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It's Monday and I have a meeting scheduled this morning in Houghton to talk about promoting U.P. Cruising's Just Ride" motorcycle rally week next year. Since my wife had decided to relax at the lodge, I was riding solo today. I love having my wife along, but there is something about having a motorcycle to yourself. After looking at the map I decided I'd ride over to F.J. McLain State Park after the meeting. Besides I knew of a great overlook on Highway 41 coming into to Hancock where I wanted to take a few pictures. My Suzuki C50 has a 4 gallon tank, but it still seems like I'm always filling it up. So on the way out of Twin Lakes I stopped to top off the tank. Even though I never went into the BP station while during out stay, they probably considered me a local by now. For bikers passing through the area, the station does have an air hose if you need to top off a tire or two as well. This time I rode through Houghton and headed east out of town for a couple miles. It's amazing how much the Michigan Tech University campus has grown since I last rode though here. I had once thought about attending the school but chose to go to Northern Michigan University instead.
After my meeting, I once again crossed over the bridge and took a left following Hwy 41 through the town of Hancock. In a way Hancock, MI reminds me of Morgantown, WV. The town is built on a steep hill with some steep roads. They certainly have a common history in mining, Morgantown being coal, the Hancock being copper. I can only guess how much salt they must use to keep the roads dry in the peak of winter. As I reached the end of town, I exited Hwy 41 onto Hwy 203 and headed towards the park. A couple years earlier I had planned a trip to the park to photograph the lighthouse there, but never made it. The road to the park follows the canal for much of the way before it turns north toward the park. On arriving at the park, I had second thoughts about paying eight bucks to ride through the park, but then I remembered it has a lighthouse. I rode through the park and checked out the camping section to see what it was like. I was surprised to see how full the campground was. I think it's one campground you may need to make a reservation at. I then rode over to the general park section. Except for a couple of cars, it was pretty empty. I parked the bike and walked down the stairs to the beach area. To reach the beach are you walk through some small sand dunes. Once on the beach I could see the light at the end of a a L-shaped breakwater. I walked out on the cement section of breakwater until it turned to huge rocks to take a few pictures. Overall, McLain is one of Upper Michigan's nicer state parks and I wouldn't think twice about coming back to camp here some day.
By time I left the park it was pretty overcast and looking like rain so I decided it was time to head back to the lodge. I had been considering a ride over to Lac La Belle, MI., but decided it would have to wait till next year. It's an interest area, with a lighthouse, waterfall and a unique extreme sports ski hill. I had visited the are two years ago and was sorry that I just didn't have the time to do it again on my motorcycle today. On the way back heading towards Calumet, I took a side road called lakeshore drive which took me past a county park called Calumet Township Waterworks Park. After riding past it, I decided to turn around and go back. You can't camp here, and while looking a bit run down, it stills seems to be a great park to pull over at and enjoy some relax time. For the brave, it could offer up a refreshing dip in the lake and it won't cost you a dime. a
Leaving the park I wound my way up into Calumet, where I hooked up with US-41 and headed south back to Hancock. As I approached Hancock I pulled over into a overlook that provides a great view of the whole area around the Portage Canal.
With that stop, my trip back to the Copper Country was over. We had planned to head to Grand Marais tomorrow, but some things had come up that demanded we return to Wisconsin early. I don't know when I'll be back to the Copper Country, but it won't be long. The loop of M-26 and US-31 between Hancock and Copper Harbor is just too good a ride to stay away from for long. Ride Safe, Ride Long,
Dave Johnson
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Michigan State Map - see State of Michigan's online state map to plan your next road trip U.P. Chamber Websites See local area Commerce of Commerce websites for more info on area. Motorcycle Service - who do you call when your motorcycle needs some TLC in the U.P. U.P. State Parks - there are at least 19 good reasons to buy a park sticker.
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