Beminji MN to Hayward WI

June 16th , 2025

There were Thunder showers in the forcast for around 9:30 am so I awoke early around 5. I got up and went to take a shower before making coffee. The bathroom at this KOA is pretty. Someone has painted pictures of different types of flowers on each of the toilet stalls as well as the showers. They also painted around each of the windows. The valences over the windows had chickadees and bluebirds on them.

After coffee I packed up quickly, and was out of camp by 7 am. My first stop was breakfast at the Country Kitchen. I had scrambled eggs, bacon, french toast and hashbrowns. A rainy day special. My other order of business, is to tighten my chain. There was an auto zone down the street, so I was able to buy some more of the chain lube. Yay! Now to visit the Paul Bunion and Blue Ox park downtown. I was happy to see that you could walk around and enjoy the park part eventhough the museum wasn't open until 9 am. I was able to get my pictures, but I was not able to get the bike in the shot. There were police and people preparing for a run with the torch run around town, blocking the entrance.

I went across the street for gas, and put my frog togs on just as the rain started. I was following Route 2 , for most of the way. It was a two way highway and went through the Chippewa National Forest. It was a beautiful tree lined 60 mph road. I came upon two cars pulled over. There was a dead bear in front of the first car. I assume that the car had hit the bear. I drove a bit more carefully after that, and kept my eyes alert for animals. I finally caught up to a bit of brighter skies, so I stopped In Deer River for gas. Deer River appeared to be a town that loves fishing. There was a huge painted Carp fish as decoration at the gas station. With a bit of a break in the weather, I pulled the bike over to a level spot in the parking lot and prepared to do my chain work. As I did so, A nice guy pulling a trailer with 2 BMW motocycles in it, stopped to chat. He was on his way to Ashville NC to ride. I told him about the Iron Horse Motocycle Lodge in Staccoa NC. We chatted for a bit and then I got back to my chain maintenance. I had time to clean and lube my chain, but it started to sprinkle, so the tightening would have to wait again.

I continued on and stopped for gas in Floodwood MN, population 510. I should have gone to the subway next door, but went for a hot chicken sandwich and coffee. The rain started lightly again, so it was time to be on my way. As I rode along, I came to the largest Bog/swamp I had ever seen. It was covered in tiny, scraggly pine trees and mossy grass, as far as the eye could see. I drove on with mostly cloudy skies, but no rain. I passed by Duluth, MN and went over a large bridge into the town of Superior WI. Lots of old buildings and stop lights later, I was able to stop at a little park Osaugie Trail. There was Wisconson State Historical Marker #15 there telling of the 1862 uprising of the Sioux in Minnesota. The New Ulm massacre. I took some pictures of the water and a nice marina . There was also a Time capsule from 1986 to be opened in 2036.

It was cold by the lake, so I was having to turn my heat on to stay warm. Eventually, I was heading south away from the lake, and it didn't take long for the weather to turn hot and humid. I stopped quickly to take off my layers and open my vents. There were thunderstorms in the forecast. I made my reservations hoping to be able to get a cabin for the night. At this KOA they only rent the cabins for 2 nights or more. Bummer.

I drove for about 20 minutes and arrived at the KOA in light rain. Luckily the T-storm forcasted for 3:30 was just rain. I checked in at the office and asked about a cabin. They were very accomodating and said because of the thunder storms predicted, that they would make an acception and gave me a cabin for the night. The cabin has a swing on it's little covered front porch. Inside there is a double bed, twin bunk beds, a table and a nice bench. It has power, AC, heat, and lights. I am in luxury. There is a window between the beds, and one over the desk allowing a nice breeze to flow through the cabin. I arrived early at about 4pm. This KOA has an eatery that makes pizza and snacks, and serves Ice cream. They were closing at 5pm, so I hurried over to place my pizza order. This was a Holiday KOA, so it had many amenities. You could go in the pool, play miniature golf, bounce on a huge bouncy thing, go on a water slide, and pan for gems. There was a large covered eating area with picnic tables to eat at. I picked up my pizza and sat down here to eat. While I ate, a nice older gentleman from Montana, came over to chat. He is travelling with his 14yr old grandson. They are on their way to Tennessee. He showed me this cool lazer that if you were to shine it in someone's eyes, you could blind them temperarily if you were in trouble. I think he was worried about me travelling alone. Another guardian angel watching over me.

After I ate, it was only a little after 5pm. I texted with Rob a bit, and then decided that I had time to try tightening my chain. My first lesson was that you can't put a bike on the center stand on dirt. Luckily, across from my cabin, there was a stretch of paved parking spaces that I could move the bike to. I moved Kim over there and got her onto the center stand. I took out my directions that I had jotted down when Rob had shown me how to do this at home. I took out my tools and got to work. This was only my second time doing this, so I phoned Rob, so he could assist if needed. I was glad to get it done. Rob and I talked for awhile longer and then it was time to do my journaling. I decided that I felt like a cup of tea, so I heated up some water in my pot. I sat on my porch swing while I drank my tea and journaled. Eventually, I started hearing thunder, so I decided to retreat to the safety of the cabin. At 8:30 pm the storms passed and a nice breeze is blowing through my cabin. A Robin is singing his evening song outside my window. The tree frogs are chirpping and my bike has had a wash.

This was the day of wide loads. On my way I saw at least five go by me. The trucks were carrying one blade each that goes on one of those large windmills that I have seen on my travels. All I can tell you is that they are huge. Till tomorrow.....