Hit the road and made 20 miles or so before long. Very pretty. I'm really in the land of lakes and marshes, stunted pines and green maple groves. A winding road took me along what was once called the old Superior Trail- first an Indian route, then a miner's and logger's Road, and finally a Military Road from Fort Howard in Green Bay to Fort something or other on the Keewanee peninsula (built during the Civil War- what danger there was up there I don't know). For now it's a well paved Scenic byway.
Realizing a bad habit of mine of putting things on top of my bags during a break, and then leaving when the bugs get bad and forgetting all about it, only to have to retrace my steps to find it somewhere along the road... ug.
Pulled into Eagle River sorely needing some food and a laundromat. My home washing technique in the shower only went so far- and that was when I had a shower.... luckily the first thing I saw when I pulled into town was Sheifert's laundry. Made a stop at the Subway next door for a loaf of whole wheat bread, which I made into a bologna sandwich that I ate while I waited for my laundry. As I waited the rain began to fall outside. A while later a large crew of counselors from a nearby Christian summer camp took the laundromat by storm. I only had a few pieces of clothing so I was done quickly, and as I got ready to go again it appeared as though the rain had passed (or so I thought).
Not 10 minutes into the ride towards Conover did the deluge begin again. Not only does the rain slow one down, it can be thoroughly demoralizing, especially on the side of a highway.
But I made it, and with no other choice headed out towards Star Lake. Another bitter 10 miles over dips and humps. No passing storm clouds here- this rain meant to stay.
Pulled into Star Lake feeling desperate, and looked for cover somewhere. Turns out the town is simply a bait shop that appears to have been closed for some time. Pretty typical for around here (as shown in this clipping):
Rode a little farther and saw a sign for the North Star lodge. Perhaps they would know where I could camp around here- I was feeling as though going on would be pointless, or suicide, or both.
The lodge was a homey place. A large two-story wooden cabin situated above the lake with an attached restaurant and bar. I looked around but could not find anyone. The door was unlocked and I snooped around for a moment, but the creaky and tilted wooden floors (so wonky almost felt as though you were walking in a moving ship) with rows of empty rooms had me a little frightened. Eventually found woman in a small cabin next door, who called the owner. Bill (the owner), swing by and gave me room number 5 for $39. Seeing as there was no one else arriving tonight, I had the whole place to myself. Not bad, and sorely needed.
Quickly got to work making a fire, and then dried my stuff around it and made pasta on top of it. Sitting there before the crackling fire, with pine smoke smell in the room, my things finally on the drier side, and a nice bowl of pasta all to myself, I really felt glad. A good change from just a few hours before. Not all bad days are lost causes. Think I'll sleep on the couth down here by the fire.
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