Bourbon and Bats

DAY 13 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

Our pulling duo departed Illinois Beach State Park early.  We had many miles to go and a some remaining sights to see before the day ended. We were hesitant about the traffic we would face going through Chicago, and, yes, it was crowded, but we were grateful that we didn't get caught in any standstill traffic.

After a full day's ride through Indiana, we parked our campers at the KOA and continued across the Ohio River into Louisville, Kentucky.

First stop: Evan Williams Bourbon Experience.  We were later than we had hoped to be and had missed the last tour of the day, so we just browsed in the gift shop, sampling some of the sauces. I brought home some blackberry jam and some garlic sauce; can't wait to cook with these!

It's Thursday, and well, you know what that means for us:  Mexican!  We relaxed for a bit in a cantina next door before walking the block to the Louisville Slugger factory and museum.

This was a great choice!  For $6 after 6:00 PM during summer hours, you can take a factory tour, browse the museum, watch a short video and take home a miniature Louisville Slugger bat.  This was a cool place to visit!  We watched them make a bat from turning the wood to burning the logo to painting it.  We also found Buster Posey's signature dated 2009 that is seared onto his bats.  Major league players order 100-150 personalized bats each season!

Big bat!

Louisville Slugger museum

We found Buster's signature on the wall; it was on the bottom row!

Wall of Slugger signatures

Going to Chicago

DAY 12 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

The Zion train station is just a mile or two from the campground at Illinois Beach State Park.  We caught a mid-morning commuter into Chicago. Fortunately, the coffee peddler manning the station taught us to read the schedule so we could figure out where to go and when to return.  And, the weather was perfect for a day of sightseeing in the city - a light breeze with a bright and sunny sky.

Our foursome in Chicago

Becky and John riding the commuter train into Chicago

Before we left Ogilvie Transportation Center, we purchased tickets for the Big Bus, an open top, hop-on-hop-off circuit rider.  We walked several blocks to the first stop to board.  We were happy to ride and look, listening to the tour guide narration so we'd know what we were looking at.  So much concrete and glass. Such narrow streets.  So many vehicles.  We were appreciative of the bus ride!

The handsome Irish exchange student Big Bus employee provided these two with some sunglasses for the bus ride.

Buildings, buildings and more buildings and some green space

The architectural features were nice, but it was the lakeside that drew "ahhs" from our group.  Aqua blue water. Sailboats and tour boats.  Such a beautiful sight.

The water was gorgeous.

We ate lunch - pizza!- at Giordano's on Navy Pier, and afterwards walked it off with a stroll around the pier before re-boarding the Big Bus.  Since water has been the theme of this trip, we also walked along the riverfront, watching kayaks and tour boats moving up the river.

Walking along Navy Pier

Lighthouse in the Chicago harbor

Wrigley Field also was a must-see since we had the baseball coach with us.  We boarded the red line subway for a ride to Addison station, then walked up the block for a photo opp in front of the station. No tours today; crews were readying the facility for tonight's James Taylor concert.

The coach is satisfied - he has visited Wrigley Field

Time was ticking away; we barely got a drink in the pub across the street before we had to race back to the station to return to downtown in time to catch the train back to Zion.  Not all departing trains stop in Zion, so missing the one would mean several hours before another would head that direction. We took only part of the directions another rider gave us: get off at Lake station; we ignored "catch the 151 bus to Ogilvie" and, instead, walked. And walked. And walked.  Four blocks one way and five the other, I think.  The streets were crowded at this hour, unlike how quiet they were when we had arrived mid-morning.

We caught our train and made it back to Zion with daylight to spare.  We admired the party being held in our train car by some regulars.  Apparently, this foursome rotates responsibilities: on this occasion, one gregarious gentleman, bearing large packages, reserved two rows for his guests, and then served beer, cookies, and newspapers.

Glad we went, but happy that we don't have to live and work in the city.

Two Great Lakes and the Land Between

Day 11 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

Jamie snapped this awesome photo of the Aerial Lift Bridge last night from the steps of our camper at the Lakeside Boat Basin.

Yesterday's overcast sky and cool wind gave way to sunny blue skies this morning in Duluth, MN on the shore of Lake Superior.  The riggings on the sailboats in the marina jingled in the breeze like windchimes.

The view from our camper this morning

Our view at the marina

We pointed our compass southwest; we're headed home, but not without some sightseeing along the way. Today's destination is Lake Michigan.

What's a trip through Wisconsin without a cheese stop?  We found Miller's Cheese House in Rice Lake, WI, just a mile or so off the highway.  We sampled and sampled and sampled, before finally selecting some take-home goods: dill pickle cheddar, tomato basil cheddar, cheddar horseradish and cheddar onion spreads, landjaeger, creamy pecan caramel fudge, and coconut almond ice cream.

Miller's Cheese House in Rice Lake, WI

Sampling the goods at Miller's Cheese House

Further down the road, we located the Lienenkugel's brewery in Chippewa Falls, where we (Becky and I; not our drivers!) sampled several of their brews.  I've never been a beer drinker, so I didn't really like them, but the Berry Weiss was at least fruity.  Honey Weiss, Watermelon Shandy, Grapefruit Shandy, Sunset Wheat, Wisconsin Red Pale Ale, Royal Nektar -- they all sound so interesting, and for beer enthusiasts, they are quite tasty. I just like the packaging!

Leinenkugel's Brewerey in Chippewa Falls, WI

Water rushes over rocks in the river in Chippewa Falls near the brewery

Daddy had recommended we visit Williams Bay and Lake Geneva; years ago, he and mama visited there and loved it.  I was pleased that our route took us through there today.  Though we didn't stop, the view of the lake was beautiful and the streets looked like a Norman Rockwell painting.

Lake Geneva, WI

Lake Geneva, WI

After an extra-long day of crossing Wisconsin from the northwest corner to the southeast corner, we arrived at our campground, Illinois Beach State Park.  The sites are quite large, making it easy to situate our campers.  We are right on the beach at Lake Michigan; I'm listening to the sound of waves crashing as I write tonight.

Of course, this beach doesn't begin to compare to our favorite Florida white sand beaches, but it is amazing to see this gigantic body of fresh water.  Though we are about an hour's drive (not sure if that includes traffic!) north of Chicago, we could see some of the city skyline from the shore at dusk.

I'm still awestruck by how late the sky remains bright; we were on the beach taking photos again tonight at 9:00 PM.

Lake Michigan

Jamie and John on the shore of Lake Michigan

City skyline from the beach on the Lake Michigan

From the Mississippi to Lake Superior

DAY 10 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

We had reached our ultimate destination: the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Lake Itasca, Minnesota.  It was time to turn toward home.

We chanced upon one final encounter with the mighty Mississippi as it passed under a small bridge near Jacobson, Minnesota.  At this point, the water was already muddied and the river looked similar to our own Flint River both in width and in color.

Our last view of the Mississippi River near Jacobson, Minnesota

We headed east to Duluth to see Lake Superior.  

It was a cool and windy day on the southern shore of Lake Superior.  This wide expanse of fresh water looks like an ocean; it is vast.  

Lake Superior at Duluth, Minnesota

Lake Superior

Overlooking Lake Superior

We were awed by the sight of a Great Lakes freighter ship passing under the Aerial Lift Bridge from the canal to the lake.  We lunched and dined in the Canal Park area -- quite tourist-y, but nice, nonetheless.

Aerial Lift Bridge

Waiting for a freighter to pass under the Aerial Lift Bridge

Our day was made complete with a stop at Duluth Trading Company on Superior Street where we purchased some goodies; sure, we could've just ordered from the catalog, but shopping at Duluth in Duluth was far more fun!

Shopping at Duluth Trading Company

Overcast all afternoon, we missed having a sunset. At 9:00 PM we walked out to the beach; notice in the photo below how much light remains at this hour, even in cloudy conditions. Looking north, we saw this bit of light on the horizon, though!

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Paul & Babe

DAY 9 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

After a campground breakfast of blueberry pancakes and bacon, we went to Bemidji, Minnesota, to view the statue of Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.

Paul Bunyan, Babe the Blue Ox and Lumberjack Jamie in Bemidji, MN

John & Becky with Paul & Babe in Bemidji, MN

 From there, we went to Akeley, Minnesota, where they were celebrating Paul with a three day festival.  Another statue of Paul and more photos.

Lumberjack Jamie with Paul Bunyan in Akeley, Minnesota

Back at Lake Itasca, we took a two hour boat ride, viewing eagles and loons and seeing the headwaters from "the other side."

Wildlife on Lake Itasca

Eagle on Lake Itasca

Internet uploads are slow from here; more photos to come . . . 

Headed for the Headwaters

DAY 8 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

We departed Prairie Island Campground early this morning, as we faced a long day of pulling the trailers northward to our destination:  Lake Itasca ~ the Headwaters of the Mississippi River.

The men drove.  The ladies rode. Drove and rode.  Seemed like a long day!  We followed the river as far as Minneapolis, then we diverted to the "most direct route" to Lake Itasca.

By late afternoon we had arrived at our campsite, set up our rigs, met several neighbors -- Minnesotas, and then, we found what we had driven nearly 2000 miles to see: clear, cold water tumbling over a few rocks, forming into a stream six inches deep by eight feet wide, flowing in a northerly direction.  An humble beginning for the mighty Mississippi River.

Jamie showing us how far we've traveled along the Great River Road

John & Jamie discuss the river and its feeder rivers

 We waded in the cold stream, water so clear we could read a book through it. This tiny stream, more than 1400 feet above sea level, will twist and turn its way 2500 miles to the Gulf of the Mexico.   As it seeks lower elevation,  it will turn southward, gathering mud and silt and pollution from the St. Croix, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Ohio, Arkansas, and Red rivers, spreading wide across parts of ten states before dumping into the Gulf.

We made it

Water flows across these rocks from Lake Itasca to form the Mississippi River

Standing in the middle of the Mississippi River, perched against the first bridge that crosses it

The fledgling river

Where Eagles Fly

DAY 7 ~ Our Great River Road Adventure

First order of business:  National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN
This educational center rehabilitates injured bald eagles and places them in service to promote awareness and conservation issues that affect the bald eagle and their habitat.  They are beautiful creatures!  We were up close with several.

Wabasha also is a lovely all-American town - perfectly manicured homes with pleasant river views, and turn of the century downtown buildings.

In Wabasha, MN outside the National Eagle Center

This fountain flowed with water pumped directly from the Mississippi River.

We finished our visit to Wabasha with sandwiches, salads and soup for lunch at Stacy's Kitchen.  The picture windows in this little restaurant afforded us a view of wild eagles riding a thermal above town.

Then we crossed the river (again! We've lost count!) and ventured several miles east of Pepin, WI, where we toured Laura Ingalls Wilder's small log cabin.  Becky enjoyed imagining living there, climbing up to the bed in the loft, and Laura telling stories to Carrie.

Laura Ingalls Wilder cabin near Pepin, WI

From there, we traveled north and crossed back into Minnesota at Red Wing.  What a nice town!  Of course, Jamie needed some Red Wings, so we shopped in downtown at Red Wing Shoes and he found just the right pair.  American made.

 We drove up to Memorial Park which overlooks the town and the river.  Quite the view!

Overlooking Red Wing, MN

A stop for ice cream reminded us of Camilla Java; wish our hometown could support such businesses for the long term.

Headed back to the campground, we made one final sightseeing tour for the day:  Lark Toys in Kellogg, MN.  Part toy store, part museum, part amusement park.  Wow - what memories this stop evoked: easy bake ovens and soda dispensers, operation games, Tonka trucks, pedal cars, Madame Alexander dolls ... apparently, we had the best, most popular, toys to be had in our day -- and now they're "museum worthy."

Just being silly!

Becky checking out the toy museum displays

Really cool museum!

Jamie recognizes some of his childhood toys in this display