All posts by richardhoeg@gmail.com

Nine Hours in the Northland!

Year 4,

Last night I sat on the shores of Lake Superior between 3:30 and 4:30 in the morning waiting for the Northern Lights to dance, but Lady Aurora never performed. However, it was a beautiful rare warm night and I enjoyed sitting under the stars. Twas truly peaceful.

At 7:00 am I went birding with my friend Greg. We decided to focus on finding some Arctic shorebirds which are now starting to migrate through the area. While we did not find numbers, we enjoyed “quality”.

Lesser Yellowlegs

Buff-Breasted Sandpiper

Buff-Breasted Sandpiper and Semipalmated Sandpiper

Semipalmated Sandpiper

After doing some yard work after my birding expedition it was time for a bicycle ride up the North Shore of Lake Superior. Two miles shy of the Sucker River “I heard that whistle blowing” and I then redoubled my efforts and biked hard to the railroad trestle arriving a few minutes before the North Shore Scenic Railroad steam engine. The time was now high noon … yes, it was  a good nine hours in the Northland. It is good to be home with my camera.

Homecoming Yellowlegs!

Year 4

After five weeks away from Duluth, and a beautiful but strenuous bike tour through the coastal mountains of British Columbia, I am home! Last night I slept in my own bed (heavenly), but had the unique experience to waking up in the middle of the night and NOT knowing where I was. When one sleeps in a new location for a month straight, the brain gets confused.

This morning I was up before dawn, and enjoyed some local birding. The ball fields at the end of Park Point were drenched from the recent rains. I thought I would find more shorebirds working their way south, but the numbers were low. A quick trip over to the Roy Johnson wetlands in NW Wisconsin was equally unimpressive in terms of grassland birds found. Oh well, it’s nice to be home and birding on my home turf.

A Lesser Yellowlegs and Friend Photographed this Morning.

Bald Eagles Gone Wild! Haida Gwaii!

Year 4

We have finished the Yellowhead Tour. After 626 miles of cycling through British Columbia’s coastal mountain range, including a trip out to the Haida Gwaii archipelago, my weary muscles may now rest! Although rivers often cut through the mountains, significant climbing is required, but the scenery makes all the effort worthwhile. You may find my full trip diary on the Crazy Guy on a Bike Portal. However, here is one photo I took of Molly descending to the Skeena River which sets the stage.

Haida Gwaii was a cyclist dream of pretty roads, low traffic and smooth pavement. The native culture is evident, and wildlife abounds. We were the rare American visitor, but not the Canadians. They are well aware of this island treasure. Molly and I have now traded two wheels for four, our Subaru, and are slowly working our way home … after all there is more of the world to explore … perhaps with shorter cycling jaunts?!

Here are a few photos from Haida Gwaii … some eagles in a feeding frenzy when a fisherman left fish remains on a beach … reaching mile #0 of the Yellowhead Highway, and our final map. I heartily recommend one see North America at 11 mph by bike tour. You won’t regret the effort.

You may wish to read Molly’s posts about our tour. She writes for several regional magazines, and has a good way with words.

Feeding Frenzy and Bringing Home the Bacon

Mile #0

Totem Pole … Haida Gwaii

Final Cycling Map