cycling from Seattle 2017

60 miles to Manistique Part of this milage has been pottering around the town, and the boardwalk. There certainly is some beautiful countryside in this part of the world. my camp site tonight borders onto a sandy beach. it is hard to believe that I am on the edge of Lake Michigan and not the sea. There is even a lighthouse.   This town has a bridge supported by water which is atmospherically forced under it, the roadway itself is 4 feet below the water level. Now I have not got a clue how all that works! sadly the old waterworks station which is now a museum was closed, so I am none the wiser!    A great shop in town with fresh produce, so can eat well tonight.

Yesterday  Saturday 29th  Cycled 80 miles to Crystal Falls in Michigan (50 miles in Wisconsin 30 in Michigan. More lakes, small towns in Wisconsin. A bigger town Iron River in Michigan, which I only went through because I missed a turning. Camped for the night in Crystal Falls, an old Mill town. The entrance to the town was fine. I passed a care home/assisted living complex, where I stopped to talk to some of the residents who were sitting in the shade. But the centre of town had that run down feel. This meant I went and camped at a private site near the Paint River surrounded by RV's. I was charged 20 dollars for my small tent which I think is too much.      Not a good nights sleep. First the village youths seemed to be driving their off road jeeps well into the night -sound carries. Then I heard gun shots, then police sirens. then more sirens. Good thing I had not camped in the city park! Sunday 20th July 92 miles Had my first breakfast (mueslie...

32 miles to Trout Lake Boulder Junction More Lakes, more wild flowers and a great cycle path. Reached Boulder Junction, an outdoors, non fishing tourist resort. The type of place dentists from the city bring their families on holiday. Fruit in the shop. So I never got further than the camp site on Trout Lake. SO.... The people in the campsite are families from Wisconsin, they have tents or sensible sized RV's, not giants. There are loads of cyclists on the cycle paths, but you have to be careful, as they stop suddenly, ride in the middle of the path and can be a bit nervous on their bikes. In winter the lakes freeze over. The ice is so hard that people drive cars over the lakes. They drill holes in which to fish. BUT beware, there are springs in places. Trucks have been known to plummet into the lake in these non frozen places. 2 people drowned in this way last year. The rescue services will not go onto the ice. There are snowmobile routes. Quad biking is also pop...

Yesterday Wed Cycled 46 miles. To Sandlake Hayward After a wet start I reached Hayward, had a coffee and decided to accept Jodie's very kind offer to stay with her and her family.I did have to think about this one as it meant  long cycle back in the wrong direction.      I made the right choice! Richard and Jodie were very welcoming. They live in a lovely house on the lake. Richard has put a lot of work into building a complex of beautifull wooden buildings, one of which housed me for the night. Their daughter, her husband and their grandson came to visit, and in the early evening we went out on the lake in the pontoon. The lake is 19 miles wide, and we visited a restaurant on a distant shore.    On the way back I was lucky and saw a family of loons; they had 2 fluffy chicks, which were learning to dive. Loons dive a long way underwater. Normally bald eagles nest on the lakeside-old nests were visible , but this year they have not come.  ...

Sitting in Hayward I had just packed up my tent this morning when it started raining. A good Scottish rain strong, and wet. The kind that soaks you through. which is why I am sitting in a coffee shop in this tourist town with only 28 miles cycled. BUT      On the way in a car pulled up and a very pleasant older lady got out and asked if I had heard of warmshowers and did I want to stay tonight! Well only 10.30 but some things are meant to be so I will be detouring to her house on the lake and apparently going boating this afternoon. I have also been told I can use the washing machine!       No photos yet because it was too wet to use the camera!

63 miles to Beechwood There are trees in Wisconsin, there are also lakes rolling hills and mosquitoes. It is humid and there was a large thunderstorm today. I managed to shelter. Lucky as I had just being cycling a remote road in an Indian reservation. This is known as the dairy state, but I have not seen many dairy cattle yet.  I was however, close to a cheese factory, but not so close that I could visit.           I went through the town of Cumberland, From about 1870 -1900 this was one of the toughest lumber camps in Wisconsin, there were 24 saloons to serve a few hundred citizens. New sherrif Pat Varley cleaned up the town after physicaly fighting those who opposed him.     Stayed in Beechwood people in Wisconsin seem to have their year mapped out in advance. Nice campsite by a lake 10 dollars and I had a swim in the lake. Note on churches. (applies to all towns) The Lutheran church is in town The non ...

75 miles to Balsam Lake in Wisconsin    75 miles 50 in Minnesota 25 in Wisconsin    The mileage should have been less but I went the wrong way at one point. This is because I have now left the Northern Tier route and joined the North Lakes route. I also had problems finding a cycle path called the Gandy Dancer Trail. The entrance was beneath an underpass and went around the side of a Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet. When I did get on to it , however, it was beautiful with wild flowers along the sides. I also nearly ran into a bear snuffling along the side of the trail, I was very close to him but did a quick U turn. I waited a few minutes and then returned slowly; he was still on the side of the trail, at a distance- if you look very closely at the photo he is on the right hand side. I had to wait until he had moved off.       First impressions indicate that Wisconsin has forests, which will give shade  good. Plus lakes which...

64 miles to Dalbo I crossed a very small Misssissippi river compared to the one I crossed in 2013. The source of the river is north of here, but it still has 2500 miles to flow before it reaches the sea. I am staying at an amazing bunkhouse ,built by a farmer who had seen cyclists passing, and knew they had nowhere to stay. The inside is wood with a kitchen, lounge, maps, and even a TV. There are separate rooms inside, but if you want to you can sleep in the converted grain silo. There are 4 of us here tonight plus two cats who visit when they feel like it. There is thunder in the air so good to be inside.

90 miles to Bowlus All along cycle paths. First the central lakes trail, lots of lakes. Then the lake Wobegon trail, through farmland and near the side of a freeway (at times). Then the delightful soo trail, which was an old branch railway line and was beautiful, wild flowers alongside.       The night before there was thunder and lightening, fortunately my tent was not under trees, as branches came down in the night. Previously that evening I had also had another bleed from my lip. I had walked into Ashby and gone to the American legion for a meal. I had a beer (corrs light), I may add that this is only the 3rd beer I have had since Keith left!. Ordered my meal, and had to play bingo until it arrived (Friday night bingo night). When it came, the grilled chicken and frys looked good, but I forgot about the lip, and a few chips in and the blood started! This time the waitress was running over with ice, I decamped to the restroom until it stopped and had to ta...

52 miles to Ashby The idea is to take things slower and enjoy the fact that for the next 120 miles or so I am on a dedicated, paved, old railway cycle route.  I had trouble finding a way onto the route, but once on found shade plus a cycle repair station.   HOWEVER....... Minnesota  is the land of 10,000 lakes; it is very scenic, but with water come mosquitos. Each time I stop so do these little blighters. I am now entering the kind of country where people do not wear Stetson hats and like a more varied diet. There is a greater variety of foods in the shops.        For the first time in ages I found a coffee shop and bakery in Fergus Falls, just at the right time for a homemade croissant. I waited my turn. The large family in front were letting their children have two bakery products each, so it took time. I sat down to eat and drink my coffee, secure in the knowledge that I could have as many free refills as I wanted, when my li...

Thursday 58 miles to Pelican Rapids   5 in North Dakota and 53 in Minnesota I did not have to go back into Fargo, Walter showed me a route which would join my trail. A blocked road, due to road works meant a gravel section, but I avoided getting my bike into a mess, unlike a couple travelling in the opposite direction.     Have reached Pelican Rapids, home of the worlds largest pelican and I have been through Cormorant, home to many fishermen. There are a lot of lakes in Minnesota. Goodbye Legendary North Dakota . Tonight I will be camping in the city park.