65.4 miles/ +1565.3 ft/ Total miles 1743.7
In Wisconsin, the state highways have numbers and the County roads have letters. In general, the County roads have less traffic, although up here in northern Wisconsin, there are fewer roads in general so sometimes there are logging trucks on the County roads.
Today I rode on a bike trail for 12 miles from Boulder Junction, which was really nice. Then I rode on K, W, and J to get to Mercer. There was almost no traffic on these roads. Mercer actually has a cafe and a real grocery store, so I had second breakfast and stopped at the store for a couple of items.
After that I rode a short way on 51 and then turned on FF, which became F when I crossed the County line from Iron to Ashland County. I rode on this rode for about 29 miles, through forests, wetlands, and open fields, to get to Butternut. The unsettled weather continued, and I got a little wet from drizzle, and ducked under a tree for a short downpour in the middle of nowhere. The temperatures were in the 60s, so even with drizzle it was a pleasant ride.
Here’s a view of today’s clouds and an old barn (between showers):
Here’s one of the churches and the railroad tracks in Butternut, Wisconsin:
My map says that Butternut has a grocery store and some kind of restaurant/ bar/ cafe/ bakery. The only place that was open was a hot dog and ice cream place. I skipped it.
I rode the last 9 miles on Hwy 13, with a few logging trucks (empty ones going my way), a few other cars and trucks, and a decent shoulder. Same story in Glidden. Luckily the motel is still open (my destination), and the gas station on the highway has a restaurant. But several of the bars and real restaurants have recently closed. Not much left here.
Tomorrow to Clam Lake and then I start heading southwest toward Hayward, Cumberland and Osceola, where I will cross into Minnesota in a few days. I’m hoping the weather will improve, but the forecast still has scattered showers. I just hope they scatter somewhere other than where I am riding!
Judy's Bike Ride 2017 
Seems like a pretty good day overall. Hayward is famous for Muskie (Muskellunge) fishing, where the world record was caught (67 lbs.) in 1949. Muskellunge, largest member of the pike family, are the most fearsome freshwater fish in North America. They are apex predators and, in addition to other fish, will attack ducklings, muskrats and other small mammals. Muskie folklore includes attacks on painted toenails dangling off docks as well as an attack on the leg of a fallen water skier. Think “Jaws” of the Chippewa Flowage!! Probably all right for you to take a dip in Clam Lake, though. Other than the water skier incident there is no known Muskie attack on a recreational swimmer.
Phew, i was beginning to get worried. There was a Muskie monument in one of the towns I went through today, so they must be found in various lakes around here. There are a lot of lakes …
My dad caught a Northern pike when he and my mom were newly married. It was about five feet long and had an incredible mouth full of teeth – the top of its mouth was covered with barbs for good measure. Do you remember seeing its head on a plaque on our wall? I thought of it as a heroic adventure of his when I was young, but later learned that at least half the credit went to Mom, who managed the canoe through the whole thing, including spinning it when the fish would dive under in an attempt to snarl the line and lose it…
That must have been quite a scene!
Looks lovely! We got the package, by the way.
Enjoying your travelogue.
It sounds like you’re getting into the groove. Keep up the reports!