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Paint Your Wagon
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  • Quail Run Tripping

Paint Your Wagon

Where am I goin'? I don't know Where am I headin'? I ain't certain
All I know Is I am on my way
When will I be there? I don't know
When will I get there? I ain't certain
All that I know Is I am on my way Leggi altro
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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Jill walking Indy toward the river front.
    The American Falls1Niagara FallsGulls and CororantsThe Red Coats are coming!People on the Amarican side viewing the American Falls from the midst of the fallsTour boat heading into the mistGetting soaked, litterally and financiallyThe mist of Niagara Falls climbs high into the skyGetting a closer look at Niagara FallsHelium Ballon ride to see the falls from a long way awayNot a bad crowd at the fallsAmerican Falls and the bridge into the USBranson, MO??? Tacky

    Niagara Falls

    16 settembre, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    We did the tourist thing again today. Niagara Falls is definitely best viewed from the Canadian side. It was still busy on a Tuesday after Labor Day, but we can only imagine the zoo this place would be in the summer. The walk from the parking lot was not bad, except for the steps. Les insisted on bringing the camera and Jill's sketch bag in the jogging stroller. On the second set of stairs, he snagged his foot and the stroller head down the steps without him. The DSLR camera bag met him at the bottom of the flight of stairs. No damage was done. We walked along the river front from the American Falls to the edge of Niagara Falls where the mist fell like rain. We returned to the parking lot by way of the streets. Turning up the hill, I thought we were back in Branson, MO with all the tacky tourists stuff.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    We are here
    Preping for HolloweenJack-o-Lanterns

    Just Pas'n Through

    15 settembre, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Today was a traveling day, passing through a lot of Canadian farm lands. The 401 seems to be a major truck route. We were able to avoid the big cities and traffic of the south side of Lake Erie. But the truck traffic was heavy. We camped on the outskirts of Niagara Falls. Decorations are being prepared for Holloween.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Lola, looks exactly like Tatanka. Same year and model.
    Detroit skylineThe bridge to CanadaCrossing the Detroit RiverEntering CanadeBike ride at Rondeau Provincial ParkThe End of the RoadA beautiful Oak in the campground

    Oh Canda, Taking a Shortcut

    14 settembre, Canada ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F

    At last nights stay, we met Lola, a twin sister to Tatanka. We had a good conversation with Lola’s owners, comparing likes and dislikes about our Vista 26 P motorhomes.

    We left Milford and headed through Detroit and across the bridge into Canada. This effort was very confusing. The signing and Google Maps both were not helpful. We were led into a massive gas station where some guy in an orange vest guided us through to what we assumed was an unmanned toll booth. Les tried several times to reach out the motorhome window and down to the card reader to swipe the credit card with no success. Jill finally got out and used her card and the gate finally opened. We got over the bridge and to the port of entry for Canada where they were changing people for lunch. A little wait…no hard questions, except how many nights we are staying?

    We hope this will be a shortcut to avoid several large cities and their traffic to the south of Lake Erie through Ohio and Pennsylvania. We gassed up at a truck stop ($1.39.9/Liter or around 6 dollars). There was an A&W at the truck stop, so while Jill made up a tuna salad, Les went to the A&W to get a root beer float. Since it was not listed on the menu, he asked the guy if they made the float. THEY DON’T MAKE THEM ANYMORE! So Les bought a root beer and made his own float with the Cookie dough ice cream in the RV. That’s part of the fun traveling in an RV.

    We stopped for the night early at Rondeau Provincial Park. Since it was still early, we took a 8 mile bike ride out to the end of the peninsula. The park is located on a peninsula between Rondeau Bay and Lake Erie.    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Engine 7 took us for a ride.
    On the trainEngine 45Jill standing by the drive wheelsThe turntable is moved like thisWater Powered sawmillWeaving on a Jack LoomAutomated loom used to make fabrics for the Model TGrist MillCandy Shop with clock from EuropeAdjusting a clay ornamentLight bulb in the Edison BuildingGlass BlowingType settingJill rides the caroselTaking a ride in a 1914 Model T. Intially $850, but 19 years later $250.Jill tries on a hat in the Millenary Shop.A candle lite dinner at the Eagle TavernIn the back of the Write Brother"s Bicycle shop is where they built their airplane.The best of the Holloween Scarecrows

    Greenfield Village

    13 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    We got up early today, ate a quick breakfast and took Indy to Club Pet. From there we drove to Greenfield Village which is part of the Henry Ford campus. Les was thinking about gointg to the Museum of American Innovation, also on the Ford campus, but Jill wanted to be outside. The village covers 80 acres and contains a huge collection of American buildings and equipment with important historical significants, We started with a ride on a steam powered train that travels around the outside edge of the village. We got off at the train area. Les pushed the locomotive turn table half way arround. It weighs 40 tons. Inside the engine house, the largest engine is Engine 45. This is a huge Atlantic style 4-4-2 engine designed to pull passengers. The drive wheels are just over 6' in diameter.
    We also visitred glass plowing, print shop, weaving shop, the Write Brothers Bicycle shop where they built their airplane. We visited too many interesting places to recount and we didn't see everything there was to see. We ate lunch at the Eagle Tavern and finally took a ride in a 1914 Model T through the town. By 3pm, we were pretty much warn out, so we retrieved Indy and returned to camp.    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Indy getting to do lots of new stuff, boat rides and daycare.

    Finding Daycare

    12 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 79 °F

    Started with a bike ride around the campground et al, four miles not bad. This place is big, with all kinds of things. Puttputt golf, lakes, small cabin camps, tent cabins, more lakes and a real golf course. Stopped at the office, and asked for recommendations for a doggy day care. We want to go to the Henry Ford Museum and village tomorrow but no dogs allowed. It is an all day thing, can’t leave Indy in the RV. So went and checked Club Pet it was nice, this will be different for him. We explained he has separation anxiety, and will bark/sing the whole time, also doesn’t get along with other dogs in his space. They said ok just bring him back in the morning. The town of Milford is cute but busy on a Friday, we did some shopping. Then Jill sat on hold with the nearby Walgreens for an hour, never did get in. Oh well more Walgreens are ahead.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Our site.

    Into the Heart of Car Manufacturing

    11 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Driving into Southern Michigan, we are seeing names of cities we have only heard on the News or in TV shows. We are trying our best to avoid driving into big cities, but being able to connect scenery to a place name is interesting. We drove past the GM proving grounds on our way to Camp Dearborn. This is a city owned recreational area. Looks like a really nice campground. No trees around our site, so StarLink has a great signal. We are also back to summer clothing after wearing winter clothing to the north. We has mostly clear skies and temperatures in the 80’s. Heading out to do laundry soon.
    Laundry done, but when Jill checked with Walgreen about a prescription refill, no one could find the prescription. Looks like this one is going to fall through the cracks yet again! The next issue is to find a pet sitter for Indy. We have some touring in the area and Indy will need to let out regularly and we don’t know how long we will gone.    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Most sites are heavily forested.
    On the way through Bay City we saw many beautiful housesLes and Indy on the shoreLes wondering if Jill is coming to the beachDrinking from the lion's mouthRegadaGulls, not Sea Gulls.Sunset and the temp is droppingWater lilies by the beachFrizdee fun

    Freeway Day.

    10 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Boring day travel day, we just headed down I-75. Stopped early at Bay City State Park on the shore of Lake Huron. Most places we have camped at, the rangers tell you not to park on the grass. We noticed at Wilderness State Park, the extra vehicles were all parked on the grass. Here at Bay City, the sites themselves are grass. We guess nothing kills grass here. We drove to a vet hospital to see if they would refill Indy’s Dasuquin prescription. They would, but that would involve an office visit. We said no thank you and left. We will try Chewy.com. We picked up a pizza on the way back. After dinner we took a walk over to the shore of Lake Huron and walked the beach. Returning across a large open grassy area, we found a Frisbee ring. Indy thought that was fun to chase.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse grounds.
    Notice the distingueshing detailsFog Horn buildingMackinaw Bridge from the shore in front of the lighthouseThe red light flashed several times and then a white light shown.The top level where the light rotated is very small and was hot and tight with the tour visitors

    Yet Another Lighthouse

    9 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    We got a late start today, so we went out to lunch. We split a Pastie, a traditional miner's lunch. Then we went to the "Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse" for a tour. Jill sat outside and sketched the lighthouse. Les took the tour and learned a few new things. While he had noticed that every lighthouse was different, he did not realize that it was by design so that ship captains can easily identify which light house they were looking at. They also use different light flash sequences and colors to differentiate the lighthouses from each other. In addition, those lighthouses with fog horns use a different soundings and spacing between sounds. This lighthouse was built after the McGulpin Point Lighthouse located a few miles west of this one. This lighthouse is distinguished by having a red roof, tan brick, black top and a castle roof element. It also has a fog horn and can service about 30 degrees more area than the other. This lighthouse was decommissioned after the Mackinaw Bridge was built, because the Bridge now has lights and fog horn. After the tour, we headed back down to Cheboygan Walgreens and picked up a perscription for Jill and Les' speciality med had arrived through UPS at Walgreens. Yea!Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    One of a bunch of hotels on the island
    More hotels, bicycles, tourist businesses, and horse drawn transportation.Bicycle rentalsMore hotels and people everywhere you lookIndy stands guard while Les takes picturesLittle Stone Church.Bike trail around islandArch RockThe Governers summer homeJill and Indy walking back to town.Town, a beautiful church and the harbour.An early log building. The windowed corner shows the log construction under the siding.Fort Mackinac (the spelling is correct and still pronounced Mackinaw)The Mackinaw Bridge was the longest bridge in the world in 1957 when it was built.Took the horse drawn tour of islandWe are in the back of the bus because of Indy

    Doing the tourist thing: Mackinaw Island

    8 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    We played tourist today. Took the Shepler Ferry to Machinaw Island. We had a choise of either taking Indy for free or the bikes for $20 each. Indy had several new experiences, riding on the ferry and riding on a horse drawn tour trailer. The tour charged us for Indy as our child. The only motorized vehicles are emergency vehicles. You have three choices for transportation on the island. Horse drawn carriages, bicycles or your own feet. Eighty percent of the island is a State Park that was once a National Park. The National Park consisted of a Fort that dates back to the Revolutionary War. The park ranger duties were handle by the soldiers. When the fort was deactivated, the land was turned over to the State to be used as a State Park. Much of the rest of the island is occupied by hotels, VERY expensive houses, and tourist industry businesses. It has a resident population of about 500 and more than 500 horses. This island has the largest herd of working horses in the world.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    This is a rather small lighthouse.
    Stairs to the light, a little scaryThe views were nice and that is the building Indy and Les sheltered in.The views of Lake Michigan are quite distant.

    Another Lighthouse

    7 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    We visited the McGulpin Point Lighthouse this morning. Indy was with us, but could not tour the lighthouse. Jill sat outside in the sunshine with Indy, while Les took the tour. When Jill took the tour, Les walked Indy around the outside for a few minutes until it started to rain, hard. They took shelter in a nearby building that was open with displays until Jill came out and the rain stopped. We ate lunch out in Mackinaw and then drove down to Cheboygan to look for a new scratch pad for Cinnamon. The pet shop we found open only had fish and reptiles, no cat and dog supplies. So we went over to the Super Walmart and shopped and returned to camp, Exciting?Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Thru the screen glimpses..
    More Lake MichiganWind blown sand on Highway 2Over the bridgeTrackersGlad we aren't going that wayTwo Lakes

    Two new Lakes

    6 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F

    Jill caught Les’s cold, she is not a happy camper. Rainy and cloudy good day to travel. Will have to come again to take boat trip to see Picture Rocks National Shore. Traveling on US 2 again, and we got glimpses of Lake Michigan. Has lots of “sandy beaches” and in places, sand covering road. Jill wanted to stop before going over Mackinac Bridge, but Google and what was on ground didn’t match. Had to pay to cross the bridge. Lake Heron on one side, Lake Michigan on the other. We saw a lot of Farm tractors going the other way on the bridge, not fast, slowing traffic to a stand still. Must have been a Farmer’s protest…for or against something but we don’t know what.

    Last night we decide to spend 4 nights in Michigan Wilderness State park, so we can pick up meds in Cheboygan on Tuesday. We both can use a break from traveling . We used Michigan’s reservation system. $48. per night with electricity. Not bad. What they didn’t say was that you had to pay a vehicle day use fee of $11.00 per motorized vehicle RV+tow rig., when you get there..yep $22.00 dollars a night! We got annual passes, which really didn’t save us much, unless we stay in another park. Why does a motorhome, have to pay more than a trailer! If we felt better we might have left…there is probably a charge for cancellations! The park is lovely though. We pulled in, set up. We both just took naps, traveling is hard when you’re older.    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Lots of mixed forests
    Here & there fall color.Another long bike pathLes and Indy stretching their legsView from visitor center, more Lake Superior

    Trees and more trees

    5 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

    Awoke to more rain, took our time getting up, heading east. Highways in among trees. Waze took us on a couple of county roads, in a construction 🦺 zone they took off the road sign we wanted to turn on…. So far we haven’t had to unhook to turn around. Stopped for lunch at Michigan Visitor Center. Les took nap, I went in. Very friendly staff. He kept handing me more and more maps etc. They are very proud of their waterfalls and light houses. There was another bike path along Lake Superior shore. We will have to come back and do the Lake Superior loop…but today in the rain it’s onward. Three hour drive is our limit right now.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Duluth, bridge over bay..
    Lots of silos, filled with iron for shippingAnother farm on County Road A or was it ZNorthern Great Lakes Visitor CenterView from Visitor Center, only picture of Wisconsin

    What State is this?

    4–5 set, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F

    Heading out today. Les caught a cold and wanted to stop in Duluth, MN for cough drops. I found a Walmart (for the large parking lot). Of course it wasn’t on our direction on US Highway 2. WAZE directed us, we stopped and shopped. Onward, Mr W, doesn’t like to backtrack, so he took us on small county roads, when we were getting close to Highway 2..”Road closed”. I wasn’t sure how to get back on track. Mr W…We literally travelled on county roads A-Z and C, K, D, E…left, right, south, north…all to get to US 2. Lots of farms, narrow roads and forests. Once back on track, we didn’t know we had entered Wisconsin. We stopped for Lunch at Northern Great Lake Visitor Center. A great Multi-agency visitor center, in Ashland, Wisconsin. Les took a nap and I walked through the center. We traveled East…we stopped late, due to our alphabet travels and time change…we are now in Michigan! We didn’t even see a “Welcome” sign.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Sunset light glinting in the windows of the lighthouse.
    1Rainbow near the lighthouse.

    A Cold and Windy Day

    3 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 52 °F

    Several things were planned for today, including bike riding which did not happen. We did get our showers at the campgound shower house and it was very nice except there was no soap shelf in the shower. At 11 am, Jill had her scheduled zoom call with her Oncologist. And then it was time to move to a different site. We are now down in the hole, but Starlink still has a strong signal. Unplanned, but still needed was grocery shopping and clothes washing in the afternoon. On the way back to camp, we stopped for dinner at the world famous Betty's Pie Shop. It was OK, but not spectacular. Arriving back at camp we quickly unloaded the clothes and groceries and Les loaded up the large format camera and headed off to try an get the greatest sunset photo of the lighthouse. He set up the camera on the rocks to the west of the lighthouse and shot a few different angles. Deciding on the composition, it was time to wait. The clouds in the scene were moving through nicely, but the clouds behind him were intermittently blocking the sun. There were also some light sprinkles, but not enough to deter him. Approaching sunset, he got a couple of shots similar to what he wanted, but when it came time for the great shot of the lighthouse in great light and everything else shadowed, the sun had been completely blocked by the clouds. Some days just go like that. We will have to see what turns out when I develop the film when I get home.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Sunrise
    The sun is hidingSun starting to light up the area west of the lighthouse.Tide pool? No, rain water collects in the rock poolsSplit Rock Lighthouse is the best preserved of the Great Lakes lighthouses.The stairway to the lightThough the light is no longer in use, they rotate it for visitorsDrive mechanism for the lightIn the visitor center they have the light demonstration.The fog horn buildingThe head lighthouse keeper's houseUpper Cascade fallLower Cascade fallThe cascade below the bridge

    A Rainy Day

    2 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    Les got up just before dawn and went out to take sunrise photos. That went pretty good, but then the clouds rolled in and it began to rain. It reminds us of all those years we were park rangers and could not take vacations from Memorial Day to Labor Day and we worked weekends. So our vacations were in the spring and fall. Our mantra was "If it is raining, it must be an Allert vacation!" So instead of taking a bike ride, we went to the lighthouse for a tour. There is a lot of reconstruction taking place, so the entrance fee was 35% off. After lunch we headed out with the Jeep to see art an hour up the road toward Canada. One of the places Jill wanted to see turned out to be a studio where people were doing art. The second place was an art school store. Les did not sleep well last night so he stayed in the Jeep and tried to sleep. The road was very rough most of the way and that tired him out even more. Jill bough fresh Trout for dinner and she drove us back to camp. We made a stop at Cascade State Park and we walked a short distance to a bridge over the river and les took a few photos. After dinner, the rain really cut loose. We had to turn the volumn way up to hear the news, which Les slept through.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Split Rock Lighthouse
    Site 114 in Shipwreck Creek CampgroundSome of many flowers in the siteA bridge on a shoreline hiking trailThe lighthouseRuggid ShorelineSunset on the lighthouse

    Superior

    1 settembre, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Leaving the fairgrounds, we headed to the largest lake in North America, Lake Superior. We arrived at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park with a two day reservation in site 308. We decided to get a third night, but will have to move to site 310. We went to park in 308, but found it still occupied. Check out time in Minnesota State Parks is 4 pm. So we were able to move to site 114 which was open. It is up on the top of the hill with few trees. StarLink is working great! We checked out some hiking trails to the shoreline and got a view of the lighthouse. They light the lighthouse each year on November 10 in honor of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald made famous by Gordon Lightfoot. We went out to eat dinner and after getting fuel in the Jeep, Les headed back to the shoreline to catch the sunset light on the lighthouse.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Everone enjoys a quiet Sunday.
    Coffee breakLock the bikes and walk the townSmall town Main Street.Interesting condos

    What a woman will do for Coffee

    31 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Sunday morning and Les asked me if I wanted to go on a bike ride. Had a new bike seat and bike glasses, so I said ok but not going as far as yesterday. Got going, and realized had not gotten my second cup of coffee. Had to ride to the next town, Bovey! They were having Labor Day Weekend fair…but nothing was open yet. Went to the local market, no coffee…except a Starbucks cold brew in refrigerator. Any port in a storm.
    Trouble with new glasses..can’t wear them over my actual glasses…they “smoothed out the path.” Also found that my bike and Les’s recount the mileage different…16.6 miles (on mine). Fun morning, lazy afternoon planned.    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Jill leading out
    A beautiful lake next to the trailSame lakeVery clear water, can you see the Blue Gill?Tailings from iron mining1Prairie RiverGreat Blue HeronInteresting use of cargo containersGravel processing?Canoes on the lakeInteresting color change

    A Morning on the Mesabi Trail

    30 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    The morning was temp. was right for a bike ride. So we headed out on the Mesabi Trail from the main parking lot of the fairgrounds. The trail is 155 miles long all paved except for about 5-6 miles somewhere way north of here. It was not a Rails to Trails route, but mostly levelish with some mild ups and downs. That is what the electric motors are for. The trail wanders through birch forests and past lakes. Some of the lakes are reclaimed iron mines. We went out 6.1 miles to a road crossing where we turned around and headed back.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Camp
    The parking lot for the race is beginning to fillRace csrs are being prepped in the pit areaEntrance to the Mesabi TrailOthers riding the trail

    A short run to Grand Rapids, MN

    29 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    It was a short trip, only about 84 miles to Grand Rapids. We have 3 nights of the Labor Day weekend at the Fairgrounds. After getting setup, Les took Indy for a walk-about on the fairgrounds. The camping area is really nice, but there is a dirt race track next to the campground and sure enough, there is a race scheduled for tonight. So it will likely be noisy tonight. Les took the bikes off the Jeep and rode over to the beginning of the Mesabi Trail. It look like a lot of fun…..tomorrow
    morning.
    6:30 pm update… and the race begins. Be sure to turn up the volume on the video after the pictures.    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Les the chef
    Enough chicken for three meals.

    Dinning at Home

    28 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ 🌙 68 °F

    So because I am on a low salt food plan, this trip is more dinners at our tiny home. This peaceful campground seemed to invited us to “barbecue/grill”. When planning for this trip we couldn’t find a gas grill/Barbecue which would fit in our small RV. So we purchased a folding two burner stove and a couple of grills… yeah it works see pictures.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Les' Selfie at bridge
    Today's ride pathGroung squirrel eating someone's dropped dog food.Oops, the red tree squirrel dropped what it was eating.The world's largest Black DuckThe original?Jill and Indy in the Lost 40A very old White Pinea very tall pine1pealling bark on a birch treeSword FernMoose CreekLichen on birchLarge multy trunked birchJill and Indy near the end of the trail through the Lost 40

    Lost 40

    28 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 75 °F

    Les took another bike ride this morning, a little further on the same route from the other day. Returning to the camp, he got some wildlife photos. about mid morning, we headed out in the Jeep for the Lost 40. On the way, we stopped in the town of Blackduck for lunch and to take photos of the town's claim to fame. Yep you guessed it the world’s largest black duck according to google maps. We even saw the original, black duck! Midwest loves large animals.
    We continuted out to the Lost 40. This is a protected area of old growth forest. Bare in mind that the vast majoriety of the forests in Minnesota have trees less than 16" diameter and they are VERY tall, The undergrowth is also VERY dense. No sign of “raking” of the forests to prevent forest fires. So back in the winter of 1882, the first forest surveys took place to begin logging operations. Due to the bad weather and rough terrain, the survey crew plotted Coddington Lake about a half mile further northwest than its actual location, thus concelling a virgin stand of White Pine and Red Pine that would have been logged. When this stand of trees was discovered, they were protected for their scientific and historic value. The largest red pine is 115" in circumfrence, 120' tall and 250 years old. The stand of trees is much more open than other forested areas in the state, and stands as an example of the way the forests used to be. It was interesting for us to wander through the stand on the trail system.    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Pileated Woodpecker!
    Woodpecker looking for bugs on the trunkSecond Pileated WoodpeckerWoodpecker workong the ground for bugsStill looking for bugs2Woodpecker moved to another tree

    Cloudy day

    27 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    It’s a cloudy day today, we opted to go do grocery shopping and laundry. We had been back at the motorhome for about 30 minutes and Les was sitting down with his soda when a large bird flew in and landed on the back side trunk of the tree 10’ from our door. It poked its head around the tree and Les got VERY excited. It was a Pileated Woodpecker. Jill quickly told him to get pictures with the phone. The woodpecker went down the trunk and started rooting around at the base of the tree. At that point it was behind our bikes locked to the table. Then Les spotted a second Pileated Woodpecker on the opposite side of the tree doing the same as the first. But its head was down and every time its head popped up into view, Les would take a photo, but there was always a delay and by the time the photo was taken, the woodpecker’s head was back down out of view. Finally the woodpecker moved into full view so Les could get some good photos. The woodpecker flew to another tree briefly and then flew off. Les added the woodpecker to his life list on his phone.Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Three amigos..
    2Les with local Trump supporterJill's Cultural HeritageLake Bemidji is very large

    Blue Ox

    26 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    We were told that Les’s meds were going to be in Thursday morning. Jill was panicking, she forgot the coming weekend was Labor Day. After we looked at other state parks online (all full). So we quickly got another night here and three nights in the fairgrounds in Grand Rapids. Oops that is only 80 minutes away…. And then of course Walgreen texted his meds are in.
    So we went to town, picked up meds and looked for bike goggles for Jill. We were next to the area visitor center, and you guessed it Paul Bunyan and friend. MidWest loves large animals!    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Jill rides ahead on the trail just outside Lake Bemidji Stsre Park
    Vehicle bridge over the Rails to Trails section of the Blue Ox TrailEnd of the closed bike trail in the park.Massive tree blow down by the trailThe trail crosses over a portion of Big Bass LakeWater Lilies on the lakeBig Bass Lake

    E-biking

    26 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    So Les talked me into biking again with our e-bikes. Is it cheating? I realized I ride my stationary bike at home which has power which helps me pedal..this has better scenery. We had great time on the “Paul Bunyan paved bike path” This state park is the start of this 115 mile bike ride…we did 5 miles out and back. That’s all my backside would allow. I still need to work on my stops almost ran into Les when he stopped to take a picture.

    We had to take a detour around the park portion of the trail, as in June they had a terrific and tremendous wind storm (100-120 MPH) which knocked thousands of trees down. They are waiting for winter so the marshy ground gets hard to cut the lumber.    Leggi altro

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  • Quail Run TrippingPaint Your WagonViaggiatore
    Mary Gibbs was the first State Park Superintendent and was instrumental in saving Lake Itasca.
    Indy drinking the Mississippi dry?The walking bridge over the Mississippi.The Mississippi leaving Lake ItascaVisitors walking across the MississippiCamp at Lake Bemidji State Park

    Mississippi Headwaters

    25 agosto, Stati Uniti ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    On our way to Bemidji, MN, we stopped at the Mississippi River Headwaters for lunch. Indy joined us on the trail to Lake Itasca and got a drink from the Mississippi River. We continued up to Bemidji and stopped at Walgreens to order medical refills. Unfortunately, one of Les’ medications could not be transferred out of Nevada. But he was able to call his doctor and get a new prescription sent to the Walgreens here and it should be filled in the next few days. Getting medical supplies is the biggest headache when traveling. We had a reservation for 2 nights at Lake Bemidji State Park, but when we checked in, we added another day because of the medication issues. This part of the country has very dense forests. The campground is less dense, but I was not going to set up the StarLink dish because I figured it would not work. I was shocked that it not only works, but is very fast. However, watching TV tonight, there are lots of signal pauses.Leggi altro

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