A last stop near the end of HW-2 in the U. P., Mackinaw Bridge. Then north to Canada. Sault Sainte Marie was worth a few pictures, but I was intent on avoiding a thunderstorm and kept driving. Once past the Canadian Sault Sainte Marie (yes, there actually is a Michigan version), if you’re headed to Ottawa …
Author Archives: swan
Iron country
You pass through iron country if you follow HW-2 into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Many of the towns boast iron in the name, the rest stops are advertised with a metal sign in the shape of a miner, and you can take tours of an old iron mine along the way. Main Street Cafe in …
Ashland, WI
Sometimes unplanned stops in downpours lead to nice experiences the next morning, like the best coffee since Portland. The menu was impressive. Usually my experience in a coffee shop goes something like this: –“I’ll have a small cappuccino, please.” –“The twelve ounce or the sixteen ounce?” The downtown is worth a stroll. Make sure to go toward …
Bayfield, WI
Bayfield, WI is worth a visit. The fried Lake Superior whitefish livers are delicious and the waterfront is lovely.
Entering Wisconsin
Historical detour along the way to Bayfield, heading along the south shore of Lake Superior. I guess you can drive on the lawn if you have a disability? Note the decrepit land bridge to the right of the immaculate homestead . It is Wisconsin’s last Queen-Post bridge, moved to its present location by members of the Old …
Off to Duluth
Minnesota is the land of Paul Bunyan. Although I did see at least one place in the U.P. attempt to claim him, Minnesota wins by sheer number. Perhaps the best stop on the way to Duluth was at a lovely park. In case you don’t like the Star Wars angle of the historical marker (not …
Airstream aside; or, Detroit Lakes, MN
I meant to spend the evening by the beach, but the Airstream had other ideas.
Little Yellowstone
Before leaving North Dakota, I followed a scenic drive down to the Fort Ransom and “Little Yellowstone” area. This started with another grain elevator in Kathryn. And provided stops at old Lutheran churches. In North Dakota you can’t really avoid Lutheran churches. Or golden fields of hay. Or Vikings, for that matter. They seem to …
Jamestown, ND
Having veered from HW-2 due to its four-lane nature, I ventured down to Jamestown, birthplace of Louis L’amour. On the way, I passed this old pullman car. Pullman cars were made famous by Lincoln’s funeral train; this particular car was transported with great effort, I’m told, something involving getting stuck in one of the ubiquitous …
North Dakota and a Town called Towner
HW-2 becomes disappointing quite quickly in North Dakota, as it has been widened to four lanes and bypasses almost all of the nearby communities — some historically, some not. If you’re camping in North Dakota, be sure to pick a site well back from any dirt roads, regardless of the posted speed limit. North Dakotans …