Day 30 Crookston, Minnesota

The weather channel had us worried, we got an early start pulling over 60 klms Down the road for gas and breakfast.  Two old rednecks had fun with us telling us to get ready for 2 days of rain, thunder, lightning and high winds.  We left in a hurry, before we went 10 klms down the road we heard the loud rumble over the engine noise and the sky lit up and it poured. I was wet to my underwear within minutes, I couldn't see; we pulled to the side of the road but there was no shelter.  Off we went again coming to a little town within 5 minutes, there was a picnic area that we found a roof to hide under.
We hid  out there for a half hour checking the weather forecast for the town's we were headed to.  The rain stopped, the sky to the west was brighter, we had the rain gear on and we went for it. the rest of the day was dry😁
On thru Wisconsin and Minnesota stopping in Crookston on the border of North Dakota which is directly south of Winnipeg.
We crossed the Mississippi River, it was pretty small in this area. crossing from Wisconsin to Minnesota we went over the St Louis River on a very long bridge which curved to the far shore.  We had pulled up to a stop sign in Superior beside a long haul driver, he had a pillow beside his window and a hound had his head resting there.  So cute, the driver rolled his window down and we talked to the dog.
Minnesota is farm country with lots of crops ready for harvest; on the side of the highway we saw 2 wild turkeys standing in the yellow gold grain.

Day 29 Ironwood Michigan USA

The wheels were rolling on highway 17 before 8 am this morning, the sun was shining but the air was crisp and cool.  We went right into Sault Ste Marie and took the bridge over to Michigan.  It was a magnificent view from the bridge where we looked down on the locks, the railroad bridge and the lake.

Crossing over we rode highway 75, then highway 28 which followed the shores of lake Superior.  It was such a contrast to the northern shore, this shore had beautiful sand and a blue green water.  We stopped and walked to the waters edge to test the water, it was warm!!

We travelled thru farmland, National parks and small towns while the sun was shining down on us.

We ended up in Ironwood after travelling 650 kilometers.

Day 28 Blind River Ontario

Sunny hot day, great for traveling highway 17 through Ontario. From Pembroke thru to Sudbury went quickly, the road curving thru farms and then Forest.  We stopped at the HD dealer to put air in my rear shocks and to buy another oil filter for the next change......over 11000 klms since mile zero in Victoria.
Blind River is a sleepy little town on lake Huron.  Our hotel gave us a brown paper bag with tomorrow's breakfast in it. Apple juice, a muffin, granola bar, cookie and an apple!

Day 27 vroom vrooooooom

vrooooooom we rolled thru Montreal city and Ottawa. Big oops when I set up Google lady this morning, I didn't add route 30 to it and she took us straight thru the city!  I saw the sign for route 30 and I knew we were doomed, thankfully it was Sunday and the traffic wasn't backed up..  we went thru the tunnel and we both said "oh f**k"!!  I had a cramp from holding my handle bar so tight, I was definitely scared!

We did it and then we were eventually riding on Ontario highway 417 into Ottawa which was easier than Montreal.  We were lucky we were heading WEST as the traffic coming into the city from the east was bumper to bumper and that was only 2 pm on this Sunday afternoon.  Everyone returning to the city.  The weather was sunny, not too hot with two thunder showers throughout the day.

We are back to riding hard, no more touring, we stopped for the might in Pembroke Ontario, grabbing a couple cool beverages to celebrate the great day.

Day 26 Quebec

The kilometers went rolling by thru New Brunswick and into Quebec to Montmagny, same place we stayed on day 10!  The strong winds tossed us around for the 700 kilometers, the cumulus clouds dropped rain down on us, not enough to get us wet for long, we were dry ten minutes later.
The northern part of New Brunswick was beautiful with rolling hills, tree plantations, fields of crops and farms.  The Saint John river was huge but nothing compared to the St Lawrence River that we get glimpses of from the free way.

Day 23 and Mile zero!!!!

We made it to st Johns Newfoundland after 8500 klms of riding across this great big vast country we call Canada!!  It has been an amazing journey thru mountains, prairie fields, huge bridges, Forrest's and beaches.  People of every race, speaking languages we can't figure out but so friendly. LOVE it 😀

The city is an interesting port with containers lined up for shipping, supply ships waiting the next mission and fish boats Delivering their catch.  It is old brick buildings or tall narrow buildings painted in bright colors Jelly Bean row houses.  For lunch we went to Yellow Belly brew pub for lunch, yummy pizza and a turkey burger.

George Street is 2 blocks long with bars and restaurants, there is an outdoor stage ready for tonight's concerts at 8 tonight.  We went to Christian's bar to get screeched in, it was so fun! we kissed the frozen cod, ate Bologna and had a shot of rum.

It was the last night if George Street festival and we bought tickets for the evening music event.  They had an outdoor stage set up with a two blocks of bars closed off.  You had to have a ticket to enter, it was a huge beer garden, dancing and singing in the street.  Shanneyganock was the feature band, so amazing, the energy of the audience was unbelievable.  The fans sang along to all the songs, young and old they had a beer in hand, clapping and singing.

Day 24 and 25 Cape and Argentia

Cape Spear is the most eastern point in North America other than Greenland.  We rode out to the cape it was 20 minutes from downtown St John's following a two lane curving road.  It was hard believe that beyond the shore was Europe!
We had to back track 80 klm to the turn off to Argentia, we stopped at Placentia for lunch where Harold's Hotel served up Jiggs dinner.  Boiled carrot, potato, turnip, salted beef, turkey and yellow pea pudding.  I enjoyed it for brunch!  We were in line at the ferry 4 hours early followed by 53 other bikes.  We all drove on, tied the bikes down and scrambled to find a chair to sleep in for the 16 hour trip to North Sydney.  It takes at least an hour for them to load the vehicles and freight, unloading takes even longer.  They need lessons!!!
We road out of North Sydney heading WEST on the TransCanada highway, ending our day 460 klms in Moncton.  Al finally got to eat the lobster dinner😀