Ashland, Wisconsin

Total km = 715

We were in 3 states today: North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin. First time visit to these states for Norma. Started out in the North Dakota sunshine which turned into heavy cloud in Minnesota (no rain of any note) and ended up in sunshine in Wisconsin. For the most part a very pleasant ride, except for the industrial Duluth area where the highway weaves it’s way through the industrial section on overpasses, narrow barricaded single file roads, and lots of traffic.
Saw two long neck turtles making their way across the highway – pretty slow and scary trip for them. Didn’t see any squished ones so guess they must move faster than we think. Also saw a herd of buffalo with the cutest little calf.

One of our frequent stops was at a golf course in Proctor, MN. They obviously use the hilly part for winter time sledding as there is a sign warning not to stand at the bottom when the sleds are coming down.

Stopped in Superior, WI on the shores of Lake Superior (surprise) at a memorial for the Great Lakes mariners complete with a “whale back” freighter. Several encounters with jealous men who wished they were out riding with their wives on the back of their imaginary motorbike! Everyone’s very friendly and inquisitive as to our travels.

Ashland, our overnight stop, is a very pretty town of 9000, on the shores of the Lake Superior. Went for a walk along the lakeside after dinner and found some large, spectacular ladyslippers. They must be at least ten times the size of the tiny ones we find wild at home. The city has done a really nice job putting in a walkway that goes for miles along the lake with frequent plaques explaining what you are seeing in the lake or on the shore.

Devil’s Lake, North Dakota

Total km = 685

Perfect riding weather today. Left Moose Jaw early as the Saskatchewanites in their great wisdom (?) do not opt for daylight savings time, preferring a 5 am sunrise (the sun was peeking through a small crack in the curtain so we were up way too soon). Gotta get out in the fields early, I guess. Of course when we crossed the border we promptly lost an hour as the farmers of North Dakota are obviously much lazier. In case you are not aware, this is a 30 year anniversary trip for Doug as we are following the path he took by motorcycle to ONT in 1980. One of the things that always stood out in his mind was the strip mining operation around Estevan. Not much has changed. Even the reclaimed areas were a mess as far as we are concerned. Lots of “Keep out – Danger signs”.

The young border guard at North Portal, ND was very confused as to why we BC people were crossing his border. Even after explaining our route he was still confused – geography is not his strong suit. He thought we should have crossed at Seattle!

One of our first stops was at Norma, ND. When they found out she was coming through the state they named a town after her! Wouldn’t really call it a town as you can see from the picture, but must have been a grain pick up spot as there were lots of old buildings and grain elevators and then this one old sign on someone’s front lawn.

Wonderful bird life in this part of the world. I don’t think we have every seen so many yellow headed and red winged blackbirds before. You know how as kids we used to lay on our backs and watch the sky, clouds drifting by, birds overhead – well Norma spent a good part of the day, head tipped back watching the birds, clouds, etc and trying not to be lulled to sleep and hit by dropping bird dung! Did manage to see a beautiful hawk being chased by four blackbirds – he had probably been trying to steel from their nests.

Had a very pretty short evening ride out over Devil’s Lake. The road goes through the middle of the lake. Looks like a flooded out area but the trees are all dead so must have happened quite some time ago. Many people out fishing, in boats and on the shore, including numerous men from the nearby Grofton Army station. Ended up at the casino at Spirit Lake for a short time. Oh, by the way, the pictures in the blog can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Moose Jaw, SASK

Total km = 700

Sunshine, wind and prairie pretty much sums up todays ride. Moderate to brisk northerly crosswinds had us leaning to the left between Calgary and Medicine Hat while moderate to brisk southerly crosswinds had us tilted to the right from there to Moose Jaw. At least the tires had an opportunity to wear evenly on both sides!

There were some proghorn antelope, white tail deer and lots of cows - "and the deer and the antelope roam". These sightings weren't until we had passed into Saskatchewan.

Made a short stop in Chaplin, SK at the sodium phosphate extraction refinery and went through the little display they have set up. The phospate salt is used in laundry soap amongst other things. The Chaplin Lake is a large bird habitat and watching area that is being affected by global warming with a recession of the marshlands which is affecting the breeding areas. We did see several tall bird viewing areas as well.

It is a beautiful sunny evening in Moose Jaw. After a nice pasta dinner we went for a walk. We are now in our room with a great view of the golf course - nice shot young man!

Calgary, AB

Total km = 36.5

Norma has now finished cleaning baby gastrointestinal byproducts from her person and will now add to our blog:

Very warm day in Calgary today. Started out by sleeping in - something we very rarely do. Had a leisurely morning visiting - usual grandson breakfast of oatmeal - I think that is all he thinks grandma can make! Took another series of new baby pictures so sadly this will be the last one we bore you with for a while

We had a great visit and wonderful lamb dinner with friends from Burton, which is about 2 hours 20 minutes drive from home. They are in Calgary looking after their grandchildren for the weekend. Only reason we put on any km on the bike is this was our transportation to their son's place. We will make a morning start on our next leg of the journey.

Calgary, AB

Total km = 641

A beautiful, cloudless motorcycling day found ourselves on the 6:30 am sailing of the Kootenay Lake ferry. This allowed us to begin our tour by riding the #1 destination highway of B.C. (Crawford Bay to Creston) in a semi-deserted early morning condition. An excellent start. We chose to ride through Kootenay and Banff National Parks on route to Calgary, thus tending to avoid excess truck traffic and the famous Alberta foothills crosswinds.


Tonight we are enjoying spending time with the family - went for a walk to the park. Norma has been challenged to play hockey and hopefully will not end up in the penalty box!!

We are hoping for another sunny day tomorrow to take part in an adventure with the grandkids.

The Eve of Departure

Packing a motorcycle for an extended tour has elements of the Arts and the Sciences. Being veteran tourers we first lay everything we need out in a disorganised, haphazard fashion and contemplate the array in awe with thoughts of "we are never going to find room for all of this". Because our first stop will be in Calgary to visit Norma's new granddaughter and 3 year old grandson our motorcycle must also carry some stuffed animals (PINK stuffed animals) and of course a toy for the grandson. When I first started touring in the '70s on my old BMW's I wore a black leather jacket. I was tough. Now I carry pink stuffed animals. . .

At any rate we are both looking forward to our planned tour and hope to leave in sunshine tomorrow morning (the weatherman promised).

Off to Maine, Labrador and NFLD soon!

Raindancer`s next major adventure will begin on June 12, 2010. We will motorcycle the remaining 3 ``holdouts`` (NFLD, ME, LAB). Then will have travelled every province, every state (Hawaii doesn`t count - too much water) and every territory (Nunuvut doesn`t count - no roads). . .

STAY TUNED!