6-1-05

Dan was over bout 10A and once we got on the road it was swell. We went North on M-35 1/2 mile to Million Dollar Road.
Million Dollar Road is a garbage dump. Once the litter bug dies it will be OK again. I'm convinced it's just one
microcephalic doing the littering. I wish he'd be caught. It's about 5 miles to Rangeline Rd and then 1 Mile to 8.5 road
where we stopped at Barb's ( a fellow co-worker at the lab ) recently purchased 40 acre spread. It's real nice. Quiet and lot's of open fields. We only stayed a couple minutes cause the sun was high & hot and we were in black.

We traveled 8.5 Rd to US 41 and then blasted north. A stop in Stephenson was imperative cause we needed breakfast(sugar donuts and jerky) and gas. There is a gas war in Stephenson. Two stations is all so regular is $2.02 They actually have a motorcycle dept in the Citgo....if you consider wheevee's (Finnish for bandana, my wife's a Finn). I bought the chilipepper model. A gentleman approached us and we talked bikes for a couple minutes. Wendy from the pharmacy came out and we chatted her up. Then off north again to Powers where we found some shade and took another break while we decided on a route.

We did US 2 til we got to G 69 and it was north again. G 69 is rural, improved, curvy and a tad hilly. It was the best part of the ride for me. I hadn't been up that way in 15 years and it was as nice as I remember it. It's about 17 miles to Foster City.

M 69 then heads west so we followed it thru Felch to M 95. We came out just south of Sagola. There isn't much in Sagola but trainyards and woodpiles. There is a bank out in the middle of nowhere. About 15 years ago some dudes pulled up on snowmoblies and cleaned the place out. Ha! HA!! We still laugh about that. We were farther north than I imagined. North from Felch is Ralph and from there it's just a skip to Arnold and New Swanzy. Which may be considered gateways to da nort country HA!! That's a trip for another day. Once we hit M 95 it was south to Iron Mountain. I was poking along about 75 and there appeared a Coke truck that needed passing so I did. When I pulled from his wake I was blown about 5 feet left. It was a surprise but next time I'll know. When we got back to US 2 we pulled into my ex brother-in-laws motel found more shade and knocked back a pepsi while we discussed wordly matters such as how best to deal with monkey butt. We stayed 20 minutes then headed downtown Iron Mountain on US 2 where we decided it was tank up time. We had just stopped at the pumps when a couple young lovelys pulled in and hopped out to do the same. They gave us a nice smile, said Hello and proceeded to fill their car. I always take my camera on trips so I asked them if they might grace my lens. They did.

Off again, turning south on US 141. We were very quickly into Cheeseconsin.

 

We shot straight south with a nice stop at some rapids in one of Marinette Countys many roadside parks that want $2 too visit. We stiffed them. I left the cam on the bike, Rats. Stayed a few minutes then charged down the road to Wausuakee where it was dairy treat time. Dan had a water and I made him buy me a small vanilla cone that absolutely hit the spot. There was a longhair dude there with his Kawasaki Vulcan. A nice looking ride but it ain't no VTX. We sat in the shade, watched the world go by for a time then turned west on Highway 180 too Marinette. Stopped at Dan's place then on home. A good ride thus a good day. Sunny and 80 degrees.

Yee Haw.

193.5 miles in about 5.5 hours.