Sand is a four letter word

[stevesmith50]

Or my three day trip on the Trans Wisconsin Adventure Trail.

The trail starts at the Wisconsin/Illinois border and traverses the great state of Wisconsin to point de tour on the Lake Superior coast line.

  I got the GPS tracks from chad@lonewolfexpeditions.com. He has obviously spent many days riding the area and has come up with a very nice dual sport ride. His web site http://www.lonewolfexpeditions.com/twat.html  has much more info than I can provide from a single ride and he has been very helpful.  Thanks Chad.

I started at home in Mcfarland Wi. 90 miles from thr Wi/Il border on hwy 80.


My loaded 06 KLR 650 with 6500 miles on the odometer.



An interesting "town" I passed on the way.


The other side of the border. As a side note: When I got home from the ride, I had a citation from the Great State of Illanoying for $63.50 saying I had gone thru a toll both without paying the toll this week in a car I sold over a year ago. This should be fun.


This sign explains the beginning survey of the Badger state and begins the trip.


First gravel road. (mostly pavement for first 50 miles or so)

[stevesmith50]

The Grotto in Dickeyville is an interesting stop. I did not pay the young lady $2 to go inside.


Some of the Amish farm country I saw along the way. I did not take pictures of thepeople working or riding in their buggies. Some how it did not seem right to take pictures just because they happen to be different. Suit yourself.


I stopped at the Town Pump for lunch in Cassville. Burger and fries.


This is the overhang on Dugway road.


Graffitti under the overhang

[stevesmith50]

One of the detours to Chad's route caused by the recent flooding.


The hills and turns would soon begin.


This has been named Big Dog's bridge by Chad.


From Big Dog's bridge.


The fine view from the Scottish Inn in Sparta. I was planning to stay at Wildcat Mountain State Park but it was closed to camping when I arrived. I had checked their web site that morning and all looked well. I guess I should have called.

[Camas]

  Nice scenery! I don't know about that bridge though. 

[stevesmith50]

One of the few pictures I took of the sand. There were several places I could get off my bike without using the kick stand. I was just acting like a grandpa (which I am) and was afraid to stop. I figured that if I couldn't get started again I might be right there until the weekend 4 wheelers came by.
I never saw another person while on the trails and very few on the roads.


The only deer I was quick enough to get on film. Well, not film.


I saw many miles of gravel roads like this.


A quick brunch in Hatfield.


I felt a little like a renegade since I was on neither an ATV or a snowmobile. But, after all, I was just following the little red line on my GPS>

[stevesmith50]

Just a reminder for the future of how cheap gas was in 08


Lunch at the Thorpedo in Thorp, Wi.


This is what a halter topped flag girl looks like in Wisconsin.


A green tunnel.


A view of the river at Big Falls park.

[stevesmith50]

Logging in Wisconsin.




Nice wooden bridge.


I thought to myself... how could you possibly get lost with signs like this?


Just in case you haven't seen enough of my bike.

[stevesmith50]

Wisconsin has re-introduced elk to the northern areas. They seem to be doing quite nicely. Later this evening, I would hear a nice bugle while at my campsite at Day Lake. I assumed it was real and not someone with a call since there was only one bugle. And I have never heard a human stop at one call.


Everything I need to know.


I just kept thinking that even at 45 mph it was going to hurt.


I had a good dinner at Deb's. Very friendly people in Clam Lake.


MY camp site at Day Lake.

[gunny]

excellent 

[stevesmith50]

Self portrait.




I saw no turtles south of Clam Lake and I saw 9 of them in the 30 miles north of there.


If you do this ride, don't miss the Delta Diner. For one thing, it's the only place to eat for miles and for another, it is very bike friendly.


Getting close to the end of the ride.

[stevesmith50]

As far north as I go. Lake Superior through the trees.


Lake Superior.  Cold.  Always.


One last self photo on the way home.  I rode 1007 miles in 3 days. About 450 miles to and from on state hiways and county roads. The "trail" was probably 50/50  pavement/gravel-sand. With more pavement in the southern portions. I had a new D606 on the rear and was very happy about it in the sandy areas. Less happy with it on the hiway. (loud) Excellent route, Chad.

[Willius]

Great ride report. Thanks for the write up.
Any chance you could show us on a map the approximate route you rode.
We'll be moving to Madison sometime in the next few years, and I was wondering about rides in the Badger State. Do you ride in the winter too...?

[anomad]

Beautiful pictures, I enjoyed your report.


Let's see, if sand is a 4 letter word New Mexico must be like 2 4 letter words and an exclamation mark.

[PonchoV]

NO, New Mexico is FANtastic.
Yes, even its sand.
I love that place.

[stevesmith50]

Any chance you could show us on a map the approximate route you rode.
We'll be moving to Madison sometime in the next few years, and I was wondering about rides in the Badger State. Do you ride in the winter too...?

Willius, there is a rough map at http://www.lonewolfexpeditions.com/twat.html

and yes we ride in the winter..... in Texas.

[46moo]

This is what a halter topped flag girl looks like in Wisconsin.

      I think "she" might be moonlighting 'cause she looks a lot like the ones we have here in Nebraska!


Great report Steve!  Thanks for sharing.  Might have to go visit the relatives in cheeseland sometime soon....

[TNC]

Great ride...and I love the John Deere sticker.

[Green Machine]

Nice ride report, thanks for sharing

[caborado]

  Great report... thanks for posting pictures.

[RickE]

Nice report, thanks

regards,
Rick

[MotoPhoto]

Great report, thanks

[CoolLeafMan]

Thanks for the report, great pics.