First leg: Toronto to Portland

Getting from Toronto to Portland (6,000 km)

For the first leg of my trip I will be heading West. Instead of taking the Lake Express ferry across Lake Michigan (as I typically do on my rides to Milwaukee), I will be heading through the Sault Ste. Marie region in upstate Michigan. After celebrating July 4th weekend in Milwaukee, I will be taking a closer look at the Cheese State's interior and the great plains.

Highlights

• Black Hills

Starting with the Badlands, this National Park in South Dakota should be my first break from the monotony of the Plains. The Black Hills sport some amazing views, as well as the Needles Highway, a very narrow road between eery rock formations.

• Yellowstone

More than just "Old Faithful", Yellowstone sports many impressive natural wonders including a fall twice as tall as Niagara Falls and the Morning Glory Pool (see link).

• Going-To-The-Sun road

This narrow, winding road is considered one of the more difficult roads in North America, but is the only way through Glacier National Park.