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A common sight |
Tuesday, June 17th: We left Manistique, MI at 10 am after waiting 2 hours for the rain to stop. It was gray, cold (58 degrees) and damp. The woman running the motel gave us old towels to wipe off the bike. She offered, we didn't ask; I think she was afraid that we would use the towels in the room to clean the bike!
Around noon the sun came out and we stopped to get lunch and take off layers. The temperature had warmed up to a comfortable 70 degrees. Route 2 spanning the upper peninsula gets very boring after about an hour; nothing but short trees and pines on either side with occasional small cabins and trailers. The only thing that breaks up the drive is the occasional road construction stops and delays. Finally we passed over the state line into Wisconsin, but the scenery didn't change much except for some hills. Approaching Ashland, Wisconsin, we actually felt it before we saw it. The temperature suddenly went from 80 degrees down to 60 degrees. Ashland is on the shore of Lake Superior, with a cold stiff wind blowing off the lake. We didn't have much choice of lodging, ending up at a Super 8 for 80 bucks. We got some pizza and beer and ate in the room. 294 miles and a very tired biker.
Wednesday, June 18th: While things are heating up at home (90's and humid) it is VERY chilly here. We left Ashland, Wisconsin around 9:00 am with a stiff wind and 48 degree temperatures. It was COLD.
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Crossing the St Louis Bay into Minnesota |
Very gradually the temperatures increased and the sun came out. By mid-afternoon it was sunny and pleasant, about 75 degrees. Today we crossed over a bridge that spans the St. Louis Bay, and also connects Superior, Wisconsin to Duluth Minnesota. The bay empties into Lake Superior. There are large railroad yards and long trains carrying iron ore. Iron mining is very big in this area, as well as lumber and paper mills.
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Welcome to Minnesota |
Kerry was still really tired and we stopped for the day in Bemidgi, MN. After 220 miles, we checked in to the 'AmericInn' located on Paul Bunyan Drive (of course!) I ran next door and got Kerry a KFC meal. He turned on the TV (as usual), ate his chicken, crawled under the covers and fell asleep at 3:00 pm with a WWII movie playing on TV (as usual)
Bemidgi is where the Mississippi River begins. There is a giant statue of Paul Bunyan and his ox 'Blue'. Behind our hotel is the Bemidgi Curling Club. I wonder if they host 'open Curling' like we do 'open hockey'?
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