Cycled out of Thunder Bay at 6:00 a.m. refreshed by a rest day including carbs and beer (more carbs). Sorry Baldwin Lake but Thunder Bay Wood Fired Pizza beats Zimmy's hands down. About 20 miles I'm at the border crossing and hoping for a big welcome home. Presenting my Nexus card, which is supposed to be a special get out of Camada free card, issued jointly by the U.S. & Canada, I'm invited in for coffee, donuts and waterboarding. It seems that two weeks of beard and wild hair puts me in the ISIS suicide bomber alert profile. Now, I've had that card and used it 100 times to clear TSA pre-check in the last 5 years. But fail to shave and suddenly I'm a terrorist. And I thought that ICE wasn't supposed to be racially profiling.
Following my release from solitary, I'm back on the road in the God forsaken backwater of Northern Minnesota. I ride another 50 miles without cell service or a WiFi provider. I suspect that my bride is getting worried, but I can neither send or receive messages or calls
So I decided to end the day at CR Magney State Park. The sign says "Full.". And there is no one at registration so I take a ride through the park. One of the sites has a plaque identifying the camper as an advisor. I introduce myself to Ren and his black lab Katie. Ren suggests where I might find the Ranger - Amy. Ren also offers some helpful advice. If I go two miles back on Hwy 61 cell service is available 500 feet south of milearker 120. Sure enough, Amy is just where Ren says she will be.
Amy is delightful and lets me stay in the biker/hiker overflow site. With her Minnesota accent she reminds me of Marge in "Fargo" played by Francis McDormand. Amy also tells me where to find the super secret picnic table where you can use the camp WiFi.
In the morning I meet Dace the hiker who also joined overflow.
Mileage on Day 11: 70
Following my release from solitary, I'm back on the road in the God forsaken backwater of Northern Minnesota. I ride another 50 miles without cell service or a WiFi provider. I suspect that my bride is getting worried, but I can neither send or receive messages or calls
So I decided to end the day at CR Magney State Park. The sign says "Full.". And there is no one at registration so I take a ride through the park. One of the sites has a plaque identifying the camper as an advisor. I introduce myself to Ren and his black lab Katie. Ren suggests where I might find the Ranger - Amy. Ren also offers some helpful advice. If I go two miles back on Hwy 61 cell service is available 500 feet south of milearker 120. Sure enough, Amy is just where Ren says she will be.
Amy is delightful and lets me stay in the biker/hiker overflow site. With her Minnesota accent she reminds me of Marge in "Fargo" played by Francis McDormand. Amy also tells me where to find the super secret picnic table where you can use the camp WiFi.
In the morning I meet Dace the hiker who also joined overflow.
Mileage on Day 11: 70
I had Springsteen playing in my head all day the day you said you were USA bound, and glad to have you back with our crazies. Sounds like you may have benefited from an impromptu serenade for the border guards? Loving your report from the front lines. Hang in there!
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