| Author | Message | ||
     Themagster |
Trip was going well. Made it to Michigan and met Swampy, great. Made it through the UP of Michigan to Copper Harbor and jumped into Lake Superior, cold. Rode along Superior through Wisconsin to Grand Marais, MN. Since we were only 40 miles from Canada thought it would be cool to ride up and snap a photo (no passports, so could not ride to Thunder Bay, which would have been nice). There was no "last chance to turn around" sign I had told my husband to look for and before we knew what had happened we had crossed a bridge and there was a "Welcome to Ontario" sign. So we pulled over to take a picture. When my husband asked me to look back and smile I saw the gravity of this mistake, as there was the US Border station. We made the U turn and waited in line. When asked for ID and passports we handed over the driver's ID's and explained no passports, as we did not intend to pass into Canada, we just wanted a picture. No humor here. They confiscated the ID's, told us to park the bikes and go inside. All we could hope for was that they did not search the bikes as we do travel with "protection" as allowed by CWP license. They grilled us with questions they obviously knew the answer to and and within 30 minutes we were on our way. Whew! Close call. Headed back south and then towards Brainerd, MN and the deer sightings began. It is very demanding riding when you are watching for deer, potholes and speeding cars coming up behind you. But I know we were on our guard. It happened so fast. In the brief second I took note of the truck coming up fast behind me I heard my husband yell in my headset and all I see is this huge deer right at the rear of his bike and I knew I was gonna bite it. My knee jerk reaction was just to duck as I saw the deer make the evasive move to miss him and then go airborne to jump over me. I heard a thunk and realized my microphone was screwed up. We pulled off the road and all looked in order. I was pretty shook up and just wanted to get to the hotel. Once checked in and sipping a nip to calm my nerves we looked the helmet over and noticed that the communicator had nearly been knocked right off the helmet. Too close a call. Woke up this morning to the threat of tornados, wind, hail and decided not to risk it - so we stayed put. Will start the trek southbound tomorrow with about 1,700 miles to go if we were to go the direct route, but that's not gonna happen. As always we will get on the road at a reasonable time and be off before dusk sets in, but it appears the deer move about any time of day. I know we can watch the sky and avoid the twisters. Rain gear will keep us dry. But those pesky four legged friends come at you so quickly, how do you stay safe? I have a lot of respect for those of you who must tackle this type of riding all the time. I am not the kind of rider to let things freak me out and I know that we were watching very closely for deer, so it did surprise me how quickly things can change in an instant. That angel on my shoulder is working overtime on this trip for sure. | ||
| Ezblast |
Wow - that's quite an eventful trip so far! Glad you are ok after playing tag with the deer, that means your it, don't chase them and you should have no more problems with them! Even with the deer - it sounds like a great time - your not in a rush? Then enjoy the ride! EZ | ||
| Themagster |
Thanks EZ. I have to be back by the 21st but wanted at least a couple days at Barber in Birmingham. Don't know if that will happen. We don't want to beat ourselves up doing the super slab south and we did not think we would wake up today and still be so far north. That's the way it goes. I never hold myself to a specific plan I just enjoy being on the road so I'm always happy. I am a little more stiff today after the deer incident, but should be just fine. We are heading towards the Great River Road and will ride a little of that for a day or so. So are you having to dodge deer out there? | ||
| Swampy |
Glad you are OK. I am deer paranoid, expecialy since the sides of the highways are not getting cut back like they should because of budget problems. My advice is if you have to travel dusk to late dawn slow way down and keep your eyes peeled and head moving looking for any movement along side the road. Over dramatize your movements to keep viligant. What route are you two taking back? | ||
| Ezblast |
Deer, cows, and turkeys are the usual challenges - just glad your ok. EZ | ||
| Kscanuck785 |
glad to know you're OK! I can relate to you post  I am canadian for one, I now live in rural Kansas and deers/coyotes/racoons etc are something we have to watch everytime we get on the road and I too am on the paranoid side with wild life jumping on the road unexpectedly. Brainerd? all I can think about when I hear that is the movie Fargo | ||
| Zane |
Maggie, That sounds like it was WAAAY to close for comfort. Glad the deer mostly missed you. Oh, and I'm greet with envy for the ride you're on....  | ||
| Themagster |
Paranoid? Me? NOOOOOO.....well, maybe a little  I swear if riding video of me had been taken today it would have looked more like I was at a tennis match than riding a motorcycle! Swampy, you hit the nail right on the head, we kept talking about how the weeds were way too high to see much. Keeping ever vigilant and defensive is the best we can do. I must admit that being able to talk back to each other helps. The more we ride the more I realize what a wonderful tool the communicators are. I am lucky to have worked for the same great boss for 23 years and that he takes a long summer vacation each year when I can make my get-away. I fear his retirement is getting closer so my long summer journeys may too be coming to an end. I have to make the best of it while I can. I am in no hurry except to be back at work by the 22nd. We are currently in Ames, Iowa and and heading slowly south and east. Weather was great today and the farther south we get the more layers we will be able to shed. I loved the north but have thin blood and miss the heat. Remind me I said that in a couple days when I am sweating my butt off. Thanks for all the support. The Blast has been great so far. I rolled over 13,300 miles today and other than 'Das Boot' (which will be replaced with the high tech thing upon return home) there has been no problems. | ||
| Fahren |
http://www.deerwhistle.com/?gclid=CK2K8LaU4JsCFZJM 5QodFFwP_g for $6, it's worth trying. They have worked for me so far on truck, car and bike, as long as you are going over 30 mph so the air flow makes the whistle work. I have hit deer before with my truck, and so I know that anything I can do to avoid it on my bike is worth trying. Ride safe, Magster. You are a blast of inspiration. |
