• Date Circle Tour Completed
• Favorite Spot and/or Experience
• Member

2006
In 1986 we did the circle tour too quickly. We left from Thunder Bay, went down the north shore and then crossed at the Sault. We came back along the south shore and up through Duluth and Hwy. 61 to Thunder Bay. After 20 years, I remember going into an old hotel somewhere along the south shore that had the largest wooden bar I had ever seen. Both my wife and I have always loved the Hwy 61 portion (as immortalized by Dylan), with so many waterfalls, funky villages, State Parks and amazing views. As someone who has traveled and driven in 40+ countries, it still remains one of the great drives anywhere. After driving the North Shore last year (and central Michigan), we decided to once again do the entire circle tour in 2006. This time we did the reverse direction, leaving Thunder Bay for Duluth and crossing to Bayfield and Ashland, Wisconsin. We loved Bayfield and the Apostle Islands (Madeline Island has a little bit of everything). We then drove through Ironwood, Marquette and Munising (home of shipwreck sightseeing and the Shipwreck Museum) to Sault, Michigan. We drove the North Shore on our return home. The biggest change we noticed from 1986 was the number of native casinos near the shore (11?). As people who love to do a little "gambling", we made several stops to try our luck… Our favorite parts of the drive: Highway 61, Duluth, Bayfield and the Apostles, Munising, Pancake Bay, Agawa and Rossport.
Ron & Edda Fearon, Thunder Bay, Ontario

July 22, 2006
This trip combined two destinations we wanted visit; Seney National Wildlife Refuge in Michigan and the Brent Park Market in Thunder Bay, Ontario, for delicatessens not obtainable anywhere near here. Since we live on the north shore in Minnesota, we are familiar with the stretches between Thunder Bay and Duluth/Superior as well as Bayfield. Also, we have traveled through Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula on the way to Toronto. Pictured Rocks was new to us, and we enjoyed visiting by car and then on foot. Most impressive was the lovely rugged scenery on the Ontario side of the lake.
Fritz Schmidt & Helma Scholz, Two Harbors, Minnesota

July 17, 2006
July 11-17, 2006, 1,169 miles. Great trip all the way around. Spent $4.16 per gallon for fuel in Canada. 9th year at the UMD summer program for seniors. Favorite spot/experience: Amethyst Mines in Ontario, brought samples back; saw 3 boats through the Soo Locks; Mackinaw Island, full of European student workers. Our horse driver was a student from Bulgaria who kept us in stitches!
Bob Raich, Sun Lakes, Arizona

• Date Circle Tour Completed
• Favorite Spot and/or Experience
• Member

August 2, 2006
We completed the circle tour of Lake Superior on August 2, 2006, after beginning on July 30, 2006. I took the tour in a 1989 Dodge van with my parents, wife and two of our five children. My parents are from the Iron Range and have talked about doing the tour for several years. My wife is originally from New Mexico. I think she was very pleasantly surprised by the scenery and she enjoyed shooting photos of the various lighthouses along the lake. Everyone in the party seemed to enjoy the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point and the kids enjoyed swimming in Lake Superior at the point. A side trip that my parents enjoyed was crossing the Mackinaw Bridge into lower Michigan and of course adding two more Great Lakes to their “collection.” I enjoyed the scenery, but I think Minnesota's north shore (our “back yard” is still my favorite spot: it was also more accessible for my mother who is experiencing physical problems and had to spend part of our tour in a wheelchair. I also found the Terry Fox Memorial outside Thunder Bay to be inspirational. Overall, a great trip and I am happy I got to take it with my parents.
Mitch & Shanon Roggenbuck, Roseau, Minnesota
Geofu Roggenbuck, Roseau, Minnesota
Quest Horne, Roseau, Minnesota
John & JoAnne Roggenbuck, Embarrass, Minnesota

July 17, 2006
We’ve completed the Lake Superior Circle Tour. We began on July 12 and finished on the 17th. Our favorite spot was Old Fort William. We were there on the 15th and spent the whole day. Everyone was so interesting and informative. As a teacher I sure wish my class could experience it. Unfortunately, it’s too far away. We found the museum at Neys Point really interesting. The campsites would have been perfect. Our timing that day just didn’t work out. We saw a HUGE moose in Lake Superior Provincial Park. Unfortunately, I just wasn’t quick enough to provide a Kodak moment. Great trip, though.
Jan Doolittle & Lee Wiley, Saratoga Springs, New York

July 27-30, 2006
Left Marquette on July 28th, returned July 30th. Flew in and out of Marquette. Finding out about these places I’ve always wondered about like Thunder Bay and the friendly people there and in all the little towns of the north shore. Thunder Bay to White River was indescribably beautiful. Recommendation: Fly to Marquette or Duluth and drive from there.
Joseph Golden, Chicago, Illinois

July 20, 2006
Did the Circle Tour on motorcycles with 5 other guys.
Bill Cook, Rothbury, Michigan