The Wasserman Times

August 1, 2011

The BMW anonymous book has once again paid off. Last night we stayed with a woman in Marquette, Michigan. Marquette is in the Upper Peninsula (the UP) of Michigan on the shore of Lake Superior. We arrived late to the house, but got so caught up by the energy that our home-stay put out that we went on a tour with her of the whole town. We went right down to the beach, and it was absolutely beautiful. The water was extremely clear and comfortably warm. Then we went on a long walk along the shore through a wooded area while she excitedly told us everything a tourist in the area would want to know. She showed us where people can go kayaking, hiking, cliff jumping, and boating. The area up here seems like a playground in the summertime. Minor detail: winter lasts nine months here and it randomly snows in August.

The town of Marquette itself is quite a marvel. Not a single store building was out of business. Somehow we found the only small town in America that didn't have sad and pathetic parts (I am glaring at you, South Dakota). I really wish we could stay longer, but someday in the future this might be a nice place to get a summer home. In an alternate universe where Marc and I have lots of money, we will have summer homes in many places, and you are more then welcome to vacation with us. Downtown Marquette reminds me of 23^rd street in Portland; full of hip stores, restaurants, and bars. Many different people occupy this town, but what they all have in common is that they love winter. They have to. Marquette, according to the woman we stayed with, has the only natural luge course in the United States. They have many other winter sports, and many winter Olympic trials are held here.

I just wanted to mention briefly that some of you BMW riders may know the woman we stayed with. She is a very cool German woman, and she rides a beautiful old motorcycle that she calls “Old Blue.” (Marc says it's an R80/7 without the fairing.) I have a happy fantasy of running into all the BMW people we have stayed with at a future rally, and telling them how our trip turned out.

Our next destination is Sudburry, Ontario. Why are we going back into Canada? Seeing Niagara Falls from the Canadian side might be fun, and its a more direct route to Boston, where we are going to drop off the bike to get it fixed.

Happy Trails,

Amelia