Great Lakes Escapade

Destination USA doesn't always have to be the much-visited Southwest. Foreign visitors, who think only of red boulders and dry desert expanses in association with the US, should think again. A vast gamut of alternatives runs everywhere. In this case, a tour of the Great Lakes region in the northern reaches was a splendid and revivifying experience.

My directive is clear: New territory must be explored. Forget the Grand Canyon, nix the Pacific Coast, no prospective sightings of Clint Eastwood or John Wayne clones, none of that abnormal la-la buzz in mega-cities à la L.A. Instead, I'm setting out on a trail toward Minneapolis/St. Paul, the "Twin Cities," as these dissimilar sisters in the state of Minnesota are affection�ately known. Here, after a long search of the Internet, I find a motorbike rental agency – not the easiest of exercises in a region many bikers consider a transit passage, little more than a "passing fancy" on their way from Chicago and parts East into the endless expanses of the Wild West. But I persevere and hit pay dirt with Dan Johnson and his Midwest Motorcycle Rental.

From a variety of 20 bikes, Dan chooses a very special model for me, an original Police Harley: high performance, great machinery, allowing also for very sportive propulsion, hydraulic suspension, plus an aero-supported saddle. The sirens and flashing blinkers are the only items missing. In their place, a horn and additional headlights were fitted. The switch for the siren is still there, and also two top-loading cases complementing the serviceable windshield....

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