Day 26 – Superior, Wisconsin (Wednesday, May 27, 2015)
Today was my first 200km day!
I had lunch somewhere near Grand Rapids and stopped at a number of places to get fluids. It turned out to be a hot day.
I kept my mind on the road and didn’t talk much with anyone. According the forecast this was going to be the only good westerly wind in the next 7 days and I wanted to make the most of it.
When I first saw Lake Superior it surprised me how high the western approach is relative to the lake (you may be able to see from the picture.). All of Duluth and Superior can easily be seen from the west. It was an uninviting maze of highways and roads.
Duluth happens to be the most dangerous place yet in my cross country tour.
There are two causeways more than a mile long connecting Duluth to Superior. The one that I needed to take was under construction so I was forced to take a #2 detour along the north causeway. I am not sure bicycles are allowed to travel on it or not. Imagine the traffic very much like the 401 with a shoulder about one lane wide for “most” of it. Then at the very top of the overpass there is a sign saying “shoulder narrows”. Stinking bit late to turn back! It’s not exactly bicycle friendly place.
When I was finally through the cities of terror I stopped for the night at the Super 8 on the eastern outskirts of Superior. I took advantage of the room to dry out my tent from the nights of heavy dew.
One of many Mississippi river crossings. This one – which is difficult to see – is nothing but a little stream n a marsh.
Interesting town name. The town will survive.
Old houses.
First glimpse of Lake Superior after the long haul across the prairie.
