We've been trying to spend at least one weekend in the Herbster, Wisconsin city campground each summer, the third weekend in August was agreed upon last winter and campsite reservations were made early. There would be 6 of us (later a 7th joined) and we were all anxious to meet again on the South Shore of Lake Superior.
As has been typical, our normal South Shore days have primarily been spent exploring fire roads in the County, State and National Forests with most of our miles not on paved roads but rather on gravel with a high percentage of miles spent in some fairly soft (deep) sand. We all have motorcycles that are up to the task, outfitted properly to wade through all but the deepest sections....we can't go all of the places that the ATV/UTV machines are able to navigate. The majority of us have spent enough time up there so that many of the roads and remote intersecting trails have become if not absolutely known then somewhat familiar.
For me personally, there have been just a few (not all that many!) 'incidents' along my historical way leaving both of my lower legs permanently marked. To avoid or at least minimize the probability of any more scarring, I told myself that I'd be finding alternatives to riding through soft or rocky sand when possible. With that in mind, while Route/Ride planning for our long weekend, I started to consider other options that might involve roads a bit less challenging.
Late last November, I was in the area for a solo weekend and made a stop at the Mason, WI Historical Museum. It happened to be a Sunday, it was early afternoon and the old train depot was actually open.
Note the caption below the photo that was Posted on this very blog last November....
When I found out that there were museums all over the county, a seed was sown for future destination rides. All 10 places associated with the Bayfield Historical Society, 9 actual museums....
https://bayfieldcountyhistory.org/places/
Over the long August weekend, we were planning at minimum for 3 days of riding.
9 / 3 = 3
So that's what we done.
Some of the guys at least, though not everyone decided to follow me. Making the riding plan, something right up my alley involved a bit more than just mapping roads since Open days and Open hours needed to be factored in. Right in my handlebar swing as they say!
I went right to Excel (for the gridding) but then once printed out, I highlighted in color and penciled in the order in which the stops would be made. I'd scan and include those hand written additions but they went through the washing machine yesterday morning and are now unreadable.
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Friday |
Saturday |
Sunday |
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Corny |
12-4 |
12-4 |
12-4 |
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Drummond |
10-4.30 |
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Mason |
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1-3 |
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Oulu |
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12-4 |
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Port Wing |
1-4 |
1-4 |
1-4 |
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Barnes |
11-4 |
11-4 |
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Cable |
11-3 |
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Iron River |
1-4 |
1-4 | |
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We'll get close enough with the Basecamp map...
Thursday (practice) Red
Friday Green
Saturday Blue
Sunday Yellow
We had an amazingly good time! Those pretty lines covered 421 miles on my bike.
The lake was really churning when I arrived late Thursday morning.
Still runs....on both front and back cylinders.
I was first to arrive, took the bike for a quick trip up Bark Point to the public boat launch.
On the ramp....
Back to camp, Greg and Steve had just arrived. Their bikes were unloaded and since they had not stopped to fill the trailered bikes on the way up, we rode west to Port Wing for gas. Early afternoon my brother arrived with his van and trailer.
Late afternoon we rode the old Star Route to Bayfield for an early dinner.
Thanks Steve for the photo, the Hyosung's first visit to Cornucopia and presence behind the Twin Sisters.
Three rigs, three trailers, 4 bikes, 4 riders....we were expecting 3 more riders on Friday.
Friday morning, a beautiful version....
Each day's ride start time was much later than we're accustomed to. It was all about timing for the museum Open Hours....we had time to solve our problems.
Friday's 3 museum visits in this clockwise loop.
Some sand...some rocks....
Looking east at the high spot on Touve Road....
Our first stop, the Barnes Historical Museum
We stopped for lunch at a cafe in Cable and amazingly, a very random and unexpected meetup with our other two weekend campers.
Don't let anyone tell you that a Pan American HD is not an Adventure Bike.
The 2nd Museum of the day in Cable, WI.
As you'll see throughout this report, my bias was focused on railroad history and family.
The curator was helping Steve with his newly discovered seal stamp device.
Our last stop on Friday, the Drummond Library/Historical Museum.
On the way back we stopped in Cornucopia for a fish fry....wasn't on the menu so we had burgers instead.
The 'Hideout looked too busy so our burgers were enjoyed across the street.
Extra super lucky to have Chef Paul along, he kindly supplied AND prepared our omelet and toast breakfast. Thanks so much Paul, it was amazing!!
Saturday's mostly clockwise museum chase....
But while we were suiting up I'm guessing that Paul was questioning my little brother's choice of off/road bike for the weekend. Why not the Husky, the KTM, even a KLR?
In the end, it wasn't my brother that tipped over in a puddle.
The Oulu Museum site, near but not quite downtown.
Her reconstructed family home....by her family.
The condition from which it was revived....
Stop #2 on Saturday, the Iron River Museum...
Note the stumps downtown....
An earlier pandemic.....
Saturday's last stop in Port Wing...
Clinging to shade on a very hot South Shore afternoon.
I chose some leg cooling amongst the agates....
Sunday morning Chef Paul outdid himself with French Toast and Bacon!
We weren't exactly kitchen help...
Peg had sent some fresh Sandwich Sourdough and her first attempt at Rye bread. Thumbs up as egg toast with our Apple Butter and Jelly.
After breakfast Willie's Himalayn was waiting to be packed up using the allotted 10 minutes of road parking.
After Eric and Willie left us, here's the clockwise Track we made for our last 3 of 9 museums.
Since the Corny Museum did not open until noon, we found some other exploring along the Siskiwit waterfalls.
Then a stop at the Cornucopia Airport...back in the early '80's I had my very best airplane ride ever ($20) in a Stearman Biplane at this very strip.
I've never had whitewalls on the Helix but this one would fit perfectly.
Still early, we parked between the museum and the fishing boats along the beach.
An hour still to go, it was coffee time in the coffee shop.
I can't even tell you the memories this photo of Peg's Uncle Sonny and Aunt Julia bring back. Just look at the 'hidden' smile on Sonny's face. He used it to teach me the game of cribbage....and was how he played the game. We'll never forget you two.
Peg's Great Uncle Emory Jones in front of his Marina....a true legend!
Peg's Grandfather 'Baron'....heaters in evidence. Winters were long and hard in Corny.
I was hungry even if no one else was so before stopping at the Washburn Museum, we stopped for lunch.
The Brownstone Building housing the Museum and other entities in Washburn.
The sign said we had the day and hours correct but that didn't open the locked doors.
Then we were off to Mason, the last of our 9 museums (8 of 9 actually entered).
Two railroads crossing....
I seriously debated....and then caved. I shared my Secret Blueberry Location with the crew. We found hundreds of plants, though only a few micro blue fruits. I blame the hot droughty summer.
You guys have to promise not to tell anyone...
Our final campfire Sunday night...
My average mileage on the way home...
I don't see this everyday...
There was a stop (again) at Louie's in Cumberland for some Sticks and Baby Swiss
And finally Eric's award-worthy photo to sum up how fortunate we all feel about our time on Lake Superior's South Shore.
Again, thanks guys for making our long weekend so enjoyable...you're the Best!
