Reflections From Home

I have now been to all 50 states and I am only 25. I am extremely excited and happy yet it presents a few dilemmas to myself. One of which is that I now have little lust left for United States travel. I imagine that it is a lifelong goal of many people to have visited all 50. Each state you reach is exciting knowing you are nearing 50. Now that I have them all under my belt a little excitement is gone. This also could be due to the fact I just finished a year long road trip and am tired.

Another other dilemma presents itself when speaking to others. Especially when the other person is older. They assume I have not been to a location and proceed to tell me about it. I do not want to be rude or come across as a know it all, so I listen. Then, if I reveal I have been there they seem embarrassed to have just told me about a location I have seen. I’m not yet sure how to handle these situations. With more time I think I can come to terms with this uncomfortable situation, which may just be in my head.

The third dilemma is not so much of a dilemma as it is something that makes me a little sad. I did not do part of the road trip as I had intended and therefore missed out on Southwestern Arizona, Nevada, and the Eastern part of California. The parts I missed I can always go back to in the future, and I have been to Nevada. However, it still feels funny not to have gone to Nevada during the road trip. Oh well. It’s not like I went to Hawaii or Alaska on this road trip either.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am thrilled to have done the road trip and visited all fifty states. There are still many things in the U.S I would like to see and do. It just wasn’t possible to do it all, and some things I did not want to do alone. Along the way I kept a list entitled, Next Time. I look forward to visiting and experiencing the things on that list. For now, I am content on being done with the road trip and look forward to a vacation where I can lie on the beach, read, and make no decisions.

Road Trip Activities, Give or a Take a Few.

In order of visitation. In most cases there is a new line for a new day.

PA
Scranton: Steamtown National Historic Site (trolley museum, down the road is a neat coal mine tour)

Philly: Murder trial in the CJS. Federal Attorneys office with a view of Independence Hall.
Beautiful Kelly Drive. Comcast Building with the coolest public entertainment wall. Reading Terminal, Lorenzo’s lunch, Johns Water Ice, 9th street Italian market, South Street, LOVE park, Ritten House Square, Main Street Manayuak Shabbat dinner, and of course chocolate cake.

Valley Forge, Hopewell Furnace Site, Lancaster, Bird-In-Hand Bakery, Emert’s House, Shady Maple Smorgasbord

Amish House and Farm, Hershey, Gettysburg

Pittsburg, Falling Waters, New Philadelphia show and CS


Ohio
New Philadelphia

Cleveland for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chillicothe for the Hopewell Mound Site, Sam

Cincinnati: Findlay Market, Union Terminal, University of Cincinnati, International Friendship Park, Graters Ice-Cream, Freedom Center,


Indiana
Indianapolis – NCAA Hall of Champions, Indianapolis Speedway, Indiana National Sand Dune and Shoreline Park. Then to Cassie’s


Illinois
Fox Lake, Famous Freddy’s

Outdoor theater

Galina


Iowa
Dubuque: National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Dyersville: Field of Dreams, Winterset: John Wayne, Bridges of Madison County

Nebraska
Omaha: Old Market

Grand Island: E.L.Ray State Park, Stuhr Museum of the Prairie, Hastings Iowa: Kool Aide. The Great Platte River Road Archway in Kearney over I-80, Pony Express Museum, Carhenge.

Scottsbluff National Monument, Lake Minatare State Recreation Area and Lighthouse


South Dakota
Small waterfall, wild horse park, Hot Springs, Wind Cave National Park, Wind Cave itself.

Route 16/Needles Highway, Mt. Rushmore, Keystone, Black Hills State Park, Deadwood, Route 14a canyon, Spearfish, drive to Devils Tower

Wyoming
Devils Tower, Medicine Circle, Crazy grade road, canyon/ wild horse national park, Cody.

Cody: Buffalo Bill Historical Center, U.S History in miniatures, Old West Town, Buffalo Bill Dam

Yellowstone and Mt. Washburn, Teton

Tetons: Jenny Lake. Jackson Hole, night drive to Blackfoot Idaho

Idaho
Potato Museum, Atomic City, First Atomic Power Plant, random submarine, Craters of the Moon tour, caves, and ranger talk.

Passed a Oregon Trail Museum and Worlds Largest Fossil Bed Site didn’t stop

Wyoming
Kemmerer: First JC Penny

Utah
An Acacia, Capitol Reef National Park

Arches National Park, drive through Moab

Colorado
Random dirt road, Aspen art fair, *Vail farmers market, Englewood

Red Rock State Park and amphitheater, Denver Botanical Gardens, downtown

Garden of the Gods, Manitou Springs Cliff Dwellings, The Broadmore Hotel.

Kansas
Geographic Center of the continental U.S, Biggest Ball of Twine, Salt Mine in Hutchinson, skipped Wichita

Oklahoma
Oklahoma City: Cowboy Hall of Fame and Museum, Brownstone area, Banjo Museum, Oklahoma City Memorial, Fort Gibson and Lehman’s

The fort, flee market, cool antique place, Cherokee Nation Museum, drive to Arkansas

Arkansas
Crater of Diamonds State Park, Town of Hot Springs.

Little Rock: High School home of the Nine, Heiffer Project Headquarters, Clinton Library, River Market District, drive to Memphis

Tennessee
Memphis with Coop: Pig on Beale Street, movies, Wal-Mart in the rain.

Dyers Restaurant, Graceland, Peabody Hotel, bars

First 3-D movie, Peabody dinner

Trolley Ride, Loraine Hotel (where MLK got shot), Beale St.

Missouri
St. Louis: Emily and family, Tower Grove Farmers Market, Gin Tony on The Hill, Girls, KB breakfast, downtown St. Charles and brewery, Fulton and people, Cardinals Game.


Illinois
Red Bud! The Coopers, Chester IL for Popeye tour, Metropolis for Superman

Indiana
Stay in Jasper

Boyhood Home of Lincoln, Santa Claus museum and shops, Candy Castle, Marengo Caves, Corydon (the state’s first capital), Overlook Restaurant, drive to Molly

Kentucky
La Grange, Beef O’Badys, Molly’s Farm, Smith-Berry Winery, Cedar Lakes home opening ceremony, drive to Micki’s on Old Frankfurt Pike.

Versailles, Lexington: Horse parade, Woodford Reserve Bourbon Distillery, Meteor shower

Wallace Station, The Glitz, Midway, Ashland Park and the Henry Clay Estates

My Old Kentucky Home, Bourbon Trail (Haven Hill, Makers Mark, Four Roses, Wild Turkey), lunch at Heavens to Betsy in Lawrenceburg.

Jim Beam, Louisville, Natalie, Bardstown Dr, Cefiore.

Bowling Green: Corvette Museum and Assembly Line

Tennessee
Nashville with Tes and Jill, Café Coco for dinner

Vanderbilt University, Country Music Hall of Fame, First Center for the Visual Arts (Chihuly’s glass pieces, Tokihiro Sato’s unique light ball photos, and Couture through the ages), Mamcita, 3rd and Lindsley.

Knoxville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Smoky Mountains.

North Carolina
Ashville: The Biltmore.

Blue Ridge Parkway.

Virginia
Cave Mountain Lake in the Jefferson National Forest, Natural Bridge, Wax Museum, Lexington: waffle house, Stonewall Jacksons House, Virginia Military Academy, Washington and Lee, Victorian Homes, Antebellum Homes, Richmond.

Shirley Plantation on Route 5, Norfolk, Newport News, Johns.

Norfolk airport, botanical garden, Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel, Assateague Island National Seashore, night drive to MD.

Maryland
Town of St. Michaels, Easton for the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Annapolis, Baltimore, Emily Ham


New Jersey
Atlantic City and Air Show, Historic Towne of Smithville, Historic Whitesbog Village, Northlandz, home.

Rhode Island
Newport, P’s Polo Game, restaurants

CT
Woodstock, Roseland Cottage, Harriet Beacher Stowe… Trash Musuem, another house, Mortons

Massachusetts
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, cape Cod Potato Chip Company, Woods Hole, NOAA aquarium, Nobska Lighthouse, Buzzards Bay.

Martha’s Vineyard

West Virginia
White Sulphur Springs for Greenbrier Resort, Beckley for the Coal Mine Exhibition, Riverman Class IV Campus.

Upper and Middle Gauley

New Hampshire
Hampton Beach State Park, 1A to Portsmouth, Lee, Lisa, Portsmouth: shops and Ri Ra.

Maine
Kittery: Fort McClary State Park, South Berwick: The Hamilton House, Old Orchard Beach, Portland.

Portland: Old Port, Falmouth, DeLorme Globe and maps, Freeport, Americas Quaintest town: Wiscassett: Castle Tucker, Nickwells-Sortwell, Augusta.

Monhegan Island, Boothbay Harbor, Pemaquad Point Lighthouse, Damriscotta, Rockland.

MT. Batte in Camden Hills State Park, Acadia, Bar Harbour.

Bar Harbor Lighthouse, Seal Cove.

New Hampshire
State Park waterfall, cave, drive to Balsams Resort, drive to Mount Washington.

Mount Washington Auto Road, White Mountain Forest, Glen Boulder Hike, Glen Falls, APT Center in Pinkham Notch, Small town of Lincoln.

Vermont
Shelburne Farms and Vanderbilt/Webb Estate, Shelburne Museum, Magic Hat Brewery, Burlington drive through.

Crowne Point Ferry

New York
Town of Jay, Cristina and Erik

White Face Mountain for snow, Lake Placid, Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks in Tupper Lake.

Route 9 to Albany.

Thacher State Park, Cooperstown: Baseball Hall of Fame, Mt. Tremper in the Catskills for the World’s Largest Kaleidoscope, New Paltz: Huguenot Street Stone Houses.

Hyde Park: Vanderbilt House and CIA, Rhinebeck

The Plaza, Rockettes, Bryant Park


Massachusetts
Waltham, Boston.

Illinois
Chicago

Kentucky
Mammoth Cave Wild Tour, Lexington, Old Frankfort Parkway, Frankfurt Historical District and Diary of Anne Frank Play, Dollar Movies, and Airport Luck.

Florida
Coral Castle, BBQ place, Key West, Hemmingway House.

U.S Southern Tip, Coral Gables: Fairchild Tropical Gardens, Houston’s, Ocean Drive and South Beach.

JR’s Deli, A1A to Ft. Lauderdale, Morikami, Plantation.

Beach, Downtown Delray, The Breakers, City Place, Margi’s.

NY
Chanukah Party

MD
Baltimore

DC
Alicia, Outdoor Market, International Spy Museum, U.S Postal Museum, China Town, Hillary, National Christmas Tree, Silver Spring for 127 Hours.

Columbia Heights, Sculptures, David Marshmallow, Smithsonian Natural History and American history Musuems, Peace Corps dinner


NY
Visit Tes, Christmas Lights of Dyker Heights, Jenny


South Carolina
Myrtle Beach


Delaware
New Castle drive through


DC
Bottom Line Bar with Alicia


North Carolina
Cary and Jarmons


Georgia
Babyland Cabbage Patch Hospital in Cleveland, Helen

Drive through Gainesville, walk around Athens, Kayla in Georgia

MLK Freedom Center, MLK NP Visitor Center, MLK birthplace and home, Piedmont Park, Little Five points, Lake Clear, Virginia Highlands, Atkins Park

World of Coke, Underground, Varsity’s, Variety Theater

DeKalb Framers Market

Gallo Pinto


Alabama
Drive past Little Canyon National Preserve and Alabama fan club, Lost Luggage, and Ivy Green

Birmingham, Talladega, Katrina’s, Girls Night out

MOOSeum, Confederates First White House, Civil Rights Memorial and Center, Meat and Three at Martins, Rosa Parks Museum, Hank Williams, Alabama Capital, yummy food.

Tuskegee University, Carver Museum, Tuskegee Airmen, Auburn, than drive to FL


Florida
Panama City, Gulf Coast

Gulf Coast National Seashore, Fort Pickens, Pensacola, Pensacola Beach


Louisiana
New Orleans for six days. La Madeleine French Bakery and Café, St. Charles Ave Street car, Daiquiris, Muses, Rock and Bowl, Oak on Oak, Pascal Manneli’s, Cooter Browns, Philips on Maple Street, French Quarter, Café du Monde, Bourbon Street, Cat’s Meow, Maison’s, Mezzanine Street, Proteus, Orpheus, Frenchman Street, Zulu, Rex, Camellia Grill, movies.

Schriever for swamp tour

Laura Plantation, Baton Rouge, Eunice, Cajun Music Hall of Fame

Eunice, Savoy Music Hall, Fred’s Lounge, Emily’s farm house in Ville Platt

Ville Platt, Natchitoches


Texas
Dallas, Sixth Floor Museum, Waco

Waco, Planned Parent Hood, Texas Ranger Museum, Library

Austin for South by Southwest for a week

Fredericksburg, Bandera, San Antonio

Alamo, closed Fort Davis, Marfa

Marfa work

Prada in Texas, Guadalupe National Park, drive into NM


New Mexico
Carlsbad Caverns, Cloudcroft, Alamogordo, White Sands National Monument

Billy the Kid Visitor Center, Roswell for UFO Museum, Lincoln, to Anna’s in Albuquerque

Albuquerque, Farm, Frontier to eat, campus

Santa Fe, High road to Taos, Taos

Taos Pueblo, Earthships, Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, Chaco Canyon

Chaco Canyon, unpaved road to AZ


Arizona
Window Rock

Navajo(Dine)Museum, Hubbell Trading Post, Canyon de Chelly, drive through Hopi Reservation, drive through Flagstaff, drive up to Jerome.

Jerome, Prescott, cow truck accident, drive to Nana and Pops


California
Palm Desert

LA: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, The Parlor on Melrose, Joey’s Café, Office Party, Hollywood Farmers Market, Saddle Ranch drive to Redondo. Bette’s, Brentwood, Beverly Hills

Redondo Beach

Huntington Beach

Orange, Anaheim Hills

LA

Santa Maria

PCH, San Simeon for Hearst Castle, Monterey, Pacifica, Sonoma

Sonoma

San Francisco

Drive to James’s

Mckinleyville / Arcata


Oregon
Coast, Oregon Dunes National Area, Cape Blanco, Sea Lion Caves in Florence/Heceta Lighthouse, Leif’s

Portland, Bridge of Gods, Multnomah Falls, Hood River, Cristina’s, Portland

Portland, Powell’s Books, Voodoo Donuts, Cannon Beach, Lewis and Clark Fort Clatsop, Astoria


Washington
Long Beach Peninsula, Mount Saint Helens, Seattle

Seattle, EMP / Sci-Fi, Olympic Sculpture Park, Market, Library, Pioneer Square, Underground tour, Freemont for Cuban sandwich

Seattle for Passport, Edmonds for Ferry, Olympic National Park, Sol Duc falls, Sol Duc hot springs

Victoria for the day, Port Townsend, Whidbey Island, Deception Pass, Bellingham

Bellingham, Cascade National Park, Winthrop, drive into Idaho still on 20


Idaho
Sandpoint


Montana
Route 2, Glacier National Park, Trading Post, Missoula

Drive to Butte, stop at Grant Kohrs National Ranch, Montana Prison, Butte, World of Mining Museum, Berkeley Pit, Nevada City, Virginia City, Bozeman, Starky’s, Pete’s Hill, Billings

Crow Agency, Battle of Little Bighorn,


Wyoming


South Dakota
Wall Drug and Wall

Badlands, Minuteman Missile, Wounded Knee, Grasslands, Sturgis, Belle Fourche, Center of U.S, drive to North Dakota


North Dakota
Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota Badlands), drive across state to Fargo


Minnesota
Mall of America in Bloomington, drive to Duluth

Duluth, drive back to mall to meet Liz, Minneapolis, Walker Art Center, Northfield

Northfield,


Wisconsin
Madison, Great Dane, Ice Cream, Circus World in Baraboo, Blain’s Farm and Fleet, The Dells, Cheese Curds, Top Secret

Steph’s house, airport diner, Circus World, Coffee Shop, The Capitol, Ian’s, Union, Ice-Cream

Drive to Milwaukee, Harley Davidson Museum, Pabst Mansion, Miller, drive to Cassie


Illinois
The Hills


Michigan
Stop at Welcome center, stop in Holland, Grand Rapids, Gerald Ford Museum, Soldiers in U.S wars, drive to Detroit

Ford in Dearborn. Museum and Village, Motown Museum, stadium area, drive to Buffalo through Canada


New York
Buffalo wings, Anna tour, million dollar mansions, Custard Lite, Orchard Park

Orchard Park, Original Pancake House, Le Roy, Jell-O Museum and

HOME!

June 10th, 2011. My Last Day On the Road.

After a comfy night’s sleep I slowly awoke and got ready. Once up Anna and I headed to The Original Pancake House for a delicious breakfast. I’m glad she ordered the Dutch Baby so I could try it. Who knew lemon is good with sweet stuff?

I was then driven through the town of Orchard Park where Anna lives and we soon departed. I should have gone to the organic dairy farm where Anna works but was felt it was too out of the way. I think I was just excited about getting home.

I made the drive to Le Roy, NY which is the home of Jell-O. This was to be my last stop on the road trip before arriving home. I wanted to drive from Albany to Hartford via Albany Ave but wasn’t sure if it still existed. On the map route 44 does not go into Albany.

The town of Le Roy is rather historic in New York and the Historical Society did a good job with the Jell-O Museum. They also had a transportation exhibit in the basement and another house to represent the town. One of the rooms was an oddity room. It was neat, strange, and sad. The stuffed circus giraffe head was the sad part.

Thoughts from my last day:

Batavia NY seemed like a not too shabby town.

People in New York State refer to New York City as New York. Interesting.

I passed about a dozen travel service centers off of I-90 and none had Dunkin Donuts! They all had stupid Starbucks. I did not stop.

I always look to the right or left when I cross a bridge and when I entered Beckett, MA I saw a moose wading in the water of a river/marsh area surrounded by green. I smiled.

I passed a strange sign that said something like “You are passing the highest point on an interstate besides one of the Dakotas?” I didn’t get to read it well.

Ummmm, what happened to the exit for route 8 off of I-90 in Mass? Maybe the moose distracted me.

I made great time home from south of Buffalo!

There is still more I would like to do and see in the U.S, but for a main goal:

Road Trip Complete!

June 9th. What do Ford, Motown, and Canada Have in Common?

Me!

I got up early but because I am a girl had to lay down again. I made my way to Dearborn, MI to The Henry Ford complex and was blown away! I love that you can drive along the actual plant, and buildings. It also surprised me that not all the cars in the employee parking lots were Ford. So I really had no idea what was at Dearborn and was slightly overwhelmed at my options. I went with the Village and Museum. I should have gone with the Village and Factory Tour but you live and learn.

The Village is a collection on actual buildings and replicas on 88acres of land representing certain time periods in U.S history and people. They had demos going on and you could tour the land on a Model T. My favorite parts besides the T’s were the Edison area, Robert Frosts House, and Webster’s retirement home that came from CT. The museum was a representation of U.S history. I thought it was going to be about Ford. It was crazy crowded with school kids and the car part was closed. Oh well.

My next stop was the Motown Museum. I loved this place!!! It was so historical, informative, and my tour guide was great! I could have done a lot more music wise in the U.S but this was the best decision. I think I love Motown Music and I learned a lot! The area didn’t seem like the best but it was worth it.

I than attempted to get dad some presents from his sports teams Pro Shops but no such luck. Thats what happens when you root for Detroit teams. I made my way to Canada but had no such luck finding the bridge. I turned around and made it into Canada. It was my first time driving in Canada and it felt a little strange. I didn’t want to speed but wow was I being passed. I also didn’t want to stop for gas or food because I didn’t want to deal with Canadian money.

I finally got out of traffic and crossed the Peace Bridge into Buffalo. Once I turned around again I met Anna down on Allen street and had Buffalo Wings in Buffalo! They were delicious and it was really nice to hang out with Anna. She gave me a great tour of Buffalo and I learned A LOT. Buffalo is beautiful and the Mansion Mile, or Million Dollar Mile is gorgeous!

Before reaching Anna’s house south of Buffalo we got some yummy custard at Custard Lite. I met her mom and step dad, chatted a bit, laughed, and called it a night.

Thoughts:

The Ford Plant is huge! And the museum is not about FORD.

I forgot the Red Wings play at Joe Lewis Arena and had to ask.

I could have done a lot in Canada. Most of my drive was Canadian farmland but I was then near Toronto, (where the Hockey Hall of Fame is), and Niagara Falls (I want to see Niagara Village).

What is Nexus? It is a lane you can got though at the border?

Of course I picked the lane where the man with a French accent checked the trunks. I was entering the U.S, why did he have a French accent?

June 8th, 2011. My 50th!

I woke up early and finished my tuna sandwich from Bernard’s than went back to bed. When I officially got up to take off I noticed some water dripping from my door. I than peeked in front and noticed all the icky bugs were off my car. While I slept Dennis had cleaned my car! I love the Hill’s! I said goodbye to Dubster and Den and made my way to Michigan. I had a jam packed stop at the gas station and as I was leaving I was the only one left. I was than Welcomed to Michigan. I had made it!

I wanted to do much more in Michigan, like the shipwreck museum and UP, but they’ll have to wait. My first stop was Holland, where I was going to see a windmill. However, you had to pay to go see it. I thought it was a public park.

I left town and went to Grand Rapids. I toured the Gerald Ford Museum and learned A LOT! Of all the Presidential libraries and Museums I have visited this was my favorite. It was done beautifully and they had a beautiful photography exhibit of soldiers in all U.S wars.

I made the drive to Detroit where I called it a night. I love Subway for their $5 footlongs.

Thoughts:

At the gas station there was an advertisement for lighters and you had to be 19 years old to enter the website. Nineteen?

I saw the worst billboard. The dentist was on the left and a cup of water with dentures on the right. It read, “Don’t die with your teeth in a cup.”

I went over the Kalamazoo River. Hehe, Kalamazoo

I was driving 73 mph and being passed.

Now that I have been to all 50 states I feel weird. I don’t want to be obnoxious.

The seventh

I said goodbye to my friends in Madison and hit the road. I made my way to Milwaukee and once I figured out what I was doing I loved the city and did a lot.

My first stop was at the Harley Davidson Museum. It was a great museum with a lot to see and do. I wanted to start the actual Harley but didn’t have the right shoes or time. It took me longer to get my bearings in the city, it was also very warm.

My next stop was at the Pabst mansion. Like the original PBR people. This building was huge and beautiful. I hoped on a tour a little late, and it was a little too detailed, but I loved the house. I also learned A LOT about the family.

It was now 2pm and I wanted to be in Chicago around 2:30. For those who don’t know that’s normally a two hour drive. Before I left Wisconsin I needed to go to a brewery. The state is known for their beer, micro breweries, and alcoholism. So, I took a picture of the Miller factory and left. I than turned around and decided a trip to the gift shop was needed even though I could not do the hour long tour. The place was huge and I got to see a lot as I drove to the Visitor Center. They actually say Welcome to the Miller Center where its Miller time all the time.

I than made the drive to Chicago where I got to see the Hills, take a shower and relax with friends. We made our way to Bernards for a yummy sandwich. Kristen met with us and it was great to catch up. Cass, Kristen and I headed over to check on some cats and watch The Voice.

I brought desert back to the house, we enjoyed our yummy coke gummies, and called it a night.

Thoughts:

Wisconsin is lush and green.

Milwaukee has a lot to do but a small hard to find Visitor Center.

SOOOOOO much construction!

What is a Crash Investigation Site?

I wonder if states with tolls are less in debt than other states?

June, 6. The Circus!

Wow is it hot in Wisconsin! I woke up, dropped Lynn off at the med school, and went to the park to enjoy a breeze and nice view. Around 9am I made my way to Steph’s new house. It was so good to see her after five and a half years. She recently got engaged, bought a house, and has bull mastiff puppies. After playing with the adorable puppies we made our way to a deli set up like a circus with a carousel outside, but it wasn’t open for breakfast. Instead we ate at the private airports public dinner. It was a great location and great to get caught up. I dropped her off at home, got to meet her fiancé, see her bike, and a strange part of her new house.

I than made the drive back to Baraboo to enjoy Circus World. To celebrate my Nana’s 61st anniversary of her 29th birthday, I went to the circus. This place is WONDERFUL. I spent three hours looking at everything and only seeing one magic/illusion show. The show wasn’t the best but the place really is. Everything was so vibrant, historical, and beautiful. I had a constant smile on my face. I even bought a book about it.

Once back at Lynn’s, I relaxed for a minute, had some lunch, and we then headed to a coffee shop with wine and smoothies. After a few hours it was break time so we headed to State Street. While eating macaroni and cheese pizza from Ian’s Pizza I learned a lot about Wisconsin politics and their awful Republican leader. We than took a walk around state street to find a used book store, and found one. I purchased “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and we headed to the Union area again to meet Steph for ice cream.

The three of us ate some ice-cream and chatted as the sun set on the lake. I dropped Lynn off at home, checked out Lucky’s Bar, which Steph manages, and we all called it a night. After a long hot, muggy day, I was ready for some air conditioning and a shower.


Random:

Wisconsin is 9 months winter and 3months construction.

I actually saw a train stop at a gas station and the conductors went in for snacks. A train! Choo Choo

June 5, 2011. Wisconsin Dairy Day

I wanted to spend the day at Liz’s in Minnesota but also wanted to meet up with Lynn in Madison, WI when she was done with her practice boards. It’s hard to get Lynn to take a fun break and I had a good feeling about today so I headed to Madison.

I skipped two towns on my way as well as the exit to Baraboo thinking I could get Lynn to go with me to Circus World. I was right, but we ran into a little trouble. I also didn’t get to go to the last bank Jesse James tried to rob because it didn’t open until 1pm. Nor did I go to the Laura Engels Wilder museum. It was three hours in the opposite direction. Even though I missed a bit I did get to smell popcorn throughout the entire town of Northfield, MN. They have the Cereal factory that makes the knock off bagged cereal and you can tell what they are making depending on what the town smells like.

I drove through Madison and went straight to Lynn’s. I picked her up and we had beer battered cheese curds and burger at the Great Dane ub. For some more dairy we headed to the beautiful crowded Union of University of Wisconsin for some AMAZING Wisconsin Babcock Ice-cream. We drove a back road to Circus World having been informed it was open until 6pm. When we arrived at 4ish we were told not to waste money due to the shows being over for the day and needing more than two hours to experience it. Instead from a river bank we watched a girl slide over river on a rope by her neck.

We than left town only to turn around so I could experience Blain’s Farm and Fleet. It is a HUGE one stop shop for farmers in MN. They have everything! As well as candy in pound size bags.

We than left town again to see the Wisconsin Dells. I had no idea they were so big, and dead. They are the largest cluster of water parks in the world and school is not quite out yet. It would have been the perfect time to play. Instead we saw an upside white house with the words Top Secret written on it and cardboard cutouts of Obama and Bush. We went in to figure out what it was and decided to experience what was described as a guided tour of an upside down white house. Kinda like a fun house meets a haunted house. 12 dollars later we were still wondering what on earth we had just experienced. I like to describe it as a badly guided history lesson and haunted house for children. Well, now we know.
We than walked up and down main street in the dells. Lynn purchased fresh cheese curds and my Wisconsin sampler was complete. We headed back to Lynn’, had some dinner, took a walk, and called it a night.

Thoughts:

I passed the Mayo Clinic and had to call dad to remind me why I had heard of it.

I saw a really cool handicap van at a rest stop. The father was in a wheelchair but the van was adapted to make him the driver.

You can buy cheese, liquor, and beer in one location.

You can also buy cheese at a rest stop that has fresh flowers in the restroom. Fancy

To Minneapolis I Go, again

I walked around Duluth, which is very cute, and wanted to go to the Lake Superior Visitor Center but it was still closed at 9:45am. So I grabbed some yummy quiche from a local place and headed t Madison, WI.

Once I crossed the bridge I was in Wisconsin. I now only had one more state to visit before hitting them all. I got a phone call from Lynn and she was on her way to Madison as well. I was very excited! I then got a hold of Liz who was back in Minneapolis and I decided to back track. It wasn’t that too out of the way, I wanted to see Liz, and Lynn was flexible.

On my way into the city I stopped at The Woods Carving Museum. I wasn’t allowed to take pictures and was surprised hoe religious it was. Regardless, it was extremely impressive that one man did all this work. I’m glad they have a museum and that I stumbled upon it.

After the longest gas sop ever and getting out of traffic I was able to meet up with Liz. I finally found her at the mall and we headed downtown to the Walker Art Center. It’s beautiful contemporary art, free, and has an amazing gift shop. We then headed outdoor to the sculpture garden where there was an Asian prom and a wedding going on. We were a little confused. Even though I couldn’t climb the fake mountains it was really great to get caught up with Liz.

Not knowing what to do for the next five hours we passed on the Northern Spark night in downtown and made our way to Northfield where Liz lives. We got more time to hang out, had yummy yummy Greek pizza, I met her parents, and we relaxed outside. It was a beautiful night which smelled great and I am so glad I back tracked a little.

Thoughts:

There are so many lakes in MN and WI.

I think Northern Minnesota (the boundary waters) and northern Wisconsin (the apostle islands) need to be done when I have a guide, more time, and not alone. I don’t think I should navigate lakes and islands alone in bad weather, or at all.

There I lots of things I want to buy that I am going to make myself!

Minneapolis has very strange, and lots of them, highways. Um hello: 494, 495, 496, North35E, North 35W…. too many letters and directions with numbers.

June 3, The Mall! I mean the mall!

Didn’t do too much today. Woke up late, tried to figure out the rest of my road trip, got my very first car wash as the driver to try and remove some bugs, (it was a not successful), drove some more, went to THE mall, and drove some more. Getting a late start does not leave me very productive.

I did however walk around The Mall of America where I saw lots o shops, people watched, and road a roller coaster. In the mall! I chose one of three. Who knew there is an entire amusement park inside, and a Lego world, and supposedly an aquarium?

Thoughts from the day:

There were a few things to do in North Dakota that I had previously written down but none were too exciting. I feel like I didn’t do much in the state but I also feel like I didn’t miss much. As the very sassy/rude/maybe trying to be funny guy said, “This is North Dakota for Christ’s sake.”

I tried to use traveler 511. I think most states have it now but dang is it a long, slow, annoying process. Especially if you are a driver. Shouldn’t you be focusing on the road and not some annoying questions?

I-94 wasn’t too crowded in Minnesota but state road 29 sure was!

Saint Paul, MN is a very green city.

I saw a hawk fly over the highway and land in a tree while holding its rat like dinner. Yum.

There really are Casinos everywhere. I’m not just making it up.

June 2. Over 600 Miles Today and All I Have to Show is This:

Just kidding! It was a busy day.

South Dakota Badlands, Minuteman Missile Site, National Grasslands Visitor Center, Wounded Knee Museum (done by the anglos), Sturgis, fake center of U.S than real center of U.S, drive, North Dakota Badlands, drive, bugs, drive.

I tried to get up early but didn’t want to get out of bed. Around 8am I made my way to the Badlands National Park of South Dakota. I did the loop, got out several times and had a picnic. The badlands are very unique. Especially considering the land around it is so farmy and flat.

I than made a very quick stop at the Minuteman Missile site. I need to read more to understand it better and passed on the tour because I would have had to wait 45minutes in a small trailer.

I than made a quick stop at the National Grasslands Center where I got to see a nice exhibit and all the different plants. There are over 300 different species. Just of grass.

My next stop was the Wounded Knee Museum. It’s over an hour away from the actual massacre site and run by whites. The Sioux are too private about it and having visitors on their land. It was really well done with a Ton of information and just makes you disgusted with some parts of U.S history. Especially the story about Lost Bird. I won’t forget that.

I made my way to Sturgis for the motorcycle museum but couldn’t find it. I think Sturgis is a place you need to experience during the rally. The Black Hills area has great towns but Sturgis wasn’t really one of them esthetically or entertainment wise without the bikes.

I had about an hour in the car before I came to Belle Fourche, South Dakota. It claims to be the Center of the U.S but technically speaking it is not. They do have a cool monument with flags and other monuments for Peace and the Korean War. They also informed you how to get to the actual center in the middle of a field. Luckily I was visiting a week after the crazy storms or else everything would have been under water. The Dakotas are still flooding but only near the rivers. So, I made the drive into the middle of nowhere, down a long dirt road, squeezed through a barbed wire fence, and was in the geographical center of the United States. My road trip would not have been complete without it.

I than made the long drive into North Dakota. There really is nothing to do in North Dakota besides two National Parks. I made it to one but the other one was still too wet. Not even the cities have much going on. After a stop at two Visitor Centers in the Theodore Roosevelt National Park/North Dakota Badlands I made a quick drive into the park. I have seen so much beautiful scenery I did not want to do the full 2hour loop of the park. I got to see green badlands, buffalo, and wild horses right off the highway.

I ended the evening and night by driving across North Dakota with a beautiful sunset, talking to friends, and in a rainstorm of bugs.

Thoughts:

I want to be more local business conscious. I think that will be easier when the road trip is done.

Ohh slave labor, ooohhh world.

The South Dakota Badlands were really different depending on what part you are in and there not even that big.

I like visiting caves but after I did a wild tour and visited Carlsbad there not the same. Maybe I need a break.

Having a pilot truck in construction sites seems wasteful.

You can drive along the North Dakota Badlands on I-94. The park is huge. I think much bigger than South Dakota badlands.

Medora, ND is a cute town. Maybe North Dakotas only cute town. It’s the state’s major tourist place.

I saw lots of prairie dogs.

The buffalo looked very sick, or hot. Their hair was failing out ansd they seemed to be brearhing heavy.

All my money goes to gas.

I think I did over 600miles of driving today.

It seems like all the traffic at night is always heading West.

What a pretty freaking sunset. Too bad it was behind me.

EEEWWWWWW. It’s raining bugs. My poor car.

June 1, 2011. The Day Started Well, Than Just Got Long

My favorite battlefield in the U.S is now Battle of Little Bighorn in the Crow Agency. Both sides were represented well. It’s great to know they changed the name from Custards Last Stand to be more equally representative. I also liked how crowded it was. I know I hate crowds but for some reason it made me happy to see this place crowded.

When I looked at the map I realized if I stayed on 90 I could see badlands and the center of the U.S. I really wanted to all three of these things and no road trip would be complete without a trip to Wall Drug. It is definitely worth it and much better than South of the Border. Oh tourist traps.

The drive was MUCH longer than I thought, about 90miles and I got sleepy. So, tomorrow I will see the badlands and back track. Back tracking wouldn’t be a necessity but I need to get to North Dakota, want to be in the middle of the U.S, an don’t want to hit flood land.

Thoughts:

I wanted a bracelet from a Custard Battle place but it was Anglo owned and I decided I could make it myself.

Only the National Battlefield names was changed the stores all said Custard.

I couldn’t use the bathroom because there was flooding danger. Huh? It was also crazy hot out!

Oh long drive.

5-31. Big Hair in Montana

So I can’t take a picture because that would be rude, but wow. All of the women working at the FORD dealership in Butte, Montana where I stopped for an oil change have huge hair.

Okay, about the day. I woke up early then went back to bed. I needed to wait for the FORD dealership in Missoula to call me back. However, they never did. So I drove over there. They were completely booked so I went on my way.

I made my way to Butte, where there was a dealership and stopped in Deer Lodge along the way. Deer Lodge has a working cattle ranch run by the National Parks System you can visit. If I hadn’t ever been on a working farm before it would have been cooler. I did learn a lot about cowboys back in the day, saw a beautiful old farm home and got to see Montana’s first prison. If I didn’t have a 12:30 appointment I would have toured the prison and checked out the other museums. I also learned that the owner of Hardy’s is a trillionaire (says my guide from Tennessee) and has the adjacent ranch. I want to look up if Hardy’s beef comes from his ranch because that would be cool and from the U.S.

Yes Montana is beautiful and I am pleasantly surprised at all the history here and how well it is preserved. There are many museums and awesome old downtowns. I also like how the hills have large letters in white for each town you pass on the highway. Some are brighter than others. Like Missoula’s M.

Okay just kidding. Now I am not sure what the letters mean. There was am M on the hill in Bozeman.

After my oh so exciting oil change I went on a self guided tour of The World Mining Museum. I didn’t want to go on the hour and a half underground tour so I walked around the cool old town. There was also a strange doll, doll house, and mineral exhibit. The figurines were cool and the glow in the dark minerals even cooler but still strange. When you’ve been in one mine you’ve been in em all. At least that’s what I tell myself.

I then did a drive by of the Berkeley Mine where I paid my two bucks to walk down on a path. It was really cool, as is the city of Butte. I loved the old parts of the city and it looks like they were trying to restore it. I was also surprised by all the things there were to do. I see good things for this city in the future.

I left Butte rather quickly wanting to make a few stops before Bozeman. I took the back roads to Nevada City and Virginia City which was SOOOO worth it. Nevada City is a ghost town of 60 buildings from the western days on lots of land that the General Mills guy put together. The highway runs through it and you can stay at the hotel. Then Virginia City is the living ghost town. Its filled with the shops, saloons, and other great stuff. LOVED IT!

I than made the drive to Bozeman along a river. Once in Bozeman I saw why everyone loves it. After going up and down Main Street I asked at a hotel and found Starky’s. I finally got to see where Emily worked, had the best macaroni and cheese of my life, and got a cookie to go. After all that food I “hiked” up Pete’s Hill to watch the sunset. It then got a little chilly.

It wasn’t quite dark so I made my way to Billings. Then t did get dark and I missed scenery. I don’t like missing scenery.

Thoughts:

I forget how big states actually are until I am driving.

Many FORD dealerships are confusing. I never know where to go.

Wow there are a lot of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Montana.

It’s really hard to capture panoramic beauty in pictures.

I like the towns where people from all over the U.S and world get stuck.

I saw a small house for sale in Bozeman for over half a million dollars. Dannnngggg

How do cattle guards work? Do they hurt the cattle?

5-30. Yum Nature

I left Idaho and continued on Route 2 into Montana. Where I took a picture for Emily on her birthday.

I wanted to stop at some old trading post but had a little oopsy and took a more direct road to Glacier National Park.

I also forgot to mention I had a burger and fries for breakfast yesterday. I wanted to try Jack-In-The-Box before I left the West. Wasn’t too impressed but, I did like that you could get breakfast and lunch anytime!

I made it to Glacier National Park and stopped at the Welcome Center in West Glacier. However, it was the welcome center for Alberta, Canada. Who knew I was so close, and how strange the welcome center is in the U.S.

The park was beautiful BUT only 15miles of Going to The Sun road was open due to plowing above 5,000ft. I was bummed and the park was crowded because it was Memorial Day. At least 15 miles was open, right? I know I’ll be back and I think a helicopter tour would be THE BEST way to see all o the park. However, that was not financially possible by myself. I did LOVE how crisp and clean it smelled. Yum, nature.

Thoughts from the Day:

I should have brought a bike and kayak with my on the road trip. Especially the bike.

I love National Parks that have shuttles. They all should GO GREEN, especially Yellowstone.

Route 2 in Montana heading up to the park had a CRAZY amount of deaths on it. They mark the spot with a white cross. Good remembrance? A warning? Creepy? I wonder what year they started?

THERE ARE POWERLINES EVERWHERE!!!!! Agggghhhh. Go green or put them underground please.

Highway 93 from Kalispell to Missoula may be my favorite road in the U.S.

Polson, MT has an amazing location.

Missoula is flat and big in the middle of the valley. You can see it all as you approach. It’s also filled with neighborhoods, and hard to find the small downtown.