July 23rd Day 27 Hurley, Wisconsin to Iron River, Michigan

I left Hurley kind of late for some reason.  It was 10:30 when Don Mrotek and I rode out of town and headed towards the little town of VanBuskirk, Michigan.  

Don rode with me along the Mosinee Grade east and then we headed north on a county road to just south of Wakefield, Michigan.  Don turned around there and headed home.  I can’t thank him enough for all of the work he did leading us across the entire state of Wisconsin.  If more state clubs had people like Don and Terry, we would all have more trails to ride.  

I spend the rest of the day riding with by myself.  It rained on and off for most of the day, but the cool weather and light rain was a welcome relief from the heat we have been putting up with.  I got to Watersmeet about 2:30 and met up with Rod.  We ate at a great little restaurant called Superior Dogs.  The owner and the employees came out for a group photo and we learned all about the legend of the Paulding Light.  Apparently it’s an unexplainable glow that comes from the woods in only four places in North America and Sweden.  Legend says it is the ghost of a dead railroad light man still swinging his lantern.  It is unusual as it can only be seen from a certain point in the woods.  Scientist have studied it according to the local folks and they have no answer to the mystery.

The trail I followed for most of the day is an old railroad grade that goes to Marenisco, Watersmeet and then Iron River, Michigan.  It is a great trail, very smooth, long sweeping curves and the deep woods touches the edge of the trail.  Enough deer jumped out in front of me that I convinced myself to slow down a bit for much of the trip.  Around Elmwood I met up with Paul who was trout fishing, but wasn’t having much luck.  We visited for a bit and then I shoved off.

Towards the end of the day I met up with 5 people atving.  They were just coming back from a cabin they have in the woods.  I hope Bill, Laura, John, Dolly and Paige continue to have good rides along that trail.  I would recommend it to anyone that can get to the UP for a trip.  

I arrived in Iron River at 6:00 and had traveled 120 miles for the day.  It was a pretty easy ride considering most of it was on the railroad grade.  When I’m on the trail for a few hours by myself, it gives my mind a chance to wonder.  I won the lottery a couple of times, bought a few new snowmobiles and atvs, won the Daytona 500, beating Dale Jr. by just a few feet and so….. the day went on.  
 
 
 
 

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