I said goodbye to my comfy parking spot at the Value Inn and was headed out on the highway by 7:30 central time.
Very soon after leaving Marquette, I realized I'd hit a significant number on my odometer... do you know why?
I snapped some photos at the spot on the road (who knows where?) since it was so beautiful there!
The road from Marquette takes you away from the lake for awhile, but you get your first glance back at it from a scenic view which overlooks the Apostle State Water Park. Look waaaaay in the distance and you'll notice a bunch of islands.
At the lookout there were these fabulous trees growing there with unusual flowers.
Across the road, was a beautiful "rolling" farm complete with grain silos.
Soon I was passing through the Ashland area which I'd enjoyed so much on my way to Kingston. After passing through, I came to a beautiful, peaceful bay. People were walking along the waterfront (1) to reach a little park (2) in the close corner of the bay.
When I reached the other side of the bay, I took pictures of the view back (3) and of a beautiful wood totem (4) on the edge of the bay.
I continued on and before noon, I arrived at Superior. This time I took the time to snap a few shots of this beautiful city.
The railway runs parallel to the lake but you don't tend to notice it since the road is so much higher and you still get a great view of the little peninsulas and little islands on the lake (1).
Some houses (rich people!) are built on some of these small outcroppings of land (2) and they are gorgeous!
There was a very pretty marina tucked in behind one of the peninsulas (3 & 4). I believe you're looking at Duluth in the background - built on the side of the hill overlooking the tip of Lake Superior.
I stopped for lunch at Perkins (actually it was the one across from my first night's hotel) and asked to be seated in the back room which had a terrific view of the lake (5 & 6). The Perkins WE go to in Winnipeg has a great view of a parking lot!!
After lunch, I passed over the huge bridge that leads into Duluth. I took the time to turn off highway 2 and take pictures from a great viewpoint of the tip of the Lake which separates the two cities.
The first picture is aimed at Duluth's waterfront and the second two let you see the neat bridge you cross to go from Wisconsin to Minnesota.
Since it was still noon, I figured I'd push on. As I headed west, I came across some interesting places. I took a stop at a welcoming store in Warba, MN. Casper's Leather was FULL of motorcycle riding gear and evidently they mail order! Of course I took the offered water before I left. It was very warm and sunny on the highway.
I kept reaching major centres along the route and thought " might as well push on... it's early yet!".
I came to a place called Deer River where the lady in the store was kind enough to offer me some lotion for my leg. I had opened my riding pants to get some air but the sun and the wind had constantly weathered that small section of open skin into a really bad (and painful) sunburn. I bought a big bottle of water to keep me hydrated along the road.
I loved how prettily the store and houses nearby were painted!
By then, the theme seemed to be "keep going... still early" so I really didn't stop much or stop long BUT... I couldn't resist letting my motorcycle be enveloped by the Jonah version of a fish...
I got to Bemidji and it was STILL early... push on!
Then I was on highway 59 and I was in Thief River Falls... Not interested in gambling so push on...
I WAS interested in the neat skateboard park they'd erected for the kids there though!
The only thing I stopped for after that were deer. I met up with 3 different sets of deer on the highway and, of course stopped for each. Unfortunately, they are quick animals and I never could get my camera out quick enough to snap a few pictures. Too bad. I love those elegant animals.
Then came the telling moment... I'd reached Canada... and Winnipeg was only an hour away!
I had a little time to chat with the nice customs officer before heading home.
