Yesterday was pretty good, except for one self-inflicted terrible part.  I left Iron Mountain, MI, and was immediately in the new state of Wisconsin.  Roads were pleasant and un-traveled for the most part.  A couple on a motorcycle stopped to ask me for directions.  I’m sure I was farther from home than they, but I had a good map I had bought that morning, and I’m pretty sure I sent them the right way.  It was near where I took a picture of these bison.  I expect to be eating bison burgers soon.

Then I came to a decision point in the hamlet of Fence.  (I was on one, so appropriate.)  Either go a little out of my way on a small road, or be on a bigger one.  I went for the small road.  Bad choice. The road was beautiful for 3 miles, then became unpaved.  Rather than retreat, I forged on.  In some cases these roads return to pavement after a short distance.  Not today.  Plus the road went from smooth dirt to what a sign actually called “rustic”.  Translation, rough gravel that CC didn’t like.  (CC is my bike’s name, for Cross Continent.  She’s basically a road bike, and much prefers pavement, though tolerates dirt for short distances.)  The good map didn’t show all the back roads and I ended up riding on this crap for over 10 miles. Back on the road at a location not indicated on the map, things went smoothly.  I finished in Crandon, WI, ATV capital of the world, or so they claim.  Had great onion rings and a shake at a drive-in, where they come to your car to take and deliver the order.   Sorry, I didn’t get a photo.

But today was amazing.  Wisconsin has an elaborate network of paved country roads, well-marked (on my map at least) .  (The bad road yesterday had a special designation.  I should have known better.)  I followed these good back roads for 70 miles to the town of Merrill.  The wind was at my back and I saw roughly one car per hour, with great scenery.  Once I wanted to stop for a rest and some snacks, and what should appear but this.

I would have camped there if the timing had been right.

The miles rolled by effortlessly.  I would have gone another 10 miles, but the next town with lodging was 30 miles farther.

Oh yeah.  Weird experience.  I hit a squirrel!  He darted out in front of me on a downhill.  I swerved, but he swerved better, right under my bike.  I looked back, and he was standing in the road, either shaking his paw at me or giving me the finger. Hard to tell.

I am enjoying seeing interesting old buildings.  The first is an old saloon.  The second a gorgeous town hall (Ugly brick version is across the street).  The third is a historic saloon and general store.  And the 4th is an interesting school in the middle of nowhere that I think is still active.

Pray for the squirrel’s rapid recovery.