Badlands SD

We got up drove on to the Badlands this morning. The wind blew like crazy all morning. The Badlands are beautiful and filled with wildlife. We saw Buffalo, Mountain Goats, Mule Deer, Antelope and Prairie dogs. The rock formations are amazing. We did some hikes by the enterance and then headed off to set up camp at their boondocking site. We wanted to make sure that we had a place to park. We ate lunch and then went back for more scenery. We came back for dinner and then watched the goats playing on the cliffsides beside us.

Saturday we started the day with a trip to Wall SD. We saw Antelope and Long Horn Sheep on the way. We did the historic tour of Wall Drug Store and then some shopping. After we got stuff loaded back in the camper, we did some more driving in the Badlands and hiked some of the trails. Our favorite was the climb to the peak at Saddle Pass. The view was wonderful and the climb was challaging. We drove to Interior SD and Scenic SD doing a loop back into the park. It was a really nice drive. After we got back to camp, we met our neighbors. One had bought his camper in Soddy Daisy, full timers from Atlanta. The other neighbor was from Knoxville. What a small world we live in. We ended up setting through another bad thunderstorm with high winds before finally getting some sleep. 

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Pierre SD

Thursday, we left Mobridge, driving on scenic 1804 but it turned to gravel, then paved then gravel (sign said for the next 34 miles) so we abandoned scenic and hit Hwy 83, paved. Saw a lot of pheasants, and as we got near Pierre, spotted a herd of elk on a hillside near the highway. We set up camp in Griffin Park, a city park next to the Missouri River. Only $16 with electric. We toured the Capitol, and the Heritage Center. Drove across the River to a new time zone into Fort Pierre. The railroad bridge is a swing bridge. Would have been cool to see it in action. 

In Fort Pierre we saw the Casey Tibbs memorial and the statues outside the Rodeo Center. They had just closed for the day so we didn't see the museum. We followed the Verendrye Drive to see the plaque the young French boys buried as they explored a route to the Pacific Ocean. Then on up the road to visit the Cedar Hill Cemetery. After supper we did a short hike on the Lewis and Clark Trail along the River. Saw a large buck, a hawk and some turkeys.  

About 11:30 we got woke up by the Sheriffs officer beating on our door. He said 70-140 winds were expecting and we should go to the bath house for safety. By the time we got there the wind was blowing like crazy and two guys with tents were already in there. The three Sheriff officers dragged their tents and helped them bring their motorcycles up to the building. The winds got up to the 70 but none of the campers where damaged. The next morning we saw a pile of limbs that the park had already picked up. 

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Indian Creek SP

After leaving Roy Lake we headed pretty much straight West. We stopped in Aberdeen for lunch, gas, and to get a little rock out of our wheel. They had a very pretty park that we walked around after eating. From there we headed to Mobridge which is right on the Missouri river and set up camp at Indian Creek SP. It was 93 degrees out so we headed to the swimming beach which we had all to ourselves. It is amazing how clear the river is. Later in the evening we watched a few otters swimming along the river too.

Wednesday we headed into Mobridge looking for sights. It took us forever to find the Chamber of Commerance, but finally we hunted it down. We found the monument with the large Walleye, the monument for Jedediah Smith, the monument for Sacagawea, and the monument for Sitting Bull. We drove 22 miles out to see Fort Manuel which is advertised in Mobridge but has not been taken care of in 15 years. We still checked it out, after driving into someone's driveway with barking German shepherds and a few other guard dogs. They barked as we walked to the Fort but didn't come out there. They must be used to people going out there. As we walked back to the Jeep, a truck coming in stopped and the nice man asked us if we were lost. The canoe on top of the Jeep must have made it look as if we were lost.  Back in town we toured the Klein Museum which has more stuff in it than most I have seen. Deffinitely worth seeing. After lunch we headed back to the camper and hit the river again. Not as hot as yesterday for sure.

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Roy Lake SD

Left Minnesota Land of 10000 lakes. Entered North Dakota in time for lunch at the Wahpeton Park and Zoo. Interesting art, the moose was made of metal: gears, hinges, fasteners, washers, bolts, spoons, forks and a hitch ball to make it Bullwinkle. We could see into the zoo from the art walk so we watched the rhino put on a show of who can make the biggest pile of poop. Southbound into South Dakota we drove thru Sisseton, visited the tower for some views of the farmland. Found Roy Lake SP set up, walked the trail around the island. Saw an eagle sitting in a tree on the island. He was taking to us. Even with a threatening sky, Craig had to swim in the lake. We met a nice couple at the lake that gave us tips on where the best canoeing would be, and areas to visit. They were from Britton, we told them we had a family friend there, turns out they know Corrine. The storm held off so we put the canoe in the lake right behind our campsite for an evening paddle. Had a major storm during the night, rocking our little camper, according to Craig, Lora slept right thru it....

Monday morning Congratulations to us on 5 weeks of traveling! We explored Sica Hollow SP, found two parking lots for trails with no info at either one except to explain the Spirit Trail. No distances, no trail map, nothing. We had to go to higher ground for signal to get an online trail map. Hiked the Spirit Trail, then part of the horse trails (that HAD maps) at every junction... On the Spirit trail there were humming birds all over the jewelweed covered hillside. On the horse trail there were hundreds of dragonflys. HUNDREDS! And plum trees, with a few plums that were ripe enough. After the hike, we met up with Corrine for a wonderful lunch and an afternoon of fun. She took us to a lovely gift shop, then on a tour of Fort Sisseton State Historic Park. Came back for dinner and a romantic walk along the beach and then watched otters play and eat their dinner. 

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Camp Itasca

Leaving Beatrice Lake we traveled on Hwy 1 trying to see the Northern wildlife. None to be seen. We cut down through Bemidji and on to Camp Itasca. While looking for our campground just outside the Itasca SP, we came across a village in the woods across a large open field.  We found later that this was where they had large events such as antique tractor shows which draw thousands. 

After we got set up and had dinner we headed over to see the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. It is amazing how the Mississippi changes on the way South. We took the canoe out on Itasca Lake for an evening cruise. We got to see a beaver and some ducks.

Saturday we got up and headed back over to the park and did the 10 mile Wilderness drive. Lora got to see her first Jack rabbit. The first trail we tried to hike we got ate up by GIANT HUNGRY Mositoes. We got to see some of there record trees and took the canoe out on Elk lake to see Eagles and Loons. After the drive we took time and ate lunch and swam at Mary Lake. We had read about a big statue of Paul Bunyan in Bemidji, so we went exploring in the city. Found Paul and Babe the Blue Ox in his park on Lake Bemidji. This lake is fed by and drains into the Mississippi. Their claim to fame is being the first city on the Mighty Mississippi. A church mission group was there, had just finished singing, and wanted to feed us. We must have looked hungry.

Had a great dinner and watched the stars.

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Beatrice Lake SF

We arrived at Beatrice lake in the George Washington State Forest. We found us a site and headed to the lake for a swim and some relaxing. After dinner we went out for a paddle around some of the lake.

Thursday morning we headed into Hibbing to see the Hull Rust Mahoning Mine, the Grayhound bus musium, and in Chisholm we saw the 85' Iron Man Statue. Then we drove to Eveleth to see the giant hockey stick, the Shrine to our Lady of Lourdes, and the Hipproama. Then we drove to Virginia to see the Big Loon in the lake. After taking all this in we headed back for a swim at our campsite. 

The next morning we headed West.

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Finland SF

Sunday we listend to Loons in the morning on the lake with the fog lifting off it. We walked around the campground and then packed up to head North.

We stopped in Silver Bay to look for a Post office, finally found a PO Box. Found Library for wifi. Then traveled South to Split Rock Lighthouse and shoreline. Didn't pay the $8 to tour lighthouse. Then to Gooseberry State Park where we couldn't find a parking spot because people can't read. We were pulling the trailer so cars were parked all in the camper spaces. Wanted to BLOCK them in but left without hiking there instead. We did use their dump station and filled up with water. Northbound again, we stopped at Tettegouche SP, hiked to Shovel Point where we saw folks rapelling. Then Baptism River to High Falls and Two Step Falls. Drove to Finland State Forest to find a campground. Tried Eckbeck but too crowded and not very pretty at all. Finland campground was perfect, got a spot next to the creek. Took a bath in the creek with crawdads.Had a campfire, stars and coyotes barking.

Monday, we went to be tourists traveling the Superior coast up to Canada. Started with waterfalls in Schroeder. More waterfalls at Cascade River. Devil's Kettle at Judge CR Magney SP. Then on the the Grand Portage National Monument and toured the Fur Trade Post and learned how to tie birchwood bark together to make a tent and a canoe. A lady was baking bread at the outdoor kitchen but it wasn't done, darn it. We settled for having our balogna sandwiches at their picnic area. We did stop at the overlook which would have been a beautiful lunch spot. We saw the Susie Islands and could see Isle Royal way over in Michigan. Then to Grand Portage SP within view of the Canadian Border to hike High Falls. Heading back South, like we had an option, hiked at Cascade River SP for more waterfalls, then Temperance River SP for even more waterfalls. Back at camp, met a couple with a friendly golden retriever. They wanted to see our Escape camper. Found another egg here in the campground, a Scamp. 

Tuesday we hiked the Twin Lakes Trail. It was a very pretty hike to Bean Lake and Bear lake. Lots of overlooks. We had lunch at Bear Lake. After our hike we took the canoe out on Lake Superior and paddled around Silver Bay Marina. It was beautiful out there. Then we went out for pizza.

Wednesday morning we headed West.

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Indian Lake Campground

Friday we wanted to make good time as we did not have reservations at the Cloquet State Forest. We got a place at Indian Lake campground. Beautiful campground and lake. We hiked the campground and then we got the canoe in the lake. We also paddled up the Cloquet River. It was pretty but we had to battle the mosquitoes. After we got back we set up the hammocks for some rest. We did have some noisy neighbors. We got in another canoe ride before the storm came in for the evening. We had our first bath in the lake since we've been on the road.

Saturday we put on shoes and headed to town. We explored Duluth. We got to see the large cargo ships leaving in the morning then we toured one that was on display. We got to see lots of older buildings and climb a tower for a view. At the end of the day we got to watch a cargo ship come into the marina. When we got back to camp we relaxed by the lake and then took a canoe ride around one more time before loading it up. We got to see four Loons and one Bald Eagle.

Sunday we got up to Loon's calling on the lake. We hiked the campground and then loaded up to head North.

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William O'Brien State Park

Tuesday after we left Rice Lake, we went to town to dump and pick up some bread. We took 35 to 3 to 47 and headed up the St. Croix river. We saw another pretty church on the way as well as some pretty towns. We stopped at Afton SP for lunch and an afternoon hike. Stillwater was an interesting town which will require some more exploring as was Marine on St. Croix. 

After we arrived at William O'Brien State Park and got set up, we headed to the beach on Lake Alice here in the park. It is a really nice swimming lake. We soaked up the sun until dinner time. After we ate, we took the canoe out on the St. Croix River. There was a lot of current going upstream. We cut across the river to the East side and canoed the sloughs. We got to see two eagles, an Ospry, some herons and a couple of beaver. We had one beaver that let us get right up next to him before he slapped his tail and went under. We were blessed with another beautiful sunset.

Wednesday morning we got up did laundry, washed the trailer, and then hiked the river front trail. From there we hiked the Beaver Lodge trail. It started raining so we brought in the laundry and headed out to explore the nearby towns. We went to Marine On St. Croix to check out the general store and fire museum. We ate lunch there and then headed to Stillwater where we saw the ships and some historic buildings. After that we headed to the Interstate State Park to see the Glacier Pot Holes and then on into Taylor Falls for some icecream and historic places. On the way back we stopped by an art field off the side of the road. They had made all sorts of metal and other materials into artwork?? We headed back to a big storm at the campground.

Thursday we got up and hiked the River trail. Then we canoed across the river into the inlets. We saw deer, Herons, Swan, and a Sandhill Crane. When we got back we hung out at the lake swimming and sunning. That night we had a campfire and watched the stars.

Friday we got up and headed North.

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Rice Lake State Park

We left Yellow River State Forest and followed the Mississippi River up into Minnesota. We headed West through Richard Dorer Memorial Hardwoods State Forest and then up to Rice Lake State Park. After getting here we walked the park which there is not much of and we cannot canoe because they drained the water down. 

Monday we drove up to St. Paul and explored around the capital building. We snuck in the St. Paul Cathedral and got pictures, but got caught by the priest when we were leaving. The door was open for workers. Got to see some other churches from the outside. Then we headed back to the park

That evening we hiked back down to the lake to catch the sunset. We brought the binoculars with us this time so we could see the Pelicans and other birds on the lake. It was a beautiful sunset.

Tuesday morning we hiked around the lake and back to campground. We ate blackberries, saw a couple of deer, and saw some more of the park. Then we packed up and headed North.

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Yellow River State Forest

Friday we left Mississippi Palisades Park. We drove into Iowa to Dyersville to see the Basicilla of St. Francis Xavier. It was a huge church in the middle of a small town. It was beautiful! Lots of pictures of the insides. From there we headed to the "Field of Dreams" where the movie was made. It is a tourist trap so we just drove through and took pictures. It was pretty cool though. From there we headed to Yellow River State Forest. We hiked around the campground the first night noting that they have Fords just like White Pine Forest SP. You have to drive through the creeks to get to other sections of the park. 

Saturday we got up and did laundry. What a special start of the day. After that we hiked the Backpackers trail up through the Bluff trail which had some scenic overlooks. Back down at river level, we hiked the horse trail back to our campsite. It was time to hit the creek. Very cold water, but it felt so very good! We were in and out of the water the rest of the day. Reading and relaxing in between. It didn't cool down either night until late and we didn't have any AC because we were on battery power. We did get to see beatiful stars, shooting metorites, and hear owls.

There were two other egg campers in the campground with us. Both of them were Scamps.

Sunday after walking the campground we headed North

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Mississippi Palisades State Park

Lora and I headed out for Mississippi Palisades State Park. On the way we stopped in Dixson to see Ronald Reagan's boyhood home, the presidental park, and Walmart. Then we went to White Pine Forest State Park for lunch and hike. We hiked the Sleepy Hollow Trail. After we arrived at our park, we set up camp, ate dinner, and then headed out to look at the Sunrise over the Mississippi River.

Thursday we got up and hiked the trails around the park and then went into town to check it out. We crossed the bridge and checked out Sabula, Iowa. We came back to camp and took it easy including a campfire where we saw shooting meteors.  Headed out for Yellow River State Forest the next morning.

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Buffalo Rock State Park

Buffalo Rock SP, hiked Effigy Trail trying our best to see the animals that was supposed to be one of the more unique attractions in Illinois. An earthen art exhibit, recreating what native people did as burial mounds. Supposed to be a snake, turtle, frog, catfish, and water strider. We used our imaginations, but the only animals we saw were the Buffalos with a baby. We hiked the Bluff Trail which we couldn't see the bluff, then the River Trail which took us to the bluff with an overlook. The Park redeemed itself with the wild blackberries. The Park Ranger here must have done something bad to be assigned here to answer questions about the effigies....

We toured the Utica to get to the Post Office to retrieve Lora's new phone. The Post mistress had opened it, because it had HER address, not General Delivery. She profusly apoligized. Mickey D's provided WiFi with LOUD TV background noise. We went back to the P.O. to ship the old phone, but it had to be sent UPS. Not one in Utica so off to Ottawa to find UPS. Saw a Verizon store and thankfully got a young service guy to help set up the phone. 

Did a late afternoon hike at Matthiesson SP, Upper and Lower Dells. Beautiful with waterfalls and lots of mud. We backtracked to a pick your own berry farm to find out what the berries were. The nice lady taught us about "Choke Berries"and led us to the bushes to taste test. SOUR. She said one handful a day has enough antioxidants for a day. She drinks the juice for blood issues, good for heart and blood issues. 

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Starved Rock State Park

Leaving from Turkey Run State Park in the rain, we headed on to Illinois. We got to see a wind farm on the way. Lora was busy with Verizon on the phone but we stopped in a park 

After we got our camp set up at Starved Rock State Park, we headed over to the main park to hike. We hiked on the East end because all the parking lots were full on the West side. Tons of people out. There are a lot of canyons in the park which are where creeks drop off into before heading out into the Illinois river. We hiked the Ottawa, Kaskaskia, and Illinois canyons. Then we headed down to the boat ramp to see where we could put in on the River. We got to see the sunset over the water before heading back to camp.

Sunday we Started at the actual Starved Rock and then hiked the rest of the canyons in the park. There were only a few cars in the lot when we started. By the time we got back out the lot was full. Hundreds of people hiking. We got to see a Pelican on the lake and we heard but could not see an Eagle. It was a really great hike. Probabley close to 8 miles total. There are 18 canyons in all.

Monday we headed over to Buffalo Rock State Park to check it out. Not a very interesting park. Some guy made dirt mounds shaped like animals, but you couldn't really make them out. The signs were not there anymore to identify the mounds. We hiked the bluff line trail which you couldn't see the bluffs and then the overlook trail which did give us a view of the river. The good thing was there was two buffalos and a baby to see. We also ate blackberries.

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