The pike hole
Minnesota recognize the MRT
25/6/11 Oak Haven to Bena, 56k weather fine, light wind
An easy morning was had with breakfast preparation, oats and coffee. Knowing I didn’t have far to Bena I decided to spend some time getting better organized, I was tiring of not knowing the whereabouts of some items. On the back of each pannier ( against the wheels) I wrote in texta what was within. The white panniers offering good visibilty to motorists, also afforded legible writing to be placed on them.
I dumped my riding shorts, it would have been nice to give them to someone, unfortunately the recipient may have looked on it as an insult as there was a skid mark that no amount of washing would remove that was permanantly visible in the yellow padding. I wont miss these, That night in Northolme was painful.
I said good bye and thanks to the RV crew. Took some photos of the MR that the park is on and headed east. I was still only on the first section of the guide book, Itasca state park to Bena.
Whitetail deer were encountered not far down the road which had a narrow shoulder but little traffic. A young dog followed me for at least 4 miles from his gate, he had some stamina. In hindsight I should have maced him within the first mile. I wouldn’t be surprised if he never got back home. He nearly caused me to come off at one point running infront of me.
Getting hungry again on arrival in Pennington, the Pike Hole bar and grill came into sight. The burgers here were the best to date. Fresh lettuce, excellent meat all washed down with a bottomless 7up initially costing $2. We are getting fleeced in Aussie with soft drinks coming from a mixing post.
Fisher persons were pulling into the wharf for the same reason I was there. Cass Lake, like most lakes here were abundant with fish.
The main species being Walleye, Crappie, Sunfish, Northern pike, Rainbow trout and Bass.
The first three and Rainbow trout rate best as table fish, the Pike needs baking. The cheek of the Walleye is a delicacy.
Further on from here road maintenance was occurring with a gravel surface present for 5miles, it was hard work coupled with the head wind on my face.
One of the reasons for my being here crossed the road three quarters of the way into this gravel. Some Native American kids were fishing from her bridge. The water was clear, and large Walleye were holding their stations in the purposeful flow. Needless to say any number of lures could not entice these fish to break ranks. Their sight was enough to keep anyone with a rod in hand interested. I had a spell, mucked about with them and proceeded to Bena.
This road took me to US2, on the corner was a giant fish similar in size to Coffs BB.
There are shots of this in the open scenes of Natoinal Lampoons,Vacation. Bena was 5 miles down the road, pop’n 115.
I pulled in at the Winnibigoshish Historical Centre and booked a camp site, $16.50/night. Power, water and the net in the park.
A fellow cyclist, great guy, was camping also. Ethan was doing the Northern tier east to west. He had started at Conneticut. It was great swapping road tales and gear preferences. I was travelling, all be it heavily burdened, in comparitive luxury to him. He has a site you might like to visit at: ethanonabicycle.blogspot.com
His tent was a third as small as the Vango. Although he did have one item of luxury, that being a Surly LHT like mine.
Lake Winniebigoshish wasn’t far so we took a walk. I went down the beach a bit, stripped off and had a dip. The temp was surprisingly warm, the area unknowingly was knee deep for at 500m out. Not the kind of under water topography required with no gear on.
Back at camp we bought a few beers and chatted into the twilight. Then went for another stroll down to Lake Winniebigoshish. What an idyllic evening with a slightly offshore wind make the lake glass like.
There was a family group of NA people around a fire with kids swimming and just being kids.They had this brilliant horse ,Mighty, with them, hardly broken in, he was not a big horse, there was something about him. Spirit is was word that comes to mind. We talked and laughed with them. Both Ethan and I were a tad on the way.
The older guy there told us stories about their traditional ways. He had no top on and asked me for my Odlo,” here” I said and he put it on. In the meantime one of the boys had found a Bald Eagle feather. They gave it to me and told a traditional story about the eagle and how not to let a Bald Eagle feather in ones possession touch the ground. In a symbolic gesture he said take this down the river it will look after you. I agreed with enthusiasm and a great deal of emotion being displayed in an aqueous manner.
On signalling our departure he returned my jumper thankful for the wamth it had offered. The government here has the same issues with these people as our indigenous peoples at home. One way or another their pride needs to be restored to a point where public display of it comes naturally to them. (my take only)
Back at camp we had herbal tea prior to being driven to our respective abodes by the incessant mozzys.
Another day of unexpected company. Bena had a good feel about it. It was also NA reservation land. I decided to stop here tomorrow.
An easy morning was had with breakfast preparation, oats and coffee. Knowing I didn’t have far to Bena I decided to spend some time getting better organized, I was tiring of not knowing the whereabouts of some items. On the back of each pannier ( against the wheels) I wrote in texta what was within. The white panniers offering good visibilty to motorists, also afforded legible writing to be placed on them.
I dumped my riding shorts, it would have been nice to give them to someone, unfortunately the recipient may have looked on it as an insult as there was a skid mark that no amount of washing would remove that was permanantly visible in the yellow padding. I wont miss these, That night in Northolme was painful.
I said good bye and thanks to the RV crew. Took some photos of the MR that the park is on and headed east. I was still only on the first section of the guide book, Itasca state park to Bena.
Whitetail deer were encountered not far down the road which had a narrow shoulder but little traffic. A young dog followed me for at least 4 miles from his gate, he had some stamina. In hindsight I should have maced him within the first mile. I wouldn’t be surprised if he never got back home. He nearly caused me to come off at one point running infront of me.
Getting hungry again on arrival in Pennington, the Pike Hole bar and grill came into sight. The burgers here were the best to date. Fresh lettuce, excellent meat all washed down with a bottomless 7up initially costing $2. We are getting fleeced in Aussie with soft drinks coming from a mixing post.
Fisher persons were pulling into the wharf for the same reason I was there. Cass Lake, like most lakes here were abundant with fish.
The main species being Walleye, Crappie, Sunfish, Northern pike, Rainbow trout and Bass.
The first three and Rainbow trout rate best as table fish, the Pike needs baking. The cheek of the Walleye is a delicacy.
Further on from here road maintenance was occurring with a gravel surface present for 5miles, it was hard work coupled with the head wind on my face.
One of the reasons for my being here crossed the road three quarters of the way into this gravel. Some Native American kids were fishing from her bridge. The water was clear, and large Walleye were holding their stations in the purposeful flow. Needless to say any number of lures could not entice these fish to break ranks. Their sight was enough to keep anyone with a rod in hand interested. I had a spell, mucked about with them and proceeded to Bena.
This road took me to US2, on the corner was a giant fish similar in size to Coffs BB.
There are shots of this in the open scenes of Natoinal Lampoons,Vacation. Bena was 5 miles down the road, pop’n 115.
I pulled in at the Winnibigoshish Historical Centre and booked a camp site, $16.50/night. Power, water and the net in the park.
A fellow cyclist, great guy, was camping also. Ethan was doing the Northern tier east to west. He had started at Conneticut. It was great swapping road tales and gear preferences. I was travelling, all be it heavily burdened, in comparitive luxury to him. He has a site you might like to visit at: ethanonabicycle.blogspot.com
His tent was a third as small as the Vango. Although he did have one item of luxury, that being a Surly LHT like mine.
Lake Winniebigoshish wasn’t far so we took a walk. I went down the beach a bit, stripped off and had a dip. The temp was surprisingly warm, the area unknowingly was knee deep for at 500m out. Not the kind of under water topography required with no gear on.
Back at camp we bought a few beers and chatted into the twilight. Then went for another stroll down to Lake Winniebigoshish. What an idyllic evening with a slightly offshore wind make the lake glass like.
There was a family group of NA people around a fire with kids swimming and just being kids.They had this brilliant horse ,Mighty, with them, hardly broken in, he was not a big horse, there was something about him. Spirit is was word that comes to mind. We talked and laughed with them. Both Ethan and I were a tad on the way.
The older guy there told us stories about their traditional ways. He had no top on and asked me for my Odlo,” here” I said and he put it on. In the meantime one of the boys had found a Bald Eagle feather. They gave it to me and told a traditional story about the eagle and how not to let a Bald Eagle feather in ones possession touch the ground. In a symbolic gesture he said take this down the river it will look after you. I agreed with enthusiasm and a great deal of emotion being displayed in an aqueous manner.
On signalling our departure he returned my jumper thankful for the wamth it had offered. The government here has the same issues with these people as our indigenous peoples at home. One way or another their pride needs to be restored to a point where public display of it comes naturally to them. (my take only)
Back at camp we had herbal tea prior to being driven to our respective abodes by the incessant mozzys.
Another day of unexpected company. Bena had a good feel about it. It was also NA reservation land. I decided to stop here tomorrow.
Ethan on the shores of Lake Winnibigoshish, 2130hrs
Prep of a smores
"Mighty"
A bit of bulk bud'
The parents of these kids had their dog tethered to the rear of their vehicle
