Split Rock Lighthouse Weblog

I’d like to talk about two of my favorite topics… lighthouses and motorcycles.  This summer it has been obvious that more folks are traveling and vacationing on motorcycles.  The North Shore Scenic Drive always has been an ideal destination for a bike trip but this year I have noticed a pretty hefty increase in two-wheeled traffic.  That included the HOG (Harley Owners Group) rally in Duluth in June and a Hells Angels Motorcycle Club (HAMC) rally in July.

The Hells Angels definately attracted the most attention from law enforcement and others.   The HAMC held their national pre-Sturgis rally the last week of July in Carlton, MN and it was estimated that around 500 club members spent three or four days playing tourist around Duluth and up the North Shore.  Very little activity out of the normal was noticed (though much was anticipated) during their visit and traffic along the North Shore highway continued as usual.

Motorcycles are a great way to visit lighthouses as most lighthouses are in very scenic locations and bikes are the best means of traveling to these mostly rural settings.  Many of the visitors to Split Rock are continuing on the circle route around Lake Superior or heading inland toward northern Minnesota and the iron range towns by way of the Superior National Forest Scenic Byway, arguably one of the best motorcycle roads in the state, even in a car.There will be a couple of more months of good riding weather ahead.  With fall colors just over a month away think about a trip over some great roads with great scenery, to see some great lighthouses.