Fall Season in Minnesota / Adventure Motorcycling Backroads / Sailing

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September and October are great months to be taking adventures in Minnesota. The beauty of the Beemer is that I can cover alot of miles and stretch out the zones. Not unusual to cover over 120 miles in a day exploring several different areas.

 I hit a bunch of dead ends along the way, but once in a while I am able to connect a couple sections. Earlier this summer with the storms up North in the woods, there was numerous trees down across the trails. Sometimes I am able to hack my way thru with a hatchet or woodsaw. Maybe break trail around the obstacle, many times just turn around. More of the larger trees have been cut up so One can ride over the remaining log.

 One of my favorite trips is to explore the back roads near my Uncles former old cabin. A buddy now owns it, haven't seen him for years but sweet area to revisit. This is an area east of Aitkin, Minnesota.

 A bit of exploring around Cuyuna, Minnesota this evening.

 On this day, I wasn't the only one making tracks in the mud. A set of Timber Wolf and down the same ATV trail, a set of Bear tracks.

 This is one old school bus that hasn't made tracks in a while...good stuff!

 Doesn't get much better than this, enjoying a lunch off the Beemers box at the end of a dead end trail in the middle of no-where.

On the Water in September

 

This was a good sail at dusk capturing the last of the sunset.

Out on the pontoon another night capturing the last of the day light on a sand bar off an island.

Keep a well stocked fridge and life is good!

Sittin' around the campfire in the Fall, sipping on a cold beverage after a good motorcycle ride in the woods... Ride on!!

Traveling in the Rain / Creating a Winter Rig / Riding the Yamaha WR450F in Minnesota Forests / Warm Fires

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This has been a rain season for sure. As I stand on a bridge above the Minnesota River and watch whole trees float down river it reinforces the fact that One should have proper gear to be out in the elements. Ole planet Earth is an ever changing climate...this is the way it should be. I happen to thrive on the extreme weather, so it is good stuff.

 The new car, starting to take shape. Add the roof rack to carry bikes and the capability to carry snowboards this winter and if need be slap the Rocket Box on for more storage.

To add to the capabilities of the Ford Focus, the addition of these rock and roll tires are true Blizzard chasers. These are Hankook "Winter Pike" tires. Had them on my 2012 Focus and it is cheating using these tires in the Winter, they are that good!

Traveling Back Up North

 Time of the year that it is a good time for the fire place in the cabin.

 Best time of the year, the Fall to explore the backwoods trails on the Yamaha WR450F. Doesn't matter if I'm blasting down the fireroads at warp speed or creeping down a forest trail at walking pace, this moto handles everthing I throw at it. Really enjoy having a snack in the woods and sitting on a rock listening to the forest sounds.

 Pick your moto forest dirt color...

 Brilliant Fall colors and sunlite to make a very good day out exploring some new trails.

Tis the season for outdoor fires and tipping a few cold beverages after a day in the Northern Minnesota woods... Ride on!!

Wolves in the Woods / Breaking Trail with the Suzuki DRZ400

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Day 1

Arrive up north with a clean freshly lubed motorcycle and truck...

 Gotta love a good knobby.

 The exploring this trip got into some remote and overgrown trails. By the end of the summer on the untraveled trails, the foliage covers the trail leaving a faint path to navigate through.

 By exploring the path least taken, one is treated to sights such as this remote pond. As I crept up to the opening I noticed a pair of Wood Ducks on the far shore, it's great to be out observing nature. 

 This is a set of tracks that I believe are wolf tracks. Large and traveling in a straight line down one of the logging roads. I followed the tracks for over a mile down the trail before they cut into the woods. 

 Day one was a good riding and woods experience. Exploring new areas, seeing the signs of wildlife and gettin' dirty.

Topping the end of the day off with a good supper at a local bar and grill with Weezer was good stuff.

Day 2

Day 2 started out rolling down some logging roads and opening up the 400 a bit.

I turned off on a smaller narrow trail and came upon some more, what I believe were 3 sets of wolf tracks. The tracks appeared to be fairly fresh.

As I travel down the trails I keep an eye out for any signs of tracks in the mud. This day I was several miles west of the riding on day 1. I have heard that wolves have moved into this general region. It would be exciting to have a wolf sighting this fall.

The Suzuki in it's element...blending into the foliage.

As I headed farther north, I came upon a pond that a beaver family had dammed up. Along the dam I observed a fresh set of bear tracks in the mud. It's great to be able to ride into these remote areas and be close to the wildlife and know that I may get a sighting of some elusive critter.  

In this picture I am standing on the beaver dam which is about 5 feet high and in the corner of the pond I could see the massive beaver house.

Exploring is my passion and the 400 Suzuki is a great means of backcountry travel!

Meanwhile back at the cabin awaits an ice cold Montana beer, "Moose Drool" to refresh after a day in the saddle.

Good Times!!