Green to Gray (August 5, 2013)

After the incredibly beautiful ride into Cumberland, which provided a vast array of shades of green ... green-boredom seemed to set in.  It wasn't that the scenery wasn't stunning, it was just that it rarely changed, and there was just not a lot of interesting sights to view.  Yes, there were many. many lakes, but again the sameness somewhat dulled the mind.  For the most part, the view as one rides down the road is one of pavement bordered on each side by a 30' strip of grass with tall stands of trees on each side.  Pretty, but not exciting.  So, I have little to comment on the 50 miles into Hayward, 40 miles into Clam Lake and 55 miles into Mercer.

However, the 55 miles into Eagle River brought a new kind of excitement into our riding ... cold rain and gray skies.  Dressed for battle in our yellow rain jackets and black rain pants, we withstood the five hours of drizzle and rain.  Fortunately, the route was fairly level ... but because it was a major highway there were many, many cars and trucks providing us with the ever so enjoyable road-spray.  We survived, and will live to ride another day.

Stopped in at a Wayside (called "rest stop" in good ol' Arizona) riding to Hayward.  While standing at the urinal (and looking straight ahead as we guys do) I read of someone's offer to perform a certain sexual act (9:00 to 5:00 daily, I might add).  Just call 355-034 ... great ad placement; poor messaging.

Another oddity occurred the other evening.  We have been enjoying the accents of the locals ... reminders of the movie "Fargo".  While ordering dinner, the waitress commented on my accent, which is odd because I never considered that I might have an accent.  Years ago, there was a movie called "Raising Arizona", starring Nicolas Cage and John Goodman that was set in Apache Junction, AZ.  Kim and I discussed the possibility that the actors took on the speaking accent of the Phoenix area ... and the possibility that residents of Fargo may have said, "Oh yah, that's how they talk don thar."

Heading into the Upper Peninsula of Michigan tomorrow.  More green, but fortunately less gray ... or so the weatherman says.