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Lake Superior Circle Tour Club  Member
Comments Join today. Send comments and trip details to: Circle Tour Club P.O. Box 16417 Duluth, MN 55816-0417 or E-Mail: CircleTourClub@lakesuperior.com |
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Lake Superior Circle Tour Club Member
Comments Join today. Send comments and trip details to: Circle Tour Club P.O. Box 16417 Duluth, MN 55816-0417 or E-Mail: CircleTourClub@lakesuperior.com |
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August 19, 2009 A friend and I just completed the Lake Superior Tour (1790 miles from August 13 to August19, 2009). From the Big Mac west on Two over to Duluth, then up and around the northern top of the lake, we found ourselves in a journey that provided us with natural beauty and human joy. We loved the re-enactments, the aquariums, and the visitor centers. But for me, my personal favorite spot is in the Nipigon Historical Museum. First of all, I was attracted by the colorful banners along the highway announcing Red Rock and Nipigon. Then when we drove into the town, we found a community working to create an attractive public square complete with a monument which celebrates the great canoeing history of the area. What makes the Nipigon Historical Museum so great is the people who were there to greet us, and in particular the young man whose knowledge of the area helped us understand more about the community. And yes, one other note. Driving around Lake Superior, one cannot help but note that what it is all about is “rocks, lakes, and trees.” But then along the way we came across a book entitled “There is more to Northern Ontario than rocks, trees and lakes.” The title broke us up - and the stories within truly did make it clear that there is a very real human tale to be studied when doing the Lake Superior Circle Tour. What a joy. Rev. Karen Blatt, Beaverton, Michigan August 2008 We went via bicycle! I loved Lake Superior Provincial Park. My fav!! Erika Drengler, Estacada, Oregon July 26, 2009 We completed the Circle Tour July 17-26, 2009. Our favorite spots and experiences were Canal Park & the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge, waterfalls, especially Devil’s Kettle & the lower falls, Kakabeka, Rainbow & Sand River falls. The rocky shoreline at Rossport. The pebble beach at Pancake Bay. And, of course, Cat Bay on the Keweenaw Peninsula. Dane & Elaine & Shamus Andree, Byrnes Mill, Missouri August 2009 First: please send my window sticker. Second: your website page calls out doing the loop by car or boat. For those who know, the absolute best way to do it is by motorcycle and that is what I did. Went by myself and met very good people all the way. Third point, and this is serious and I would urge you to contact the Gogebic County Road Commission (I intend to myself but maybe your organization would have more impact), and if this is common practice in many Michigan counties they should be advised as well, I was on CR505, nice paved road with a 55 mph limit, when at the very beginning of loose gravel I spot a sign that says “Loose Gravel,” virtually no warning. There should be at least two signs - at 500 and at 100 feet ahead of where the gravel starts. You do not want to hit loose gravel on a motorcycle at 55 mph (I somehow reacted fast enough, locked up the brakes and hit the gravel at some speed that proved to be safe enough, but still faster than I would have preferred). This is an extremely dangerous situation. Worse - heading north on the Black River Road, a national scenic highway, out of nowhere loose gravel again and this time no sign at all (coming south on this section there was a sign, but again it was right where the gravel started and not adequate for a warning). This time I saw a change in the road color far enough ahead to make a less than panic stop and hit the gravel at a safe speed. Started out in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario, and ended in Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. Total loop for me with a fair number of side trips was 1,587 miles. Stayed in Schreiber, Ontario, Two Harbors, Minnesota, Ontonagon, Michigan and Michigami, Michigan. Averaged about 330 miles per day. If I do it again, I will take 6 days to go around instead of 5. Some of my favorite places (cannot list them all): Soo Locks - watched a freighter pass through, Aguasabon Falls and Gorge, Wawa, Ontario - with its Goose and great Dutch soup at the Columbia Café, Devil Kettle Falls, Judge Magney State Park in Minnesota (Grand Portage State Park with the largest falls in Minnesota was closed) - 180 stair steps (plus) to falls. Thunder Bay, Ontario - Harley-Davidson store - complete with an attached bowling alley! Grand Portage National Monument - where fur traders held their annual rendezvous. I wanted to see, but missed, Duluth Skyline Parkway - couldn't find it - poor signs coming from the north on Highway 61. Lake of the Clouds, Porcupine Wilderness State Park. Great room at Scott’s Superior Lake Inn in Ontonagon. Keweenaw Peninsula - great side roads/trips. Beer at the Harbor Haus in Copper Harbor. Munising Falls - 89 stair steps on the right side going up, did not count the left side. Miners Castle and Pictured Rocks. Grand Marais (Michigan) - craft brewing pub in town, beautiful bay, great motorcycle road - H58 going west to dunes and a lighthouse (road turned to gravel before lighthouse - so I missed it - had enough of gravel on this trip). Tahquamenon Upper Falls - 94 stair steps to brink, 116 to gorge (I skipped the gorge), Tahquamenon Lower Falls - no stair steps - Whoopee! Alan W. Kennedy, Novi, Michigan |
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