As you can see here the 90 degree fitting takes up a bit of room, just enough to keep me from fitting it onto the connector when using a recesses lens board. It turns out this has an easy fix – we simply replaced the connector on the lens with a 90 degree connector that now points toward the front of the lens – problem solved. The second issue was only with the 35mm lens – This is actually a pretty wide angle for P45 sensor – it works out to about the same field of view as a 24mm lens on a full frame DSLR. The problem is that the recess isn't quite deep enough to focus at infinity, the next deepest lens board is an additional 10mm which would work but puts the lens controls so far back that they become very difficult to work with. I left the lens with Badger to see if they and Ebony can come up with a workable solution.
After working things out as well as time allowed, I headed off to the Ferry between Manitowoc WI, and Ludington Michigan across Lake Michigan. I finally ran into my first rain of the trip, as I got on the bike in front of Badger Graphic, it was really more of a light sprinkle, so I didn't bother with the rain gear.
The ferry loading procedure seemed a bit confused, being used to the Washington State Ferry system. I'd considered taking advantage of their B&B offer which gets you a state room, and you spend the night on the boat after docking in Ludington, but the thought of a narrow bed with a thin mattress and no shower at $77 a night – I decided to give it a pass.
Day 15
Day miles: 305
Riding southeast though Michigan reminded a great deal of western Washington, my family is mostly from Michigan, and I can see why the Seattle area would have felt like home, only with milder winters, less humidity, and bigger mountains (oh and more rain – well nothing is perfect). The day ended at Bowling Green, Ohio – which is weird because I was thinking Bowling Green University was in Bowling Green, Kentucky which it's obviously not...... And why did they name either one of them Bowling Green?
Day 16
Day Miles 290
From Ohio, to Charleston WV. Beautiful country, wish I had more time to explore – maybe later.
Day 17
Day Miles 260
Arrived in Hickory NC, after dodging rain to the north and failing to dodge the 86 degrees and 96% humidity to the south. Check-in was an event. First they sent me to room 104 – near the end of the hall – which would have been fine except for the serious overdose of perfume in the room, it literally made my eyes water. So back to the front desk – this time to try room 102 at the very end of the hall, same perfume, might have been slightly less perfume but I suspect I was just still reeling from room 104. Back down the hall. I suggest maybe a different floor, so up to room 210, better, musty but livable, so back to the front desk to get the key to 104 where I left my luggage, down the hall and, the key doesn't work, back to the front desk for a new key, still doesn't work. By this time the girl at the front desk is wondering if I just can't figure out how to use the card locks. Back to 104 this time it works, so back to 210 and yep – the key doesn't work, down to the front desk two more times, finally I'm in. Fortunately that was the only, problem I ran into.
Day 18
The wedding went off perfectly, despite having been moved inside because of the downpour. Congratulations to Annie & Andrew.
Day 19
Nice relaxing day hanging out with the brides family.
Day 20
Day Miles 390 Longest Day so far.
From Hickory, NC to Shepherdstown WV
Day 21+
I'll be hanging out with my friends and photographing this area for a few days, depending on the weather.
