Sudbury Ontario to Interlochen Michigan

It is hard to believe that VROC has been gathering at Cycle-Moore Motorcycle Campground in Interlochen, Michigan for twelve years. The weekend is upon us again and this will hopefully be the last trip for the big trailer. I ordered a 5 x 10 single axle unit from PROLine in New Hampshire earlier this week which should be ready for us on September 6th.

It was a pleasant morning as we pulled out of town and headed west on Highway 17. We stopped at the picnic area beside the Spanish River to check the tie downs and found that the two on the left were loose. I tightened them again and we moved on in earnest. I began to regret getting only four hours sleep last night.

Near Iron Bridge, about 140 miles into the trip, we came upon something I have never seen on a highway before. It took a few moments to realize that the lime green jackets we were looking at were worn by two people traveling the same way we were. On Segways. On the paved portion of the two lane road. Not the safest arrangement with oncoming traffic and I am pretty sure the only people legally allowed to run them on roadways are police and mailmen. I'm not sure where they were going but they were loaded for the long haul.

Approaching the border, I stopped to switch cell phones and credit cards. On the bridge, we noted that the Canada bound traffic was lined up more than usual but still had less cars than a good day heading for the US. We got in line at 2:13 and by the time the agent admitted us, it was 2:48. Still, only cursory questions and no one has looked in our trailer in a year. I do wish at least one of the right hand truck lanes here would be restricted to trucks and trailers only.

Sault Sainte Marie (St Mary's Rapids)

Lake boat entering the US locks

Getting closer to the booths

Almost there

Since the McDonald's just over the bridge had mysteriously vanished, we went to the next exit and found one 1.2 miles off the Interstate. With food to go, we continued south on I-75 to the Mackinac Bridge and the Lower Peninsula.

I found a funny thing with the GPS as we were going along. There are three main ways to get to Traverse City. You can go on down I-75 to Gaylord and across to Kalkaska; down US 31 from Mackinaw City and then US 131 to Kalkaska; or in  Petoskey, you also have the option of staying on US 31 all the way to Traverse City along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Each time the GPS did a recalculation, it picked a different route even though the starting point for that section was always Mackinaw City. I would love to see what kind of logic the unit uses when it works out what it thinks is an optimal route, because this one changes its mind more often than a high maintenance woman,

Traffic was light and there was little traffic and no high winds going over the Mackinac Bridge. Unusual on both counts.

The Mackinac Bridge again

Sparkling Lake Michigan

Opting for the I-75 route because it was smoother and faster than US 31, we reached Gaylord at 5:30 while trying to figure out where the day had gone. We cut over to 131 and down through Mancelona to Kalkaska where we followed M 72 to Traverse City. Bypassing downtown, we arrived at the crossroads in Interlochen at around 7:00 PM. The restaurant formerly known as Giovanni's has been renamed Maddy's Tavern and had a number of Vulcans parked outside, but there was no room for the trailer. There was also a large line of vehicles ahead of us waiting to turn left towards the village. We soon found that there was a ZZ Top concert going on this evening.

Highway Patrol on I-75

Despite the crew that was out for supper, there were quite a few of our people in the campground. They had left the same space I used for the RV last year so I got located, unloaded the bike and unhooked the truck. Then we set up the inside of the trailer for living and hustled back to the crossroads to get a Subway sandwich for late supper.

Flatop had gone whole hog and ordered a full cord of wood delivered by a local vendor. It was a bit damp but was fine once it got burning. Soon, the rest of the crew arrived back from Maddy's. It was particularly nice to see Tomcat and Mouse, who have been absent for the last couple of years. Also, Bob and Linda from Warren, Pennsylvania were here for the first time and were staying in a cabin in Honor, a few miles down the road. Bob rode their Nomad 600 miles while Linda followed in the car.

We need to check out local accommodations since one of the compromises in the new trailer deal is that our camping days are over. The trailer will be too small to set the cots up in and Sandy refuses to tent again, not that I blame her.

The bonfire was nice but we were tired. Everyone else must have been too because I went to bed early and was still one of the last ones up. Not like the old days. Despite the cool evening, the trailer was comfortable with the ceramic heater (plugged into the campground 110 v) blasting away.

Today's Route (395 Avalanche/trailer miles):

20th Annual Freedom Rally

It is hard to believe that this is the 20th consecutive year the Freedom Riders have put on the Freedom Rally here in Sudbury. With the ending of Cyclefest in the Waterloo area on Labour Day weekend and the Rally In The Valley in the Ottawa area on Canada Day weekend, this is the last of the small club camping rallies that I am aware of. But our club likes to host a weekend for old friends and new to gather so we keep on doing it.

We were faced with some challenges this year as the Mine Mill Campground rented the hall that we usually use to a caravan of Airstream trailers. Rally Director Ken did an amazing job in finding new ways of doing things and what should have been a major setback became a mere blip.

I have to apologize for not taking any pictures as the weekend went on. As Treasurer, as well as having responsibility for a few other areas, I just never got around to thinking that I should record some of the activities.

We set up on Thursday. The company we rented the huge tent from to replace the hall had it set up before noon. Sandy and I put our trailer in the parking lot and set up the cots and folding picnic table inside. Then we ran some errands and helped get things ready. One of the Thursday traditions is to stuff the goody bags that are given away at registration, which we did on the open stage at the and of the hall. We had lots of help including some of the junior members and got the job done in style. As usual, a number of rallyists arrived a day early and were set up in the old camping area east of the hall.

Friday morning, final preparations were addressed. Registration started at noon and soon everyone was sporting an arm band. The portable toilets were delivered twice, once from a vendor we did not contract and then by the proper outfit. Concession was set up in the big tent, using Don's huge Featherlite trailer parked adjacent as the back room. We had an electrician member wire boards for power and had the fridges and freezers plugged in. The food choices for lunch and supper were simple, pizza, hamburgers and sausages on a bun, but I lived on them all weekend.

Old friends from southern Ontario, Eric and Sherry, were on their way to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and stopped in after noon for a quick visit. They will be passing back through on Monday and will be spending the night with us. This was the only photo in my camera after the weekend was over.

Eric, Sherry and Sandy at Mine Mill Campground

Entertainment both Friday and Saturday nights was provided by Spyder's Web Band of Sault Ste. Marie. Shirley and Mark have been entertaining at the rally for years and are part of our Freedom Riders family. The music was great, however, the stage faced the big tent and the back walls seemed to act as an amplifier. Comments were made by the campers on Saturday morning so the Saturday night tunes were cut short. We also grill hot dogs on Friday and Saturday nights, as many as you can eat for free, and the bonfire was big enough to see from outer space. In the morning, coffee and a continental breakfast were complimentary. Sandy was one of the people making sure this happened.

Saturday, Rob took a group ride out for most of the day. Sunday afternoon, we held motorcycle games on the property. Sunday evening, we had a banquet catered by Classic Catering. It was a fine meal and no one went hungry. After dinner, awards and prizes were handed out. The final night is usually pretty laid back as everyone contemplates tear down and the trip home in the morning.

Monday morning, everyone pulled together and we had everything squared away quite early. The weather was great except for one quick rainstorm that blew through on Saturday afternoon. All in all despite the issues we had to deal with, this was one of our best rallies.

Monday evening, Eric and Sherry did stop by the house for the night and even brought meat loaf and potato salad for supper. We haven't seen much of them in a few years and it was good to catch up. Eric and I had a chance to compare notes on some of our relative accounting jobs. OK, it would have bored anyone else stiff, but we are both bean counters by nature.

Trip Summary

Here are the key statistics for the trip.

Twenty-one days
5,853 truck/trailer miles - Average 10.9 MP(US)G
725 motorcycle miles - Average 36.6 MP(US)G

It may seem crazy to cover this kind of ground just for a few days riding with friends. But this is what we do and these aren't just any friends. We spent time with amazing people and saw some awesome roads and scenery. We'll do it again.

You will note that the mileage towing the big trailer was less than ideal. I had a plan and it looks like I didn't think it through. This unit pushes almost fifty square feet of frontage through the air, a lot of it beyond the hole punched by the truck. The ability to carry a second bike is nice but is costing too much. I think it is time we backtracked and got a smaller trailer.

I like the Pro-line construction, though. They make a nice 5 x 10 V-nose that only weighs 900 pounds. Towing our old 5 x 10 square nose Car-Mate gave us almost 14 MP(US)G and I have every reason to believe a lighter V that is six inches shorter will do better, leading to a probable 50% improvement in fuel economy. This unit is too narrow for our two cots, so it will probably mean going back to a tent for the two weekends we actually do camp. On the plus side, we have the truck and aren't limited by the size constraints associated with motorcycle travel.

The truck was making an unusual growling noise at low speeds. This just started recently and we'll see what the local shop says about it. It has been my experience that ignoring something like this will bite you later, usually at the most inconvenient moment.

Anyway,we are back and regrouping. The upcoming weekend is the 20th Annual Freedom Rally here in Sudbury. The next weekend is the VROC Interlochen Rally and then there is the MS Ride in Kitchener on the 25th. In September, we will be traveling to Eureka Springs, Arkansas which will probably be our final run of the regular season.

Auburn Indiana to Sudbury Ontario

The dawn of the last day of a road trip is always a bittersweet experience. It seemed like I was still on Arizona time as I dragged myself out of bed later than planned. Or maybe it was going to sleep at 2:00 AM after finishing a couple of blog days (only one behind now) and posting the receipts so I could make a list of purchases for the Customs Man. Regardless of the reason, Sandy was up and moving briskly while I struggled.

After enjoying the usual continental breakfast (Raisin Bran and yogurt), we checked out, fueled at a nearby Speedway and were northbound on I-69 under partly cloudy skies at 7:45 AM. I had decided to go via the Soo to avoid Friday southern Ontario traffic.

We crossed the Michigan line early and appreciated the road work they did a few years ago on this interstate. It was much better than the jolt we get when we enter the state on I-75.

Welcome to Michigan

And a special welcome to Michigan

We made a fast stop in Pottersville for second breakfast to go from McDonald's. You may have noticed we have been supporting Ronald quite a bit on this trip. It is quick, relatively consistent and Sandy has become addicted to their Blueberry-Pomegranate Smoothies. This was a smart marketing move on McD's part since a large smoothie easily makes up 1/3rd of our typical bill. This location had a place for truck parking but it was full of trucks so we had to park across the street.

We fueled again at a small and congested Speedway in Clare, Michigan. This tank would get us all the way to the Soo. Traffic was busy as people appeared to be heading north for their weekend getaway. After connecting with I-75, the winds picked up and got gusty around Gaylord.

Along this stretch, we heard on the radio that a squirrel had tested positive for bubonic plague in the Angeles National Forest in California. There was a sense of connection because this large tract lies south of Highway 14 and the Pearblossom Highway, part of our recent route.

Lower Peninsula trees - so unlike the southwest

As we approached the Mackinac Bridge, the winds died down. The temperature was a seasonal 75 F and we had a pleasant crossing with both lanes open all the way across Big Mac.

Ancient GM RV for Kudzu

Another view

A good day on the Big Mac

Welcome to the UP

Once in the Upper Peninsula, the traffic volume dropped significantly. There was a line of orange barrels reducing us to one lane all the way to the Detour Village exit. All those barrels and not a single sign that any construction was going on. And whoever set the barrels out put them on our side of the dotted line, further reducing our path. A few were out of line so I had to hang the trailer wheel over the line on the left. Luckily, there was new asphalt and they hadn't cut in the rumble strips yet.

Orange barrels in the UP

This part of the UP looks like Nebraska

The final gas stop was at what used to be the Citgo in Soo, Michigan. It is now a Krist and actually has pay-at-the-pump. This wasn't the only change as the McDonald's next door has completely disappeared. I have to note that the UP gas prices are steep but still nowhere near as bad as Canadia.

Michigan  gas prices

We started over the International Bridge at 3:18. I paid the toll in Canadian funds since they were taking it at par. The line to get into the USA was, as usual, lined up more than half way across the bridge. The Canadian side was longer than usual, too, but was only a fraction of what the southbound had to deal with.

The Border Agent, a pleasant young man we have encountered before, asked where we were coming from. I told him we had gotten as far as Solvang, California and he asked if we had gone there and then just turned around a come back. I told him that was pretty much how it was. He smiled and welcomed us home without looking in the trailer.

Toll booths on the International Bridge

US bound traffic line up

The flags mark the border

Black clouds to the west

Canada bound shorter line up

Urban renewal near the bridge

Canadian Customs

Once on Canadian soil, we took the truck route up to the Second Line and stopped at Last Minute Mama's as we had promised on the way west. Spyder was installing a new shelf on the trailer and told us business had been very good. Melissa, Spyder's wife, was also there with her Avalanche. As we ordered stuffed chicken wings to go, pizza for me and broccoli and cheese for Sandy, the thunder, lightning and rain began. We said goodbye (we'll be seeing both of them at the Freedom Rally in Sudbury next weekend) and hit the road for the last leg of the trip.

Melissa and Sandy

Spyder, master craftsman

It rained steadily as we headed east but really picked up in intensity between Bruce Mines and Iron Bridge, a stretch of thirty miles. For some of it, I was down to 40 MPH with the four way flashers going due to poor visibility. This was the first real rain we have seen since South Dakota on day two of the trip. As we approached Blind River, the rain eased and then stopped but the winds got gusty. The last ninety miles was pleasantly uneventful.

Heavy rain

Not so heavy rain

We crossed the Greater Sudbury city limit (only thirty more miles) at 7:40 PM and got to our driveway just before 8:30. Although we were tired, I unloaded the bike, unhooked the trailer and we brought all the bags inside before settling down.

Only thirty more miles

Typical Sudbury landscape

This was a good trip and I will post a summary soon.

Today's Route (603 Avalanche/trailer miles):

Springfield Missouri to Auburn Indiana

We left Springfield just after 7:00 AM Central time. It was a still morning, clear and cool but not cold. From here, we were on our regular commute path to and from Eureka Springs, Arkansas so the rest of the way will be familiar.

Seen as we were leaving Springfield

As we drove up and down the grades on I-44, I came up with a hypothesis as to why truckers move to the left lane when they pass vehicles stopped on the shoulder. It isn't for safety, it is because they are bored and are looking for any variety they can find. 

The trucker's XM channel was talking about the North American Fatigue Management Program, developed in Alberta to look into ways to tired over-the-road drivers. After experiencing just that on many days of this trip and believing it was a contributing factor to my vertigo issues (which returned yesterday), I need to look into this.

I suspect another cause of my personal problem is a lack of hydration. Reflecting back, I haven't had hardly any water on the days I had trouble. Today, I will hydrate liberally and see what happens.

Fog at Piney River Valley near Fort Leonard Wood

Rolling Missouri sans fog

Amazing that we can't see ourselves

We stopped at a McDonald's in Rolla where a very cheerful guy served us breakfast. I also paused at a gas station there just to scrape the bugs off the windshield. There was a fuel stop in St. Clair, near St. Louis. This was where we met that tour bus last fall on our way to ES. As I was watching the pump, two Sheriff's Deputy cars went by on the cross road, sirens and lights going and pedal to the metal. Those Chargers sure can move when they have to.

We went through St. Louis on I-44. Just as we were starting up the ramp to I-55, a truck ahead of us towing a trailer with ladders and building materials came to a sudden stop. I wish the lights on his trailer worked. I was glad both my trailer lights and brakes were functional because I barely avoided hitting him while the car behind managed to avoid me. It turns out that another car broken down on the ramp was the cause of the initial stop.

Gateway to the West (Defiance, anyone?)

No trailer lights

The cause of the bottleneck

Leaving Missouri, we followed I-55/I-70 to where they split. This is where, in 1978, Sandy didn't tell me she saw the sign for Indianapolis as I was passing a tanker throwing stones and gravel on us. The next exit on the way to Chicago was about ten miles up the road. We still talk about this.

Our infamous exit

Gas just across the Illinois border was $3.81 per gallon. Luckily, we didn't need any at that particular moment. We stopped at the welcome centre where I found a nice bench in the shade with a cool wind blowing and I rested my eyes for a few moments.

Just out of the rest area,  we encountered a construction zone with single lane traffic. The sign said the speed limit was 45 MPH, photo enforced, with a $375 minimum fine. No problem there because the traffic was crawling bumper to bumper until we got past the flag person. Then we got up to speed again.

Slow moving Illinois construction

I-70 across the Land Of Lincoln looks pretty flat but it is actually mostly a gradual uphill climb. Both ways, it seems. But the land is green and lush, the very ideal that goes through my head when I think of Robert Heinlein's Green Hills of Earth. Mid-state, gas prices were $3.59, much more reasonable than out first impression.

A quick gas and lunch to-go stop in Casey gave me a chuckle. As we pulled out, the GPS said it was 106 miles to Indianapolis. It wasn't dark but we had a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes and I was wearing sunglasses, so I hit it:-)

I got my daily quote from comedian Steve Gilliland along this stretch:

"Labeling is disabling. You have to appreciate all people."

Effingham Illinois

We crossed into Indiana near Terre Haute. 

Indiana wants me.....

I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash (hidden behind the trees)

Indiana was so nice for the first five miles. Then we reached the first construction zone. Everyone stopped. We eventually crawled down to the merge and traffic started moving. Then it was back to four lanes for a couple of miles before we all stopped and went through the process again. We did this four times so it took us two hours to cover 30 miles. I have no idea why we spent so much time stopped since we never saw any flaggers. In fact, in the whole stretch we only saw one crew doing any work at all.

No one going anywhere quickly in Indiana

This was the only crew working in 30 miles of construction zone

Another stop and go line on I-70

An another

Eventually, we cleared the orange barrels (I really should see who makes these and buy stock) and continued to Indianapolis. I had targeted Fort Wayne as our destination for the day but remembered that I don't much like that city. Twenty miles north is the pleasant community of Auburn, Indiana where we have stayed before so I reset the GPS.

The infernal Garmin wanted to take me through Indy on I-70 but it was near rush hour and I opted for our usual route on the south I-465 loop. Traffic was busy but flowing well and we soon had Circle City in our rear view mirror as we plugged along on I-69 North. I made one more gas stop in Muncie where we got Subway to take with us. The wind was neutral, the grades were slight, the traffic was minimal and the driving was very pleasant. Somewhere along here, we gave back our last hour as we entered the Eastern Time Zone.

The Super 8 in Auburn had lots of room in its parking lot. In our ground floor room, we ate our sandwich and I posted the receipts so I could make a list of what we bought for the Customs Man tomorrow. Then we walked next door to Walmart for water bottles (the hydration worked very well at keeping me focused today), a box of 5 Hour Energy and some more flavoured coffee creamer singles (no Irish Cream in stock). Back in the room, I finished another couple of blog days and got to bed late. This will hurt tomorrow as we run the final six hundred miles to home.

I've been thinking about traveling across the USA at five or six hundred miles per day. Each evening, it is like you are in a different country. Accents, idioms, customs and dress change. But, amid all these differences, Wally World remains the same. There is a message in there somewhere.

Today's Route (597 Avalanche/trailer miles):