Tuesday morning. Good night’s sleep. Up fairly early, pushed out the blog and we were on the road by 9a. Need to keep pushing today. Got on the road to foggy patches along the shores of Gitche Gumee. But you could tell it was going to be sunny.  Leaving Houghton was very nice indeed…

We headed west.  Colors peaked.  Very rolling terrain.  Thick patches of fog.  When you rolled out of it, the views were spectacular.  Zero traffic.  We headed to Ontonagon.  Gateway to the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness area..  Not real mountains but the closest Michigan has.

Pretty darn remote part of the UP.  Not much to the little burg anymore except tourism.   Once a iron ore and logging empire with a harbor on Lake Superior.

A very small Coast Guard something.  I do not even think it’s manned.

Headed west along the lake to Silver City.  Entrance to the Park.  We were kicking along the Lake and several carloads of Chinese tourists pulled in behind us..  As usual, the photos don’t do the views justice.  We could of spent days kicking around there.

Time to move on.  Paved roads end at the park.  We headed south for 30-40 miles and headed west.  This is iron ore country.  Rolling hills, heavy hardwood forest, rivers, lakes and streams.  Towns with names like Iron Mountain, Iron River, Ironwood, Iron Belt, Mineral Hills etc.

Lunching consisted of snacking from stuff we got from the hotel breakfast area and low carb stuff we packed for the trip.  Like Kolwaski Hunter Sausages from Costco.  Yeah, I am not kidding…  Wait until you try them.  🙂

At Ironwood we passed into the Central Time Zone and into Wisconsin.  939 miles from home to get to another state.  We stayed on US 2 and put some miles on.  Nice road, 2 lanes with plenty of passing lanes.  Traffic was low, sun was out and Irena and I are still talking to each other!

Current plan was to pass into Minnesota at Duluth and push on to find a place to stay.  Grand Rapids I believe will be our goal.

Passed over the bridge into Minnesota about 2p.  .

Once west of the Dutluth megalopolis, traffic again disappeared.  Beautiful MN countryside. For the next 2 hours there really was nothing, in terms of notable scenery.  Very small burgs.  Very small.  US 2 here is 2 lane.  Wide shoulders. Passing lanes.  60mph –  most locked in 66 or 6 7.  Pleasant drive.

Pulled into Grand Rapids about 4ish.  Cruised through during their rush hour to scope things out and start dialing for motels.  There wasn’t much in the way of mom and pop places.  Found a nice hotel.  With a restaurant and bar.  I will also state that accommodations are becoming more affordable.  No fall color tours here.

Drinks, a nice dinner and an early evening.  Tomorrow, somewhere in North Dakota.  That is unless we get caught up in exploring some of Minnesota’s wonders..

Contractors are keeping in touch.  They said that they are done installing the first floor.  Moving to the second.  Our neighbor Mrs. Kravtz has been keeping us in the loop..  Trucks are coming and going..  Thanks Nan!

Life is good..