Sep 6-10 - driving and driving

On Thursday the 6th we got organized to leave for the weekend. I should have blogged at that point so that I'd remember where the day went to -- it's amazing how easily an entire day can go by in your life.

On Friday morning we left shortly after 6am, driving to the Canadian side of the border in Sault Ste. Marie and started logging mileage, convenience stores, motels etc. I was supposed to call Philip and let them know when we would be arriving except that I forgot that there was no cell service after the Soo -- none until a few miles from Philip's. We drove into Wawa, Marathon and Nipigon, figuring that those would be logical stage stops, and checked out the motels. We arrived at Philip's around 7pm and had dinner shortly after. We were tired and were all in bed shortly after 9pm -- even Philip and Sarah -- that is their standard routine anyway -- early to bed and early to rise.

On Saturday Sarah had to work and Philip was working for a couple of hours mid-day. We spent a couple of hours in the morning with Philip walking the "beach" -- their "beach" is rock -- a beautiful shoreline but not a quick stroll ! When Philip had to go to work we had a quick lunch and then headed out to Kakabeka Falls, a little west of Thunder Bay on 11/17 -- a pretty spot. After the Falls, we went to the Thunder-something (I forget) Gouda cheese factory -- one of only four Gouda cheese makers in Canada -- and picked up some cheese for Sarah and us. They have many varieties out to taste -- a couple of dozen -- but we brought home smoked, old, and cumin. Back at Philips later we ate well again on Sarah's cooking. Olivia had to work but Megan and her boyfriend were there.

Sunday we headed out again, leaving around 7am and driving west/south towards Duluth Minnesota. It was a beautiful trip around that end of Superior, an area that I've not seen before. It was a lot flatter, however, than the trip from Wawa to Thunder Bay. We will be able to ride more miles with less climbing. We stopped along the way for a second breakfast and then met Jerry Christensen in Ashland Wisconsin for a late lunch. Jerry is from Eau Claire Wisconsin and will be riding the route with me, Ken and Geoff next June. After lunch we drove a few more hours, stopping in Houghton Michigan around 7pm. After feeding and watering Abby we walked over to the Applebees close by for a salad.

Today we again hit the road around 7am, still logging distances etc. through Sault Michigan. After that we were off the circle tour and continued on towards our northern home, arriving here at 6pm. It was good to get here in daylight.

It's been a long four days. We put in over 1800 miles including the 150 miles sightseeing around Thunder Bay on Saturday. Now I have to compile the notes that Sandy was taking, comparing and merging them with the mileages from maps.google.com to build the suggested route.

It was a beautiful drive. It will be a great route to cycle. It will be a challenge -- some long mileage days and lots of climbing on the north side of the lake. I'm looking forward to the adventure.