Trip Map

Click Here to view Pastor Reed's entire trip route from Concordia University in Ann Arbor to the Mackinaw Bridge. You can use the directional buttons in the top left corner of the map to move up and down and zoom in to "street level" if desired. The place markers indicate where he stopped each night.

Travel Log- June 1, 2007

Pastor and Sue will be staying in Mackinaw City tonight and head home tomorrow, so check back tomorrow evening to see the additional photos of Pastor's trip. Thanks to all who have been checking this blog and keeping Pastor in their prayers.

4:23pm - "Mark the time, " Pastor said. "I just made it! This is a great feeling. It's a beautiful day out but unfortunately the bridge is still covered in fog. I can see some of the on ramp and the tips of the first towers but that's it. I'm still going to have my picture taken prove it."

3:04pm - 10 miles from Mackinaw. Sue Reed (Pastor Reed's wife) met Pastor in Cheboygan with a cold Pepsi. After drinking that, Pastor continued on while Sue went to pick up hamburgers and they will be meeting at a picnic area soon. Pastor said earlier today he did stop at the 40 Mile Point Lighthouse to look around. He met Bob, who is a member of the Lighthouse board, but it was Frank who took him to the top of the lighthouse to show him around. Pastor said Frank was so excited to tell him about the lighthouse that he spent an hour there, though Frank probably would have wanted to have him stay a lot longer.

2:11pm - Sorry about the long time between posts. Pastor didn't have a signal for quite awhile, so it has been hard to get an update. Pastor is currently just east of Cheboygan and will be stopping there for a late lunch. He had this to say about the day so far, "After yesterday, I thought this day would be a breeze, and it is...a cold, stiff one right in the face. The incessant wind coming off Lake Huron is making it the hardest ride yet. The hills and rain have been intermittent, at least giving me a little bit of a break, but this wind is miserable." Pastor should be in Mackinaw City within a few hours.

8:46am - Pastor is getting a little bit of a late start on the ride as he is just leaving Rogers City now. He said there is a bike trail to follow for a little ways but then he will be back on US-23. His late start is due to his stop at St. John Lutheran Church in Rogers City. He wanted to say hi to Pastor John Schreiber and found him giving the 7th & 8th grade Confirmands their final examination. The kids were happy to be interrupted, so Pastor Reed told them about his trip and got his picture taken with all of them. *Side Note...Pastor took a few moments yesterday to stop and see a Limestone Quarry. (We couldn't seem to find a name for it.) There he met Paul, who grew up in the Detroit area. Pastor didn't give any other interesting information about Paul before the phone signal cut out.

Thursday's Map

Click Here to see Pastor Reed's route traveled since he left Concordia University, Ann Arbor on May 28th. You can use the directional buttons in the top left corner of the map to move up and down and zoom in to "street level" if desired.

Travel Log- May 31, 2007

6:22pm - Made it to Rogers City, MI. Unfortunately, Pastor made it dripping wet. He rode a 5-mile stretch in a downpour not far from Rogers City. But after a day of riding for 13 hours and over 100 miles, it was probably about time for him to take a shower anyway. Tomorrow...destination Mackinaw Bridge.

2:52pm - We are taking advantage of cell phone service to get an update from Pastor even though it has only been a half hour since the last one. He said he has just entered Presque Isle County and is now biking next to Long Lake. He said he was dreading the distance between Alpena and Rogers City, but actually this is the most enjoyable part of the day. He said there's a nice cool breeze, smooth road, less traffic, and his rear end isn't bothering him as much as this morning. :) While on the phone, he was read the comments that individuals have posted on the blog so far. He was very appreciative of the sentiments and said they mean a lot to him. Thank you!

2:17pm - Just a little west of Alpena now, still on US-23. The lilacs are in full bloom up north and Pastor said their smells wafts over him as he passing the various yards. He stopped to take a picture of one lady's (Karen) house surrounded by lilacs. She mentioned her son had been an avid biker but was killed while on a ride by someone driving while dialing a cell phone. Pastor said it was a poignant moment as Karen wished him well. Back in Alpena, Pastor Reed did stop at Immanuel Lutheran to greet Pastor Jim Erickson and Pastor Bill Morris. Unfortunately, there was no way to send back some photos while he was there. Pastor is going to press on to Rogers City.

1:02pm - Stopped for lunch at McDonalds in Alpena. Pastor said he flopped into a booth to eat his food and was so tired that he dropped a French fry full of ketchup down his white shirt and was trying to keep his back turned toward the other customers so they wouldn't see the big red spot smeared on his shirt.

11:58am - Pastor just crossed the 45th Parallel and is a few miles outside of Alpena. Back in Ossineke, Pastor stopped at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church for a water break. No one was around, though Pastor Barton Gray did arrive just as he was leaving so they talked for a few minutes. For those in Auburn, Pastor Gray is the father-in-law of Greg Schlicker who used to be pastor at Zion, Beaver. Also in Ossineke, Pastor met Joel and Shari. They are from Indiana but are working with a road crew here in Michigan asphalting roads. Joel was holding the Slow/Stop sign on one side of the work zone, and Shari on the other. After talking to Joel for several minutes, he rode to the other side and got to chat with Shari as well. Other workers also waved to him having heard Joel radio to Shari that he was on a bike trip to Mackinaw.

8:27am - An early start to the day. Pastor said he woke up at 4:00am and heard rain on the roof, so decided to make it an early morning and headed out by 5:00am. As of this check-in, he had yet to feel a raindrop on this head though the pavement is wet in spots. Right now he is just passing through Harrisville. He said as he was passing through AuSable, he was surprised to have such empty roads. "There wasn't a soul in sight, until I came up to a Glen Supermarket that was mobbed with people. I was curious, so rode up to one man (Len) and found out that once a year this supermarket gives away free perennials starting at 6:00am. Len said he saw several people fighting...over flowers!!...so this will be the first and last time he will be coming." Pastor Reed said he continues to feel pretty good as he's riding with only minor aches and pains. "The first day it was back that was hurting. Then it was my knees. Yesterday it was my back again, but today...it's my derriere!"

Travel Log- May 30, 2007

9:37pm - Last post for today without having talked to Pastor Reed. Cell phone service is spotty along the shoreline, so he has not called in a final update for today. Also, Pastor may have trouble getting access to a computer, so pictures may have to wait. Today, Pastor was going to stop riding just north of East Tawas, MI where he was graciously lent the use of Ben and Freeda VanTol's cottage. He should have arrived there by about 5:00pm. Word is he is going to try to make it to Alpena, possibly even Rogers City, tomorrow so that he has a shorter day of riding on Friday to make it to the Mackinaw Bridge. Please continue to keep Pastor Reed in your prayers.

4:52pm - Haven't gone very far, again. Just a mile or so down the road from the Bickhams, Pastor was flagged by Janet, a lady on the side of the road whose car had broken down. She was having trouble telling the towing service where she was located, so Pastor was able to use his maps and GPS to give exact coordinates (6.42 miles south of Tawas City) for where they were standing. Though Janet isn't Lutheran, she said she did grow up next to a Missouri Synod pastor in the Detroit area.

4:02pm - Haven't gone very far since the last check-in. Pastor stopped to see former members, Mike and Carol Bickham (Carol used to be secretary at Grace), and had a good hour long talk with them. They said their church in Tawas City is already using the LSB and their "winter" church in Yuma, AZ has it as well, so they know the benefit of acquiring for Grace.

2:17pm - Taking a break. When Pastor called to check in, he said he was standing by the water of Lake Huron. He continues to travel up M-23 and has just passed Bessinger Rd near Hammell Beach, MI (about 15 miles or so from East Tawas). He said he stopped at a gas station to get some water and the Attendant gave him the cheery, but also cheesy, quip, "Happy bikers have bugs in their teeth." Though there are no bugs in his teeth at the moment, Pastor said he has swallowed a few over the last few days.

1:04pm - Pastor Reed has been heading up M-23 and is now just a few miles west of Au Gres. When asked how he has been handling the heat, Pastor replied, "It's really not that bad. You sort of make your own air conditioning as you ride. I'm standing in the shade at a golf course right now and the guys swinging the clubs look hotter than I am."

11:12am - Checking in from Pine River, MI (about 3 miles east of Standish). Just as he was approaching Pine River, Pastor got a call that a Freight Truck had arrived at Grace to deliver the ordered copies of Lutheran Service Book!! Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Don't forget that it's not too late to sponsor Pastor Reed's ride. Pledges will be accepted at any time. Donations for the hymnals at Grace can be brought to the church office or put in the offering plate, and donations for Concordia University can be sent directly to the Office of Development at CUAA. *Side Notes...Pastor met Nick, a student at Western Michigan studying aeronautics, who was holding the Slow/Stop sign at an intersection under construction. He found out this was Nick's first day on the job and he'll be doing this one thing...all summer long. Pastor surprised Nick by buying him a bottle of Pepsi to celebrate his new job. A few miles earlier, Pastor Reed was also flagged by a car full of older women (I think in a Chevy Impala) headed the opposite way. Thinking they needed directions, Pastor was happy to stop and help. They were all from Pigeon, MI and, sure enough, did need directions...to the new casino!! (Did Pastor ask them to make a donation to the Hymnal Fund instead?)

9:54am - Pastor Reed checked in as he was heading north out of Pinconning. He spent 20 minutes or so visiting with Pastor Jung (a classmate from the Fort Wayne Seminary). Pastor Jung showed him all their copies of LSB that were just dedicated this past Sunday. While talking, Pastor Reed also got to meet George and Dave, volunteers at the church who were in the process of installing an air conditioning unit in the pastor's office window. Pastor Jung will need that unit as it's getting hotter out there, today.

9:01am - A beautiful morning for a bike ride. After stopping to visit the guys at Men's Bible Study at Grace this morning, Pastor got away at about 7:15am. He is currently at the intersection of Fraser and Coggins Roads. He has cut his way north to this point (9 Mile to Wheeler to 8 Mile to Anderson to 7 Mile to Prevo and now to Fraser). He plans to continue to head north on Fraser to Pinconning where he will stop and see Pastor Dave Jung at St. John Lutheran Church.

Travel Log- May 29, 2007

4:23pm - Arrived home in Auburn for the night. Along the way Pastor saw and greeted a few members including Bob Schmidt who was out mowing his lawn.

2:32pm - Pastor checks in from the corner of Mackinaw and McCarty Rds. in Saginaw. He is going to swing by St. John Lutheran Church, Amelith to visit with Pastor Stephen Starke before continuing on. Pastor Starke has written a number of hymns and quite a few are included in the Lutheran Service Book.

2:15pm - Pastor is spotted passing Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Saginaw as he continues to head north toward Auburn, MI. (He did stop for a moment to get a drink of water and say hello to daughter, Allison.)

1:05pm - Stoppped at The Stable (a bike shop) in downtown Saginaw to have the annoying rattling gear cover taken off. His ride will be a little more quiet now.

10:57am - Pastor just had an interesting encounter. He paused along some railroad tracks at the corner of Busch and Blackmar roads (a little south of Bridgeport). He saw a new neighborhood and thought he'd ride around it a little while to take a break. As he was passing one house, he stopped to say hello to a lady (Mary Ellen Arft) who was out getting her mail. As they were talking, Pastor asked if she knew of Concordia University, Ann Arbor. "Yes," she said, "I attend Faith Lutheran Church in Bridgeport." Another coincidence that Pastor would run into another Missouri Synod Lutheran. Mary Ellen said she was going to call her pastor (Pastor Bill Hessler) right away to tell him she met Pastor Reed. *Side Note...Apparantely it's not easy talking on a cell phone and riding a bike at the same time. While Pastor was calling in his update, he thought he heard a truck coming up behind him so tried to move over a bit and ending up riding off the road. That could have been bad!

9:52am - Just south of Saginaw County at the corner of Morrish and Lake Roads. Morrish Rd. is a hard-packed dirt road so Pastor said there is little traffic, it's smooth and very quiet. He hasn't seen people around in their yards, but he has seen all the dogs in the yards and said they are friendly. Woof! :)

8:36am - Pastor got away from Flushing, MI (saying good-bye to nephew David's son, Jed) a little after 7:00am this morning. He stopped first for a Service of Matins near a picturesque bridge in Flushing, followed by a hearty breakfast of donuts. He is currently at the intersection of Mt. Morris and McKinley Roads about 5 miles north of Flushing. When asked how he was doing, Pastor said, "This is NOT going to be an easy day. The ol' knees are really complaining. The left knee is worse than the right, so you try to favor it by pushing a little harder with the right foot. I think I'll have to take the shoreline tomorrow because right now I can barely handle the small hills on on the flat land. It's going to be a slow day."

Travel Log- May 28, 2007

8:03pm - Arrive in Flushing, MI for the night. Praise God for safety and beautiful weather.

7:24pm - Passing through the intersection of Elms and Corunna Roads just south of Flushing, MI. A few miles back in Swartz Creek, Pastor stopped to take a break in a park and met Vicky and Miranda and their families. They attend Full Gospel Christian Church in Flint and were proud to share that their pastor, Dr. James Wheeler, is a regular panelist on the TV Show Ask the Pastor. "They were a hoot," said Pastor Reed. Tonight, he will be staying in Flushing with nephew, Rev. David Rufner (Holy Cross Lutheran, Flushing) and his family.

4:42pm - Just arriving in Genesee County a few miles south of Argentine, MI. Pastor said he's noticed a significant amount of motorcycles passing him today, and, of course, each one has to rev it up just as they are going by. He did take a break back near Hartland where he laid down for a bit on a bench outside the Ironwood Golf Club. He doesn't think he fell asleep... :)

2:00pm - Just a mile south of Hartland. After being on Old US 23 for a number of miles, the verdict is that it's just too busy to keep going that route, so Pastor is going to take Bergin Rd west to Argentine Rd, and that north into Genesee County. His equipment is working fine, though a cover for one of his gears is loose and rattling quite a bit; a small nuisance. He did pause along the way at a General Rental store to get some water and met two 20-something guys there (Eric and Mike). Pastor mentioned to them what he was doing, and found out Eric is considering attending Concordia, Ann Arbor. What a coincidence!

12:32pm - Pastor called from Brighton to get directions. His navigator isn't picking up the satellite signal at the moment. He'll soon be hooking up with Old US 23 on which he'll ride straight north toward Fenton.

11:24am - While waiting out the town parade in Hamburg, Pastor got a turkey and salami sandwich from Keith at the deli and also was given a tour (by Paul...photo did not turn out) of the Boy Scout headquarters in town.

10:41am - Into Livingston County. Pastor is at the corner of Merrill and Strawberry Lake Roads. He is about to cut east for a mile or so to hook up with Hamburg Rd, taking him north to Hamburg where he will stop for lunch. (Maybe for a hamburger!) Along the way, he stopped to see the old Webster Church in Webster township. This church is the oldest continuous use building in Washtenaw County. In the early 1830's, a missionary from New York (Rev. Charles Clark) came to the Michigan frontier. Money was raised to build a church, the largest donation coming from Daniel Webster. When Pastor Reed stopped today, people were at church setting up for a BBQ they are having later to raise money for a new well someplace in Africa.

8:50am - Just turned off Huron River Rd onto E. Delhi Rd which will take him across the Huron River and into the town of Delhi Mills, MI. From there he will continue to head North staying as close to Highway 23 as possible. *Side Note...Pastor said, (while panting) "Washtenaw County must have grown more hills since the last time I was there. This is brutal."

8:43am - Pastor just called in with his first update. He started his day with a service of Matins in the Chapel of the Holy Trinity at Concordia University followed by watching a beautiful sunrise. He pulled away from Concordia at 7:05am heading down Geddes Rd. to go past the UofM hospital complex. He picked up the Huron River Rd, passing a number of bikers headed the opposite direction.

Do It for A Song

Pastor David Reed embarked on a 375 mile bike trip from Concordia University, Ann Arbor to the Mackinaw Bridge. Why? To raise funds for the purchase of Lutheran Service Book (LSB), the new hymnal of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. The hymnals purchased will be for his congregation, Grace Lutheran, Auburn, and the Chapel of the Holy Trinity at Concordia University.

His journey began Memorial Day, May 28th, and he made it to the bridge by June 1st. Individuals or families are welcome to participate by sponsoring one mile to the "tune" of one copy of the LSB. (Each copy is $20.) Gifts of any size can be earmarked by Grace parish members for Grace, Auburn, or from others to Concordia University.

Thirty-five years ago this June, Pastor Reed and his wife, Sue, were married at the Chapel of the Holy Trinity on the campus of Concordia. Two daughters, Rebecca (Reed) VanTol and Elizabeth Reed, have graduated from Concordia, Ann Arbor as Lutheran educators, and a son-in-law, Matthew Wolf, has recently accepted a Call from Concordia to be Assistant Professor of Music. "All these seemed good reasons to especially remember the blessings of the university's center in the worship of Christ and the joy of sacred music."