Gooseberry Trucker Overnight

Alison’s new coupled Long Haul Trucker made its maiden voyage this past weekend.  We headed up north and rode an overnight from Duluth to Gooseberry Falls State Park along the Lake Superior shore.  We packed up Thursday night as we had a three-day weekend, but didn’t leave until Saturday morning due to having to get some stuff done around the house.   So, having left the morning of, we got a late riding start in Duluth, and ended up having just enough time to get the 40 mile route ridden on the heavy bikes and get a campsite set up before dark. 

On the way up we had texted a friend of ours who is frequently up on the Shore to see if he was around, and as luck would have it, he was also at Gooseberry that night, so we camped together, staying up for a good campfire session.    

The night was crisp, getting down into the lower 30’s, which considering it’s March, was a pretty great night on the Shore.  We should be seeing snow still, and perhaps in large volumes, but this is still our non-winter leading into early spring. 

In the morning we got a very non-alpine start, choosing laziness and coffee time over early miles, which also gave the sun time to warm us up.  We shot the breeze for a while longer before parting ways with our friend and getting back on the bikes.

While Saturday had been foggy and chilly in the morning, it had given away in the afternoon to a mix of sun and clouds, and this weather stuck around.  Sunday was cool, but downright nice out if you ask me.  I like chilly weather for outdoor activity; the southern climates can have their sweatiness.  We get that here too but thankfully it doesn’t last long each year. 

After reaching the car, we grabbed a great dinner out and headed back to the Cities for the week.  It was a short trip, but every day I spend on the Shore I appreciate.    I plan on more short overnighters like this as I don’t often have long stretches of time off with my current schedule.  They are a refreshing break….

A fine pair of distance haulers...

Smiles and so much bike-weight...:)

Too lazy to get out the gorilla-pod...

One of the tunnels along the Shore along the way back to Duluth...

Along the Silver Creek Cliff...enjoying the big Lake...