Inspiration for a Friday - and some more unique events...

Great (if hot) day for a ride...

Muskegon, meet Mr. Guy (No, really, that's his last name :). He and his daughter are bicycling across the U.S., from Oceanside, Oregon to New York City, New York. They're from Kentucky, flew into Portland, Oregon, journeyed to the left coast to see the Pacific Ocean, then hopped on their bikes for a two-wheel tour across the northern part of the country...

The Guys were impressed with the beauty of the Midwest and surprised by all the bike trails they encountered. They were on "greenways" throughout much of Wisconsin, which went a long way toward making their trip in triple-digit, humid weather bearable. They're camping along the way, with their gear in the B.o.b. packs on the back of their bicycles. Today, they pedaled out of town on a bike trail that will take them across most of Michigan ... something they were very happy to learn about here in Muskegon, after arriving via the Lake Express High Speed Ferry...

In the meantime, they stopped at Brooklyn Bagels to fuel up, and were welcomed by the locals, who struck up conversations with them and gave tips on where to go and what to see in Michigan...

You just never know who's passing through - so it makes me so happy that Skee-Towners made the Guys' brief experience here both informative and memorable. On my forays about town recently, I've seen several South Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Florida license plates. And Texas plates - they're everywhere. Alaska's been represented, too, along with California. Whether they're on their way somewhere else or have discovered our beautiful corner of the world, I've been happy to see many of them head down to the beach and spend some time there...

Speaking of the beach and the uniqueness of Muskegon, I've got another fun event to tell you about: Pilates with Mandy. This happens at 9 a.m. Saturday on the beach! Forget the exercise tapes or the TVs at the gym where you have to watch other people enjoying a beautiful setting ... Join a group of your neighbors at your own Muskegon beach! The class costs $7. I talked to Mandy briefly today and could tell she's very enthusiastic, motivating, and welcoming...
 

Saturday evening, Red Lotus will host "Three Way Street, Sara Azriel, Katie Beaman and Gabrielle Schaub Live at Red Lotus Gallery," a concert featuring three very talented musicians, under a big tent outside. Three Way Street is an indie-folk group made up of local musicians Andrea Mathews, Jeff Baldus, and Bradly Rose. Sara Azriel is a singer, songwriter, and pianist whose music blends jazz, folk, pop, indie, and soul; Katie Beaman, a singer and songwriter from Whitehall, is an area favorite; and  Gabrielle Schaub is a singer and banjo player who specializes in indie-folk cover songs. The objective of the concert, which costs $5, is to support local musicians, so additional artists may perform as well.

Up in Whitehall, the Howmet Playhouse kicks off its 2012 Fine Arts Festival this weekend with the play The Nerd at 7:30 p.m Friday and Saturday nights. This classic comedy tells the story of what happens when a socially awkward man, Rick, who saved the life of a young architect, Willum, in the Vietnam war, shows up at a dinner party at Willum's and never leaves. Tickets are $14 in advance and $18 at the door.

These are just a couple of Muskegon's unique offerings for the weekend that I happened across. Keep your eyes and ears open ... You never know what you might find.

See ya on your adventure.

--Imaginer