|
Summer 2007
IOWA 
"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes."
Marcel Proust
Iowa is where my mom lives and it's where our stuff is in
storage. It is also my "home of records" from where I had joined the military. Although I've lived here, and return
here most, I saw Iowa with "new eyes" this time. The smallest things captured my attention...
|
|
| This little chimpmunk needed treatment at Iowa State University Wildlife Clinic |
|
|
| And, so did 10 baby wood ducks after their mother was hit in the road... |
|
|
|
| Leopard Moth at Pikes Peak State Park |
|
|
| A 17-yr periodic Cicada hatching at Pikes Peak State Park |
|
|
|
| Along the trail to Effigy Mounds |
|
|
| Mating Moths at Effigy Mounds |
|
Northern ILLINOIS
"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.
Live the life you've imagined." Henry David Throreau
This is a quote on the walls of the library at Great Lakes Naval Traning
Center; a main training base for naval recruits. We stayed here for 10 days, on the shores of Lake Michigan enjoying
the beaches, Chicago (only 45 mins away), and Six Flags Great America/Hurricane Harbor. We had an awesome time, and
all loved every minute of our stay; even Chicago! I would love to come here again....
|
|
| Great Lakes Naval Tng Ctr. Camp Beach, Lake Michigan; Illnois |
|
|
| Chicago skyline from campground beach |
|
|
|
| Chicago from the top of the Sears Tower |
|
|
| After a long day exploring Chicago we walk along Chicago Harbor |
|
Northern INDIANA
"One touch of nature makes the whole world
kin."
William Shakespeare
Amidst the industrial world of steel, is this wonderland; Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Summertime
brings everyone and their proverbial dog into the great outdoors. Many times I'd thought what a pain in the rear filled
campgrounds become; no vacant spots, dogs barking, kids running amok. Then, it hit me; Nature is what brings them
here. And, that is a wonderful thing. Thank goodness this little gem exists, and thank God so many of us
are wanting to reconnect with the Spirit of Nature...
|
|
| Indiana Dunes Ntl. Lakeshore; a walk in the woods |
|
|
| Mt. Baldy; Indiana Dunes Ntl. Lakeshore - the specs are people as seen from the top of the dune |
|
MICHIGAN
"To live is so startling
it leaves little time for anything else."
Emily Dickinson
Lots of very strange
things happened in Michigan. Mainly, we had more "breakdowns" in one week with the RV and towed vehicle than we've had total
in the past year!! But, nothing (other than some giant vortex opening between dimensions) "earth shattering" happened,
and we were always allowed to get on our way after only short delays. Feeling truly blessed and fortunate, as well as
busy to the "nth degree", we experienced a bit of life in Michigan.
|
|
| Lake Huron Beach; Oscoda, MI |
|
|
| Iargo Springs; Huron Ntl. Forest, MI |
|
|
|
| "Dead Forest" - Overtaken by the Sand - Sleeping Bear Dunes Ntl. Lakeshore |
|
|
| Camp Grayling - Red Fox |
|
|
|
| "Tangeld" - Mosquito Trail; Pictured Rocks Ntl. Lakeshore, MI |
|
|
| Lake Superior on the banks of Pictured Rocks Ntl. Lakeshore |
|
In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, in the middle
of nowhere, our RV sprung a leak of what appeared to be brake fluid. We
gimped into
the two-bar town of Kenton, to
this little place, Hoppy's,
where "Pudgy" the barmaid
proceeded to help rescue us. Thanks,
Pudgey, and thanks everyone at Hoppy's,
who made our overnight stay in
Kenton less fearful than it so could have
been!
|
|
| "Pudgy" poses in front of Hoppy's Bar; Kenton, MI |
|
WISCONSIN
"Few people even scratch the surface, much less exhaust the contemplation of their own experience."
Randolph
Bourne
|
|
| Devil's Doorway at Devil's Lake, WI |
|
|
| A pair of eagles outside Ashland, WI |
|
After troubling times thru Michigan's UP, BadRiver
Casino was a welcome stop.
With everything right at the casino (Post Office, grocery store, restaraunt...and, even a pool!) I had little to do but relax. No,
I didn't go into the casino, but
instead spent time with the kids exploring the area...well, that and catching up on laundry! The
biggest surprise...all the RV sites (with electric
& water) were FREE. They even had a nearby
dump station for FREE!! We all had a wonderful stay and appreciated
the staff's great attitude and their help!
|
|
| A welcome stop-over |
|
MINNESOTA
"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience
wisely."
Auguste Rodin
Upon arriving in Minnesota, our first stop was
Voyageurs Ntl. Park. However, with temps in the 90's, having no electric was not an option. We had passed a resort
on the way to a different campground (which not only had no electric, but also had very hard-to-manuever-in camp sites).
So, we stopped by and they had one site available. What a wonderful place!! Moose Horn Resort is a MUST for families; well-kept cabins and grounds with beautiful views, and ENDLESS amenities. We had a great, much-needed stay.
|
|
| Our RV site overlooked Lake Kabetogama; morning |
|
|
| A canoe/kayak trip to Echo Island, Voyageurs Ntl. Park |
|
I'm very fortunate to have spent time with Dawn, my sister. She lives in St.
Paul, and two of our four days, while in the area, we spent in the Twin Cities exploring; Science Center of Minn., Mississippi
River Ntl Historic Site, Mill City Ruins Ntl Historic Site, Minnihaha Falls and bike riding. I haven't spent that
much time with her in years.
|
|
| One of the old Flour Mills; Mill City Ruins Ntl. Historice Site |
|
|
| El Capitain; my sister Dawny in charge of a 5-person bike team |
|
The day of Minneapolis' 35W bridge collasped, I
had decided to stay at the campground instead of spending a third day in the Cities. Litstening to my insides the
night before, and then again in the morning, kept me from being on or near the bridge, and instead my sister and I were
safe in the campground playing board games... The next day the kids and I went on to the SW corner of Minnesota to complete
our journey in that state.
|
| Pipestone Ntl. Monument |
|
|
| On the Banks of Plum Creek |
|
|
