Day 1 of my Lake Superior Circle motorcycle tour July 2019
Packed up and out the garage about 7:00 AM Saturday, July 6th. On the way to Sparta, Wi. for the first day. Plan to limit myself to about 350 miles per day or less 'cause not in a hurry and want to have time to stop, take pictures, and relax. This is a solo trip although the plan is to meet Skid, and maybe Sandy as well, in Wawa, Ontario for the final Canadian leg of the trip. Got to get a picture with the goose ! The final day's route after getting back in the U.S. is not set in stone so may improvise coming home. It will not include interstates when possible. Prefer a less hurried ride this time.
This trip was originally planned for last year, but my little health issue changed those plans.
The drive started on I-55 North to Lincoln, then on I-155 to Davenport, and a little stretch of I-80 before switching over to US 61N for the final drive to the first days' stop in Sparta Wisconsin. The route took me through some familiar areas and Route 61 around Fenimore, and Boscoblel and that area was a pleasure. Nice and smooth road and didn't have to dodge cracks and potholes. Should get into the motel about 3 with gas stops and a lunch break.
Bike ran perfectly, no problems and I got along with minimal Saturday traffic w/o a problem. Noticed some dark and heavy looking clouds after leaving Dubuque, IA, and sure enough had about 5 minutes of rain, and a heck of a temp drop. Temperature reading on the panel went from 87 to 72 in about a mile.
Staying at Best Western Plus in Sparta for the first night and this seems to be a very nice place. .Not only a full breakfast tomorrow but also has a Bar and Grill open from 4-9 and in looking at the menu I can stay here and not have to go hunt up a place to eat. Taco salad sounds about right for tonight.
Tomorrow is a rather leisurely drive to Superior Wisconsin. From there, the next day. the actual Lake Superior circle route starts.
Sunday, July 7
After some breakfast, packed the few remaining items on the bike and headed out about 8:30 AM on the way to Superior, Wi. Was a chilly 62 when I left. Warmed into the low 70's by about 10 AM. I had set the Garmin to "avoid highways" and it did it well. Enjoyed the drive on a less traveled road and got to see some small towns along the way. Also saw a considerable number of Amish buggies on the way to church when road construction re-routed me on a road less traveled. Not exactly sure where I was at that time, but they all waved and seemed surprised to see a motorcycle on "their" road.
Leaving in the morning for the drive to Thunder Bay, Ont., my next stop. Tomorrow's drive should have some pictures to share. Least I've heard of a certain light house on the Lake, and a waterfall out side Thunder Bay that is definitely on my list.
Monday, July 8
Checked out and on the way about 7:30 AM from Superior, Wi. Ran into a little "rush-hour" traffic through Duluth, but nothing of consequence. Taking Route 61 North today to another Best Western in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Little advice if you ever take this trip, dress for cold weather when you're next to the lake. The temp on the bike hovered between 55 and 62 from Duluth to Grand Portage, which is a little over 100 miles. Brisk it was. Once I got through Canadian Customs and the route turned inland to Thunder Bay the temp went up to 77.
Day started with a breakfast at Betty's Pies about 30 miles or so north of Duluth. Too early for pie, but none-the-less, it was a great breakfast.
From Betty's place, rode up the road to the famous Split Rock Lighthouse. This has been restored and maintained and is well worth the stop. Admission price was a total of $17.00.
Did not make any more stops until Grand Portage where I filled up with the last of the cheap US gas for a few days ! From Grand Portage to the border is only about a five minute drive and Customs was not a problem at all. Verified the passport, asked a couple of routine questions and wished me a good time. About a five minute exercise, then it was time to stop at the visitor center.
Have to emphasize what a great ride along the lake this has been . The road is in very good condition, at least when I was traveling, there was very little traffic except in the little towns along the way. The scenery is great ! A undulating highway with sweeping curves and bordered by pines on one side and endless blue water on the other.
Ok, I'm officially in Canada, and tomorrow going to do a early visit to Kakabeka Falls before heading to Wawa to meet Skid. The falls is only about a 15 minute drive from here and seems well worth the visit. More pictures tomorrow. One stop will be Young's General Store in Wawa. Sort of like from what I gather a Canadian Wall Drug. We will see.
Tuesday, July 9
Left the Thunder Bay Best Western about 7:45 to go to Kakabeka Falls and take some pictures after that going to proceed to Wawa for the day. Longer day today but worth it.
The falls were well worth the time. Arrived right at 8:00 AM when they open and no one there. Parked close and the walkways were empty of folks. Great scenic place.
Arrived in Wawa about 3PM and found this guy wandering around. The drive from Thunder Bay to Wawa was scenic, and fun. The highway had some construction going on, but for the most part was simply a series of elevation changes and sweeping curves with the Lake on one side and green pines on the other. Fun ride.
Forecast is giving us a good shoot at rain and T storms tomorrow so we'll leave early on the way to Sault Ste Marie where Jim heads back home and I'll cross back into the US. Tomorrow night I'll be in Manistique, MI
Wednesday, July 10
This is probably going to be the last blog post for me. Tomorrow I'll be heading home with one more stop around Madison, WI then a short ride home on the 12th
Today Jim had looked at the weather forecast and thought that if we would get packed and ready to leave by about 6 or so we could beat the rain, so after a quick breakfast at the motel we were on the road before 7AM. First absolutely mandatory stop was "the goose" that Wawa is famous for.
My life is now complete ! Probably not but wanted that experience and finally got it.
As said, we were on the road out of town about 7AM and did not miss the rain. Started out as wet drips and drizzle, then it began to actually rain. Hard in places. The rain, and the low-hanging clouds meant a lot of great photo's would have to want for another day. We stopped at Chippewa Falls just north of Sault Ste Marie (CA) and took some pictures since we'd run out of the rain by the time we arrived there.
We had a little time to spare, and being able to sit down and dry out a bit sounded good so we made a stop at Jim's brothers place in Sault Ste Marie.
Then it was time to leave and head back to the US for me and Jim headed on to Sudbury. I'm not a big fan of high open bridges 'cause of my little thing about heights and the bridge from the Canadian side is a two lane design that goes up a good way to clear a shipping corridor. One time I kept a steady eye on the front tire. But luckily Customs was not crowded and after a very short wait, some questions, and I was back in the US. Stopped for some gas and headed on to Manistique for the evening.
Thursday, July 11
Arrived in Mt Horeb, WI as the final place to stay before getting home tomorrow afternoon. Short drive tomorrow of only a little over 200 miles so should be home about 1. Just a little suggestion for any thinking about this trip, take a coat/jacket and liner, and a pair of gloves. The air temp along the lake shore was between 55 to 62 with some gusty winds. Get inland and it warms up, but riding along the shoreline is going to require a jacket. Trust me on this.
Thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed it.
Friday July 12
Arrived back at the house about noon today. Had a great trip. Total driven was 2153 miles.
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1 comment:
Well done, Zach. Travel safe!
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