Beginning the adventure; Days one and two - Rodney to Rugby, ND. 1,177 miles.

All the way up the freeway to the (Mackinac) bridge I was thinking "did I bring enough stuff", which is sometimes a bit of a problem as I tend to travel very light. The small duffel bag on the seat behind me has all the camping stuff: tent, sleeping bag, ground cloth, one inch thick self inflating mattress (all back-packing items to keep the size and weight down). The saddle bags hold clothes,(using the Peter Egan system) so as I use them they get thrown away, I will have no dirty clothes to bring home, also a couple towels, tools, tire repair stuff, maps, Guidepost Tour Guide,(essential if you are going to Alaska) and a couple of extra long sleeve shirts to wear under the jacket if needed.(Used everything I brought except the tools and tire repair kit.)

Cool temps as usual on US-2 following the Lake Michigan shoreline. Stopped in Manistique for lunch, zipped the liner into the jacket as the wind off the lake felt downright cold. Following US-2 to pick up Route 8 which I will follow as far as Ladysmith, Route 8 through northern Wisconsin is a wide two lane going through beautiful country with little traffic.

Warming up now in Wisconsin, about 90 degrees and humid. South at Ladysmith on a small two lane into Chippewa Falls and what will probably be the last good meal and warm bed for quite some time. My sister and her family live there and it is always worth going a little out of the way to get the good meal that Barb always provides. Some riders make the detour to Chippewa Falls for a completely different reason, the home of Linenkugels Beer is there, tours and free samples are available for those that are interested!!! On to North Dakota tomorrow!

Day 2: Chippewa Falls, WI to Rugby, ND. 537 Miles

I am the center of the Continent
Rugby, ND, provides a perfect
place to nap! Left Chippewa Falls at 6:30 AM; 65 degrees and raining. My sister and her husband pretty much did not have to say a word, the expressions on their faces said it all, "You are riding all the way to Alaska on a motorcycle - in the rain? What are you thinking?"

Headed north from Chippewa Falls toward Duluth, Minnesota and US-2 westbound. Ran out of the rain in about an hour so could finally relax a little and enjoy the ride, had to bundle up as I got a little closer to Duluth. That Duluth, Minnesota is usually one cold place on the shore of Lake Superior, don't think I have ever been there when there wasn't a cold wind blowing off the lake. Going across Duluth you cross the Richard Bong Bridge, (Richard Bong was an ace pilot from WW II that was from the area).

I headed west on US-2 now and it's bug time. There must have been 50 miles of some kind of black bug that plastered the windscreen, my glasses, my helmet and the sleeves on my jacket. Shortly thereafter the weather got a little nasty, windy, cool (58 degrees) and rain. I was in in rain till nearly Rugby, North Dakota. US-2 is a good route to follow when going west across the northern United States, wide 2 lane and later on for some time it is four lane with 65 MPH speed limit. Close to North Dakota the traffic thins out too.

I arrived at Rugby and set up at the campground on the north west corner of the intersection of town (only one intersection). The rain stopped and sun started to come out; found supper after camp was set up and then went on a short walk to inspect the John Deere dealer in town, then back to the tent and rest up for the trip into Canada tomorrow.

-MH

Mike Hachman has been teaching at Ferris State University for the last 32 years. He earned a BS degree from FSU and Masters from Michigan State. His first real motorcycle was a Yamaha YA-6 Santa Barbara model and he quickly moved to enduro racing on a Penton 175cc Jackpiner.

Mr. Hachman currently owns a Kawasaki KLR650 and BMW R1150R, which he uses for his daily commute to work.

©Copyright 2006, Mike Hachman, all rights reserved. No text, graphic, or video found on this site may be archived or redistributed without written consent of the publisher, Lee Wonnacott, Kannapolis, NC. Copyright 2006.