KLR650 Ann Arbor to Syracuse and Beyond KLR 650

Ann Arbor to Syracuse and Beyond

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My uncle Kent was getting married in August out in Syracuse, and I was invited. I thought that this would be a great opportunity for me to gather with friends and family that I have not seen in years. Oh, and I could get put some miles on the ol' KLR too ;-)

I studied a bunch of maps, and decided that I'd go through Canada taking a Northern route that would lead me up near the Georgian Bay. I thought that I'd ride up to the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario, camp there, then ride up and around the Bay and back down through Ontario to Syracuse for the wedding. My plan almost worked out.

I took interstates from Ann Arbor to Port Huron. I wanted to get out of SE Michigan and into Ontario as quickly as possible. I crossed the bridge into Sarnia, and stopped to see if this old skatepark was still there. We went there a few times just after high school.

I got directions from some tourist info center (or centre, if you prefer. Well, it IS Canada). Headed to the park, and found that not only is it still there, but it's in about the same condition that it was 'bout 15 years ago when I last visited. Ok, so it was more like 20 years ago.

After checking out the Sarnia skate park, and not skating it, I headed up HWY 7. I did have my skate stuff with me, but I was in kind of a hurry to get to camp. Plus, although that skatepark is still there, when compared to new concrete parks we have near us, it's not all that hot. Read: no vert.

Anyway, this is a motorcycle trip report, not a skateboarding journal...

Big ol' flag	Camping in the Bruce	Sunrise on the Bruce	The End is near
Does it get better?	Morning winder	Starting to wake up	Just a truck for Brian
Tobermory Big Tub lighthouse 1	Big Tub 2	Big Tub 3	Big Tub 5

The road up along Lake Huron on the Ontario side is pretty lame for a good 100 miles. Don't ask me how many km that is. This freakin road was flat, straight, and just far enough from the lake so that you can not see water. What one CAN see is farmland. Bummer. On the map it looked like there would be sweet views the whole way, but no. I stopped in a few towns for views. It was weird. I'd be in the middle of nowhere, then out pops this little town overrun by tourists. I didn't stop long.

As I neared the Bruce Peninsula, the trees became more frequent, and the views improved. I got to the Provincial Park where I made reservations and realized that I had none. Either I screwed up or they did. My reservations were there, but for the next week. So, at 5:00 on a summer's eve I was to head out in search of a campsite. Luckily, I found a private campground, and reserved a spot for a couple nights.

My plan was to get up early the next morning, scoot up to Tobermorey and catch the ferry across. Then I thought I'd ride around the Georgian Bay and return to camp that evening. The next morning I got a *ahem* slightly late start, and missed the ferry. This turned out to be good for two reasons. Firstly, I realized that the ride around would have taken me a LOT longer than I would have wanted it to, leaving me no time to chill and take in the scenery. Secondly, I got to ride around the Bruce Peninsula, exploring every nook and cranny that I chose to. It was the best.

The day was crisp and clear. The main road up the middle of The Bruce (as they call it) has tons of dirt roads off of it that lead to hidden coves, streams and beaches. I spent most of the day just investigating new places. I took some time up in Tobermorey to see the Big Tub lighthouse too. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was up there.

On one two-track, I stopped to take a picture of my fine KLR, and something caught my eye. I looked over and realized that a HUGE owl had swooped down and was sitting in the low branch of a tree. I grabbed the camera, but noticed that I was too far to get the shot. As I took a few careful steps closer to my new friend... CRASH! Heh heh... It seems that the ground was a bit soft where I parked the bike and it tipped over. Oops. I went back to set it up and when I turned back around, the owl, of course, was gone. I walked around a bit to see if I could find it, but to no avail. So, no pic for you. But, it was great to see an owl that huge. I've never seen one of any size before.

At a cove at the end of another dirt road, I started chatting with some folks. They were Americans from Chicago, if I remember correctly. They had a little dog with them, and I asked the woman (it was obviously hers) if I could get a pic with her dog. She was glad to oblige, and started telling me all about this pup's show history and family heritage. Yeah. Anyway, I got a few pics with Johnny the English Bulldog (or whatever). We had to take a few, because Johnny's mother wanted to make sure we got his good side. *Sigh*

After seeing all kinds of things, including a tree covered with shoes, and a sweet campsite where a house once stood, I headed back to camp. But, first I stopped at The Beer Store. Oh yeah. Had a so-so night's sleep, and went off to tool around some more. In my travels I witnessed this house called Castle Rock. It was built on the side of a hill, and had the freakiest shrine to the Virgin built into its wall. Scary stuff, indeed.

Big Tub 6	Brake for snakes!	Tobermory	Made for the KLR
Damn that was a great morning	Wish I were there	johnny	Endless photo ops
More Bruce Penn.	The Bruce, cont...	Bruce Bruce Bruce	Gotta git back there

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