WEATHER: Warm, good potential for t-storms.
TRAVEL: Bong Recreation Area (Wisconsin) to Indiana Dune State Park (Chesterton, IN ) Hard rain, a downpour at times on the Tri-State around Chicago. This trip should have taken no more than 2 ½ hours about 130 miles but for the rain and a 45 minute delay on the south end – 2 trucks got into it and closed 3 of 4 lanes.
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| Indiana Dunes State Park |
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| Trailer - Indiana Dunes State Park |
NO WIFI here but the
phone works. (Created the original of
this post during the 7 hour rain on Wedensday). So far - no bugs. I did forgot the power cord for the pc – an
excuse to buy a spare and drive 15 miles 30 miles into’ Valparaiso to a Best Buy. Of course had to visit Menard’s while there –
also forgot the can cooler ‘blue ice’ . . . . .
while there just had to have dinner at TGIFridays
TUESDAY – June 3, 2014
WEATHER: Another good morning, clear but getting
cloudy. NO dogs needed last night. Comfortable.
Up early, before the birds, adjusting to EDT – yet only
about 50 miles east of home. Started this blog for posting later . . . The Visitor Center for the National Lakeshore doesn’t open
until 8 or 9 so I thought I’d take a 5 mile hike in the State Park before going to the Visitor Center.
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| Indiana Dunes |
This day was perfect – blue sky, in the mid 70’s, a breeze from the
west off the lake – perfect.
.jpg) |
| Indiana Dunes |
It was the right choice to stay at Indiana Dunes State Park.
This would be a great place to visit for an extended stay. The park is excellent, there are over 35
miles of hiking trails and plenty of bike trails. This is camping ‘in the dunes’ – much better
than Indiana
Dunes National Lakeshore and the beaches just go on and on, of
course Michigan City and a power plant is on one side and Gary with its
steel mills on the other. Everything in between is perfect along the
beach.
39 INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL
LAKESHORE – (Chesterton, IN)
An oasis of natural and recreational beauty situated amid the industrialized southern shores of Lake Michigan. This park celebrated 25 years in 1991. The park preserves towering dunes, sandy beaches, bogs, marshes , swamps and prairie remnants.
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| Tri Inter Agency Visitor Center - note the logos once you know what to look for it's easier to find |
BACKGROUND: The NPS was only a year old in 1916 when its
first director Stephen T. Mather tried to save the Indiana Dunes from
development. The dunes and related
glacial land forms were known to be treasures ever since botanist Henry Cowles
formed the Prairie Club of Chicago in 1908.
The State Park was created in 1926.
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| Indiana Dunes |
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| Indiana Dunes |
Lake levels have changed may times creating a series of shorelines and dunes.
A WEALTH OF HABITATS:
PONDS BETWEEN DUNES MARSH OAK SAVANNA
PRAIRIE RIVER BOG
Gouging Glaciers’ Liquid Retreats + Pulsing Winds & Waters = Rippled Shorelines
WEDNESDAY – June 4, 2014
WEATHER: Raining in the
60’s around 6:30 am. Seven hours later
still raining – it was a hard rain –used the time to create this post – lit up
the phone as a ‘ hot spot’ – don’t think
I’ll get golf in today – may still go for a few hikes. It stopped raining at 2:30 pm – time to go
hiking. |
| Indiana Dunes |
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| Indiana Dunes |
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| Indiana Dunes - Bailly Homestead |
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| Indiana Dunes - Bailly Homestead |
Joseph Bailly, is
the first known non-native resident of Northwest Indiana. He set up a trading post in 1822. Apparently he made some money. Quite a tombstone.
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| Indiana Dunes - Chellberg Farm |
The Chellberg Farm was owned by
a Swedish immigrant.
Mnoke Prairie –
recently restored by the NPS – 120 acres.
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| Indiana Dunes |
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| Indiana Dunes |
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| Indiana Dunes |
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| Indiana Dunes |
WEST BEACH TRAILS: This place is an alternate to the Indiana Dunes State Park Beach there is a charge to
get in this segment of the park but . . . . plenty of trails The DUNE SUCCESION LOOP is about
a mile long mostly sand but maybe mostly stairs – 250 steps – so says the NPS –
they are very good at building stairs and boardwalks. The LONG LAKE TRAIL LOOP would be a good bet for birding. Another trail
here is the WEST BEACH LOOP TRAIL –
yes prickly pear cactus grows here.
A person could spend a week in
these parks just walking trails and there are paved bike trails – some not so
well paved..
I really liked this place. Of course it was after 5pm, cool after it had been raining all day - literally no one was here.
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| Indiana Dunes |
THURSDAY – June 5, 2014
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| Harbortwon RV Resort |
TRAVEL: Indiana Dunes State Park to Harbortown RV Resort. Left at 7 am in order to make the Detroit game (originally planned for Sunday – now a Thursday afternoon game. Got to Harbortown in about 3 ½ hours. Set up in less than ½ hour. Drove north about 40 miles but the speed limit is 70 all the way in about 45 minutes.
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| COMERICA PARK - Detroit, MI |
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| COMERICA PARK - Detroit, MI |
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| COMERICA PARK - Detroit, MI |
DETROIT TIGERS vs TORONTO BLUE
JAYS Commerica Park 1:05 pm
Sec 117 Row 8 Seat 4 Outfield Box
Parking here is a challenge – this is a downtown venue with the football stadium right next door (just like Philadelphia – but Philadelphia had a plan - here its more like empty lot- urban renewal at its best – and it cost $20.
The Tigers lost 7-3 – mostly due to the center
and right fielder failing to catch a ball – it dropped right between them – not
sure who got the error but I think the center fielder should have made the
call. It was 3-3; then the Jays then got
2 home runs.
FRIDAY – June 6, 2014
WEATHER: a cool 48 in the morning – but clear – warmed up to 80’s with a breeze
40 RIVER RAISIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK - (Monroe, MI)
WEATHER: a cool 48 in the morning – but clear – warmed up to 80’s with a breeze
40 RIVER RAISIN NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD PARK - (Monroe, MI)
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| River Raisin Battlefield Park |
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| River Raisin Battlefield Park |
A small Visitor Center with an electric (LED) map program that helps you understand the battles. I walked a few short trails here. There was a group of school children going through 4 separate stations – looked to me like each station was about 35-40 minute in length with a break in between. Clothing and muskets for the kids and all. Spent about 3 ½ hours here. There is a driving tour - written by the man who was drilling the students – didn’t take all of it .- but I bought and read the pamphlet.
These battles took place during the
War of 1812 and produced the
rallying cry “Remember
the Raisin”. It was not because of the two battles at a place called Frenchtown (Monroe. MI) but the killing of American prisoners the day after the battle.
In the 1st battle, January 18, 1813, US forces drove out a British garrison force.
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| River Raisin Battlefield Park |
In the 1st battle, January 18, 1813, US forces drove out a British garrison force.
On January 22, British an allied
(Indian) forces routed the Americans.
After a promise from the British
that the wounded would be protected, the Americans were marched to Fort Malden
– across the Detroit River in Canada. Native
Americans returned and killed all US wounded prisoners.
The War of 1812 is often called the “forgotten
war” – something like the Korean “forgotten war” – because it was a war
about land. I bought a book on the War
of 1812 because much of at least 3 sites I will visit here in Michigan were
part of that war. Of course New Orleans
is next year. Below is a timeline
history:
1794 - Battle
of Fallen Timbers and British and Native allies building Fort Miami sets stage for War of 1812.
1806 – Britain blockades France and
seizes 1,000 US ships in Napoleanic War1811 – Battle of Tippecanoe, at Shawnee Prophetstown, IN
1812 – US declares war on Britain on June 18th; US strategy: land war in the West; British defeat three US attempts to invade upper Canada.
1813 – Battles of Frenchtown (River Raisin) Jan 18 and 22, and killing of US POWs on Jan 23.
- US strategy shifts: naval war in the West to cut British supply line.
- US Admiral Perry defeats British fleet on Lake Erie, Sep 10.
- US defeats British and Native allies in Battle of Thames (Cananda) “Remember the Raisin”; Chief Tecumseh (who had brought a confederation of Indian tribes together to fight for the
British) is killed Oct 5. The Indian confederation dissolves.
1814 - Peace negotiations begin at Ghent, Belgium, Aug 8.
- British take Washington, DC; burn the Capitol and the White House, Aug 24.
- US routs British force in naval Battle of Plattsburg, NY on Lake Champlain, Sep 11.
- The “Star Spangled Banner” lyrics are written by Francis Scott Key off Fort McHenry, Baltimore, MD Sep 14.
- Peace Treaty of Ghent signed on Dec 24 in Belgium.
1815 – US defeats British forces at Battle of New Orleans, Jan 8.
- Treaty of Ghent ratified, war with the British ends Feb 17.
- Treaty of Springwells, Sep 8 ends war between the US and the Native Americans, who were left out of the Treaty of Ghent.
The War of 1812 was about land. British history says they won, US history says Americans won. The Native Americans were the losers. They sided with the British because the British said if they won- they would let the Indians stay on their land. Who won and who lost?
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| Links at Lake Erie |
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| Links at Lake Erie |
SATURDAY – June 7, 2014
WEATHER: the day started at 48 degrees, clear it got up to 80 with a pleasant breeze.
TRAVEL: Perry’s Victory & IPM is located in Put-In-Bay, OH on South Bass Island in Lake Erie. A 65 mile trip, it took less than 1 ½ hours to get there.
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| Put-in-Bay |
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| Put-in-Bay |
PUT-IN-BAY, OH South Bass Island: A tourist destination island resort community. I got my ferry ticket at a Visitor Center, with a discount it was $13 round trip on the Miller Boat Line ferry. Cost me $5 to park. About a 18-20 minute trip to the island. Motorcycles loaded first, the cars, bicycles and people. The most exciting part of the trip is when 20 Harley’s revved up on the boat waiting for the ferry’s gangway to drop. It made me smile - - - - I suppose some people wished they had earplugs. Coming back a car did have a trailer. If this is the kind of ferry they have at Madeline Island, I could have taken my trailer to the State Park there. I‘ll find out in a couple of weeks.
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| Put-in-Bay |
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| Lake Erie Ferry to Put-In-Bay |
41 PERRY’S VICTORY &
INTERNATIONAL PEACE MEMORIAL - (Put-In-Bay, OH)
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| Perry's Victory Peace Memorial |
“We have met the enemy and they our ours ; two ships, two brigs, one schooner and one sloop.” Oliver Hazard Perry
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| Perry's Victory |
On September 10, 1813 Oliver Hazard
Perry scrawled those memorable words on the back of an envelope and
sent them to MG William Henry Harrison
at the of a dramatic sea battle on Lake Erie.
Throughout the late summer of 1813,
the US Navy’s Lake Erie squadron, anchored at Put-In- Bay, effectively cut off
British supplies to Fort Malden. Just as the British Native American allies
had cut off supplies to the US force that occupied Detroit. The British, either had to retreat abandon
their Indian allies or attack. They
chose to attack.
For the young US Navy, this was their
first fleet action. Nine vessels of the United State Navy defeated and
captured six vessels of British Royal Navy.
The British ships had guns that could range ½ mile; Perry’s ships had
guns that were heavier but could only range ¼ mile. Perry, 27 years old, knew that in order to
defeat the British he needed the wind at his back.
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| Perry's Victory |
At first, the battle began badly. Then the wind changed to favor Perry. His flagship was the brig Lawrence. The other brig in his line of battle was the Niagara. Perry's opponent, Commander Robert Heriot Barclay, was an experienced Royal Navy officer who had fought with Lord Nelson at Trafalgar in 1805, and two years later he lost an arm fighting the French.
The US Brig Lawrence was badly damaged and
disabled.
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| Perry's Victory |
The Lawrence was named after James Lawrence (October 1, 1781 – June 4, 1813). During the War
of 1812 he commanded the USS Chesapeake
against the HMS Shannon. He is
probably best known today for his last words “Don't give up the ship!", which is still a popular naval battle cry,
and which was invoked by Oliver Hazard Perry’s personal battle flag,
adopted to commemorate his dead friend.
Perry transferred his command to the US Brig Niagara
and carried the flag with him. It was
hoisted on the Niagara.
During the action, the British
Commander, Robert Barclay was also
wounded. A sailing error caused the British
ships Detroit and Queen Charlotte to run into each other . The Niagara and the other American vessels took
advantage of the situation and quickly overcame the British squadron..
Never before had the Royal Navy
suffered the capture of an entire squadron.
The Battle
of Lake Erie made Oliver Hazard Perry a national hero and gave
the US a much needed morale boost.
The Perry Victory and International Peace
Memorial commemorates the lasting peace between nations once at war –
the United States, Great Britain and Canada.
The Memorial also honors all who
fought and died in the Battle of Lake Erie on
September 10, 1813.
The lasting peace is a 4,000 mile long unarmed border between the US and Canada.
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| View from atop the Peace Memorial |
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| Atop the Peace Memorial |
SUNDAY – June 8, 2014
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| St Mary's Monroe, MI |
SUNDAY MASS at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in
Monroe. Pentecost Sunday 0730. This church,
founded in 1788, had an organ and an organist who knew how to play it. Still, it’s been a while since I attended a
mass that took 1 hour and 20 minutes – not necessarily inspiring but the young
priest spoke slow and deliberate and still within the echoes of the church I
could not always make out what he was saying.
The homily was a challenge to listen to.
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| MONROE, MI – not home but where George Armstrong Custer got married. This statue is across the street from the church. |
It cleared up around 3 pm – I had read 3
chapters of the book “The War of 1812 In the Old Northwest” by Alec Gilpin. I bought this at the Raisin River NB. Written in
1958 and published by Michigan State University Press this still remains the
definitive – perhaps only – tactical and operational study/analysis of the War
in the Northwest. Written well – easy read
– interesting. Gilpin “succeeds in
presenting a somewhat complicated subject with great clarity . . . a well
documented and detailed account of the actual campaigning.”
G
O L F – River Raisin Golf Club.
I drove about 15 minutes to this golf course – it has 36 holes and
played 9 on the “East Course.” I shot a
52 with 26 putts – it was just long enough to take 3 strokes to get to the
green on par 4’s and it was difficult for me to finish a hole off in 2
putts. Played in about 1 ½ hours. $17 with cart.
MONDAY – June 9, 2014
WEATHER: a good morning 48
degrees, clear – got up to 75 but as I got nearer the lake the temp dropped to
65.
TRAVEL: Harbortown RV Resort to SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE about
315 miles. I left at 8:45 am and got to
the Campground after a stop at the Visitor Center around 3:15 pm. Set up in less than 30 minutes and hit the
road to see what I could see in the next 3 hours..
42 SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL
LAKESHORE (NL) – (Empire, MI)
Another
one of those long parks – at least 25 miles at least from top to bottom. The Visitor
Center is in the Village of Empire,
MI. Platte River Campground is about
10 miles south of Empire. Glen Arbor , MI ( a more developed village/resort community on
the lake has the closest grocery store and taverns and shops). Glen
Arbor is about 7 miles north of Empire. The gas station is in Empire. No McDonald’s or
other developments . . . . lots or rural
-rustic – much different than Indiana Dunes
on the south end of Lake Michigan. This
could be a good place to visit
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| Sleeping Bear Dunes Trailer at Platte River Campground |
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| Sleeping Bear Dunes Platte River Campground |
I asked
a ranger at the Visitor Center which
beaches to visit. There are 7 access
beaches. He named 3 beaches to
visit. When I asked why he recommended
these – he said “you’ll find out when you get there.” Each is remote – at the end of a road – they
are not marked – I think few people visit them.
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| Sleeping Bear Dunes - Lake Michigan |
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| Sleeping Bear Dunes Al's Tavern |
The two most northerly beaches Good Harbor Rd and Bohemian Rd were 10 degrees cooler than any place else I was at –
56 degrees – so much for my idea of beach time. Stopped for a beer at Al’s Tavern
in Glen Arbor, MI. Esch
Rd was about 65 degrees at 6:45 pm.
Bought a book for $2 that identifies all the trails – don’t have time
for them all but I will start early tomorrow.
There
are plenty of canoe & kayak outfitters.
Some bike rental shops in the area.
Ludington, MI is about 70 miles
south, and 1 ½ hour drive.
LEGEND: Long
ago, in the land that is now Wisconsin, a mother bear and her two cubs were driven
into Lake Michigan by a raging forest fire.
They swam and swam, but soon the cubs tired and lagged far behind. Mother bear finally reached the opposite
shore and climbed to the top of a bluff to watch and wait for her offspring. But the cubs drowned. Today, “Sleeping Bear” a solitary dune in
Michigan overlooking Lake Michigan, marks the spot where mother bear waited. Her lost cubs are the two Manitou Islands.
A
changing landscape: Sleeping Bear Dunes
is formed by a westerly wind, consist of two types of dunes. Beach Dunes
develop on low lying shores. Their main
ingredient is beach sand. The Aral
Dunes, along Platte Bay’s north shore are a good example. Perched
Dunes, sit high above the shore on plateaus. Glacial sands atop these surfaces supplied
material for these dunes. The Sleeping Bear Dune of Anishinaabek is a perched dune.
Beach
grass and sand cherry are among the first plants to grow on newly built
dunes. They act as obstacles that slow
sand laden wind and force it to drop its load.
Strong winds can strip plants from the dune and carve out a bowl shaped blowout.
TUESDAY – June 10, 2014
WEATHER: A 2 dog night.
It was 43 at 6 am this morning, clear . . supposed to get cloudy and in
the 70’s.
42 SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE (NL) – (Empire, MI)
Started before 8 am . . . . drove to the end of the road by the Platte River Campground and found the Platte River and another beach.
Then drove to the end of Esch Rd and found another beach.
Then drove to the Dune Climb –
got there around 9:30 – only 2 cars in the lot.
Decided to walk an hour on the Heritage Trail – this is paved for almost 7-8
miles – great for biking with kids or in-line skating or I saw an older guy
with a skateboard – or just walking.
When I got back to Dune Climb
there were a lot more cars and at least 4 bus loads of kids – all of them running
up and down Michigan’s biggest sand box. I started the Climb at 10:30 and found the
first marker post for the Dunes Hiking Trail at the top.
There are lots of hiking and biking
trails at Sleeping Bear Dunes. I decided
to take the Dunes Hiking Trail. This is
decribed as STRENUOUS (it is) Hilly, all sand, and no shade. Travels over nine hills through the high
dunes plateau to Lake Michigan. Blue
tipped posts mark the trail. I can be a
hot , exhausting, three or four hour trip.
There are 28 posts that mark the trail – Each post marks the line of
sight on the trail. This was a tough
one. Only 3.5 miles round trip but it
took me 3 hours (1/1/2 hours each way – grueling). I had my backpack with me – water –a towel
- a sandwich and some fruit for lunch on the beach – a half hour rest. Located
part of a shipwreck that washed ashore on the beach. More than 65 ships sunk in the Manitou
Passage. The latest was a modern
freighter in 1960. It was sunny all day
until I got back, around 2 pm – then it cooled and got cloudy – there went the
plan to read on the beach. When I was
at the Lake the water turned from a smooth sailing Corona commercial into
something a little more aggressive.
I visited the old Coast Guard
Life Saving Station and Maritime Museum on Sleeping Bear Point, and then Historic Glen
Haven a boat museum and another beach. A good number of reconstructed structures
here – the remains of a 650’ pier are in the water.
A drive down to Glen Arbor brought me to a bunch of
shops. This is where I stopped at Art’s Tavern yesterday – today’s it was
Boonesdocks.
I thought I’d walk another trail
but after 2 beers and my legs still aching from my Lawrence of Arabia act, I thought it wise to drive the Pierce-Stocking
Scenic Drive. This had some
really beautiful vistas but it was getting hazy and cloudy. I almost took the
1.5 mile Cottonwood
Trail but it promised to be all sand – I’d had enough sand.
On the way back to my campsite I
did stop to walk the 1.5 miles Empire Bluff Trail. Glad I did take this – not as difficult. Wooded most of the way – of course there were
ups and downs but again some really nice vistas. Back to the campsite about 7:15 pm.
WEDNESDAY – June 11, 2014
WEATHER: 62 at 6 am. Started
raining around 7:30. Rained/misted all
day.
TRAVEL: Left SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NL Platt River Campground about 9:45; drove to the Visitor Center – to see the slide show and pick up a few items. Left the Visitor Center about 11 am. Arrived at Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping, Mackinaw City, MI around 2 p.m. Rained most of the way. .
Last weekend my site had the roar
or trains and the I system - 2 days ago
it was quiet as quiet can be – now – on the water – I think I’ll hear fog horns
all night.
Set up in about 20 minutes. A great site – right on the water – that
beach I’ve been looking for can’t be 30 yards away – but it’s raining and very
cool.
WIFI here is sometimes . . . . . not very fast. Not sure when any
of this will get posted. Lots of
pictures from Tuesday at Sleeping Bear.
I have a jet boat ticket for Mackinac
Island.
I’ve got a coupon for Mackinaw City
GC – $20 for 18 with a cart.
Bought some firewood – hope it stops raining. Went to Mackinaw
City - a very nice main street with
shops and restaurants and saloons - - - - - stopped in an Irish Pub and asked for a glass
of Harp
and they were out of Harp until tomorrow – can’t say they were busy
today. I left. I did have some pierogies
at the Depot Restaurant – not quite like grandma made but they were warm.
I went into a popcorn shop to get a small bag
of caramel corn – but asked how much was the salt water taffy; $7.50 per bag or
2 for $10. I bought 2 bags of taffy.
Weather will dictate what I do over
the next few days.
THURSDAY – June 12, 2014
WEATHER: 56 this morning
with fog and rain. Rained all night. Sun came out around 3 pm.
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| Michilimakinac |
Exhibits, living history and
archeology in progress. This is the 56th
season of a dig at Milichimackinac,
one of the longest ongoing excavations of its kind in the nation.
Recently produced AVs are available
throughout the site.
In 1715 French soldiers constructed
Fort Milichimackinac. This fortified community became the great
trade fur trade center for the Northwest.
In 1761 the British took control of the fort following their conquest of
French Canada (French & Indian War/Seven Years War). Fearing an attack by American rebels the fort
was relocated to nearby Mackinac Island
in 1780. It was Fort Milichimackinac (US) that surrendered to the British in July
1812 during the War of 1812.
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| USCG Mackinaw Icebreaker |
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| Mackinaw Golf Club |
WIFI at the campsite is now
non-existent.
FRIDAY – June 13, 2014
WEATHER: got down to the
40’s last night. 56 in the t he trailer
this morning. Sun was up but it
didn’t last – got cloudy – started
raining about 7:30 – stopped around 8:30 - - - - - -
STILL
NO WIFI available at Mackinaw Creek Camping. It’s not that I can’t get connected, which is
frustrating in itself – only 2 bars when I did connect, but it just flat isn’t
available. Don’t come here if you have to
rely on their WIFI.
TRAVEL: Took the Star Line
jet boat $23 for an “18 minute” round trip ride. However, a boat broke down. There were 4 busloads, of what must have been
8th graders, when I reached the dock at 9:30, for a 10:00 trip. The boats were delayed, so they said for a
half hour, due to one that broke down. I
got a book from my truck, sat down and read a chapter. Eventually, Star Line got 2 smaller boats going, left the Mackinaw City dock at
10:48 – got to Mackinac Island about
22 minutes later. I was one of the last in line so I earned the
privilege of sitting on the top deck. It
was rough & windy
MACKINAC ISLAND
Walked Main Street – touristy
just like I remember. Lots of fudge shops, boutiques and souvenir
shops.
No “horseless carriages” allowed on
the island. Stopped by a Visitor Center and bought a $12 ticket - plenty to do here. It was a good buy. Good for entrance to:
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| Fort Mackinac |
FORT MACKINAC – There was a lot to see here – spent about 2 hours. Over 22 named places to visit here
Fort Mackinac was founded during the American Revolution.
Believing that Fort
Milichimackinac, in what is now Mackinaw
City, was too vulnerable to American attack, The British moved the fort to Mackinac Island in 1780.
Americans took control of it in 1790. In July
1812, in the first land engagement of the War of
1812 in the US, the British
captured the Fort . An invasion force of
800 British regulars, Canadian militia and Indians landed on the north end of
the island with 2 cannon. The American
garrison of 69 was hopelessly outnumbered and surrendered. An American attempt to take back the Fort later failed. Mackinac
Island was important because it
served as the center for the fur trade in the north. The US regained the fort at the end of the
war.
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| Fort Mackinac Diorama British Surrender War of 1812 |
Tourist trade began after the Civil
War.
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| Fort Mackinac - British Drill |
LOCACTED OUTSIDE THE FORT:
MCGULPIN HOUSE – Home of
William McGulpin, a baker for the American Fur Company – an excellent example
of early French Canadian domestic architecture.
BIDDLE HOUSE – Edward Biddle
was from a prominent East Coast family and took up residence on the island after
the War of 1812. Biddle was an
independent fur trader, businessman and held offices in the community.
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| Makinac Island - American Fur Company Store |
BENJAMIN BLACKSMITH SHOP – Originally built in the 1880’s Robert Benjamin and later his son Herbert ran this shop. Today it is exactly the way Benjamin left it when he retired in the early 1960’s. The smith here was talkative and informative. He was making spiral candle holders, like those in the basement tavern at Gettysburg..
AMERICAN FUR
COMPANY STORE & DR. BEAUMONT MUSEUM – It was here where voyageur
Alexis St. Martin was accidentally shot in the stomach on June 6, 1822. Fort Mackinac surgeon Dr. William Beaumont
managed to keep St. Martin alive but the hole in his stomach never healed. Through this hole, Dr. Beaumont conducted
experiments and observed the workings of the stomach and discovered much about
the human digestive system.
MISSION CHURCH – an Episcopal
Church.
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| Yankee-Rebel Tavern Mackinac Island |
Had lunch at the Yankee-Rebel. This place got its name from an Ameircan who lived here and refused to take a loyalty oath to the King when the British captured the fort 1812. He said he was ‘born an American and will stay an American until the day he dies.’
Decided to take the Official Mackinac Island Carriage Tour – Cost $26. Just had to do this – hadn’t taken it since
the 60’s and I wasn’t going to rent a bike for a 8 mile bike ride around the
Island. The patter of the college kids
who drive the rigs, probably hasn’t changed since 1960 – same bad jokes – same
tour. As in the past. Through historic downtown, much of which I’d
already visited, the Grand Hotel,
past the ‘new’ stables, change carriages at the Surrey Hill Museum, a ride
through the park, Arch Rock and back to a drop off point just past the fort -
by the Governor’s Summer Residence.
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| Mackinac Island Carraige Tour - Grand Hotel |
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| Mackinac Bridge from the dock of the USCG Mackinaw |
Took the boat back – this one went under the Mackinac
Bridge. It was larger than the boat I
took out.
SATURDAY – June 14,
2014 FLAG
DAY
WEATHER: A 3 dog night. 42 degrees at 7 am and 50 in the trailer. The
sun came out for awhile then it clouded up- then the sun came out again. It may be a nice day – got up to 64 – mostly
sunny.
STILL
NO WIFI available at Mackinaw Creek Camping.
Today
should be a lazy day – nothing planned except doing laundry, maybe making my
phone a hot spot and updating the blog(actually it just doesn’t want to work up
here – not even a hot spot on my phone) and maybe just for fun drive across the
bridge to St. Ignace.
Did
laundry. Drove across the bridge to St. Ignace – a bore – not much there -
old – couldn’t even find a tavern where I wanted to stop and have a beer.
 |
Went to Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church, Mackinaw City, MI 6 pm – the priest was from Cincinnati..
OBSERVATION/RECOMMENDATION:
1. Stay at Mackinaw City. The downtown is humming, compact and plenty
of shops. Be sure to see Fort Milichimackinac.
2. Plenty of hotels,
of course it’s been cold and this is the middle of June and it’s a weekend but
I didn’t see one hotel with “No Vacancy”.
3. Bring bikes and
take them on the ferry to Mackinac
Island or rent them on the island.
4. Stay at least 1 night
on Mackinac Island, maybe 2 nights.. Plenty of happening places on the island
downtown. See Fort Mackinac. Stop by the Visitor Center and buy a guide book. Tour by bike/walking one day and then
downtown and the Fort the next. There
are public golf courses
on the Island – you don’t have to
golf or stay at the Grand Hotel.
5. If you’re only on
the Island for one day and don’t
bike it – the Carriage Ride tour is
an option.
ENJteOY THE
FUDGE
SUNDAY – June 15, 2014
WEATHER: Sunny, very windy, in the 50’s got up to 65
but cool because of the wind.
TRAVEL: Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping to Brimley State Park ,
Brimley, MI. This trip was about 52
miles. Just a little over an hour. The bridge toll was $4 for the truck, then $2
per axel for a total of $8.
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| Brimley State Park |
NO WIFI – NO INTERNET ON MY
PHONE – I did get a phone message at 12:14 pm EDT indicating:
“Welcome to
Canada. Dial +1 & 10 digit number to
call US. For Roaming Support call +1-908-559-5899.”
Then
I got another message
“Depending on
your plan, calls made & received at $0.89/min. Pic/Video msgs, web use, tethering, and apps
use date while roaming.”
I did speak to Amy around 3 pm,
lost a call to Chad, my brother tried to text me and spoke to Paul around 7pm
where he was it was 2am. I spoke to Kristin before I left Mackinaw City.
Happy
Father’s Day!
MONDAY – June 16, 2014
WEATHER: rained a good part
of last night – sunny at 5:30am – fairly dry – sandy soil just sops up the
rain. I’m unsure of the
temperature. Listening to the radio,
it’s supposed to be a nice day with a high of 23. Now convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit for me
please.
 |
| Soo Locks - boat tour |
Sault (Soo) Locks, Sault Ste. Marie. Drove to Sault Ste Marie, MI about 20 miles. I took the 10 am Soo Locks boat tour. American side has 4 locks. We went through the MacArthur Lock (built in the 40’s – named after – yes, you guessed right). It was a good tour – I’m glad I went today. Yesterday, due to the wind the water even on the St. Mary’s River had 5 ft waves. Calm when we left, the wind picked up when we returned through the Canadian lock. It appears SR Steel is the huge plant on the Canadian side. Piles of sand, limestone, taconite, coal and slag. $25 for the 2 hour boat ride. It may seem expensive for a family, but overall worth it. It cost me $23 just to get to Mackinac Island and back ( 40 minute and no guided tour – just bouncy on the water). I took lots of pictures.
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| Soo Locks - stell mills |
Paradise, MI - I drove on M123 through this town. It gives a whole different meaning to “another day in paradise.”
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| Lower Tahquamenon Falls |
Lower Tahquamenon Falls – a state park, so this is a fee area. Good trails. Nice Park. Mosquitoes are on trail, be sure to wear repellant. Trail is all wood bridges and asphalt to the Falls. They also have a Gift a fairly large gift shop here. A rowboat ride out to the island to view the Falls may be worth while for kids.
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| Upperr Tahquamenon Falls |
BRIMLEY – stopped for a Miller. Lots of older locals in here.
A very nice night, listening to
60’s music - but its 10 pm and still light out.
Maybe summer got here. . . . Burning
the wood I bought for $3.50 – a good deal.
I want to see the stars . . . . . .
11:10 pm and still twilight – saw stars but still twilight – went to bed
TUESDAY – June 17, 2014
No WIFI and
sporadic phone service as you travel the area.
WEATHER: foggy, high 50’s started raining around 6:30am. Rained until almost 2:30 pm – foggy. Cleared around 4 pm got up to 75 inland then
dropped quickly. The fog and no wind
brought out the mosquitoes.
 |
| Muskellonge Lake State Park |
TRAVEL: Brimley State Park to Muskallonge Lake State Park, Newberry, MI. About an 80 mile drive but 23 miles of it is at the end of County Road 47. Woke up around 6 am it was around 60 and raining. The campground is bordered by Muskallonge Lake on one side and Lake Superior on the other – sand and warm water on one side stones and cold water on the other – except the temp dropped 10 degrees by the time I got to the campground. So much for “cooler near the lake.” The rain settled to a drizzle – set up – lengthwise – like a drive through – very uneven ground, but still foggy .
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| Muskallonge State Park - trailer |
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| Whitefish Point State Park Shipwreck Museum |
 |
| Whitefish Point Lighthouse |
Thought it was going to be another
nice sunset but the fog came in like smoke around 8 pm. Cooled off from 60 degrees to 50, in
minutes. It may be a 3 dog night.
WEDNESDAY – June 18, 2014
Still no WIFI and dubious phone service.
WEATHER: 55 in trailer at
5:15 am, probably 45 outside – initially clear then it got foggy by 6 am. It’s supposed to be a nice day.
TRAVEL: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is about
an 80 mile drive. The location is not
considered part of the Eastern UP.
43 PICTURED ROCKS NATIONAL
LAKESHORE (NL) – (Munising, MI)
 |
| Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Visitor Center |
Sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, and shoreline are at Pictured Rocks.
The Lakeshore hugs Lake Superior’s shoreline for over 40 miles. They have camping here but like Indiana Dunes – no electric sites – no reservations – and even generator use is prohibited on many sites (tree hugger purists).
A 2
hr+ drive to Munising. Saw my fist deer
on the 23 mile dead-end road to the campground.
Stopped at joint NPS/NFS Visitor
Center. I returned after the cruise to watch 3 videos
– nothing but an advertisement. Don’t waste your time.
Visitor Information Centers located in Munising,
Munising Falls (out to lunch 1:30 pm), Miner’s
Castle, the Au Sable Light Station
by the time I got there (6pm) and Grand
Sable also closed (7pm) near Grand
Marais.
I spent
9 hours in the park. That’s one
advantage of EDST – lots of daylight.
You can easily spend 2 days here – maybe 5 if you do a lot of walking,
the kayaking or glass bottom wreck cruise.
There are over 100 miles of trails in the park.
 |
| Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - map |
 |
| Pictured Rocks cruise fog coming in |
 |
| Pictured Rocks cruise |
Grand Island National Recreation Area is located on Grand island
across from Munising . There is a ferry
and possibly a van tour (no vehicles allowed on the island – can’t really say
there are any paved roads). Grand island was purchased by the US Forest Service (USFS) in 1990. So I
don’t believe it’s officially one part of the National Park Service (NPS) – not
one of the places I have to visit. Lot’s of hiking trails and rustic campsites.
SHORT GEOLOGY LESSON: The numerous
layers of the sandstone cliffs and the colorful patterns led to the name Pictured Rocks. The patterns are caused
by mineral stains on t e surface as mineral laden water seeps through the rock.
Blue and green stains are
copper; black is manganese; yellow, red and orange are iron . . .
and the brown from the tannic acid of the trees and vegetation.
Miner’s Castle
 |
| Pictured Rocks - Miners Castle Overlook |
Painted
Coves
Lover’s
Leap
Indian
Head
Gull
Rookery
Grand
Portal
Battleship
Rock
Indian
Drum
Chapel
Rock
Lots of
sand and gravel highways ups here. Alger
County H-58 was just paved in 2010. Now a slow speed scenic drive to Sable Falls, Log Slide, Hurricane River
and Twelve Mile Beach.
 |
| Pictured Rocks Sable Falls |
Sand Point Marsh Trail – a ½ mile trail mostly boardwalk over the marsh. Saw my 2nd deer here – just in
front of me, to the right of the trail, feeding near the marsh.
Miner’s Falls Trail – a 1.2 mile trail ending at the 40 ft Falls.
Miner’s Castle and Miner’s Beach. The miner name
goes back to 1771 when some folks were searching here for minerals – they found
none but the name “Miner’s” has endured.
Twelve Mile Beach
Campground - very tight turning for vehicles here –
nothing over a combined length of 42 feet.
Little Beaver Lake
Campground - White Pine Trail connects to the North
Country National Scenic Trail. Again very tight – narrow, twisting, hilly. Dirt roads lead to these places. I didn’t drive there.
Hurricane River Campground – North Country Trail. Nothing larger here than 36 total length. Only one camper on the site - tents.
Hurricane River –
Log Slide Trail – half mile trail.
Sable Falls Trail – a walk of a little more than a mile round trip – down
to the Lake then up again. Did not walk
to the Au Sable Light House.
Grand Sable Dunes – I’ve had enough dunes – no need to do it here
THURSDAY – June 19, 2014
WEATHER: Today it was sunny,
52 in the trailer at 5:40 am, probably low 40’s outside. The cool of Lake Superior makes the
difference. No fog.
TRAVEL: Muskallonge Lake State Park, Newberry, MI to McLain State Park, Hancock, MI.
A 243 mile trip through Munising, Marquette, Houghton, Hanock.
I broke down yesterday and bought a
book on the Edmund Fitzgerald at the
NPS Pictured
Rock Visitor Center in Munising. Also bought “The Song of Hiawatha” by Longfellow – never had read it – now’s is
the time on the shores of “gitchigumee”.
Culture for the week
NO IDEA WHEN I’M GOING TO POST THIS OR ADD THE PICTURES. IT’LL PROBABLY TAKE 4 HOURS TO UPDATE AND
THEN I’M NOT SURE WHO’S GOING TO READ THIS OR CARE.
FRIDAY – June 20, 2014
WEATHER: Looked very promising at 5:30am – sun was
coming up over the lake to the east, then it started to rain around 6:15
am. Should be off and on showers all
day. Currently 50 degrees – forecast
calls for a high of 60. Actually it got colder - down to 46;
rained until 3 pm, then some fog for good measure.
44 KEWEENAW NATIONAL HISTORIC
PARK (NHP) – (Calumet, MI)
 |
| Keweenaw - Central Mine Visitor Center |
 |
| Keweenaw - Central Mine |
The Kewaunee County Historical Society and
state of Michigan have a lot to do with preserving the heritage of the region.
Very interesting and worth a visit – I won’t write much about the Copper Mining process and history of the region – way too
much to cover.
 |
| Quincy Mine hoist |
 |
| Quincy Mine - drill the guide was a mining student |
Drove
north from Calumet to Copper Harbor along US 41. The is a 36 mile drive, the last 15 miles are
winding through forest. Copper Harbor and nearby Fort Wilkins State Park could be a day
trip by themselves.
Fort Wilkins State Park almost at the end of the road has camping, fishing,
hiking, gift shop and a staffed
recreation of old Fort Wilkins. This is set up really well – you could spend
just 2 hours going through the fort.
The end
of Highway 41.
 |
| Keweenaw - Quincy Mine & Hoist |
QUINCY UNIT – Information Desk at Quincy Mine - QUINCY MINE & HOIST – staffing can be intermittent. Not staffed until maybe July, but the mine is run by the Quincy Mine Hoist Association (a partner) – so the gift shop and mine tour were open. The tour cost me $17 for about 2+ hours of a tour through a skrit of the mine (former classroom for Michigan Tech student on level 7 of the mine.
 |
| A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum |
A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum –
Michigan Technological University. - Houghton,
MI Admission is $6 - $5 for seniors
-another Heritage
Site. Never got to this
place, it closed at 5pm. I may pack up
and see it on Saturday before I leave.
There are 19 Keweenaw Heritage Sites – they preserve and interpret the story of the
rise , domincaiton and decline of the region’s copper mining industry. The sites embody stories of hardship,
ingenuity, struggle and success - you could spend a week on the peninsula.
SATURDAY – June 21, 2014
WEATHER: 47 degrees (inland)
according to the radio at 5:45 am. It’s
supposed to get up to 70 today never did where I was. Rained until
0920 then the inevitable fog.
ISLE ROYALE HEADQUARTERS –
HANCOCK, MI This is interesting – Keweenaw NHP seems to fall under this
Superintendent with headquarters here not in Minnesota. There are 2 ferry routes across Lake Superior that travel Lake Superior
from the Keweenaw area to Isle Royale
-a long trip by water. Drove to Isle Royale
Headquarters – of course it was closed and the gate locked.
 |
| A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum |
TRAVEL: McLain State Park to Apostle Islands Campground, Bayfield, WI. A trip of about 190 miles – Left McLain
around 1240. Eventually got to US 2 – past in order Indianhead, Blackjack and
Powederhorn ski resorts. Then through
Ashland to Washburn and Bayfield. This
new campground is adequate but -
compared to a state park – the state park would be better.
Heard that there was a concert tonight Big Top Chautauqua – so, since I gained an hour coming back into CDT – 5:30 – concert time at 7:30 – I called and they said tickets were available at the door (oh yeah back into cell phone territory) – so I left here around 6 pm – about a 5 mile drive down the road toward Washburn and got a second row seat, just to the left of the performers center stage for Judy Collins and Don McLean.
Both of these performers are about 10 years my senior – so was most of the crowd – of course Judy was the “Blue Eyes” of Stephen Stills “Suite: Judy.” No pictures allowed of Judy – Stills also wrote “Helplessly Hoping” - she sang that and a number of others. A polished performer . . . She's been doing this for awhile. “Both Sides Now” was the second number and was off - - - - sound problem - - - - it got better – She said a lot about Leonard Cohen – apparently another love back in the late 60’s early 70’s - - - - - she had recorded and sang “Suzanne.” Just Judy with a guitar and very long white hair, a musical director/piano player, and her sound guy.
 |
| Big Top Chetaqua Don McLean |
Don McLean – had a chance to see him in Atlanta coming back from
Florida with Myrna – didn’t get tickets – too expensive. You could take pics of McLean. A unique band – a
piano player who looked like “Lurch” – a durmmer with gray/white hair almost as
long as Judy’s – it was perfect – a bass player that reminded me of an attorney
I know from the Chicago Civil War Roundtable and a guitar player that reminded me of one
of the first lead guitar guys I ever played with back in high school. Of course he did “American Pie” and his
encore was “Vincent” with a new song entitled
“Grief and Hope.” He says he
sings from the heart – I’m sure he does but he’s not as polished as Judy – Judy
still has her voice – Don has lost a bit. Of the voice and put on a bit in
other places. I did get his autograph.
SUNDAY – June 22, 2014
WEATHER: rained last night. Fog in the morning – 46 degrees – a 3
dog night. Cloudy all day. Fof until around noon.
8:30 am MASS At St. Louis Catholic Church in Washburn, WI about 10 miles down the road
from here.
45 APOSTLE ISLANDS
NATIONAL LAKESHORE (NL) – (, WI)
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| Apostle Islands National Lakeshore |
Walked
around the shops – very nice. Sunday – a
lot of people headed home.
 |
| Ferry to Madeline Island |
Historic Background – MADELINE ISLAND: In 1659, the
explorers and fur traders Groseilliers and Radisson came to Chequamegon
Bay and for 150 years, it was an outpost
of French, British, and American fur traders.
After the Sault St. Marie Locks were built in 1855, the area became home
to new settlers. Like people before them
they traveled by water. Passenger and
freight ferries criss-crossed the Bay.
As railways and roads improved, ferries, except those linking Bayfield
and LaPointe, faded away. The ferries
today run from end of March to freeze-up.
The Island is named after Madeline Cadotte.
 |
| Apostle Islands - Madeline Island |
Drove
to Big
Bay State Park. I had considered
staying here but was concerned about ferrying the trailer – well, I could have
made it happen . . . . a few sites with
electric – typical state park. There are
plenty of trails – The Barrier Beach
Board Walk Trail is very informative – different than Indiana or Sleeping Bear
Dunes. A very pleasant walk – but it
was cool – just a few annoying mosquitoes to remind you that you’re in
Wisconsin. The reason to come to Big Bay is hiking; at the end of the
road, about 6-7 miles from La Point –
the ferry stop.
Since I
had my truck I thought I’d play 9 at Madeline Island Golf Club – many of the greens are huge double greens. However, they had a members outing in the
evening and wouldn’t let me on – oh well - - the Apostle Highlands Golf Course is just up the road from my campsite – maybe Monday pm
or Tuesday depending on the weather.
Could
have spent more time on the island – rent a bike or hiking or kayaking - but went back to Bayfield on the 6:30 pm ferry.
MONDAY – June 23, 2014
WEATHER: 46 degree wakeup – sun peaked through the clouds around 0620 - it’s supposed to hit 70 with storms today – but this is near Lake Superior and “the lake is the boss.” It was clear and sunny until 5 pm – got up to the mid 70’s inland. Much cooler on the Lake or near the Lake. The water temp is 37 degrees.
G O L F
– stopped by the Apostle Highlands GC
before going to the dock. This course
and clubhouse are much nicer than Madeline
Island – public no “members.” The day was perfect – but – I had a ticket for
the 10am cruise – maybe tomorrow.
45 APOSTLE ISLANDS NATIONAL LAKESHORE (NL) – (, WI)
Apostle Islands Cruise – the sky cleared
- mostly – did not stop at any of the islands but saw most of them –
cruised close to Hermit, Stockton, Oak, Manitou, Ironwood, Otter, Rocky, Devils, Bear,
Raspberry, and Oak. None of them sounded
like names of apostles – well maybe Rocky
could be stretched to signify Peter.
There are 22 islands – no one is sure of the origin of the name Apostle Islands.
 |
| Apostle Island - Hermit Island - Stand Rock |
Drove though the Red Cliff Band of Chippewa Reservation up to Little Sand Visitor Center. It was staffed by a friendly volunteer couple. A local town campground here – it would be a very nice palce to stay.
 |
| Apostle Islands - sea caves |
I had heard you could miss some of the mess by
walking the beach – so for about 1/3 mile I walked the beach and then it was an
uphill climb for the next 45 minutes – somehow I missed trail that crossed a
very bad dirt road (could have been Ft. McCoy) that connected to a better road
(of course I should have realized it was out of the park) and walked this for
about 45 minutes uphill – now this was warm
- plenty of flies and mosquitoes – the air was still – but not as bad as the Dune Climb – there were a lot of flowers – after an hour
out I headed back and found the trail I had missed – thought I’d take it back
to the parking lot – NOT – it really was muddy – back to the beach. At any rate I got a 2 hour workout.
Back at
the Meyers Beach parking lot I found
an envelope on my window to pay for the parking . . . . ranger meter maids – I had
even hung my Park Pass in the window – so I got 50% off and made sure I stuffed
that envelope with all the 21 pennies, 10 nickels and 8 dimes I had for a total
of $1.51 – threw in an extra penny for
luck. Headed back and stopped at Marty’s in Bayfield for a Pabst $2.25.
You
could spend a lot of time here – there are plenty of trails on the mainland and
on the islands - the real way to see islands - is sail or kayak or take a shuttle to them –
with camping gear – hike and stay overnight – adventure camp . . . . . . . well
not for me anymore. The cruise was fine.
TUESDAY – June 24, 2014
WEATHER: A heat wave it was
53, cloudy, thunderstorms rolled through around 6 am. 53 gives a whole new
meaning to “as good as it gets” -
forecast of high in the mid 50’s today. When I started golfing –around 9am, iit was
49 and calm by 5pm it was 43 with a 20 mph wind – what’s that for a wind chill? No snow.
G O L F – APOSTLE HIGHLANDs
GC -
This place is just up the road from where I’m staying. Very nice –
narrow fairways – the rough is very rough – because of the rain and need for a
cut, the greens are unbearably slow –there wasn’t a straight putt to be found -
“undulating” course – reminded me of some Kettle Moraine courses where, if you
hit the side of the fairway – it’s like ping pong /bumper pool golf – other
times the “The Tennessean” ravines
to the right and left. The course would
be very nice if it were clear. Lost 3
balls - in the open. Shot a 52 with 23
putts in about an hour and 30 minutes. Drove to Duluth – to find a Best Buy “Geek” – he couldn’t fix/reinstall the WIFI – but told me for $225 and their one year maintenance plan and if I left it with their tech support for 2-3 days they’d fix it – of course I should have a back up of everything on it. He said it was slow because of programs loading that aren’t needed and virus’s and malware won’t let it load WIFI. What is Kaspersky supposed to do? WHAT A COME ON! - no charge but the gas and the time - but it kept me out of the Red Cliff Casino.
NORTHERN GREAT LAKES
VISITOR CENTER – this place is located
just west of Ashland on US 2. This is an
interagency affair. I should have
started my trip here. I saw 2 films – one was the History Channel’s
Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes – emphasized the Edmund Fitzgerald and the other
a short 10 minute local. Both were very
good. The Exhibits were most interesting
– a little of Aldo Leopold – John Muir.
There was a ¾ mile nature trail that looked very interesting but at 43
with a 20 mph winds with a mist – way too miserable outside - went back to the
trailer – looking forward to another 3 dog night on June 24th in
Wisconsin. “The lake is the boss.”
WEDNESDAY – June 25, 2014
WEATHER: Cloudy 46 degrees
for a wakeup; 53 in the trailer - some
wind.
TRAVEL: Apostle Islands Area
Campground to Interstate State Park, St. Croix Falls, WI. This was a very nice drive. I went through Cable, Hayward, Rice Lake, and
Spooner. The surprise was the Namekagon
River.
46 ST. CROIX NATIONAL SCENIC RIVER (NSR)
– Namekagon River Visitor Center (Trego, WI)
 |
| St. Croix National Scenic Riverway |
 |
| Interstate State Park Glacial Pothole |
INTERSTATE STATE PARK, WI – another gem. Located along the St.
Croix River This is
the Western Terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail – a 1,200 mile long trail – all in Wisconsin (The Eastern Terminus is in Potawatomi State Park in Door county). There is an Ice Age Interpretive Center here with a very good family oriented film about hiking and the geology of the glaciers The nine units of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve include Two Creeks Buried Forest (Two Rivers); Kettle Moraine; Campbellsport Drumlins; Horicon Marsh; Cross Plains; Devil’s Lake; Mill Bluff; Chippewa Moraine (Bloomer); and Interstate State Park.
the Western Terminus of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail – a 1,200 mile long trail – all in Wisconsin (The Eastern Terminus is in Potawatomi State Park in Door county). There is an Ice Age Interpretive Center here with a very good family oriented film about hiking and the geology of the glaciers The nine units of the Ice Age National Scientific Reserve include Two Creeks Buried Forest (Two Rivers); Kettle Moraine; Campbellsport Drumlins; Horicon Marsh; Cross Plains; Devil’s Lake; Mill Bluff; Chippewa Moraine (Bloomer); and Interstate State Park.
Interstate has 12 separate hiking trails with interpretive signs
ranging from .3 to 1.3 miles in length.
46 ST. CROIX NATIONAL SCENIC (NSR) – St. Croix River Visitor Center (St. Croix, WI)
46 ST. CROIX NATIONAL SCENIC (NSR) – St. Croix River Visitor Center (St. Croix, WI)
 |
| St. Croix National Scenic Riverway |
The St. Croix River and a tributary called the Namekagon was one of eight rivers set aside for protection by the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. As one of the original eight, the St. Croix is the only one managed by the NPS. The riverway features outstanding scenery and natural resources.
I got here around 4:30 pm to
watch the exodus of rangers from the building.
But it was open until 5, the ranger inside didn’t seem to watch the
clock. He probably liked his job . . . . .
same film here as at Namekagon
but Namekagon is newer and has
better exhibits. I did walk a very short
but informative nature trail that is on the Visitor Center grounds. Good display of wildflowers. The St.
Croix is the park.
Stopped
by St.
Croix GC – an “undulating” 9 hole
course. Leagues tomorrow at 4pm – will
try to play before then.
THURSDAY – June 26, 2014
WEATHER: a good morning –
started out sunny then cloudy by 8 am. It
should get up to 70’s today. First time
I put on shorts in over a week.
46 ST. CROIX NATIONAL
SCENIC RIVER (NSR) – St. Croix River Visitor Center (St. Croix, WI) Visited
This place at 9 am. Not much here. Saw most of what I needed to see yesterday.
Drove downtown and thought I’d take my PC
to an IT place for repair. They didn’t
open until 10 am – had a cup of coffee –waited for them to open & I WAS
IMPRESSED.
They charge a flat rate for a repair or fix. Jacob explained all in detail – I explained
that the main issue was no WIFI. He appeared confident that they could repair
by 5 pm.
INTERSTATE STATE PARK – TRAILS
I’ve been studying and aware of the
glacier trails in Wisconsin since at least 1960 or 61 when as a Boy Scout I
walked the 28 mile opening of the Glacier Trail from Mauthe Lake to Greenbush.
Kames, eskers, drumlins, kettles . . . . . but this gives me a whole new
appreciation and understanding of the geology – it’s landscape – not just rocks
– Keweenaw was more historical and cultural – this is great!
ST CROIX VALLEY GOLF COURSE –
a nine hole, par 36 course, shot 52 with
23 putts 1 lost ball, UNDULATING course and greens – little sand or water but
again narrow and average size greens – hit it or you will be in trouble. It was fun played in about 1 hours 35
minutes.
 |
| St. Croix Falls - Easy IT Guys |
INTERSTATE STATE PARK – TRAILS
I’ve been studying and aware of the
glacier trails in Wisconsin since at least 1960 or 61 when as a Boy Scout I
walked the 28 mile opening of the Glacier Trail from Mauthe Lake to Greenbush.
Kames, eskers, drumlins, kettles . . . . . but this gives me a whole new
appreciation and understanding of the geology – it’s the landscape – not just
rocks – Keweenaw was more historical and cultural – this is great!
POTHOLE TRAIL – The Western Terminus of the 1.200 mile National Scenic Ice Age Trail and the most geologically unique trail in the park. Scenic views of the Dalles – lots of pot holes.
EAGLE PEAK TRAIL – the highest point in the park overlooking the
vally. Probably a better view when the
leaves are gone.
SILVERBROOK TRAIL – nothing
exciting her
SKYLINE NATURE TRAIL – rather boring.
FRIDAY – June 27, 2014
WEATHER: cloudy but muggy –
around 70
TRAVEL: Interstate
State Park to Tarrant Park, Durand, WI. Rain cloudy in the high 78-83. . Broke down the trailer – ready to go as soon
as the PC was ready. Colfax had a tornado around 3:15. Never played golf raining.
RIVER BLUFF TRAIL – a
very nice walk and scenic view.
Got a call around 10:00 from the “Easy IT Guys” – spoke
to Chuck who said that he got the PC WIFI up and running and cleaned up a lot
of junk – it’s running much faster. He
determined that Kaspersky hadn’t really updated since 2012 – hence the junk –
he was just waiting for the defrag to finish – it ‘s been running for almost 2 ½
hours – eventually got out of there around 1pm –
BOTTOM LINE I’d recommend the “Easy IT Guys” anytime – they know customer service and really treated me very well.
BOTTOM LINE I’d recommend the “Easy IT Guys” anytime – they know customer service and really treated me very well.
First time I’ve used
the AC this year.
SATURDAY – June 28, 2014
WEATHER: Summer must finally
be here; rained in the evening.
FAMILY PICNIC - REUNION Durand, WI
SUNDAY – June 29, 2014
WEATHER: warm 80’s
Mass at St. Mary’s in Durand ,
drove to
47 MISSISSIPPI NATIONAL RIVER
and RECRATION AREA – (Visitor Center located in the lobby of
the Minnesota Science Museum at 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., MN 55102-1202). Described
as a “flowing pageant of life”
 |
| Missippi National River & Recreation Area VC |
written by Roger Miller – “Big River” - numerous books – most notably Mark Twain. Congress established the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area in 1988 to recognize the river’s historic and ongoing roll in molding the national character.
I
thought this place a ‘blow-off’ and as a Visitor
Center it may be but the background of the Minneapolis area and the
partnership between the state, local and federal agencies is the real story.
Only 35 of the 54,000 acres within the Park are owned by the Federal
government. There are 20 parks, museums or historic sites along this 72 mile
stretch of river.
 |
| Missippi National River & Recreation Area - map |
Of
course, here was another opportunity for a boat ride – but like the St.Croix – I passed. It may have been worth it. The Mississippi
River National River and Recreation Area represents the many rich natural ,
cultural, and economic themes of the Mississippi River – know to the Ojibwe as the Mee-see-see-bee, the Father
of Waters.
I was back in Durand by 4:15pm.
G O L F – Valley View GC
Durand – not a good day shot 56 typical, it
doesn’t matter “I love to play golf. I
have a set of Ping G-10 irons, a set of Taylor Made woods, an Acushnet brass
headed putter from the 60’s and I’m not very good . . . . “
MONDAY – June 30, 2014
WEATHER: 70’s – 80’s
TRAVEL:
Durand, WI to Burlington, WI Dropped trailer off at Burlington RV. A small leak was noticed Saturday night – it
was pouring - hopefully they can fix it
by July 4th. I hit the road
again on July 5th.
TUESDAY - July 1 - dentist and haircut appointmnet
WEDNESDAY – July 2 got the oil changed on the truck- washed truck
THURSDAY – July 3 G O L F at MORNING STAR with my
brother, and 2 guys from WE.
The day was perfect. Picked up my
trailer – all they did was reset the seal on the slideout. Refilled the propane tanks.
FRIDAY
– July 4 - Washed the trailer. Ready for the road. Went to Becky’s
house in the afternoon – Visited with Tom, TJ & Becky;s families. Not feeling very good 
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