park. Have to detour and dodge large trees and barbecue grills. Finding a peaceful spot, we stop for water, only to be surprised by a foreign observer.
He pretends to read his book while he spies on us!
Safe Return ... or Not
It's been a long day, and the adventurers are exhausted. The heat saps our last energy as we stumble back to the embarking point.
This has been an exhilarating experience. The adventure continues.
