The END

Thanks for your comments and encouragement. I appreciate you keeping up with my trip. Unfortunately, I had to interrupt my plans on Friday to return home.
Maybe I can complete this trip sometime in the future.

1500+ Miles

I have logged over 1500 miles so far, still about 2000 to go!!!

I have traveled over 500 miles in the UP, and was about to get depressed since I had not seen a deer or a bear, just some wild turkey and some Canadian geese. But, alas, little bambi started out in the road this afternoon, saw me, and turned back. So there ARE some deer up here. Now where are the bears???

I stopped at a little coffee shop before leaving Munising this morning; run by Nanci and Charlotte. Neat little place with a bookstore and all. But they had an interesting wall. I noticed cups hanging on the walls with names. I asked. There are our regular customers who have bought a cup and keep it here. Interesting. Must be all of the adults in that little village.

Further on down the road. I don't know if it is the end or the beginning....it was the end for me, but the sign says it is the beginning of US Route 41. Maybe you can read the signs.

Of course, one more shot of Lake Superior. (There WILL be more!) That's another lighthouse on the point. This is the tip of the Keweenaw peninsula, far out into the lake. Read some facts on Lake Superior; it will amaze you. I won't put them here.

Last and First

Here is my last view of Green Bay.

And my first view of Lake Superior!!

Man! There is a LOT of water up here.

Long day in the saddle today. Up early and stayed on the bike with few breaks. I am now in Munising MI, not far from Marquette, which I will go through tomorrow.

Out thar', somewhar', lies the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald!!!

This is a much photographed site, so I thought I would talk a pic too!!

It ain't Niagra, it ain't even Burgess, it is MUNISING FALLS!!

Rainy Day in WI

It started raining about the time I left the motel this morning, and rained most of the day. I did get some sunshine for a couple of hours, though. Not really a bad day to ride. Traffic was light and the weather was cool, refreshing. The goal today was to see Lake Michigan, ride along the lake and to make it to the Door peninsula. Well, I am here, and saw some beautiful views of the lake. With the overcast day, my pics will not do it justice.

Here is my first view of the lake. As I came over this small hill and rounded a curve, there it was. I wasn't even expecting it then, so it was a real "WOW" I said to myself as it popped into view.

The ride along the lake was very nice. I probably passed 3 cars in 15 miles of lakeshore driving. Nice views and MORE FARMS! But these farms were much smaller. It was neat to see them lined along the shore of the lake, not commercial stuff.

Here is a lighthouse in a small town on the lake (its out there. you have to blow the pic up to see it!).

I am camping in Egg Harbor. It is a very small resort town on the shore of Green Bay. I can almost get the whole town in one pic. There is a neat little park here overlooking the marina. Right now I am listening to this 2-man band playing some nice music. They say there will be a really good fireworks display later out over the water.

I passed the 45 degree latitude marker (halfway to the North Pole). That is this big stone (exciting huh?)

I met another solo rider (Goldwing) from Sioux City IA. We visited a while as we listened to the music. He is taking part of the ride I am, but without the Canada portion. He is a photographer by trade and has some really great photos. Wish I had some of those to post.

Tomorrow on to Munising MI. I hope to see a little of Green Bay (the city) but time will dictate that. Long day of riding tomorrow, more along the shore of Green Bay and Lake Mich.

It's an Advil night tonight

Almost 300 miles of two lane roads and a lot of beautiful country, leaving Champaign IL and arriving Hartford WI. I can feel it in my bones, and some of the soft tissue as well!

I love the midwest farms. Today was MORE corn and soybeans for about half the day. Here is a shot of one of the farm houses with endless fields of corn.

They are REALLY friendly here in IL. I don't know who told them I was coming, but somehow they heard about it and posted a big welcome sign for me!

I did not expect to find this beautiful, restored old town square along the way. My GPS insisted that I go to the town center, so to satisfy her, I did. There a found a great creperie for lunch and a beautiful square to walk around and stretch my legs some. Here are just a couple of shots. You may be able to see the Great Dane in the pic of the cafe. He was at the table next to me; just like Paris. AND he ordered from the menu. They brought him a big round steak, cooked just the way he likes, I am sure. Who is going to argue with him.

Tomorrow, across WI to Door County. Thats the peninsula that forms Green Bay in Lake Michigan. Another day of lots of miles.

Corn & Soybeans

I enjoy riding through the heartland. It reminds me of how dependent we are on the American farmer. And it reminds me of how dependent the farmer is on rain and sunshine at the right times, and on the promise that each seed shall bear fruit after its own kind. We may be getting more urban, but out here I am reminded how our very physical life is dependent upon Him. He could bring this mightly nation to its knees by simply withholding the raindrops!!

It was a great day of riding today, although not much more scenic than corn and soybeans. It was MUCH cooler than yesterday. Even now in the campsite, with the breeze blowing, on this small lake, it is cool sitting here under the trees.

I am still trying to figure out how to get my timer working on my camera, thus I am NOT in the picture. But it is kinda neat to sit here under the trees and connect to the world via internet. I have internet, but no electricity, so my laptop battery is getting low. More riding tomorrow; Wisconsin, Lake Geneva, Rustic Roads....hopefully missing Chicago and Milwaukee.