Left St Ignace this morning as the sun was breaking the horizon of Lake Michigan. HWY 2, dubbed the Great Northern, in memory of the pioneer railroad, is truly the most stunning and unforgettable, not to mention the longest, of all the great transcontinental two laners. The day would take me along the shoreline of Lake Michigan, into and out of Wisconsin, an opportunity to fully experience the "Lake Effect", eating a pasty for the first time, and coming face to face with Bigfoot.
The Mackinac Bridge at St Ingance is what locals like to call the "Eighth Wonder of the World". It is one of the longest suspension bridges in the world at 7.400 feet (with its approaches, the total length is over five miles). Total length of wire in main cables is 42,000 miles.
Sand dunes, grasses, waves, never ending horizon. For a moment it seemed as if I could be standing along an ocean shore.
Signs along the road for pasties Jack's Pasty, Mary's Pasty, Bill's Pasty. Best pasty in the UP. (That's upper peninsula) Had to have one. Stopped at Dobber's Pasties in Escanaba. Taylor handed me a hot out of the oven with gravy meat pasty. Shared the history of the pasty with me. When the iron mines were in full operation in the UP the miners wife's would put together the dinner left overs in a dough pie. Bake until perfectly crisp crust. Still a main stay in the area. They bake hundreds of pasties a day at Dobbers. It was a four calendar experience.
Big miner with a pick beside the road. Got my attention. Iron Mountain mine. Began mining in last 1800's. Ore was transported by rail to the Great Lakes, loaded on steamers, shipped across the lake, ending up in the iron foundries in PA.
Near Crystal Falls movement in the woods along the side of the road caught my attention. Could it be Bigfoot. Definitely well know for sightings in the area.
Hit the brakes, pulled to the side of the road in a spray of gravel. Yes, it was Bigfoot. What was that on his head? A cap? Was that what I thought it was? Cap with Harley logo? Should I try to make contact with a fellow biker? He WAS wearing a biker vest.
Pulled into the Bigfoot Hideway Motel in Crystal Falls. He followed me to the parking lot. He pointed to my bike. Let me tell you, when Bigfoot points you respond.
Before I knew it...Bigfoot was in the saddle. He was a Biker Bigfoot at heart...and the grin on his face said it all as he patted the tank with a loving hand.
Kickstand down Crystal Falls, MI 230 miles. Enjoying a moment with a new biker buddy on HWY 2.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
Kickstand down Crystal Falls, MI 230 miles. Enjoying a moment with a new biker buddy on HWY 2.
be strong, be safe, Carlan
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