Michigan Aug 2012 Day 2

Last night it rained the whole night. Woke up a couple of time and hearing the rain and thinking that riding in the rain is going to be crappy tomorrow. However, once we got up, the rain stopped. If was still cool and wet outside, and rain storms were threatening. Dried the bikes off ( great thing about motels, there are lots of towels to dry the bikes in the morning), put our full rain gear on, and we were off.
After about an hour, the sun came out, and we started to get warm. Time to strip off some rain gear and have coffee

The rest of the ride until we got to the border was uneventful. Roads were nice and fast, so we made good time. We stopped at an Indian art gallery, and browsed around. Paintings were nice and very expensive. And in any case, where do you pack a framed painting on a motorcycle? Took some picture of mean bikers in the parking lot.

We crossed into the US Sault Ste Marie. We find border crossings to be a pain in the butt, and very time consuming. Since 911 it seems like the whole of North America went coo-coo. Long and slow lineups, I guess, are just part of our lives nowadays. I think North America should go and have a look how they handle border security in the European Union. But I guess if you want to visit a foreign country you have to stick to their rules and procedures.

As we approached the bridge we could see that the was a single lane lineup the length of the bridge, and now the wind was really blowing. Speaking to other people that day, they told us that the wind gusts on the bridge ritched 65 to 75mph. All I can say, is that is was one of the most hair raising rides I've ever had. Wind trying to blow us of the bridge and a left hand cramping from working the clutch, was no fun.

Now here is the ridiculous part. Once you crossed the bridge and arrive at customs, the traffic is split. Four lanes for cars and two lanes for motorcycles and 18 wheel transport trucks. Sitting on a motorcycle with your child on the back, with transport trucks all around you makes for some nervous moments.
Once it was our turn to enter the customs booth, we were protected from the wind and the US customs offices was thorough, professional, and efficient.

The plan was to go to Andrus Lake camp ground that was about another 100km away, but nobody was in the mood for riding anymore. So as soon as we entered Sault Ste Marie MI, the first hotel we saw was the Best Western and so we pulled in to see if they had any rooms. Got a room, and just relaxed. And they had a pool. Two nights in a row at a motel. This trip is going to be expensive. The wind died down that night, and the next morning is was sunny and warm. Hopefully we can camp tonight and use all the gear that are making the bikes so bloody heavy.