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Michigan 2022

May - October 2022
A 146-day adventure by Katboz Read more
  • 65footprints
  • 1countries
  • 146days
  • 356photos
  • 4videos
  • 5.4kmiles
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  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    1
    Day 115

    Starved Rock State Park

    September 17, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    Only was able to get one night at Nature's Way RV Park so packed y this morning and headed straight to the park. Not too far. We wanted to be there early because this is apparently a very popular park and parking can sometimes be a problem.
    We were there about 9:30 and it was beginning to fill up. We parked way in the back and left it locked with the generator on so we could leave the AC on for Frank and Charlie while we spent sometime in the visitor center. This park sits right on the bluffs of the Illinois river and is known for its limestone bluffs, and water carved canyons and waterfalls. And in the winter they become icefalls. Unfortunately drought conditions are not unique to the west coast.
    Spent the morning"hiking" with Tom and Charlie to Starved Rock and out to Lovers leap, and Eagle Bluff. (No eagles this time of year). All have great views of dam, the lock and river. But all the trails included LOTS of stairs. Charlie is pretty strong, but I think with her shirt little legs they were tougher than just a hike! The heat didn't help...
    Took her back to the RV (with AC) and went back to have a late lunch at the renovated historic lodge. Pretty disappointed in the food, but sometimes the concessionaire could do a better job...the lodge just wasn't as nice as some of the national historic lodges.
    Back to RV and drove out to a RV park nearby that included electric hook up knowing we NEEDED some conditioning for the evening.    Read more

  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    Day 116

    Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

    September 18, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 84 °F

    Drove most of the morning to arrive in Springfield, Illinois at about noon. Had a bit of a hiccup as we tried locking up the RV and couldn't find the door and storage keys. After about 30 minutes they were located but both Tom and we drenched in sweat... Finally got the generator going, animals settled, ands we went into the museum.
    We both loved this museum. As you moved through the chronological exhibits you just felt like you got a closer look at house life. It was like reading a book in an afternoon. And we both forgot just how significant he was as a president. Just a great experience AND reminder there we are "all created equal".
    Fortunately our overnight stay was right in Springfield so not too far to drive. This overnight was through Harvest Host again. This host was Springfield Beer Company.
    Cute little brewery with ready parking lot to navigate and right next to a hamburger place. We were able to get burgers and then head into the brewery to eat then with some local beer and watch football. Unfortunately Las Vegas lost, again.
    So warm that we left the generator on so that's we could run the AC. Only downside is collectively both of these units make some noise, so after tossing and turning we turned them off. But it's had us in time to experience a real thunder and lightning show!    Read more

  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    Day 117

    Lincoln locations in Springfield

    September 19, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Was a slightly difficult night for sleep; warm, muggy, then rain and lightning. It was nice to have a relatively cool morning, although it did not last long.
    IHOP just happened to be down the street so enjoyed a quick breakfast at really one of Toms favorite breakfast stops. Then drive back until Springfield just to get in a couple of more Lincoln stops.
    First was Oak Ridge Cemetry for his tomb. Very well located on a hill in the cemetery. Really well done. You walk through a circular path, much like a masoleum, and there are several niches with sculptures off Lincoln fromm various ages of his life. Tombs for Mary and 3 of the 4 boys they had are here as well. The only son that did survive was buried at Arlington.
    Sincere we were already downtown we did a quick drive by you see the state capital building, and finally to take a look at the Lincoln home. Once he left for Washington as president he never actually lives here again. We really enjoyed and appreciated the time we had to reaquaint ourselves with Lincoln and his impact.
    Headed back to IHOP, we had dropped the jeep to drive in town. Hooked back up and headed to st.louis, just about 100 miles. We are overnighting at a KOA IN Granite City, which is still in Illinois, north and east of St. Louis. Hot, muggy and so thankful that we have an awesome AC. It was 96°, the all-time record for this day in history was 97°. You can't imagine the discussions we have about who should be walking the pup...or maybe you can! The weather person was very optimistic that tomorrow we would see a record setting temperature!    Read more

  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    Day 118

    St. Louis, the Basilica

    September 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F

    Right on the national park grounds off the Arch, are also the Basilica and the old courthouse. The courthouse was under renovation, but we could go in and see the cathedral.
    It is one of the few buildings that has stood in place since the 1700s?? It has been renovated a couple of times, (originally wood timber) but has remained a Catholic church since inception. Can't quite remember the history (linley probably will) but not all cathedrals have the distinction of being named a basilica, the pope does that. Beautiful inside...Read more

  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    1
    Day 118

    St. Louis, the Arch

    September 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 95 °F

    Woke up to warm muggy morning. Actually at 6:30 and it might have cool for a bit....and it just feels "buggier" out here.
    Got on the road fairly soon because I had prepurchased tickets for the documentary movie about the Arch and the tram ride to the top. We stopped the jeep so at least we weren't navigating downturn with the RV. There RV park is only about 30 minutes away on the Illinois side of the Mississippi. Drive in was fairly easy, not much traffic, just kept missing various turns so spent a little bit of time going in circles. Eventually got to where we needed to be.
    Wow, the Arch really is quite breathtaking. In your mind you know it is big, but in person the scale is just seems so enormous. Beautifully built, just standing a clear grass field on the edge of the river.
    We headed into the visitor center fort the documentary about the build. The documentary was really interesting, and I just don't remember this being completed in the 60's. But what a project!
    We then queued up for the tram ride to the top. Who would've dreamed of birth only building this Arch, but providing access to the top. And the access is so "sixties"! These little egg shaped pods that only hold 5 people at a time, there are a total of 8 of them moving, as a group, up or down the Arch with passengers. Unlike any experience I have had before. The seats even reflect Saarinen, they have the shaped feel of his tulip table and my chairs.
    The ride is about 15 min or so, and you get out to this small corridor like space at the very top of the Arch. Small window slots on both sides so you have these huge views east and west of St. Louis. We had about 10 minutes at the top and then back in our pods to the bottom. ("Please open the door Hal")
    Then we spent another hour or so going through the on site museum dedicated to American history. The Arch is a memorial to the western expansion. Great museum, but hard to appreciate after the documentary and ride. One segment does give a good understanding of the history of the Arch. The documentary is more focused on the actual building of the Arch. We loved this visit!    Read more

  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    Day 118

    St. Louis, Union station

    September 20, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 95 °F

    Got back in jeep and headed into town to make one more stop. I love looking at buildings, especially interiors, so Tom agreed to go by the old Union Station, which is more the Union Station Hotel. Beautiful! Again traffic not too bad, it's is just Tuesday.
    Wow, this train station was BIG. But it makes sense when you think about the number of people that have used this as a point of departure, and the number of trains moving in and out, back in the early 1900s.
    We didn't actually do a tour, they probably have one. Now it is home to a Hyatt hotel and conference center, restaurants, kids attractions and an aquarium. Would have explored more, but Charlie has been in her crate since this morning so just walked a little remitting some of the renovated older details...
    Across the street is a higher new soccer stadium that will be complete in 2023. BIG, with lots of damage playing fields around it. Sure it is sized for international competition!    Read more

  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    Day 119

    KOA Granite Creek (N.E. St. Louis)

    September 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    Posting pic of slightly tired KOA in Granite Creek. We stayed here while visiting St. Louis. Plus: mature trees Cons: very little maintenance. This really could be a nice park if some one would do a little grounds maintenance. Yes, this was a tough summer, but you should still mow, water real plants, not stab fake ones in the bed for color, pick up unused equipment and debris. Maybe re-lay some gravel. Bathrooms not bad, they had been renovated. But why do parks continually use lay-in acoustical tile in a high moisture environment? Several times already damaged with water stains.... having worked a park all summer, even in droughts they can looked "cared for".

    Really just wanted to make sure this way point was included on my map!

    Alright, I confess, I am a compulsive gardener. You can make anything look better with a little elbow grease    Read more

  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    Day 119

    America's Natl Churchill Museum

    September 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F

    Our drive to Fayetteville is taking us through Springville, Missouri. So as I usually do, I googled interesting things to see on our drive and up pops Fulton, Missouri; America's National Churchill Museum. This was a really interesting stop... Can't believe we actually tumbled on this because Fulton is a pretty small town about 20 miles outside of Jefferson City, the capital.
    This museum, housed under a relocated 17th century English church, is dedicated to a study of Churchill's life and serves as America's memorial to him. The church/museum is located at Westminster College. The story is really interesting.
    The church was relocated and rebuilt in commemoration of Churchill's "sinews of peace" speech that he gave at the college back in 1946. Churchill gave this speech because Truman invited him on behalf of the college. So on March 5, 1946 Truman and Churchill were both there. The "sinews of peace" speech is also known as there Iron Curtain speech. In most respects this speech defines and initiates the start of the cold war.
    So how does this involve the relocated English church??
    40 years later the college wanted to commemorate the event. Their idea was to salvage one of the many Christopher Wren designed churches that had been destroyed with the bombing of London. What remained of the church, stone by stone was brought to Westminster College and rebuilt. The church was gorgeous and below the church is a very extensive collection of artifacts and information regarding Churchill's life. We just didn't have enough time to really spends time in the Churchill Museum, just too many miles to drive before end of day. We buzzed it, but it looked great! The whole history of the church and the start of the cold war was so fascinating!    Read more

  • TravelerMichigan 2022
    Day 119

    End of day at Arlies Farm

    September 21, 2022 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Another Harvest Host stop, just outside of Springfield, Missouri. Wow, this would be a great spring stop. Flower gardens, greenhouse, succulents, veggie garden, hanging flower basket shop, spices and herbs. Would love to see this all blooming! Still awesome property... Visited the horses, the sheep, the cows, the chickens and the ducks, AND we took a peak at 2 Airbnb cottages, and their HUGE new home they'll are building on the back of the property.
    She had a design business so the cottages have the look you would see in Sunset.... One is an India theme with artifacts from her travels, the other a Mexican theme. Lots of colors, eclectic artifacts, lots of color, plants, vaulted ceilings, natural light, custom made light fixtures (her husband worked in metal fabrication), wall murals ( her daughter is a graphic artist) . Creative and Gorgeous. I need to googled and see what they rent for. Very fun people, very nice stay.    Read more

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