You’re going where? Into the fog and hopefully, Canada is up yonder someplace?

Well, this will be a diversion from my normal trip reports, where I spend boundless hours typing up my thoughts. But, I wouldn’t be rct if I didn’t say a few words to reflect upon during the long winter months.

I was mighty glad to be invited again to "make the loop", and I have to tell you all, I almost cancelled due to weather. As a matter of fact, I had written the cancellation e-mail to Tad, and at the last moment, postponed pushing the send button. The On Land Hurricane (OLH) had me worried. Oh, not about safety, warmth, or dryness, but just for the enjoyment factor. But, my strong urge to travel on two wheels, committed me to the ride.

I also was concerned about doing such a ride with so many bikes. I really enjoyed myself, but did miss the human interaction which becomes more prevalent when you are in a smaller group. There were so many good folk I would have really enjoyed getting to know better, but as things worked out, those opportunities were limited. I’m not complaining, but rather apologizing to all and with hopes to have future (soon) encounters to more closely interact. Also, I am at fault due to having to cut my trip short after rounding Duluth. (For any who didn’t know, I had told Tad before the trip I was only given permission by the war department to go for 3 days J )

Anyway, thanks to all for the opportunity to again tour Canada, which is a splendid ride.

On my first ride through Canada http://198.62.139.6/rctrank/mctrip1/index.html I vividly remember worrying more about the tight? Turns and not being able to pay attention to all the scenery since it was my first adventure in motorcycle touring. It soon became apparent as I entered Canada. I saw sights I had never seen before! I was a bit worried about this aspect, thinking I would be just saying to myself, ya, seen that before, etc, etc. Not so! It was wonderful and I am so happy the weather at least partially cooperated for us on the jaunt through Canada. The ride up, well, sucked with the all day rain. But, breakfast at Stooges was, as usual, great.

So, like I said, this will be short just to get a picture posting out.

And a note to Tyrone, … .you still piss me off…. J Your bike color is beautiful!

And, so, ……… on to the pictures:

(click on those you want to blow up)

Day 1 (Thursday, May24, 2001 )

463 miles – 8hrs, 23min saddle time

Motel: Best Western in Traverse City

It’s mighty dark in Belvidere at 3am

hmmm, still dark at 4am in Woodfield

gasing up after breakfast at Stooges

rainy and crumy, but at least a partial shot at a well known stop

One more

Tyrone enjoying a brew

Yes, same small pix, but this one is a link to a video (sorry for the size, it is about 20mb)

Wet rigs

more wet rigs

A wise suggestion by Tad and Jeff to order up umteen pizzas and gather at the pool lounge for some good eats, and then off to bed…. And yes, Jeff and Dennis snore pretty good J

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Day 2 (Friday, May25, 2001 )

422 miles – 7hrs, 4min saddle time

Motel: Lasogna, Canada

Tyrone before Mackinaw bridge…. (At least the rain slowed to a minimum)

Yellow IS a good color!

Now there’s a couple of good looking rigs

Heading into the fog

Yes, this one is upside down on purpose. Those following me know why

Then Tadly pulls up next to me and we both had the same idea J

Hmmm, could the be one of the last action shots of the Tad/Whale duo?

More over the helmet antics. I was actually amazed how well my perception was of holding that camera over my helmet upside down to get the shot! (Must be the damned engineer in me)

Locks from the bridge, which by the way sacred the ever livin carpola out of me with those sidewinds on that slippery grating. Man, I felt like kissin the ground after making it across safely

Mill from afar

Ah, Canada really was up yonder in that fog J
Oh, CAN-A-DA (good thing you can’t hear me singing. There is a reason I became an engineer)

The mill (a little closer)

Ahhha… the Ontario welcome spot

A picture I wanted to take on this first trip that I missed back in 99

And a Canada Island spot that I like

Damn, I wish the sun would have cooperated a little more

And another (told you I like this spot)

The classic OMG, take your breath away, shot as you crest the hill

Of course a stop at Agwa bay is in order

A nice shot of those who were able to gather up.

oops, there’s an ugly dude (but a nice rig)

A ski hill stop just before the 2^nd motel

And was that really a flying saucer or just an illusion?
 
 

Day 3 (Saturday, May25, 2001 )

493 miles – 8hrs, 04min saddle time

A nice view (of course in my opinion)

Another nice lake view

A really cool shot of a moving freight train

Another lake view

Gotta get moving to catch one more shot of that train

Here she comes

what can I say, how many times can I caption a picture "nice view"?

After a nice breakfast

Last shot before the weather turned foggy, cold and crummy again riding between Thunder Bay and Duluth.

At this point, being near my Brothers house (in Hazelhurst, Wi – near Minocqua), I decided to purge on and visit him for the night. Of course, I miscalculated the distance to get there and ended up aborting because of the distance and was then mad at myself for not just lodging with the ATL group in Superior to have a little more personal time getting to know people.

So, in conclusion, thanks again to all for the trip, and especially to Tad and Jeff for such an orchestration. Could you at least next time, schedule this trip in NON-Hurricane season?

Later all………rct (mr. T)

Ps…. I have about an hour of video that I have yet to edit down and hope to be able to show some of it at our post ATL BBQ.