On July 28, 2011 John the 3rd and John Jr. Rawson(s) headed out from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
for the Circle Tour of Lake Superior:
well, we did it. Started at the lower right in the map up above: at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and headed into Canada, and finished right there as well. However, instead of going up to Copper Harbor we headed straight across Wisconsin and through Michigan: straight on back to the Soo. Our total mileage was about 1,250 miles.
The first morning: Wawa, Ontario and fog, lots of fog..
just a little later in the morning at Silver Falls, near Wawa..the road to here was wet dirt and then gravel
John's Bike: a 2010 Suzuki VStrom 650 with I think about 3,000 miles on it. (John: please correct me on this stuff...)
A great touring Bike: very fast and stable and way lighter than the Goldwing. The saddle bags detach and have handles on them, also can be locked on or off the bike. John will also raise his windshield for the next long ride. Also, note that John's helmet has a chin strap making it difficult to have a sip of water or, even, slip a gum drop in there....
My bike: a 1981 Honda Goldwing 1,100 with about 25,000 miles on it. Heavy and stable: can ride literally hands off, set throttle lock on level roads and just motor on. 55 miles an hour is very comfortable. Revs at that speed 3700. I would like to have a cup holder on the handle bars somewhere. Now, I just tuck a coke under those side bungees.. Also, for another long trip I would raise the windshield a good 3 inches. Just that much would quiet the ride down some. I carried too much stuff as well. Had 3 (why?) flashlights, and spare sneakers and shoes too, and also TWO rain jackets (why?) plus a spare helmet.
WaWa means "Big Goose" in Ojibwe- Indian speak.. this thing is made out of steel...
White River, and Ontario's, claim to fame....
ah, much better weather with the fog gone. This is a typical scene on the north shore. Nice paved road and no one, no one in sight. Just us.
arriving at Nipigon
sending cards home. Note the railroad behind John. It runs through the middle of town.
Main Street Nipigon, Ontario. The train runs through the town, tracks to the left in picture and you can just make out John by the first light pole to the left walking to the Post Office to mail the cards home.
One of many bays around the Lake: note, also, no one here.
This Northern road is part of the Trans Canada Highway. Mostly truck traffic but often, like this, nobody. Photo by John...
at Quimet Gorge just East of Thunder Bay
The Gorge..
this picture says it all: big big Lake and not many people around it...
Coming out of Thunder Bay and heading for the US border we ran into this.
is that a storm out there..??
was that really hail we went through?? well, yes it was!! And no place to hide...
and, rain over, here we are back in the USA... Only about 620 miles to go...
Yeah Baaaaby!! Back where we started: 3 nights and 4 days and 1251 miles. Yes.
