I Went for a Ride Today!

It sure brought back a lot of memories. I took a ride up to Ashland, WI, childhood home of my mother. My maternal Grandmother used to live in Ashland until her death in 1974. I can remember spending time up there in the summer of 1972. I know I was there with my mother, but I don't remember if my sister was along then or not. I remember riding my bicycle down to the Suzuki dealer by Lake Superior. I know it was 1972, because all of the motorcycles parked out front were orange and white. I remember wanting a TS-90 or a TS-125. I would have been 11 years old that summer. It would be another year or two before I'd get my first motorcycle.

This is the building that used to be a Suzuki dealer. That's Lake Superior behind it.

That summer, all of the Enduros looked like this.

And...

There is still room in the garage for a nice looking '72 TS-250. I saw one last year that was in very nice shape. I'll just be patient and watch craigslist.....

I drove around Ashland and tried to spot my Grandmothers house. I remember that it was a few blocks up from Beaser School on 12th. Ave W., between 9th St and 10th St. I know it was the second house up, because my Grandmother's sister lived next door, on the corner. The house looked a lot different than it did 40 years ago. I don't remember how many times I've been to Ashland since my Grandmother passed away in '74, but it's probably fewer than 5.

I also got pictures of one of the old Soo Line ore docks. They're being torn down. That's too bad because they were such a distinctive Ashland landmark. The locks were built in 1916 and used until 1965. Loaded railroad iron ore cars were brought out onto the dock and the ore was dumped through chutes, into great lakes freighters below. The docks are 80' high, 75' wide, and 1800' long.

There is a Soo Line steam locomotive on display in the middle of town. It's a 190,000 lb Baldwin Decapod (10 drive wheels).

It was a great day for a memory filled ride!!