[Davy]

About 40 miles up from Madison, WI is the area called the Wisconsin Dells. There are many campgrounds there and many things to see and do if you like waterparks and rivers and smallish lakes. If you go from there to Eau Claire, WI and head north on Highway 53 you can go up through Duluth, MN / Superior, Wi and from there you could go up the North Shore on Hwy 61 in MN to Canada and either then come back down to Duluth and go west on Hwy 2 to Grand Forks, or go west through Ontario and cross back down at International Falls, MN or go all the way out to Winnepeg.

The scenery is far better going up the North Shore than going up to Winnepeg. The roads in western Ontario are not great, but ok. It takes about 3.5 hours to go from Duluth to Thunder Bay, Ontario. There isn’t a lot do see or do in Thunder Bay other than old Fort William, but the scenery up and back is nice this time of year.

There is a decent campground in Duluth at Lakehead Boat Basin. Right on the water in what is called Canal Park. Many good places to eat etc. There are other campgrounds along the North Shore, but many are way to small for a bus, and you may not be able to tell from the description in guide books, so if you decide to go up with the bus check ahead.

Remember that you need your passport to gain entry back into the US if you do go to Canada.

[Archived]

Thanks for the information, Mark. We will probably leave the bus in Duluth and drive the car to Thunder Bay. How about driving from Thunder Bay to International Falls and then back down to Duluth to get the bus? That looks like it could be an interesting drive. We love scenery.

Is Hwy 2 to Grand Forks, ND ok for the bus and trailer?

Thanks again,

DKO

[Doug]

DKO, There’s not too
much to see in Wisconsin (it’s my home state) but if you like cows, beer, wildlife and football you
are in the right place! (There’s
180,000 farms in the state of Wisconsin, or so I’ve been told).

If you are headed up the 94-90 north of Madison, a little
out of your way on the 33 is Baraboo, it’s home to the Ringling Brothers
Circus. I’m not sure if they still headquarter there but there’s a Circus
Museum open year round and the town is a great example of small town America.

Also on your way is the Wisconsin Dells, right on the
90-94 with lots to do with the kids, etc. I would imagine that there’s some
good camping around there as well…water activities, etc.

And then there ‘s always Chippewa Falls, another great small
town not too far off your route north on the 53 by Eau Claire. Wonderful people there and of course Leinenkugel
Brewing Company! (you learn to how to pronounce the name shortly after you have
a few). I stopped by the factory one time to “sample” and Jacob Leinenkugel the
III served me a cold one himself. There’s lot’s of history there and the story’s of
how it all started are amazing, plus Lake Wissota.

And if you have time, (although it may be too far out of the
way) head over to Green Bay, it’s always lots of fun considering the beer brats,
fish boils and football! And if you stop there say hello to the Major, he’s my cousin and he’ll
show you around!!

Have a good trip!

Fred

[AL]

Taking the car to TBay makes good sense. There are plenty of hotels, motels in TBay to stay at. The trip over to Fort Francis, (the other side of the border with International Falls) isn’t bad with a car. It is only about a three hour drive from Ifalls back to Duluth. That would make an interesting side trip if you so desire.

Highway 2 going west to Grand Forks is a good road. It is what MNDOT considers a super 2 for the 2 lane portion. When you get to Cass Lake it turns into a 4 lane all the rest of the way to Grand Forks and is a good road, although it does go through some towns where you have to slow down. Not a big deal as you can still make good time. I have gone over there many times as I have relatives in Crookston, about 25 miles east of Grand Forks.

I think you will like the trip up to Thunder Bay. The North Shore is very nice this time of year. You have many things to see on the way up, such as Goosberry Falls State Park, and many other places that may interest you. There are plenty of places to stop and eat along the way.

I hope this answers your questions, but if you need more info, ask away…

[Archived]

I

Heads up on Canal Park, Lakehead Boat Basin and big rig friendly. There is nothing like it in the whole world.

You can walk down to the lift bridge being raised to let a great lakes ore boats enter Duluth Harbor. There also an excellent (free) marine museum at same location. Also a permanently docked ore boat for tours.

Suggest you have reservations at the Lakehead Boat Basin.

If you’re a smoke fish fan stop by Russ Kendals fish shop in Knife River on Scenic Drive. This is the highway that parallels Highway 61. It ends at Two Harbors, MN and then again-back to Minnesota Highway 61.

What do you think Mark ?….did we sell him ?

http://www.lakeheadboatbasin.com

[Archived]

I don’t know, but I think he is sold on the idea. Much better scenery around here than going up through Mpls to Fargo and up.

[Archived]

Thanks for the tips. I think we will go throught the Wisconsin Dells area but then we must divert to the Mall of America. (I have my wife, daughter and neice with me) Then cut over to Duluth if we can find a place to park. I would like to park in the place you mentioned in Duluth, Lakehead Boat Basin. I am pulling a 24 ft. trailer. On the Google Map pics the spaces look to small for that. I am going to call them.

I think we will do the big loop up the North Shore to Thunder Bay and over to International Falls and then back to Duluth in the car. If we have a safe place to leave the bus and trailer we may give that trip a couple of nights.

Thanks again for your help. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

DKO

[Jerry]

There is plenty of parking at the MOA for your bus, but it is across the street. Getting from there to Duluth is easy. Just head up I35 either E or W will work.

Call Lakehead Boat Basin, they have lots of parking there. They store boats out of the water in winter, and should be able to accomodate you.

[Archived]

You guys were right on about Wisconsin Dells area. Very nice place. I had never heard of it at all but I am telling others now. We stayed at Country Roads RV Park about 1/2 mile off the interstate and safe for big rigs with trailers like mine. I checked out a few other places while I was there and most of them would have been impossible for me.

There is an Tall Ships event on the days I would have like to camped near Duluth. The place you recommended to me was willing to work with me on my trailer but they could only squeeze me in one night. It sounds like this would have been the perfect time for me to be there but she said this week books very early.

We are now parked at Town and Country RV Park near Minneapolis. They have several spots big enough for the bus but I am shoehorned into their biggest spot with the bus and trailer. Getting out may be a whole other proplem.

We will probably drive the car up to Duluth and beyond for a day and a night and leave the bus parked here. Right now the girls are enjoying THE mall and I am enjoying the quiet.

BTW, my wife and I both thought that what we saw of Wisconsin was beautiful.

DKO

[Archived]

Maybe Mark could jump in for a place to stay overnight in Duluth.

If you have time for a burger, try the Anchor Inn … Superior WS. Just accross the bridge from downtown Duluth.

Has been featured on Diners, Drive Inns and Dives.

[Ron]

If you are looking for a hotel and plan to leave the bus in the twin cities, there are three good size hotels in the downtown area…Raddison, Holiday Inn, and a Sheraton. I have no idea on pricing, but the first two are very close to the waterfront if you are interested in seeing the ships. There are also a few hotels in the canal park area (close to Lakehead Boat Basin) too, but those usually fill up quickly if there is anything going on in town.

Too bad you couldn’t get in for more than one night at Lakehead Boat Basin. That would have worked very well for you. If you want to bring the bus up closer to Duluth, you could try the campground at Grand Casino Hinckley. You would not be able to stay hooked up, but the sites are good and the price isn’t bad either. It is about half way to Duluth from the cities, so it would save you some driving.

[Bryan]

Change of plans: I will not need my trailer in Dunseith so I would love to drop it in Fargo. I will be going right back through there in 9-10 days. I have searched online and eliminated several storage facilities. One looks promising but can not know for sure with out stopping in.

Any suggestions or ideas? Keep in mind I will be parking it and picking it up with the bus so I need a little room. I will be going through there tomorrow, Wednesday.

May be a stab in the dark but worth a try.

DKO