DAY-57 Sunday

We checked at the office, and yes the Internet was down. Someone in the office was checking e-mail, which needs to be switched back. So that is why you needed to wait for the posts.

So we're only about 450 miles away and we're missing our dogs. We were also thinking about staying near Hamerport,NY and go to the Glen Curtis Museum.

We headed down the QEW. We got to customs and in the center of the lane is a trough with a catch basin. I went to the edge of the trough with the front tire. Trying not to get in it and to leave room for the agent to get out of the booth. I shut the motor off and leaned it to put the side stand down. The bike slid sideways into the trough. The bike stayed up and we're looking up at the agent. We did questions and back in America Baby. 190 to 90.

What can I say we miss the dogs! We kept trucking, by 5:30 we were home. Hey what's with all this heat and humidity.

Now some Stats......Remember this was our vacation NOT to see how fast we could do it.

Starting Mileage for the day: 111,681

Ending Mileage for the day: 112,138

447 MILES for the day

Starting Mileage for the Trip: 099,098

Ending Mileage for the Trip:112,138

**************************13,040 Miles for the Trip*******************************

Miles per Day of Trip

Day-1. 290 mi....Total:...500 mi....Location:.. Wilkes-Barre PA

Day-2. 500 mi ...Total:...790 mi...Location:..Springfield, OH

Day-3. 376 mi...Total:...1166 mi...Location: ..St. Louis,MO

Day-4. 245 mi...Total:...1411 mi...Location:.. Chillicothe,MO

Day-5. 233 mi..Total:...1644 mi..Location... Lincoln,NE

Day-6. 367 mi..Total...2011 mi...Location...Alliance, NE

Day-7. 230 mi..Total...2241 mi...Location...Custer, SD

Day-8. 119 mi.. Total..2360 mi...Location...Custer, SD

Day-9. 115 mi..Total..2475 mi... location...Sundance, WY

Day-10.348 mi..Total..2823 mi..Location..Cody,WY

Day-11. 309 mi..Total..3132 mi..Location..Cody,WY

Day-12. 334 mi..Total..3466 mi..Location.. Cody,WY

Day-13. 182 mi. Total..3648 mi..Location...Big Sky, MT

Day-14. 43 mi. Total..3691 mi..Location...Big Sky, MT

Day-15. 585 mi. Total..4276 mi.Location..Colfax, WA

Day-16. 121 mi. Total..4397 mi... location..Wilbur,WA

Day-17. 258 mi. Total..4655 mi...Location..Merritt,BC

Day-18. 300 mi Total..4944 mi...Location...Quesnel, BC

Day-19. 309 mi. Total..5264 mi..Location..Smithers,BC

Day-20. 247 mi. Total..5511 mi..Location.. Hyder,AK

Day-21. 211mi. Total..5722 mi.. location..Terrace,BC

Day-22. 91 mi. Total..5813 mi..Location..Ferry

Day-23. 08 mi. Total..5821 mi..Location..Sitka,AK

Day-24. 15 mi Total..5836 mi...Location..Sitka,AK

Day-25. 35 mi. Total..5871 mi..Location..Juneau,AK

Day-26. 63 mi. Total..5934 mi.Location..Juneau,AK

Day-27. 51 mi. Total..5985 mi..Location..Skagway, AK

Day-28. 00 mi. Total..5985 mi..Location..Skagway, AK

Day-29. 110 mi. Total..6095 mi..Location..Whitehorse,YT

Day-30. 396 mi. Total..6491 mi. Location..Tok,AK

Day-31. 223 mi. Total..6714 mi..Location..Fairbanks,AK

Day-32. 00 mi. Total..6714 mi..Location..Fairbanks,AK

Day-33. 30 mi. Total..6744 mi..Location..Fairbanks,AK

Day-34.176 mi. Total..6920 mi..Location..Denali, AK

Day-35. 04 mi.. Total..6924 mi..Location..Denali, AK

Day-36. 371 mi. Total..7295 mi..Location..Cooper Landing, AK

Day-37. 126 mi. Total.7421 mi..Location..Homer,AK

Day-38. 00 mi. Total.7421 mi..Location..Homer, AK

Day-39. 500 mi.Total.7921 mi..Location..Gakona, AK

Day-40. 235 mi. Total.8156 mi..Location..Dawson City, YT

Day-41. 247 mi. Total. 8403 mi..Location..Carmacks, Yt

Day-42. 380 mi. Total. 8783 mi..Location.. Watson Lake, YT

Day-43. 330 mi. Total. 9113 mi..Location..Ft. Nelson,BC

Day-44. 570 mi. Total. 9683 mi..Location..Hinton, AB

Day-45. 291 mi. Total. 9974 mi..Location..Radium Hot Springs, BC

Day-46. 282 mi. Total. 10256 mi..Location..Glacier N.P.(St. Marys,MT)

Day-47. 272 mi. Total. 10528 mi...Location..Lewistown,MT

Day-48. 245 mi. Total. 10773 mi...Location..Glendive, MT

Day-49. 263 mi. Total. 11036 mi...Location. Bismarck, ND

Day-50. 49 mi. Total. 11085 mi...Location. Bismarck,ND

Day-51. 334 mi. Total. 11419 mi...Location. Baxter,MN

Day-52. 351 mi. Total. 11770 mi...Location..Iron Mountain, MI

Day-53. 341 mi. Total. 12111 mi...Location..Gaylord, MI

Day-54. 15 mi. Total..12126 mi...Location..Gaylord,MI

Day-55. 312 mi. Total. 12438 mi..Location.London,OT

Day-56. 145 mi. Total.12583 mi..Location..Niagra Falls, OT

Day-57. 457 mi. Total 13040 mi... Location...Home, MA

Hotel.......11 nights

Motel......12 nights

Tent........16 nights

Teepee......2 nights

Cabin.........4 nights

Homes.......4 nights

Ferry.........1 night

Hostel........2 nights

Trailer.......3 nights

B&B............1 night

Day 56 Saturday ***TWO DAY POST***

We broke camp early and headed down 402 to 401 a few miles down.

We followed 401 to the 403

into Hamilton and took the QEW to Niagara and 420 to down town. Ok, enough about the route numbers. We hit the visitors center and found a campground for $38, with water at the site. Smith's campground just happened to be next door to the $70 KOA. We did have to pay an extra $1.99 for Wi-Fi, I'll get back to that.

At the visitors center we got a VIP Adventure Pass that got us Four Passes and transportation. The woman at the visitors center told us to park up at the Butterflies Park for free parking. We navigated ourselves there and I rushed Karen. We got on the bus and started north towards the falls and Karen had forgot the extra cards for the camera. We got off for the Maid of the Mist, it was crowded. In my rushing Karen she discovered her wallet was still in the suit that was locked on the bike. We hopped on the bus ( we figured some one should arrive home with their wallet) on the bus we were talking with the bus driver. She told us the buses only run that far South until 7pm and we should move the bike down to the White Water Walk. Parking is free and the bus runs until 10pm. We moved the bike got back down to the Maid of the Mist. We got in line and it was a push through the mob to the stairs.

This is where we meet Kerry and Al, they rode in from Pittsburgh. We ended up hanging with them all day. They are great people. So, we got to the top front of the boat. We got real wet, it's un-real how close you get it was a blast. The four of us hopped the bus headed up to the White Water Walk, we then headed to the Horseshoe Falls and took pics of the double rainbow. We took the incline elevator and we walked up a block. We saw the "Worst Canadian Driver" being filmed and the four of us about dropped our jaw at the food price. At this point I didn't care, I was about to kill something and eat it. After eating we walked back to the falls and said our goodbyes. We hit the Niagara's Fury 4D movie, and the to the Journey Behind the Falls. We had a great time but it's past 9pm. We wait for a bus it finally comes and the lights are on the falls. We talk to the bus driver on the ride. He drops us off. We're getting on the bike he already made it to his last stop and turned around and gives us a toot as he went by.

We head back to the campground it's a little after 10pm. I try to do the blog. No Internet! Ok getting too late, with late nights and early mornings. So today's blog will be done tomorrow, with why there wasn't any Internet.

Starting Mileage: 111,536

Ending Mileage: 111,681

145 miles for the day

Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario

DAY-55 Friday

We got up and headed out by 8:30. We started out on 75 South and we are going to put some miles on before breakfast and coffee. Ya, before coffee! We stopped at a Shell for gas and it has a McDonald's in it. So while having breakfast I fired up the netbook and looked at the radar. The edge of the thunder storms are still in London, Ontario stretching past Buffalo, NY. Humm, I guess we'll stop in Bay City, MI and move funds so we don't need to rely on my good looks. (We'd most likely would starve). Figuring this would give the storms a chance to move further east.

We started back down 75 South and hear on the CB there is a long, long back up. There was a fatal car accident in a work zone. They were talking about jumping off and heading East to Rt 13 and following it around. So we asked about the exit we were coming up to and crackling over the CB yup I'm getting off there and following 13 South. We saw a Pepsi truck getting off and asked if he had his radio on yes. We told him we were the two wheeler coming up behind him. We talked he ask were we have been and were we where going. As luck has it, the detour brought us two blocks a way from the Bank. We were in and out a lot quicker than I thought it would take. 13 was slow going, it runs right through Bay City. We make it back to 75 and we made it around the back up.

We hit 475 to 69 East, we stopped to fill up in Port Huron. Got gas and talked with a few people and on to Niagara. We go over the bridge and wait in line for customs. We get in and follow 402 until about 24 km/ 14 miles to you before London. We go down this back road in search for the 50s Dinner. About two miles down the road we find it. Dirt parking lot and a building we almost no windows and looks like a 'Pickers' place to stop. We go in and it is cute with 50s memorabilia all over. There is also a consignment shop inside. We eat and we had stayed at a KOA in MI, and had the pamphlet. So we call the KOA in Niagara. They want $70 for a tent site with OUT electricity or water. For a patch of grass and a bathroom to use. You've got to be kidding me. We called the London KOA they were $30 for the night. So we stayed in London. There Internet has been in and out all day unable to get a post out.

Starting Mileage: 111,224

Ending Mileage: 111,536

312 Total for the Day

Location: London, Ontario Canada

Day 54

Woke up this morning to drip....drip...drip. It's starting to rain a little, forecast was possible showers with thunderstorms possible. Well it's 7 am maybe it will break up. Nope it only got worse. Pull up the radar and the kicker is if we made it to Bay City we could have easily out run it east. There is nasty looking thunder storms to the south and west. The good thing is it's not looking like a two day storm or anything like that. We can sit here if need be, the bad thing is very sketchy cell service in the campgrounds.

So we ended up staying and by noon time it was nice enough for a dip in the pool. About 20 min into the swim the skys darkened and it looked like it was going to rain again, but it didn't. We went to down town Gaylord in search for the Bank of America that turned out to be a home loan center. I guess I'll have to rely on good looks and charm. We hit Tractor Supply and got a #6 torx so I can fix the GPS. We hit the Gobbler for dinner real good food and back to camp.

We talked with a couple from Canada there traveling by bike and he just sold his business and retired. They are going to hit Mt Rushmore.

Have you ever seen a 42 wheeler? There are 8 axles with 4 tires per in the trailer, plus the 10 wheels in the tractor.

Still no news on my wallet - so -

*****If you a gave me your contact info it is in my lost wallet. You can leave it at rshavron@gmail.com******

Starting Mileage 111,209

Ending Mileage 111,224

A small jaunt for the day - 15 Miles

Location: Gaylord, MI

Day-53

Today we started out and it was a little chilly we were riding with out our jacket liners, but had to close the vents on the suits, and the airwings. I hear it's hot back home. Well it's official we entered Eastern Time Zone. Alright we did have rolling fog coming over the trees, it is amazing how the Great Lakes kept us in the cool.

About a hundred miles out we stopped for gas and four guys on Harley's pulled in to put on there chaps. We got to talking they are headed for two Veterans rides. They looked at our bike (you know "the Honda") and told them how many miles on it and where we've been. One of them used to hunt around Chicken, AK and we told him we took it up and over The Top Of The World Highway ( Chicken to Dawson City). They then really started to check out the bike and trailer. We said our good byes, they took off and we took off shortly after. A few min. down the road we passed the guys and waves all around.

We got to the Mystery Spot, it's about 5 miles before (West) of the Mackinac Bridge. We went into this strange mystical spot for a tour. It's a real Road Side America Spot. We had fun with the water going up hill and the chair floating on two legs against the wall with a child sitting on it. What great nonsensical fun. We then went across the street for the maze. We ran into a family who hit a dead end and I told the little girl we've been in here for two weeks. She told us to follow her. As you guessed we did make it out.

Ok Bay City is 188 miles away and it's around 3pm, let's go for it. So over Jimmy's favorite bridge (Mackinac) and the outside lanes are closed. I would have rode the inside anyway, I like to look down. Ok explaining time! The Mackinac bridge connects the Upper Peninsula (the U.P. as the locals call it) to lower Michigan. It is a long 5 mile Suspension Bridge (3rd longest in the world) and the center lanes is made of open grate to let high winds flow through the bridge. If you ride over open grates and look down the speed makes them seem to disappear and you can see the water and ships if any 295 feet below. We did this three times.

So over the bridge once and 30 or so miles later I pulled in for gas and my wallet. Ok, not in this pocket, not in this one. Karen payed for the tour. I took it out of my suit. Did I put it between the suit and pants, was it on the bike. Ok don't panic. I had a brochure and called the Mystery Spot, to hopefully solve the mystery of my wallet. Nobody found a wallet. Karen runs across the street to get cash at the ATM. There are the 4 Harley riders again. They wish us the best of luck finding My wallet. Back on the bike. We run 38 miles back and yup over the Mackinac bridge a second time. Nothing around the parking lot, the intersection. Call the police to report it gone and give them a contact number in case it turns up. I start calling credit card/debt card numbers and Karen gets rubber gloves and goes through the trash barrels outside and in the rest rooms in case some one found it and took the cash and dumped the wallet. She also checked the edge of the woods. Nothing!, bummer. Not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things. Glad that if it was going to happen it was on the way home. Much better this than a crash or major break down. Hope that karma thing comes around (remember we found and called,and returned a wallet in Fairbanks?).

We have done what we can here so lets cruise down the way we went just in case. Over the Mackinac Bridge for the third time. Down the highway back to the gas station and top it off again a 76 mile round trip. There was a McDonald's at the gas station. We had a bite and a older couple come in on a bike we talk for a bit and say our goodbyes, it's 7:30 and we have 30 miles to go to get a camp site.

Starting Mileage: 110,868

Ending Mileage: 111,209

341 for the day.......................12,111 miles for the trip so far

Location: Gaylord, MI

Day-52

It never rained last night. We headed down 210 for Duluth. Why would anyone head for Duluth? One word AeroStich!!!! We went to visit were our suits had come from. We got there just around noon time. We saw them putting suits together and they have a small show room. We were there for close to two hours. There was a other guy there. I should know his name but it escapes me right now. Maybe he'll ad it to the comments later., but I'll get back to that. So we looked at all the stuff that's in the catalog. I mentioned I needed to send in my suit when I get back there is a small place where the stitching came loose on the ballistics from my peg. No problem. one of the guys came out he was going to go on break and said it will take a little time. He needs to un-stitch the lining first, re-stitch the ballistic piece, and re-sew the lining back in. He came back which seemed to be just minutes and told me he replaced a the snap as-well. We looking around touching and playing with everything. I remembered one zipper pull was at and angle. No problem they took the jacket and it returned it with a new zipper slide. Now that's service. While we were there I called Hank, on the way we saw Hardware Hank. I forgot to tell him, but he was near the computer and had him log onto AeroStich web site and go to the outside web cam to see me with the bike and then to shipping and receiving to see Karen and then the both of us.

We left Duluth and headed over the bridge to Wisconsin. We saw Lake Superior and rode along it. We stopped in Ashland and had a bite. We crossed the rest of Wisconsin and the plan was to stop at the visitors Center get a map and find which route would be better for traveling and stopping for a campground. So we cross the boarder to Michigan and pull in the visitors center. It's 4:15 and a couple is walking towards us, and they say the visitor center is closed. We start talking and just like that the woman ask if we could go up to the grass to visit with us. We talked for a bit. I hit the bathroom and a guy came in and told us he just drove up from Macknac and said rout 2 was great and there campgrounds every 15-20 min. We told him we where looking for private, the Federal ones do not have showers. He said there where even KOAs.

So, Route 2 it is. We hit the split and you're in the National Forest and there isn't anything around. Well take a look at the pic with the deer. You can see the windscreen and how close the deer is. You can't hear the front tire groaning with the brakes near lock. We were doing 60 MPH. A few after that we come up on another bike, and two turkeys are in the road facing our direction, luckily they turned and ran off the road instead of trying to take flight in front of us. We pass the motorcycle and realize it's the guy we were talking with at AeroStich. We motioned we were pulling over. We talked and looked at maps. We ended up riding to Iron Mountain and it's close to 8 pm and going to be dark soon. We find a hotel for $40 with a pool and take a quick dip.

Starting Mileage: 110,517

Ending Mileage: 110868

351 for the day

Location Iron Mountain, MI

*****TWO DAY POST****

Day-51

We had a late night which equaled a late start. We headed east on 94 went over the line to Minneapolis.

In Moorhead we got onto 10. We went through Detroit Lakes continued on saw Amber Waves of Grain, and some old barns. We saw Turkey farms we came into Wadena and we notice a building with out a roof, then another , and another, we stopped at DQ for an Ice Cream. The building across the street was damaged with wrecked cars in the lot. We found out a F-5 tornado touched down through the center of town two weeks ago. Karen found a clip from Discovery Chanel Storm Chasers www.m.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&client=mv-google&hl=en&v=wY5rp4E10fI&fulldescription=1 I asked the obvious question, was any one hurt? He said no they had a 10 to 15 min warning. We got into Baxter and the clouds were building and rain with thunder storms to the east. We got a room.

Starting Mileage: 110,183

Ending Mileage: 110,517

334 Miles for the day

Location: Baxter, MN