So, last night I scanned the weatherbug app and figured out Saturday would be nice.  It wasn’t.  Woke at 8a to a robust rain.  Cold.  Windy.  Etc.  Etc.  Made coffee.  Mike still asleep..  Sat out on the porch, out of the rain except for my feet.  Got the blog out.and my shoes soaked.

By eleven we figured it was time to go.  We were in our all weather gear.  Bikes all battened down.  An hour or two to Marquette.  Still raining.  Still windy.  In the rain you’re focused on the road and your comfort (or lack there uf) more than scenery.  Staying dry is the key.  Get wet, you’re cold.  Spray from cars in front and passing..  Wiping your helmet now and then to be able to see. Temp was upper 40’s / 50’s.  We pulled into town.  Showed Mike the famous iron ore dock downtown.  Oh yeah, travel with me and you see some stuff.  We came.  We saw.  We left.

Back on the road heading west to Copper Harbor.  At least 3-4 hours with fuel breaks, side trips, weather etc.   We stopped and I put my winter liner in my jacket and switched gloves to the insulated ones.  Still raining.  Wind off the lake was stiff and cold.  Probably a 25mph  with gusts higher.  Rain was intermittent light and heavy.   Nice summer day.

About 3 or 4 we pulled into Houghton, at the base of the Keweenaw Peninsula.  Rain had finally let up and sun was starting to show itself  Had to wait in a line of traffic about 15-20 minutes as the bridge was up for some boats.  Over the channel to Hancock.  Up the shore to Calumet, Eagle River, and Eagle Harbor.  Stopped at the Jam Pot Monastery and Bakery.  No blessings today but got some sugary thingy that hit the spot. Walked up the road to look at a waterfall that was right there.

Took a cutoff road called ‘Brockway Mountain Ridge’.  It takes you up the to the ridge that populates the center of the peninsula.  One of the worst roads to drive on.  Broken asphalt, bad settling, etc.   Worth the effort though  Great views at the top.  1st and 2nd gear all the way up and down.  Still slick from the rain.

Pulled into Copper Harbor.  Sun was out.  Stiff wind out of the northwest.  In the 50’s.  Found the King Copper motel and got our place right on the lake.  Wow.  Just beautiful.  We unloaded, found the ice machine, grabbed a pair of Adirondack chairs, had a robust drink and a cigar then watched the storm’s big waves crash on the rocks. It was a good day.  Uneventful on the bikes. They kept pulling in the rain.   Weather robust but ending nice. Clothes drying out.

Dinner at the Mariner’s a couple blocks away.  Pizza.   Zik’s was the local bar for a few night caps.  Definitely the local place.   It was great.  They had a jute box, pool table and a pay phone. Drinks were cheap.  Everyone friendly. 

Back to the room where we sat watching the sunset, then the stars and again discussed many things I can no longer remember this morning.  A bottle of low level distilled beverage appears to last right up to midnight.  I just remember that Mike owes me a bottle of scotch for some bet.  First time in years that I have not had to pay up.

Life is good.