Izzy = just because she is so darn cute

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

We arrived at Theodore Roosevelt National Park at the western border of North Dakota on September 10th. Lots of coverage of the September 11th 10 year anniversary. Probably North Dakota is a safe place to be if there were a terror attack. Enough of those thoughts.

The first stop coming from the east is the Painted Canyon. A nice overlook of the badlands with lots of color. It was a hot day, almost 90 degrees and 3 in the afternoon. We want to go back and see it at dusk when it will be cooler and prettier with the shadows. Next we headed to the Medora Visitors Center to see the movie on the park and the small museum on Teddy Roosevelt. We caught the ranger talk at his Maltese Ranch Cabin which was very interesting. Tomorrow is going to be hot (mid 90s) so we are planning an early hike and then a drive on the scenic road in the afternoon. On Sunday the day started pretty and about 70 degrees. By the end of our 90 minute hike it was over 80 in the sun. Stopped for a fun picnic then drove the scenic road for 35 miles. Lots of stops for short hikes, fortunately there was a nice breeze to keep it from being too hot. At one point a herd of buffalo blocked the road. Lots of moms, babies, and a couple big bulls. The biggest didn't like us taking pictures and ran up beside the car and gave a low rumbling growl. Good thing he ambled on. We also saw some wild horses on a hill close by. Tomorrow we are doing a hike at Painted Canyon and hope to see more horses there. Then on to the North Unit of T Roosevelt National Park. No cell or wifi for a while so I won't be blogging much.

The Sheyenne River National Scenic Byway

On the way from from Waukesha to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, we stopped at Lake Ashtabula near Valley City, North Dakota. After two long days of driving we stayed an extra night to explore. Our campsite was right on the Lake with peek a boo views and lots of room. A really nice campground. Valley City was fun to explore to. It felt like a piece of the 1950s at times.

So what did we do on our day off from driving..... we drove the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. At least it wasn't freeway and we stopped often and saw the interpretive sites with some short bits of walking. The old cabins, mills, churches, and towns were mostly from the late 1800s and were interesting examples of how hard the life was farming in North Dakota. Our last stop was the Sheyenne Forest and a quick walk on the North Country Trail. This is a national trail that runs from North Dakota to New York. We had walked a small piece of it when we were in the Allegheny Forest in Pennsylvania so it was fun to do another short stretch.

All in all a nice break from power driving.

Catching up with Ed & Bunny in Waukesha, WI

We had the great good fortune to meet Ed & Bunny when we were at House Creek Campground in Colorado. We had so much fun together that we made plans to meet at Curicanti Reservoir near Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. It was the beginning of a friendship. On the way east we crossed paths with them again in East Texas of all places. We met for dinner on a night that was 11 degrees but we were warmed by the company. With such good times, how could we not stop by their place when we were going through Wisconsin? It took some planning as they were traveling too but on Labor Day we drove to Waukesha and Kettle Moraine State Park for a visit.

As soon as we were set up, we headed to their house and then on to their daughter, Adrienne's. She and her husband and two darling daughters welcomed us to a fabulous Labor Day cook out. They have a fantastic garden and we were treated to fresh tomatoes, beans, squash, and salsa all picked fresh. After filling up with great food we headed to Ed & Bunny's for a nice visit.

The next morning we met and headed to downtown Waukesha. The Fox River runs through town with a lovely walking trail with sculptures, gardens, waterfalls, and the peaceful course of the river. After a great two mile walk we stopped in town for lunch and then a decadent gelato dessert. That night we were having dinner at the campground for them, so we headed out to get ready. After another wonderful night of food and laughs, we said "so long" because we know that we will find each other again. Next time it will be in Washington, next August or September and it will be our turn to show them the area. One of the best parts of RV life is the people you meet. We were so lucky to meet Ed & Bunny.

Door County with Barbara and Bob

Well the visit started out with some excitement. As we were leaving for the short drive up, a storm came through with 70 mph gusts nearby and thunder, lightning, and rain. We were just ready to pull out when it started so we backed up and waited it out. Once it was past we took off and had a very pretty drive along Lake Michigan to Barb & Bob's home.

They were our first 'neighbors' at Desert Trails and when they found out we were traveling the east coast, they invited us to come visit on our way home. They have a great place with room for us to park with a view out the front window across an open meadow with a line of trees. We weren't in the coach that much though because they rolled out the red carpet with lots of entertaining with their wonderful friends nearby.

Of course we had to see Door County, "'the Cape Cod of the Midwest". It is on a peninsula that juts into Lake Michigan (actually Bob told us that it is now an island since they dug a channel out to the Lake). Everywhere you look there is one charming view after the next. Charming towns, charming shops, charming lighthouses, and water views that go on and on. On Saturday we went to Sturgeon Bay for breakfast and a stop at the Farmers Market before heading out for a drive up north. Next stop was Egg Harbor and a visit to their friends shops for some Christmas Present shopping. I swear they know everyone in the county especially the shop owners. Barb and Bob owned 3 shops in the area before they retired. Our tour included a drive up the Green Bay side around Peninsula State Park and on to quaint little Ephraim. By that time we hurried back to get ready for ribs night with 5 of their neighbors. Too much wonderful food and wine and a perfectly fun evening. Tomorrow we tour a lighthouse and get out and explore a bit. Biking if it isn't too windy, otherwise a hike.

We had a fantastic visit with Bob & Barb. What great hosts and they have wonderful friends. No goodbyes because we will see them this winter in Desert Trails.

I am way behind on posting pictures and promise to get some soon.

Two Rivers Wisconsin on Lake Michigan

Pretty spot with a beautiful bike trail. Six miles to Manitowoc with gardens, garden art, and amazing views of Lake Michigan. A great quick stop on the way to Barb & Bob's in Door County. The Stop N Dock Marina and RV park is funky fun. The view out our front window is up the West Twin River with lots of shore grass and birds. A hungry heron was fishing for dinner as the sun was setting a pretty pink. Tomorrow, famous Door County and fun friends.

Starved Rock Illinois State Park

A quick stop over between sister Pat's and friends in Wisconsin. We stayed at a commercial campground, Hickory Hollow, which was really nice and a Passport half price park. It was 3 miles from Starved Rock State Park which was a great find. 12 miles of hiking trails, over 12 canyons, right on the Illinois River with a great Visitor Center. The history here started BC with the Illinois Indian tribe, in 1680 the first Europeans arrived with Father Marquette and Joliette the fur trader. There was a fort on top of Starved rock until it burned down in the 1700s. The name Starved Rock came from a legend of a war between two Indian tribes. The losing tribe took refuge at the top of a 125 foot sandstone rock. The siege lasted until they all starved, hence the name.

Later in the 1800s, this area became a resort area for Chicagoans (90 miles away). Tourists would ride the canal boats to the river, then ferry across to the park. It also has a rich Civilian Conversation Corp (CCC) history which is interesting to me as my Dad was in the CCCs in Nebraska. All in all a great short stop. Especially the 6 mile hike along the bluffs, canyons, and rivers.