Northwoods Day 5- Buckatabon Lodge to Iron River, MI

Buckatabon Lodge to Iron Motel, in Iron River, MI

September 28, 2020

Miles 43.4

Total time about 5 hours

Ride time 4:05

Avg speed : 10.5

Autumn can play tricks on my mountain mind; leaves are most regularly tickling my tent on their way down, embrace their fallen brethren with a tick as they reach their resting place. Rain drops sound similar, but I'm sure the difference is easily recognizable to veteran north woods camper.

I woke up at 4:30 trying to ignore my body, listening to the leaves, they come in weak waves as a breeze stirs them more strongly. I finally yeild, and head out. The clear skies of last night are gone, and I return, empty and still dry. As I try to will myself back to sleep, the leaves music changes subtly, becoming pervasive and more regular. Shit, this is rain so I rush out to retrieve my towel I left out to dry, and move my bike to under a tree.

Just in time as it gathers to a heavy rain. While I am safe and warm in my tent, my mind wanders to a long cold wet day coming up to Iron River, defeating my sleep attempts, at least for a couple waves. When I wake again, it is diffuse light shining through my tent, which has new decorations I can see from inside, but the only drops are from trees teasing me again.

Well should get up and get packed while it isn't raining.

I head out a little later than planned after working some tricks to dry my tent more. I store it with my down bag, and darn sure I want to keep that dry.

A few sprinkle send me off as a farewell, but overall, there is rain only for 20-30 minutes during my day. Even had dry roads for long stretches later in the day. It was grey most of the day, though a few times I feel I am channeling Punxsutawney Phil at the rare glimpse of a faint shadow. But highs were in the low 50s, damp, and windy when heading north. Not the coldest I've been bikepacking but up there. May not be the coldest on this trip, or this even week (see weather forecast below). 

Despite to wet and grey day, the Trees are still nice, the forest have been growing more mixed with pine, and fewer farm fields. 

It is the third night of rain here, and water is standing in many places, including my route!

I pass into Michigan today, leaving Wisconsin behind for a week or more.

As I approach Iron River, I pass an incredible Halloween house(on Hiawatha). It is the first time I have seen haunted flamingos. Brought a big smile to my tired body.

And finally a possible self portrait of Dan after a long day in the saddle, or a premonition of what lies at the end of this tour....

I am hungry after a long cold day, and have food I can prepare, I remember pasty's from another UP adventure. There just happens to be a Pasty's Corner restaurant, and they do take out.

I find a store selling single beers , and I get a MI IPA beer from Founders, a completely MI meal!

I have a short day tomorrow, but weather looks to be wetter. I have reservations at the Bigfoot Hideaway Motel and Gift Shop in Crystal Falls. Could be interesting.

On a more disappointing note, yesterday I noticed my bike lock was gone, I suspect lost in the scramble to move into the rec room at resort 1.5 days ago in Mercer during the storm. I have a ski lock as a back up.

A second note, tonight my better(of 2) odometers is missing, damn. It had to be in the 2 mile detour to hotel, which I need to back track tomorrow. Damn, that odometer had over 5200 miles on it for that bike. I WILL search!

A few more elections signs. I had to take a shot of a plain biden one, trying to be more fair and balanced, (dontcha know)