Monday, August 30, 2010

Barnum to Hinckley

  • 39mi


Not a good omen, so early in the day.

Wait whats that?

This guy! This is the first time I've seen another Novara Safari, rather cool.

Epic glove tan.

Back to Hinckley.

No need to sleep, I'm getting a ride tomorrow.

This light bulb is far too interesting, anyway.

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Near Duluth to Barnum

  • 34.73mi
  • 8.0AvS


My neat little cabin.

Taking my time at Jay Cooke State Park. This is part of the visitor, build by the CCC.

Root Beer River, more formally known as the St. Louis.


A sandy beach, hidden from view. The perfect place to ignore the "no swimming" warnings.

Looking back, I should have ate him.

One of several schemes to help downplay the horrible headwind: Focus on finding more flowers.

Not shown: Nome, Moscow, and the moon.

Really the map-reading is just an excuse to sit for a while.

JUICE.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Hinckley to near Duluth

  • 84.69mi
  • 9.6AvS


Something going on in Willow River...

Moose Lake, too. I always miss the good stuff.

Mahtowa, MN. IT IS SO TRUE.

Root Beer River. More on this later.

A treat from Mahtowa.

A cabin all to myself.

Friday, August 27, 2010

St. Croix State Park to Hinckley

  • 25.85mi
  • 8.0AvS

Compare various objects(step ladder, picnic table, anything, really...) to that bus. It's a huge bus.

Cloverdale, future ghost town?

Crackers!

Always nice to spend a night in Hinckley.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

St. Croix State Park Rest Day

Not going nowhere....

St. Croix State Park highly advises one to leave the wildlife be, but enthusiastic snake-handler that I am, I decided that didn't apply to me and brought this guy back to the campsite to be admired.

Jake and the snake. Hog-nosed snake, very cute.

A handful of wintergreen.

A somewhat more substantial campsite then to which I am accustomed.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Near Spooner to St. Croix State Park

  • 70.73mi
  • 8.8AvS


Scenery sample.

First order of business in Spooner. A very generous fellow chatted with me for a bit, then insisted I take $20.

So I had a nice lunch at the Economart deli.

Back to the Gandy Dancer trail.

The imposing St. Croix River gorge.

At some point after the sun had set, I looked over my shoulder and nearly jumped off the bike. The moon, just climbing over the horizon was so massive and bright it startled me. This photo is a rather poor depiction.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Ojibwa Park to Near Spooner

  • 45.11mi
  • 7.3AvS


Good morning, spider!

The stone hall downstairs. Some kids ran around making a racket while I had my morning oatmeal.

This guy was pretty unhappy about being disturbed.

So he went up there and screamed at me.

Cheerful Stone Lake.

Road sample.

My accommodations for the night. Off camera is a pile of corn cobs and deer legs.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Smith Rapids Campground to Ojibwa Park

  • 58.29mi
  • 8.6AvS


A cozy warming shelter at the Tuscobia trailhead near Fifield.

Hey, it's that guy.

Road sample.

Scenery sample.

A dry, comfortable evening in the quiet park.