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The following report of the 06 Jim Hogan Fun Run >
http://www.wolfsheadrally.com/jimhogan/index.html
< is dedicated to Donna, who poor girl, must be much
dumber than she looks She actually admitted to
reading some of my trip reports and even liking and
saving some. Of course, it may not be a matter of
being simply a "dim bulb", perhaps it is that her
tastes in reading material, is simply another
manifestation of her insanity. Since I first met
her, 5 riding seasons ago, she has ridden over
125,000 miles and has completed more IBA rides than
I can remember, ergo, an insane rider by definition.
As some know the Hogan Run is to Ely, MN, near where
Charles Kerault wrote about "The Road to Nowhere" ,
to raise funds for MS and provide motorcycle rides
for people with MS. More information may be found at
the above link. I went up a couple of days early to
camp on the shores of the big Lake, something I have
to do every summer, having begun the habit in the
early 50's. Kinda like a "spiritual thing" and go
through "Lake withdrawal syndrome" if miss a year.
Checking the rig over the day before departure, I
sorrowfully noted the rear tire was beyond due for
replacement and calls revealed no tire available
locally. Luckily the tug used the same rear
wheel/tire as my solo bike so interchanged them
although that tire was also rather worn. Next
morning up and on the road about 8, planning a
leisurely day up 53 to Duluth and then up the North
Shore scenic drive to Schroeder where had made
campground reservations. Since did not want to run
out of tire in the middle of the Minnesota
wilderness (being allergic to lions, tigers and
bears as well as things that go "bump" in the night,
I decided to stoppe at each motorbike shoppe
encountered along the way until I found a new tire.
Luckily, at the second such shoppe >kickstandmotorsports.com<
and they were most friendly, helpful and quite
willing to work on a sidecar outfit.
With rear tire worries behind me, continued,
under blue skies with wisps of clouds northward.
Thought about stopping at Aerostitch, but figured
this could be another trip which would include a
visit with Jerry, who got me into this mess of long
distance traveling to begin with. Tis always
refreshing, NO! ---- absolutely
exhilarating when first encounter the "Lake
Effect", the breezes, coolness, lake side
vegetation/forests, granite of the Canadian Shield,
blueness of the sky/water and thee crisp, unpolluted
air of the North Shore. On up 61, through Two
Harbors where the Wolf's Head Lake Superior circuit
begins and ends, past the notorious Betty's Pies and
Pastys, where the pies are legendary and arguments
may sometimes be heard about if one puts gravy, or
ketchup on pastys, or devours them plain. Arrived at
Lamb's Campground > www.boreal.org/lambsewsourt
< to find it among "my kind" of campgrounds.
Secluded, wooded sites are available as are lake
side ones, although a sufficient number of people
like the facilities that lakeside sites are often
reserved from year to year. Leisurely day, 233
miles.
Friday, along the lake shore up to Grand Marais,
a town, that just from appearance looks like a good
place to live, until one stops to consider North
Shore winters. Of course this be the home of LD Hack
so perchance one can ride longer with the right
gear. Have passed through Grand Marais a number of
times on Lake Superior circuits, but never took the
time to ride the Gunflint Trail, 57 miles into the
wilderness and back again, so did so this time. Glad
I did. Here it tis the end of June and spring was in
full bloom on the trail. Rode through miles and
miles of a veritable rainbow. The whites and yellows
of daisies, yellow buttercups, red/orange of the
Indian paintbrushes, pinks and vermilions of the
wild roses, bluebells, and the varying shades of the
mountain lupine. I like the lupine, have tried to
cultivate them at home, but, regrettably, to no
avail.
Had been warned when stopped for trail
information about moose and bear. Didn't encounter
any. Did meet 2 deer but they responded quite
appropriately to the 135 db horns that replaced the
puny originals. Ha, I note that in the 06 summer
catalog that Mr. Goldfine only offers 132 db ones.
Did, upon coming over a sharp hill encounter a ram
(Dodge) sitting crossways in the road blocking both
lanes, preparing to back into a driveway. Was very
glad had larned at my Granpappys knee never sit with
one's back to the door and never overdrive your
vision. If had been going faster would have had to
choose between the pines on either side or a T-bone.
A good day that got worse when had a bit of rain
late afternoon/early evening. Sat under umbrella and
had standard (for me) trail supper. Broccoli salad,
kippered herring and Rye Krisp, Hi Fiber - must keep
regular, don'tcha know.
Packed damp next morning, road south to Hi
Way 1, which would bring me to Ely on 60, or so
miles. It rained for the first 20/30 minutes.
Somewhere in the rain, before turning onto Hiway 1,
I passed the aforementioned Donna, but didn't
recognize her as she be in a cage, due to injured
thumb. Have already discussed the "most
unappreciated appendage" elsewhere, so will not do
it here. She reported, later, wondering who might be
approaching in the lime (Yeeeeshhh!!!!)
Darian, but upon closing and seeing the distinctive
colors of the rig ( coloration still suggests to me,
the interior decor of a Persian Pleasure Palace, but
never having been there, I not be sure) she tried to
roll down window to wave, but was not fast nuff.
Hiway 1!!!! Have ridden it a number of times.
Have never been to Deals Gap and have no desire to
go. Rather prefer to find out which way crowd be
going and go the other direction. Hiway 1 is 60, or
so miles of hills, curves, twisties and scenery --
FANTASTIC!!! One may encounter 10 or 20 other
vehicles and locals know what bikers like and
frequently pull over so they don't slow one down.
Heaven would be something like riding it each
morning. Usually, get to ride it only once,
returning home from Ely. Having gone up early I got
to ride it twice. Oh, Frabalous Joy!!! (The best
part is the part we didn't quite get to, CR, on the
Wolf's Head trip.)
Another delightful ride is US 41 from Phoenix to
Copper Harbor where the road ends on the UP of
Michigan
Got to Ely mid morning, set up lake shore camp,
went for swim, toured International Wolf Center
http://www.wolf.org/wolves/index.asp <, bought
CD of wolves howling, loons looning and the
like. Always like to camp lakeside, Ely as go to
sleep and wake up to the loons, something not hear
at home. Although, at one time had a loon in the
bathtub that ate minnows - that be another story,
though.
Group arrived mid afternoon, camp set up, motels
checked into and rides given. with police escort to
edge of town Old friends met (Flagman and
beagle, Buddy) up from South Carolina), new friends
made a good dinner served, all under blue sky with
billowing white clouds. After dinner and door prizes
an Ely Canine Patrol officer provided a half hour
demonstration of how dog is used to bring down "bad
guys", detect drugs and the like. Must say something
about those present, when the dogs drug detection
skills were mentioned, no one left.
Campfire and campfire talk. Skeeters, large as
hummingbirds, or so it seemed, swarmed. BUT, during
SKUNK Rally CR had introduced me to a new, non-deet
repellant, recently federally approved, and I'm here
to tell you my friends, that it works, at least for
my body chemistry. Not a single bite. It be "Repel:
Plant based lemon/eucalyptus insect repellent" and
got it at Wal-Mart.
To bed with the loons, awoke to the loons,
decamped, back down the 57 miles of twisties with
Kevin and his monkey John. After about 80 miles to
Two Harbors we breakfasted and under delightful
skies with a wind at our backs, we headed home,
Kevin and John dropping off at Rice Lake, me on to
Menomonie.
People met:
The couple in their 60's that way back when lived
together for several years, than decided to get
married. Within a year they separated as a result of
booze, drugs and "gallavanting". Neither sought a
divorce. 20 years later they got back together,
fought like cats and dogs for the first 6 months and
then decided it was ridiculous to fight and have
lived quite happily together ever since.
The retired couple. Some years ago a neighbor
lady, quite excitedly and out of breath, knocked on
their door. When she settled she uttered, "I want to
buy your business." They had not thought of selling,
but 2 weeks later the sale was finalized. Someone
asked him, "Now, what are you going to do with
yourselves?" They hadn't thought about it, but
after a moment he replied, I'd like to get an RV and
see the country. She on the other hand grew up in a
family where mom didn't drive and as a result of a
medical condition dad couldn't for a number of
years. So she never road in a vehicle regularly
until about 13, and never for long distances after
that. As the story is told, they got an RV and
headed south from Minnesota. Got to a park in
Arkansas and ranger asked where they were going and
was told that they didn't know but were glad that
they had arrived at the park. Apparently the last
umpty ump miles had been a frightening, white
knuckle experience for the Mrs. and she was
apprehensive about continuing. Ranger asked if they
had come over Hiway 7 (I believe it was) and they
indicated they had. He responded , in that case they
would have no fear of future roads as it was a
challenge to all. He was right and they have been
traveling since.
Some pictures available below.
So endeth the 06 Hogan
Gust, who has never met a person he couldn't
learn from |
Flagman
in the midst of a barrel roll.