Montana Roadtrip: Gliding Across Wisconsin on US Route 2

US Route 2 and Lake Superior Circle Tour beginning in Ironwood, MI
US Route 2 and Lake Superior Circle Tour beginning in Ironwood, MI

One of my “bucket list trips” is to drive the entire length of US Route 2 from the East Coast to the West Coast. Not necessarily in one trip, but to have been able to drive the length of that highway as the opportunity affords itself. 

Sumoflam at the starting point of his Route 2 adventure in Ironwood, MI
Sumoflam at the starting point of his Route 2 adventure in Ironwood, MI

Route 2 is one of the longest continuous highways in the continental United States, spanning 2,571 miles and is also the northernmost US numbered route in the country. The western segment of US 2 extends from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan across the northern tier of the lower 48 states. Most of the western route was built roughly paralleling the Great Northern Railway. US 2 adopted the railway’s route nickname “The Hi-Line” as the most northern crossing in the U.S.

Ironwood Train Station, Ironwood, MI
Ironwood Train Station, Ironwood, MI

On this trip to Montana, I chose to drive north to Ironwood, Michigan (see the first leg of the trip here if you missed it) and use that as my starting point for the trip westward on US Route 2 since it represents the western end of the Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. I would then traverse across Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota and a good part of Montana all the way to US Route 89 near Glacier National Park.

Downtown Ironwood looking towards the giant Hiawatha statue
Downtown Ironwood looking towards the giant Hiawatha statue
Downtown Ironwood, Michigan
Downtown Ironwood, Michigan

Ironwood also has a number of unique things to see including a giant Hiawatha statue which is touted to be the biggest Native American Indian statue in the United States. They also have some nice murals and a few other unique things to see, so this would be how I started my day off.

A house in Ironwood has an old Hollywood video sign attached to an out building... Hollywood in Michigan!!
A house in Ironwood has an old Hollywood video sign attached to an out building… Hollywood in Michigan!!

As the name implies, Ironwood is a town that was settled due to iron mining. It’s history goes back to the 1800s. There are a couple of monuments to the iron workers in this town including a beautiful mural with paintings of the faces of almost 100 of the former iron workers. There is also a nice chainsaw carved sculpture in front of the old train station.

Wood Carving of Iron Workers in front of station in Ironwood, MI by Potlicker Sclupture
Wood Carving of Iron Workers in front of station in Ironwood, MI by Potlicker Sculpture
The men in Miner's Memorial Mural represent the thousands of men who worked in the Gogebic Range Mines of Michigan and Wisconsin.
The men in Miner’s Memorial Mural represent the thousands of men who worked in the Gogebic Range Mines of Michigan and Wisconsin.
A section of the Miner's Memorial Mural in Ironwood, which was completed in 2012
A section of the Miner’s Memorial Mural in Ironwood, which was completed in 2012

According to roadsideamerica.com, Ashland artists Kelly Meredith and Sue Martinsen spent over four years researching and painting the mural, which depicts over 100 real miners. It was unveiled on June 16, 2012, and proved so popular as a photo-op that in 2013 the city created a car-free zone in front of the mural.

Sumoflam and Hiawatha in Ironwood, MI
Sumoflam and Hiawatha in Ironwood, MI

Perhaps the biggest drawing card is the aforementioned Hiawatha statue which stands 52 feet tall in the midst of a park in town. I have been to many tall statues over the years including the Green Giant in Blue Earth, Minnesota (55 feet), the 15 foot tall Superman statue in Metropolis, Illinois, and of course the giant “Salem Sue” cow statue in New Salem, North Dakota (38 ft tall, 55 foot long), among others. But this Hiawatha was quite amazing. It was built by Gordon Displays of St. Paul, Minnesota and erected in 1964, so it is quite a long-running Roadside attraction. It was made totally out of fiberglass and weighs 18,000 pounds. Amongst the “big things” of this country’s unique tourist attractions, this is certainly one of the bigger ones.

52 foot tall Hiawatha statue in Ironwood, MI
52 foot tall Hiawatha statue in Ironwood, MI
Another angle of Hiawatha statue, which is supposedly the tallest Native American statue in the US
Another angle of Hiawatha statue, which is supposedly the tallest Native American statue in the US

Ironwood also has one of those classy looking theater fronts at the Historic Ironwood Theatre. A drive around the town also shows a number of vintage motel neon signs, which are always of interest to the seasoned back roads traveler.

Historic Ironwood Theatre in Ironwood, MI
Historic Ironwood Theatre in Ironwood, MI
Detail of Gargoyles at the Ironwood Theatre in Ironwood, MI
Detail of Gargoyles at the Ironwood Theatre in Ironwood, MI
Old Ironwood Motel neon sign
Old Ironwood Motel neon sign
Old Quinn Motel Neon sign in Ironwood, MI
Old Quinn Motel Neon sign in Ironwood, MI
A Route 66 type of vintage neon sign at the Royal Motel in Ironwood, MI
A Route 66 type of vintage neon sign at the Royal Motel in Ironwood, MI

As I left Ironwood, I made sure to get the requisite selfie with the Welcome to Wisconsin sign (one of 100 planned selfies on this trip!)

Wisconsin welcomes Sumoflam on US Route 2
Wisconsin welcomes Sumoflam on US Route 2

By morning I was well on my way westward on US Route 2 traversing across the birch forests and farmland of northern Wisconsin.

Driving on US Route 2 in eastern Wisconsin
Driving on US Route 2 in eastern Wisconsin
A typical farm scene along US Route 2 in eastern Wisconsin
A typical farm scene along US Route 2 in eastern Wisconsin
Birch forests line the highway on US Route 2 in eastern Wisconsin
Birch forests line the highway on US Route 2 in eastern Wisconsin

As I neared WI 169 I saw a sign to Copper Falls State Park. There was no distance noted, so I made a left and headed down the road towards Gurney, WI. Great drive, but after about 8 miles I figured it was too far, so I headed back. I had wanted to head to Copper Falls because a verse of my friend Antsy McClain‘s song Field Trip.

Going on a Field Trip to Copper Falls....actually, never made it
Going on a Field Trip to Copper Falls….actually, never made it
Welcome to Gurney, WI
Welcome to Gurney, WI
Road to Gurney, WI...rolling hills in the birch forests
Road to Gurney, WI…rolling hills in the birch forests

Back on US Route 2 on continuing west one enters the Bad River Reservation, which is the home of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe. After driving past the Bad River Casino and the very small town of Odanah (pop 13), I came across a most unique “Collectibles Shop” on the side of the road.  This is one of those really unique “junk all over everything” places.  In some ways it is another form of Americana Art as far as I am concerned.  Here are a few shots of the place….which some research showed me was Boudreau’s Antiques and Collectibles with an Ashland, WI address (65782 Hwy 2).

Boudreau's Antiques and Collectibles on US Hwy 2 east of Ashland, WI
Boudreau’s Antiques and Collectibles on US Hwy 2 east of Ashland, WI
An alternate view of Boudreau's Antiques and Collectibles
An alternate view of Boudreau’s Antiques and Collectibles
Front porch of Boudreau's Antiques...how many things can you spot?
Front porch of Boudreau’s Antiques…how many things can you spot?
Part of a car hood attached to the building at Boudreau's Antiques
Part of an old Dodge hood attached to the building at Boudreau’s Antiques
Superman is hung forever on the side of Boudreau's antiques...saving a little doll?
Superman is hung forever on the side of Boudreau’s antiques…saving a little angel?
Boudreau's and US Hwy 2
Boudreau’s and US Hwy 2

Once I left Boudreau’s and headed further west I could see Lake Superior to my right (north) and seagulls were everywhere.  Definitely near water!

A small lighthouse at the end of an island near the shores of Lake Superior east of Ashland, WI
A small lighthouse at the end of an island near the shores of Lake Superior east of Ashland, WI
A seagull rests comfortably in the grass of a park next to Lake Superior
A seagull rests comfortably in the grass of a park next to Lake Superior
A couple of seagulls "converse" as they enjoy the view over Lake Superior
A couple of seagulls “converse” as they enjoy the view over Lake Superior

Ashland, Wisconsin sits on the shore of Lake Superior and is a nice little town with numerous brownstone buildings.  It is also called the “Mural Capital of Wisconsin” due to its 13 wonderful murals. It is also the gateway to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The Lakeshore features 21 islands and 12 miles of mainland and hosts a unique blend of cultural and natural resources.

Downtown Ashland, WI
Downtown Ashland, WI

The Ashland Mural Walk offers some amazing work by Ashland mural artists Kelly Meredith and Susan Prentice-Martinsen.  They have also done murals in Ironwood, MI and other spots in northern Wisconsin.  The first of their murals is a three story tall mural called the Asaph Whittlesey mural, which was completed in 1998.

Asaph Whittlesey Mural, completed in 1998 by Kelly Meredith and Susan Prentice-Martinsen
Asaph Whittlesey Mural, completed in 1998 by Kelly Meredith and Susan Prentice-Martinsen

The next mural is actually a set of three along the same wall and is called the Ellis Avenue Historical Mural and features three famous redstone buildings including Northland College’s Wheeler Hall, Ashland High School and the Knight Hotel.  these were apparently completed in 2012.

Wheeler Hall Mural on Ellis Avenue in Ashland, WI
Wheeler Hall Mural on Ellis Avenue in Ashland, WI
Ashland High School Mural in Ashland, WI
Ashland High School Mural in Ashland, WI
The Knight Hotel Mural in Ashland, WI
The Knight Hotel Mural in Ashland, WI

In 2007 the artists painted the “The Bus Stop Waitresses,” which I actually enjoyed quite a bit as it is somewhat whimsical.

The Bus Stop Waitresses, a mural in Ashland, WI painted by Kelly Meredith and Susan Prentice Martinsen
The Bus Stop Waitresses, a mural in Ashland, WI painted by Kelly Meredith and Susan Prentice Martinsen

The next one is quite large and is called the Ore Dock Mural. This mural depicts the Ashland Ore Dock, which was built in 1916. The top portion of the mural is a “to scale” painting of the ore dock itself, including every properly numbered ore chute. The lower section includes 21 “postcards” telling the history of the varied uses of the structure over the years.

The Ashland Oredock Mural in Ashland, WI
The Ashland Ore Dock Mural in Ashland, WI

Another extensive mural is the “Veteran’s Mural” which runs along the side of the old Bay Theatre.  This mural features 41 veterans and all the veterans painted in the mural are actual people from the area.

Veterans Mural in Ashland, WI features the real images of 41 veterans from the area
Veterans Mural in Ashland, WI features the real images of 41 veterans from the area

Another nice mural is the “Lighthouse Mural.” Completed in 2000, the mural depicts three Apostle Island lighthouses and their “keepers.”

Lighthouse Mural in Ashland, WI
Lighthouse Mural in Ashland, WI

A smaller yet unique mural is the “Dhooghe’s Store Mural” on the front of the Chequamegon Food Co-op building in Ashland.

Dhooghe's Store Mural in Ashland, WI
Dhooghe’s Store Mural in Ashland, WI

Finally, there is the “Lumberjack Mural.”  This one was also completed in 2000 and depicts some of the men (and one woman) of Ashland’s lumber era.

Lumberjack Mural
Lumberjack Mural

Due to all of the murals, some other shops have gotten in on the action and done their own.  The one below was quite colorful and was in a back alley.

Unknown mural on the back of a building in an alley in Ashland, WI
Unknown mural on the back of a building in an alley in Ashland, WI

But murals are not the only attraction in Ashland.  Like many small towns, they still have their old theatre front, in this case, the Bay Theater.

The Bay Theatre in Ashland, WI
The Bay Theatre in Ashland, WI

On the wet end of town is a nice park on the shores of the lake and I had to get a couple more seagull shots…

Seagull in Ashland, WI
Seagull in Ashland, WI
Seagulls relax on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, WI
Seagulls relax on the shore of Lake Superior in Ashland, WI

After a 30 minute stopover in Ashland, it was time to get moving so I continued west on US Route 2.  Not too far out of town I cam across Pagac’s Bar on the south side of the road.  The drawing card here was the robotic looking Green Bay Packer quarterback made out of scrap metal and a keg.  Pretty unique.

Pagac's Bar west of Ashland, WI
Pagac’s Bar west of Ashland, WI
Robotic scrap metal quarterback.  The guy in the bar said you can plug it in and it actually moves!
Robotic scrap metal quarterback. The guy in the bar said you can plug it in and it actually moves!
Creepy Face
Creepy Face
Couldn't resist the old Standard Oil sign
Couldn’t resist the old Standard Oil sign
Touchdown?
Touchdown?

Continuing west on Route 2 I came to the small town of Iron River, WI.  This small town also had a huge mural by the same artists that did the Ashland murals.  They began this project in 2006 sponsored by the Iron River Lion’s Club.

Iron River, Wisconsin
Iron River, Wisconsin
Iron River Mural in Iron River, WI
Iron River Mural in Iron River, WI

Continuing west the drive was lovely as it took me into the small community of Blueberry, WI

US Hwy 2 east of Maple, WI
US Hwy 2 east of Maple, WI
Old Antique Store in Blueberry, WI
Old Antique Store in Blueberry, WI
Scrap Metal totem pole outside of Blueberry Antique store
Scrap Metal totem pole outside of Blueberry Antique store
Yet another junk collector along US Route 2 at the Blueberry Antique Store
Yet another junk collector along US Route 2 at the Blueberry Antique Store

Not too much further down the road I came into Maple, WI and discovered a wonderful place called Grizz Works. This place does chain saw and wood work and has some fabulous pieces.  I stopped and spoke with Justin Howland, the owner.  He was very pleasant and amenable.  In fact, I will be doing a separate post just for them. But here are a couple of shots…

Grizz Works in Maple, WI
Grizz Works in Maple, WI
Sumoflam and Justin Howland at Grizz Works in Maple, WI.  Giant Grizzly is amazing!
Sumoflam and Justin Howland at Grizz Works in Maple, WI. Giant Grizzly is amazing!
Giant Grizzly at Grizz Works in Maple, WI
Giant Grizzly at Grizz Works in Maple, WI
A carving of an Indian at Grizz Works
A carving of an Indian at Grizz Works
More Grizz Works art
More Grizz Works art

US Route 2 out of Maple eventually heads into Superior, WI, which is the end of the road in Wisconsin.  Just before town is one of those offbeat eateries…this one is called Gronk’s Grill and Bar.  This is one of thos places that has a Burger Challenge (which I did not try….but would have liked to have….) .  Called the Great Divide Challenge, it  involves eating 8 pounds’ worth of burger and fries.  The first person to accomplish this was a woman!!  It was named after the Great Divide (which is south of Superior and not visited on this trip).

US Route 2 heading west out of Maple towards Superior, WI
US Route 2 heading west out of Maple towards Superior, WI
Gronk's Grill and Bar in Superior, WI
Gronk’s Grill and Bar in Superior, WI
Cheese Head Raccoon at Gronk's in Superior, WI
Cheese Head Raccoon at Gronk’s in Superior, WI
A Jackalope Bird or something at Gronk's
A Jackalope Bird or something at Gronk’s
The fickle finger of fate at the entrance of Gronks in Superior, WI
The fickle finger of fate at the entrance of Gronks in Superior, WI
Chain Saw carved bears for sale at Gronk's.  I thought the first one was pretty funny
Chain Saw carved bears for sale at Gronk’s. I thought the first one was pretty funny

After fun at Gronk’s it was back on the road and to the bridge crossing over into Minnesota.

US Route 2 bridge crossing over into Duluth, MN
US Route 2 bridge crossing over into Duluth, MN