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Visiting Minneapolis Area

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We stayed at my uncle’s who has a condo on a lake. We made cherry pies over the fire while watching the sunset.
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And what a great sunset! This was actually from their balcony after we went inside.
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My aunt: Let me brace myself as there is a lot of wave action on this pontoon boat!
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But she got the shot! Our “snow bird” friends we met in Tucson came over for a ride on the lake and lunch. Good fun!
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We went on a bike ride to Stillwater, the birthplace of Minneapolis. It was a bit humid but I guess it is true, we don’t melt, even though it feels like it!
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We went to St Anthony Falls which is a national park site in Minneapolis.
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They no longer use the locks but this is one of the largest drops of water in the Mississippi.
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This is an old stone bridge and there is a park there as well telling about the history of the flour mills.
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We went down the river a bit to Lock Number 5 and enjoyed exploring that area as well.
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Wisconsin – Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

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We stopped in Washburn and met up with a friend of a friend who grew up there – she had some great history to share with us, especially about the brownstones. We visited the National park headquarters in Bayfield before working our way to Cornucopia.
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We really enjoyed their harbor – it was a nice park area with an artesian well.
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Meyers Beach hike in the National Lake Shore had some outstanding vistas.
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Fun to see the kayakers going into some of the caves.
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They gave us a sense of scale.
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And we could see where to look for the sea caves and arches.
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The scenery was spectacular. It was an overcast day so not great distance views.
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But enough visibility!
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They said they were trying to set a record for number of hammocks above each other.
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Looking back on our lunch rock – it was a very nice place to hang out!
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We hung around for Corny Day – a nice group of people set up for the flea market and an equal number came to check out the wares.
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But it was really for the food that we came.
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We waited almost an hour for the fresh fish but it was worth it! They keep serving until they run out (which is before people get tired of eating it, we are told).
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Makes your mouth water, doesn’t it!
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Michigan’s Upper Peninsula

 

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This is the second time we have traveled together to the UP so we have some different things to see.
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We found a little lake (Brevort) with a put in site to make our stop for the night
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Really peaceful sunset
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Lunch on Lake Michigan – does it look much different?
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Hugoboom Lake was our site for three nights. It is in Hiawatha National Forest. We swam in the lake, walked around the lake , chatted with fishermen and others that stopped by.
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The color of the lake at sunset was amazing – it go so still and reflective.
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Early morning mist was also very interesting.
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Chef is making pancakes…with fresh raspberries!
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Another peaceful evening
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These are the best photos and you know we took many more!
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We went up Christmas lighthouse for our first glimpse of lake Superior.
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We walked a local nature trail to find this fun waterfall.
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Miners Rock in Pictured Rock National Lake shore. The color is superb and the kayakers added a nice sense of scale.
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Beautiful day!
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In both directions!
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Another waterfall
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A really pretty sunset even though we were not on the water.
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Early morning on Lake Superior.
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We can’t believe how calm the water is.
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In Marquette along the shore, where we had a picnic lunch.
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Shaken, not Stirred: The name is Bond. Bond Falls.
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Bond Falls camp site on the reservoir created by the power company – really a nice spot to hang out. There was also a lot of firewood so we polished off a few s’mores!

 

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Lake Michigan in the Lower Peninsula

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Manistee National Forest coastline
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Summer doesn’t get much better than this!
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Relaxing until sunset – well worth the wait!
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We found a quiet cool dispersed site in the woods – stayed for 4 nights. The solar panels struggled to keep the battery charged but we slept so well. Nice to have a break from the heat.
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Nordic Dunes Wilderness – we enjoyed a day hike along the shore.
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And hung out for another gorgeous sunset!
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Michigan Recreation Area beach.
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Dunes protect all the shoreline.
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Can’t get tired of this!
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Manistee Light House where we hung out for lunch  – along with many others.
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This is a nice looking sunset but looks like the sun won’t melt into the lake.
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Ohhh – looks like we might have some delayed color…
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This is an “end of the world” sky! Unbelievable!
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A viewpoint of the coast – an easy hike just up some stairs!
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Another lighthouse.
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Do I look like I am captain of the ship? My grandfather was a cook on the freighters….not sure I could get used to that lifestyle.
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A life saving demonstration where Raggedy Ann got saved first while Andy clung on a bit longer.
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All the helpers pulled them to shore – good fun.
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Another sunset at Sleeping Bear Sand Dune area – our final on Lake Michigan. People had bonfires on the beach and I remember doing that as a kid. I would be cold and dripping wet from swimming while roasting a hot dog. We also did the dune climb every summer – before it was a National Lake Shore
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Lunch at the Mighty Mac bridge watching the Edmund Fitzgerald go underneath.
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Michigan Visit

 

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Visitng family and friends – and a class reunion. It is very hot!
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The architects
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The new Frederick Meyer Japanese gardens with fun sculptures
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Beautiful reflections…
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Not a selfie!
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How far did we walk to see this Caulder sculpture? How many times has Mom done the walk? Ha! At least we got to relax for a nice water front lunch. Also we toured the recently renovated Gerald Ford Museum…did not see any mention of Vail.
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Some 1950 Fords – what fun colors!
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More fun reflections…
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Cherries and blueberries and sweet corn. Yum! We are eating well 😉
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High School friend took us around Crystal lake – fun to relax there and hang out!
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A wonderful 101 year old friend of the family and his daughter – how fun it was to visit and give a hug.
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Historic Sights In Illinois

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In Moline, Rock Island Army Base had an interesting Arsenal Museum and Corp of Engineers Waterway museum at the Mississippi Lock. We were lucky to see this 2-part barge and tugboat going through.

The historic bridge pivots to let the tugboat through after the two barges reconnect. We were thrilled with our timing to see this during the hour we were there.

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Further down the road we stopped at Hennepin Canal State Park to see the locks on this historic canal.
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The bridge had a 4-ton limit so we were good for crossing!
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We parked overnight along the canal with this picturesque view.
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Pullman NHS near Chicago is a new addition to the Park System but the community has been working on conserving it for many years. This factory will be the future visitor center.
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It was a factory town but constructed to entice people to be a part of the community.
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A variety of housing styles.
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They used different bricks on each home to provide individualism.
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There is awesome community spirit. Most of the homes have been restored by their owners.
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Indiana Dunes national Seashore provides a view of the distant Chicago skyline.
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The bog area adjacent to the Dunes has been preserved as well.
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St Joesph Harbor Lighthouse was our chosen spot for our evening stop.
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On the road again

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Colorado National Monument. We brought the MINI here and didn’t want any sibling rivalry. It is truly a favorite
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To have views like this! So glad it was preserved.
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The family car wash…the van also got oil change, tires rotated and balanced as well as the starter switch recall. In Grand Junction, it had a new Auto Transfer Switch installed so we can now use shore power. Nice to make sure the warranty work gets taken care of in a timely manner.
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An evening with friends. It is difficult to make time for everything but we have tried to organize a few quality visits as all of our friends are important to us!
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After a night with my other nephew’s family in Kansas, we came across the geographical center of the contiguous states near Lebanon.
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This is the actual spot but a ranger told us it is really about 200′ from here in the corn field. Close enough for me.
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We homesteaded in Beatrice and then headed to the state capitol of Nebraska – gorgeous building
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Sterling J Morton was the author of Arbor Day and there is the beautiful Steinhart park next to his historic home in Nebraska City.
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We thought we would lunch along the Missouri River and found this replica of the Louis and Clark keel boat (the one made for the IMAX movie)
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Look Meriwether! So interesting to contemplate their journey.
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This makes our Travato look spacious – and definitely not as much work.
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Really nice to visit family along the way. Such gracious hospitality!
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Sneffels Wilderness / Uncompaghre National Forest

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Wilamot Valley has views to dream about. Wow! We strolled to this beaver pond in the early morning.
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The Travato found a great parking place! We stayed put for three nights.
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We watched photographers come and take pictures of us…well probably, unlike us, they cropped out the Travato.
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We could enjoy some river time…tho the mosquitos kindav liked this spot as well.
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One night some horses were brought in and added a beautiful touch to the valley.
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They were more interested in the grass than the view.
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The start of the hike to Blue Lake. This is a hugely popular trail and we were really glad to have walked the mile to the trailhead rather than try to park.
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A couple backpackers asked for their photo here so they reciprocated by taking this one of us.
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A panarama view. Amazing colors. It did not feel real.
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We decided to take a cue from the marmot and just sun ourselves on a rock
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Life is good!
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Especially with views like this. True Prisma colors.
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More columbines in bloom, along the banks of the crystal clear water.
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The second day we hiked to Baine Basin which is the next valley over.
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There were many river crossings but all were nicely fashioned with sturdy bridges.
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Our first view of the valley – there were so many waterfalls!
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We hung out on a rock with this view – a bit closer to the water.
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Colorful wildflowers. We loved this magenta variety of Paint Brush.
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Another evening stroll in the valley before turning in. I think we need to come back in the fall and see this valley with the aspens. It is a new favorite spot…we are collecting them.