My 2009 Memorial Day AdventureI needed to get out of town and do some improvised traveling, so I decided to do a 2-3 day motorcycle/backpacking/camping adventure. It was my first experience traveling with a motorcycle overnight. I left Friday afternoon at around 2PM for Afton State Park on the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. I made a reservation for a backpacking campsite and that turned out to be a good call because every State Park in MN ended up being full that weekend.
Ready to unload at Afton State Park
The campsite was only a little over a mile from the trailhead so it wasn’t too hard of an effort. I locked my jacket and gloves in one side bag. Locked my helmet on top of the seat with a cable from the rear grab rail through the visor. Finally, my riding pants were stashed unlocked in the other side bag. I covered both side bags and helmet with a tarp and used the bungee cargo net to keep everything in place.
Backpacking across Afton State Park
My serene campsite
Covering the helmet and side bags turned out to be a good decision because it rained for a few hours on Saturday morning. When I got back to the parking lot, all of my stuff was still there, and dry
This is where the trip goes free form. I headed South East along the MN/WI border towards a State Park that I had heard has 7 walk-in sites with pretty good availability. Drove the 87 miles towards the new State Park, and there was availability but the whole park was right next to the highway and it was loud… Not cool!
Driving around the campground was my first experience on a dirt trail and it was hilly too.
I decided to abort this destination and take my chances on a different place to camp. I headed back along the highway for a few miles and followed a sign to a different State Park. Here is where it got interesting, the road immediately turned from pavement to dirt and I got my first real taste of driving off the pavement for around 20 miles. The drive along Highway 74 to Whitewater State Park from Highway 61 was amazing. Imagine lush, untouched river valleys with bluffs on the sides, complete with the golden light of the late afternoon sun. I finally arrived at the park and they were FULL (big surprise on a holiday weekend) but it was worth taking the chance and the drive was challenging and scenic.
The nice staff at the campground gave me directions to a state forest around 30 miles North from the park. I headed off with hopes that I wouldn’t have to drive all the way home or get a hotel room. Here is where it gets funny. I found the state forest campground and it was full of horses, horse trailers and RV’s. I did a once around to see if there was anywhere I could camp without being trampled and found a nice secluded spot along the perimeter road.
Woo hoo for center stands!
I went back to register for the campground and they looked at me like I was an alien with my motorcycle complete with shiny helmet and Joe Rocket jacket.
“You want to camp… here?” Yes.
“You got a horse?” No.
“OK, I guess, we’ve never had anyone camp here without a horse.” At this point, I was laughing inside, I knew this was my best bet for a decent place to camp, but I also knew that I was the complete outsider in a predictable environment of horse people. I signed and paid for my site and headed towards my little corner on the path.
It was truly a fun experience, everyone that walked or rode by talked to me or at least said hi.
“Where’s your horse?” “That thing is missing some legs” “You sleep in that little thing?” I had a very nice time talking with everyone. After cooking dinner on my stove, I found some dead wood, made a fire and relaxed. Sounds of horses, dogs, and competing country stations was still much better than a night next to the highway.
“You sleep in that little thing?"Sunday, I packed up early and started heading back to the Twin Cities. Had a great drive through farming towns watching hawks and vultures passing overhead. The motorcycle that I bought earlier this month is starting to feel like a natural extension of me as I cruise the back roads. I find myself thinking less about each and every turn as my body begins to push and lean instinctively.
Got home in time to clean the dead bugs off of my face shield and begin contemplating an oil change and a carb sync. The fun continues…
Here is the map:
