Day 31 Wausau, WI

Good evening from Wausau, Wisconsin. Another day down and it was a long one. After sitting in a hot tub last night that didn't work, our bodies were a little refreshed. (the pump was not working properly, but it still helped) We woke early and packed up to leave. Before we left we applied capsicum cream to our bodies and headed out. The warmth felt good between my shoulder blades and Tracy said her butt felt fine. We rode through the town and were soon on open road. The sun was shinning and it was around 65 degrees. The road was well paved and the speed limit was 65m.p.h. Cruising down the highway through Minnesota reminded us of being on the N.Y.S. Thruway. There were trees along the road side and then open fields. Occasionally a farm and small houses. The grass was topped out and the highway department was cutting along the road side. We noticed that they were bailing the grass and leaving it in round bails. Farther down the road we saw a state truck picking up the bails. Were not sure what they do with them but we thought it was a novel idea. Making our way through Minnesota was an easy ride. We stopped for fuel in Bemidji, MN and a trucker started a conversation with us. He was returning home after being on the road for a few day's. He suggested that we take a ferry across the Lake Michigan instead of riding all the way to the top of Wisconsin. He told us to stop at the welcome center just over the border and check out the schedules. He also told us that we were in deer ally and to be safe. We thanked him, then started our ride again. We were heading down the highway and that same trucker sped past us. We figured he was in a hurry to get home, but he slowed down to the speed limit. After some time we realized that he was acting as our eyes, looking for deer. Every time we would lag behind he would slow down. We were traveling through a forest with trees on both sides of the road, prime for deer to lunge out of. When the road opened up to a four lane, the trucker took off like a shot, and flashed his brake lights. We waved to him, and he was off. We continued on our way then stopped for a bite to eat and to refuel. It looked like rain ahead and it was getting a little chilly so we put on our gear before leaving. Tracy called that one on the money, about ten miles down the road it started to rain. It wasn't to heavy so it was easy to maintain our speed. As we neared Duluth, MN it started to come down in buckets. It was raining so hard my glasses started to fill with water. We pulled over under cover to dry my glasses, then headed off again. It rained all the way through Duluth, but when we got to Wisconsin, it eased up then stopped. Clear skies were ahead and we dried up quickly. Like the other states, when we crossed the border the landscape changed. The terrain started to become more hilly and the trees were large. There were pines, ash, maple and beautiful lakes all over the place. There were turns but not sharp ones, just long and gradual. We arrived at the welcome center around 4:20p.m. The attendant was very helpful and gave us all the information we needed. After some figuring, we decided to take the ferry. It would save us around 275 miles and money. We changed our direction and started heading south. We rode down route 51 into the state forest. This was a beautiful ride. Our goal was to make it to Wausau before dusk. We didn't want to tangle with any deer. The pine trees were close to the road and very tall. The lakes were blue and full of people enjoying them. We exited the forest and the road opened up to a four lane highway. The speed limit rose to 65m.p.h. and it was clear sailing. We arrived in Wausau at 8:00p.m. and checked into a motel 8. We have reservations for the ferry in Manitowoc. It leaves at 1:15p.m. and we need to be there by 12:15p.m. It's about 150 miles away so we are heading out early with plenty of time to spare. We want to thank Francis and Patty for all they have done for us. God Bless and we Love you guys. Till our next post, be blessed and good night.