We mounted our dragon and flew out from our "castle" into the fog. Two chatty travelers that we met at the motel had clued us into a great ride on H58, The Hurricane Highway, touting it to be as challenging as The Dragon's Tail, with more switchbacks, but not as many hills. As soon as Jules heard that, I knew we were bound for yet another amazing sidebar to our travelogue.
But first, a pesky "check engine" light had us searching for a Harley dealer. Maintaining the health of Rascal is the most important responsibility on this trip. Without our ride, we don't ride. So we took an easterly swing to Gaylord and the Forty-fifth Parallell where she passed her physical and had her lights adjusted.
Back in business, we headed directly up route 75 toward the Mackinac Bridge. Fog was our co-pilot and walled off many of what we thought would be our last views of the lake. As we approached the bridge, sun burned through and blue sky, the St. Ignace lighthouse and repeated signs for Pasties greeted us to the UP, the upper penninsula of Michigan and a country unto its own. The Yoopers pride themselves in their toughness and insularity and wonder why that bridge was ever built.
"In winter we shovel snow and in summer we swat mosquitoes. During the spring and fall we rest up for swatting and shoveling".---Peter Oikarinen's reply to the often-asked question of Yoopers, "What do you people do up there?" 1987---
Still hugging Lake Michigan, we headed up Route 2, ready to jump into the Seney Wildlife Refuge, Pictured Rocks and The Hurricane Highway, all points of interest recommended to us. Rain changed the game. Rather than head into the unknown, we sluiced into the closest town and found shelter for the night. A room with a view of the lake (at breaks in the weather) kept us on Michigan for the night. Tomorrow will be Superior!
Our days may be wet. Our days may be dry. They are all still days of exploration, adventure and tales, written together on the road. Often, as in life, the worst weather creates an intimacy in those who travel through and wait together to see the sun.
Our "castle"
Road work
Open grate ..don't look down😜
Crossing Over
St. Ignace
It wouldn't be the UP without them!
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