Day 49 Iron River MI to Iron Mountain MI

August 5, 2023

It was 52° when we got up this morning so we layered up. When we left the warm showers we decided to get on the bike trail that Maggie showed us. It didn’t start out too great but was better than being on the road. We came to a bike sign that the bike was facing the wrong way. We thought we would have a 3000 ft downhill but it was a 3000 foot uphill! That was our first of many pushes today. We came across a group of deer that really weren’t afraid of us. I was able to get one picture. The trail got nicer but eventually like most days we had to turn and it was a dirt/gravel road. We only had to ride 2 1/2 miles on it so off we went. We didn’t get far when we had to push. UGH! We are getting tired of this. It really slows us down. We made it through and ended up back on pavement. It is so amazing when you turn onto really nice pavement after being on a stressful ride of dirt and gravel. We stopped at a park on a lake and next thing you know

Couldn’t believe how friendly the deer were

Me pushing up the hill on the dirt road. It doesn’t look like much of hill in the picture but it was

Our visitors at the lake to ask about our trip

This is Doris and her 2 grandsons, Cowan and Truit. She was so excited for us. She even went home and brought back homemade blueberry muffins plus other snacks she thought we would need. Not only that, she offered to take us around the lake in her pontoon boat. How thought and generous were thy. 🥰

This is Jeff and Lisa. They are bikers also and Jeff had some questions about our bikes. Hope they start to do some overnight riding trips

We thought we had loaded bikes. These bikers are only out for a couple of days

a woman(Doris) and her 2 grandsons (Cowan & Truit) came to find out about our ride. She got so excited, she went home to bring us some homemade blueberry muffins. Not only that, she brought other snacks she thought we would need. It’s awesome the generosity people exude. She even offered to take us on a boat ride on the lake. It would of been great but we still had another 22 miles to go. Thank you Doris for being you. 🥰. She took our picture for us also. After lunch we were coming out of a convenience store and a guy (Jeff) came over to talk to Hubs about the bike. His wife (Lisa) was with him too. She said they are bikers but have not done any over nights yet. Jeff said they are day riders. Hubs said, We are day riders too. 🙂. As we continued we were directed by GPS to get off the main road. This is where Hubs called our day a Washboard. It was relentless ups and downs so close to each other we were pushing a lot as we never got the momentum to go from down to up. When we finally got back on route 2 we decided to stay on it right into Iron Mountain even though the GPS wanted us to turn again. So glad to see our motel. As we were leaving to walk to dinner we noticed 2 motorcycles in the next room. Boy, we thought we had loaded bikes. We couldn’t believe their bikes and they were only out for a couple of days. Our wine tonight seemed a bit better pour than our last ones. Tomorrow we head to Escabana MI.

Today's ride: 44 miles (71 km)
Total: 1,680 miles (2,704 km)

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Phil/Ann DettwilerThought about you guys several times today -- the temps here were decent. Sounds like the ride was a rough one, however. Surely tomorrow will be better....and the wine glasses will be bigger and completely full! I cleaned the sinks today and as I scrubbed the bathroom ones I thought: "Lois won't be doing this for several months!" Know you are on our minds, good people! So happy with our connection! Ann & Phil
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8 months ago

Lois AlexanderThe temps here got nice as we rode. One of these days we will have a real good dinner and great wine. Six years ago we seemed to fine great restaurants but not on this trip. I laugh as my thing for this trip was I wouldn’t have to cook for months. Some way we all need to get together again.
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8 months ago

Debbie ColeWe have our second warm showers guest today. A delightful young woman from north of Montreal. She'll be staying with us a couple of nights. So glad you guys turned us on to this.
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8 months ago

Doris LeeIt was so very nice to meet you both and learn about your trip. You are both amazing and I'm so impressed. Wish you could have stayed longer and gone for a pontoon ride around our beautiful Stager Lake. Best of luck in the rest of your travels.
If you need any help while you are in the beautiful Upper Peninsula of MI, let us know and we will try to help you. (906) 282-1360. Doris J. Lee
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8 months ago

Lois AlexanderTo Debbie ColeThat’s awesome. It is a nice way to meet great people. So glad you joined.
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8 months ago

Lois AlexanderTo Doris LeeIt was wonderful to meet you too. We never know where or when we will meet people but that is mostly what the trip is about. Life is so short so we need to get out more and mingle.
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8 months ago

Doris LeeHope you continue to have a safe trip. It was so nice meeting you both. I will be following your trip.
Doris
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8 months ago