Interesting question. I think that is definitely a possibility.

Yay! My life is so boring that I've been continually reloading this journal waiting for the trip to start! Well... Maybe.
I'll be driving to Copper Harbor on Monday to start my Isle Royale Backpacking trip the next morning. I'll shout down the the rest of the UP at you when I get there.
Have a great ride!

I see that subtle pronunciation hint. Nice!

Or should it be pasties can’t be nasty?

It’s disheartening though that the first sign you see crossing the border is for a gun shop.

Pretty amazing. Sin City, WI!

"Sunsets happen every day, but I'm still fascinated by every one of them. I kind of wish they'd happen two or three times per day."

There's a simple way to make your wish a reality. Move to the International Space Station.

Is this were the saying hurley burley girls comes from?

Holy Cow! For a second there, I thought Harry Caray himself had written to me from the great Wrigley Field in the sky. Anyway, I'm glad I didn't have to endure the double whammy of missing the aurora borealis AND the delay of new stucco on my house. Sorry that you did.

Hi Greg,
Holy cow! Those were spectacular. I heard that they could be seen from here, but only if the rain had stopped, which it didn’t. I not only missed the aurora, but the new stucco on my house was delayed! But I’m glad you saw them and got some great shots.
Cheers,
Keith

Way back then, they were not spectacular... In fact, at first we thought it was reflections of lightning in clouds. It sure would have been great to see a real showing like you saw. Thanks for posting the pictures!

I did hear about reports from all over the world. Still, I think there was a little bit of luck involved in seeing them. I texted my brother while watching the light show. He went outside and looked for them for an hour and saw nothing even though he only lives 30 miles away. In fact, even as I watched them, they'd kind of come and go. And they disappeared for good at about 10:30 p.m. Yet, I've talked to other people who saw them in different places and at all different times of the night. I think I was at the right place at the right time.

I can only imagine how awesome they looked from that unique land of lakes and canoes.

Hi Kelly,
That's a good observation on experience vs. youthful enthusiasm. From what I've seen, you certainly have enough everyday experience to know that pre-tour riding is a good idea, but loading up your bike for the pre-tour riding isn't all that important.
P.S. A couple years ago, I was driving on the part of your route between Challis, Idaho and Chief Joseph Pass and the whole time I was wishing I was on a bike. It's so beautiful.

Those northern lights were global, they were also visible here in Gauting!

Very nice! Last time I saw northern lights was probably about 15 years or more ago while I was in Boundary Waters in August.