Day 11 Crossing the Mississippi

Monday, September 21. 2009

Day 11 Crossing the Mississippi

Trip Log Day 11
Saturday September 19
Total Miles: 2311, Day Miles: 336

I'd originally planned to stay at the Jackson KOA, but as I got off the freeway, I found myself looking at an Econolodge on one side of the road and a KOA sign on the other. Needless to day – I wimped out. In hindsight I should have stayed at the KOA, would have been about as comfortable, and even though I talked them down to $55 tax included, it wasn't worth it. Heading out in the morning, I determined that I need to get off the freeway at least for a while. I suffered though another 120 miles of I90, then headed down MN-16 which turned out to be a slow 55mph, but nice and scenic route. I got back on I90 at La Crosse some 90 miles latter and crossed the Mississippi River. I have to admit to some disappointment as I was expecting something a bit grander, I suppose I'll get that when I cross back farther south.

The country side in Wisconsin is very pretty, unfortunately there was enough traffic that I felt uncomfortable pulling off to shoot any picture so I decided I'd just ride and enjoy it. Fall colors are just starting along the Southern border of Wisconsin, much as they were in Northern Montana. Some spots of bright yellow from what appear to be larch and maple, and intense reds from a climbing vine that looks a good deal like ivy, but I don't recall seeing ivy change colors like that.

Drivers are just as bad here in the Mid West as they are in Seattle, or the Bay Area, it's hard to keep a reasonable following distance but I finally found a group the didn't feel the need to fill up every available inch of blacktop, of course I had to maintain about 72mph in a 65 to keep my spot but, that's O.K. In over 2000 miles I'v only seen a few Patrol cars, and only one running a speed trap.

I pulled in to the Madison KOA which is actually in De Forest, about an hour before dark, got the tent up, did laundry, took a shower and slept sort of O.K. - the humidity is still noticeable for me, and I find my self sweating for no particular reason, which makes the sleeping bag kind of clammy. I find myself looking forward to it getting colder. I think I need to find some sort of long, round bag, about 8” diameter and about 24-30 inches wide, that I can stuff with jackets, and other clothing to make a knee pillow, I tried it with one of my yellow dry bags but it failed to hold it's shape as it's really too big for this purpose. This sleeping on the ground thing was easer when I was 17.

Posted by Vince Binder in Motorcycle Travel at 16:30 | Comments (2) | Trackbacks (0)

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Glad to hear you survived the lost. If you lost your CCP don't forget to notify the Sheriff's Dept. So they can reissue. I always wondered why biker's had those chains from their wallet to their belt, no I know why.

So the ground seems harder than when you were 17. It gets harder if it freezes, which may not be problem. Sounds like you have a pad and not an inflatable mattress. Have a safe ride.

#1 Barry on 2009-09-21 16:58 (Reply)

How the trip working out, are you back on schedule or did the flooding on the E. Coast mess things up?

#2 Barry on 2009-09-29 10:55 (Reply)

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