MAY AND JUNE 2014 GREAT RIVER ROAD, LAKE SUPERIOR CIRCLE

We left Texas on May 1 and, after a few days in Louisiana, began to follow the Mississippi northward to its headwaters in Minnesota.  We did frequent diversions away from the river to explore in each of the 10 states:  Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

After reaching the headwaters in Minnesota, we explored a bit more of Minnesota and made our way to Duluth, where we began the Lake Superior Circle tour, through Minnesota, into Ontario, then into Michigan (with a foray south before coming back to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan) and Wisconsin.

After completing the circle, we dropped down to Green Bay, Milwaukee, Door County and finally Chicago before beginning the trek homeward through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas and back to Texas.

End of the Road; Back to Texas July 2

Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Some pretty countryside with golden grasses, bright blue cornflowers and delicate queen Anne's lace.

We decide to head for home, via Memphis and across Arkansas.  Beth drives for a couple of hours, just to be sure she remembers how :).  High water along the route, and we are surprised to see many rice fields along I-40 in Arkansas.  We finish the Sandra Brown book on tape.

Cross Arkansas and reach Texarkana - back in Texas, but still 6 or 7 hours to go.  We see quite a few deer in Texas.  Hwy 59 is being groomed into Hwy 69 which will run to Mexico and the road is much improved over what it was years past when we've come this way.

We run into storms again, though.  Heavy rain, lightning and decide to stop in Marshall, Texas for some sleep and then drive into Spring tomorrow morning.  We have dinner at a small place called Catfish King in Atlanta, TX. Has been here for 28 years!   Arrived home about 9 AM Thursday, July 3.

10,800 miles.   64 days.

Indiana, Jul1, 2014

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Hard rain and wind last night and there are lots of branches down.  Still a little cloudy this morning but the air feels wonderfully fresh and clean.

We continue southward on route 43 which on the map looked like a pleasant country road, alternative to a highway.  It is very windy and hilly with occasional small towns.  Mostly woods and fields.  Would be challenging to Mario Andretti and requires Greg's constant focus - oops!   No alternatives so we wind our way southward.  Stop at Avoca Fish Hatchery for a stretch. Nice spring and some unusual flowers.

We stop in Orleans and ask directions to Orangeville Rise.  See some interesting birds and haystacks but find the directions were incorrect, totally wrong direction!

 After calling someone, we get new directions and are assured that it is worth the drive.  It sounded interesting - this is where the "lost river" which travels underground through limestone karst for many miles, surfaces and once again becomes a stream.  It took us quite a while (understatement) to actually find the place and then all it was was pretty much a big muddy pool with a plaque.

 Don't go the the Orangeville Rise! We have to forget French Lick and a few other places we thought we'd visit, as we took most of the afternoon finding this place.  Oh well....

cheering our only goal

We head to Jasper then, where we watch the US Soccer game at Buffalo Wings and Rings.  Good crowd watching the game and Tim Howard was great...given many opportunities to shine!  We lost 2-1 to Belgium in overtime.

 Meantime the rain has returned.  We are thinking of calling an end to the trip and heading for home.  Indiana not too exciting, weather lousy, and it is getting hot.  We aren't anxious to revisit Nebraska, Kansas area this time of year, especially given the odd, stormy weather of late.

June 30, Indiana

Monday, June 30

72 degrees at 8 AM.  Looks like it will be a warm day.

Having had enough of traffic, crowds, trains, etc. we head out of Chicago toward Indiana.  Still along Lake Michigan, this is a toll road and has a fair amount of traffic.  But it is the fastest route.  We reach  the welcome to Indiana sign about 9:40.

This part of Indiana is very industrial with clusters of modest, simple homes which seem to support the industry.  Several large steel companies.  Indiana doesn't have a lot of lake frontage, so I guess they make the most of it for industry and transportation.

At I65 we veer southward and begin to see more farmland.  Lots of corn, about 4 foot tall now.  We pass a huge wind turbine farm at Wilcott - hundreds of them - but most are not turning.  We can see stormy weather ahead and the wind picks up considerably.

We had been directed to a Visitor's Center on I-65 but it turned out to be unstaffed and was fairly useless.  We did find a better one in Lafayette.  Indiana divides all their literature and information according to county, so it took a while to figure out what counties we were near, etc.   The young attendant was pleasant and helpful.

Lots of day lillies along the highways and in people's yards, mostly the "tiger lily" variety.

 Corn and soybeans everywhere.  Someone told us they usually alternate these two crops yearly. We stop at a museum in Crawfordsville which sounded interesting, but it is only open Wednesday-Saturday. So we continue on to Mansfield Roller Mill, which was built in 1867.  

A picturesque site with a large 247' double-span covered bridge here as well.  A father and son are having a good swim, but the place is deserted otherwise.  Lots of empty buildings as they apparently have big festivals several times a year.

 We next head for Raccon Lake State Recreational Area for a night of camping.  Nice area on Cecil Harden Lake. Nary a mosquito!

Tonight we see something we haven't seen for a long time - fireflies! One even makes it into the Trek so we have a brief illumination.  Lots of birds in the area too, as well as ground hogs.

 Greg cooks burgers on the grill - haven't had much opportunity for this this trip.  We sit outside and relax, and call it a night without seeing the Raccoons which are supposedly "everywhere" here.

June 29, 2014 Chicago

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Woke early and drove to the Franklin Park train station, where we had breakfast and waited for the train into Chicago.  There were lots of people and it turned out that there is a Gay Pride Parade today somewhere near Wrigley Field, so the trains were full of colorful characters.  Tu-tus, colorful socks, colored hair, beads and buttons, tie dyes, glitter. We stood next to and spoke with a young man who filled us in on what was going on, good places to walk and eat, local beer (312) and more. We had to stand for the 35-40 minute ride.

We walked first to the boat for the architectural boat tour, at Michigan and Wacker, on the Riverwalk.  Bought our tickets for the 10:30 cruise and had only a few minutes to wait. Today is a hot, sunny day.

We had a good volunteer tour guide, Barry, who was an architect.  He pointed out  incredible architecture and engineering feats, along the river and by the harbor, as well as filling in a good bit of history, including the founding in 1837,  development of trade and transportation, and some of the more prominent early developers like Wrigley and Montgomery Ward. And of course, the huge fire of 1871 which sort of wiped the slate clean as so much was re-built. As an architect he was keen on pointing out ways that architects saved or made money for their clients - designs that create more "outside offices" or more usable, leasable, space, etc.  We learned about gothic, modern, art deco, post modern and current architectural styles.

This one reminds me of "The Jetsons".

 Traveling on the river, he seemed proud that the river that was once an eyesore is now becoming a beloved feature.  They are constructing a Riverwalk all along it and anyone who builds along the river is responsible for incorporating the Riverwalk into their plans.

 The large letters had just been put on the TRUMP tower, the second tallest building, and are a subject of much discussion for their size and lack of style - Barry's comment was "if you can't say something good about it, say nothing."

Trump Tower on the left

He pointed out a building with a car elevator in the center, and many older warehouse buildings that are finding new life, often with loft or apartment balconies added to the original building.

 After the tour we contacted our nephew Russel and walked to meet him at a nearby cafe  where a World Cup Game, Mexico vs Netherlands, was playing.  Had a nice lunch and got caught up a bit. He is in the third year of his PhD here and seems to like the city.

We then took off toward the Hancock tower.  Stopped briefly at a Bridges Museum to see the how many of the bridges, (bascule trunnion - like a see-saw) of the city work. This picture from a window of the museum.

We walked along the Miracle Mile, a huge, busy shopping mecca with all the big names. Went up to the 95th floor of the Hancock Building where there is a restaurant and bar.  What a view!

 Next we walked back through the Miracle Mile and onto the Navy Pier which is a collection of restaurants, amusements, tour boats, etc.  We enjoyed walking through the Smith Stainglass Window Museum there, for it was beautiful as well as cool.

Navy Pier

Statue near Millennium Park

Long hike back to Union Station, which again was bustling.  We were able to get seats this time.  My "Fitbit" which counts steps says we walked over 10 miles today!

After returning to the Franklin Park station, we decided to go to Gene & Jude's, a top rated hot dog place which is only about 5 minutes away, and was recommended by the Schoppas.

 Different presentation with fries on top!  Good dogs!

 Too late and too tired to look for alternate camping spot, so we do Walmart again.  We had gotten approval of management and Greg talked with the security patrol, so we were comfortable.

Kenosha, WI to Chicago, Illinois, June 28, 2014

Saturday, June 28, 2014
Started the day at the Kenosha Harbor Farmer's Market which was a pretty sizeable market by the water.  Lots of organic and natural foods, fruits, vegetables and baked goods; stained glass and other crafts as well.  We had some tasty scones for breakfast.

 

Stained glass and other crafts as well.

From the market it was a short drive to the Jelly Belly Center for a tour and some samples.

The tour included an "art" gallery with Jelly Belly Mosaics,  clothing, including a wedding dress,  made from Jelly Bellies, and videos of the manufacturing process.  The company was started in 1869 and has remained largely family-owned and operated.

Of course they had a large store and gift area, which included a sample bar.  We bought a bag of "seconds" which they refer to as "belly flops".  They are either too small, too large, stuck together or irregularly colored, but taste fine.

From here we head into Franklin Park, where we find the train station, park and hop on the train to Union Station in Chicago, which takes 30-40 minutes.  Union Station is huge and splendid.  The large hall was being prepped for a wedding so we could only reach the peripheral. After making sure we know how we get back to Franklin Park and getting a schedule from a very helpful ticket person, we hit the streets of Chicago.

The architecture was amazing almost at every turn as we walked down Jackson toward Grant Park.  Below is the library.

library

Chicago Board of Trade

Some sort of Federal building - can't remember what.

 Lots of people on the streets, the el rattling by, traffic, bikes, taxis, a few beggars, a few policemen.  Some quite fashionable folks, most just normal casual. A fair amount of green space amongst all the towering buildings.

Two USA competitors being filmed by the guy on the bike.

At Grant Park, there was a women's triathlon competition going on with competitors from all over the  world.

Next we walked over to Millenium Park and the Bean, where a rain shower sent people scrambling for cover.

From under the Bean.

However, the rain didn't last too long.

This beautiful Tiffany dome is in the Cultural Building which is an older building with beautiful mosaics.

A woman at the Cultural Center recommended Al's Beef for an Italian Beef sandwich and after a few miscues we managed to find it.  The sandwiches were tasty beef with peppers and the whole sandwich is dipped in an au jus.  Messy but good!

We headed back to Union Station and caught the 5:30 train with no problem.  We pass by the Amtrak tracks which Greg's Mom and Dad saw a lot of! Almost looked like we knew what we were doing!

We found a Walmart in Forest Park, a few miles away, that allowed boon docking and slept well.