Back in the US

At some point, when we weren't looking Canada became expensive. Not only are the numerical costs high ($42/night for a campsite, $50 for a meal of two pasta dishes and a salad, $1.30/liter for gasoline), but the value of the US dollar has gotten so weak that is only worth 97 Canadian cents. It used to be the reverse. But we have escaped Canada and returned to the USA at Sault Ste. Marie.

Between the construction backup on the bridge and the backup at the customs and immigration, it only took about an hour to cross the border. The agent only hassled Ellen a little this time about her passport, but at least she wasn't escorted into the offices this time for a private interview as she has been in the past. Ever since her purse with passport was stolen in 1996, she has been questioned at the border. It has been 15 years now, she is on her second replacement passport and still it's a hassle every time she enters the country.

Today was basically a long drive across Yooperland, the upper peninsula of Michigan, on two lane roads. We saw quite a few bicycle tourers today, probably a dozen in all, even a couple touring on a recumbent/diamond frame tandem pulling a trailer. It is an interesting beast. The front rider is in a recumbent seat and the rear rider is sitting upright on a normal saddle and steers. It might have been This model.

There were also an innumerable number of motorcycles out touring, with quite a few towing small trailers. This northern route through Ontario seems to be popular with two wheel travelers. Of course, we both wish for our motorcycles whenever we see BMWs cruise by.

It was pretty foggy when we started out, probably coming off the Great Lakes, but it cleared up and we got glimpses of Lake Huron as we traveled along. After entering Michigan, we stopped in Munsing for a view of Lake Superior and a couple of good blended iced lattes from the Falling Rock Cafe and Bookstore made with coffee from Great Lakes Coffee Company, a local micro-roaster.

Thus revived, we drove all the way to Ironwood, MI, on the Wisconsin border, where we took a quiet campsite at the local town-owned campground called Curry park.