Spring into Summer
May 7, 2017
After leaving Montgomery, we felt like there was a cloud hanging over us. As we headed north to visit family, it seemed to be raining almost every other day. Rain made no difference when we visited Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. Both of us remember going to the caves when we were young. After talking to several rangers and reading about the different tours, we realized that we each had been to some caves, but it was not Mammoth Caves!
After leaving Montgomery, we felt like there was a cloud hanging over us. As we headed north to visit family, it seemed to be raining almost every other day. Rain made no difference when we visited Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. Both of us remember going to the caves when we were young. After talking to several rangers and reading about the different tours, we realized that we each had been to some caves, but it was not Mammoth Caves!
Our trip to Indianapolis was cut short because of rain. We did get one day to tour downtown, and add another state capital to our list, as well as the home of the 23rd President Benjamin Harrison. Unfortunately many of the places we wanted to visit were closed so Indianapolis will be another must return to city someday.
Indiana Capitol Building
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Benjamin Harrison Home, Indianapolis.
President 1889-1893
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Growing up in Lansing, Michigan, Mike was quite aware of the existence of the Big Three – GM, Ford and Chrysler. His father and grandfather worked for GM. Mike had spent 4 summers working in Ford’s steel mill. As an all-knowing teenager, Mike's father shocked him by informing him that Indiana had been a leading car manufacturing hub. The city of Auburn was mentioned and it has always been a destination for the future. That future came as we spent an afternoon in the Auburn museum. Even Francie was dazzled as we admired the collection of classic Auburns, Duesenbergs, and Cords. If the names are not familiar, time for a Google search.
Our private and pristine camping spot in Michigan!
June 3, 2017
After 3 weeks of visiting family and friends in Michigan, Indiana, and Chicago area we are back on the road again.
Our first destination after leaving Michigan City, IN was Hollywood Casino in Joliet so Francie could attend Cathy’s retirement party. Cathy is a dear friend and work partner for many years. Once again we were reminded how quickly the past 7 years have disappeared. Retirement is grand.
After 3 weeks of visiting family and friends in Michigan, Indiana, and Chicago area we are back on the road again.
Our first destination after leaving Michigan City, IN was Hollywood Casino in Joliet so Francie could attend Cathy’s retirement party. Cathy is a dear friend and work partner for many years. Once again we were reminded how quickly the past 7 years have disappeared. Retirement is grand.
We then traveled to Madison, Wisconsin to visit the capital. As a bonus, Mike made contact with a high school friend that he hasn’t seen in many years. Madison is a wonderful city situated between two large lakes. The Capital Building is exquisite. There is an outside walkway at the base of the Capitol dome which offers a 360 degree view of the city.
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June 5, 2017
It is not always easy to pick a camping area from a website. All of the Army Corp of Engineers Campgrounds have been exceptional and so is this one situated on the Mississippi River near Potosi, WI. The biggest drawback to the campground was the railroad tracks about 300 yards from our campsite. The speeding freight trains pass by about every hour, day and night creating a thunderous noise, blowing their horn, and rattling our RV. The only thing not rattled were the swarms of gnats that attacked every time we stepped outside.
It is not always easy to pick a camping area from a website. All of the Army Corp of Engineers Campgrounds have been exceptional and so is this one situated on the Mississippi River near Potosi, WI. The biggest drawback to the campground was the railroad tracks about 300 yards from our campsite. The speeding freight trains pass by about every hour, day and night creating a thunderous noise, blowing their horn, and rattling our RV. The only thing not rattled were the swarms of gnats that attacked every time we stepped outside.
Potosi claims to have the largest beer can in the country. The original brewery began making beer in 1852 and continued until 1972. In 1995 even though the brewery was in bad disrepair it was purchased, restored and began brewing Potosi Beer again. The original building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Brewery Museum houses its impressive collections at the site. What makes Potosi Beer a cut above the rest of the breweries is that it is a nonprofit with its proceeds going to charities. By the way, not only did the nonprofit concept appeal to us, the beer is really good.
Potosi claims to have the largest beer can in the country. The original brewery began making beer in 1852 and continued until 1972. In 1995 even though the brewery was in bad disrepair it was purchased, restored and began brewing Potosi Beer again. The original building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The National Brewery Museum houses its impressive collections at the site. What makes Potosi Beer a cut above the rest of the breweries is that it is a nonprofit with its proceeds going to charities. By the way, not only did the nonprofit concept appeal to us, the beer is really good.
Beer names we had to recognize.....you know who you are!
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Occasionally we are given an opportunity to view life through someone else’s eyes. While visiting a local museum, we spent about a half hour talking to the woman who was working there. For several generations the people in her family were farmers. Her brother still ran the family farm, but other relatives and friends had lost their farms to large corporation farms. She described how the loss of the farms impacted the town she obviously loved. In addition to the farms two of the local power plants have closed. Her descriptions of the changes in the town and the hardships for the people involved were heart wrenching. This has happened or is happening to small towns all across the country. Her parting words were, “If you find some company that wants to find a place to start a business, send them our way.”
June 9, 2017
In direct contrast to the previous story, we were told that Red Wing, MN was dying in the mid 90’s, but found a way to remake itself. We are sure that Red Wing Shoes has a lot to do with this make over. The company’s main offices occupy a series of original stores fronts along Main Street. Across the street, they have a store and museum along with a Guinness World Record size boot. The downtown seemed to be thriving.
In direct contrast to the previous story, we were told that Red Wing, MN was dying in the mid 90’s, but found a way to remake itself. We are sure that Red Wing Shoes has a lot to do with this make over. The company’s main offices occupy a series of original stores fronts along Main Street. Across the street, they have a store and museum along with a Guinness World Record size boot. The downtown seemed to be thriving.
June 12, 2017
Walking up to the Capitol building in St. Paul, MN, we were struck by how pristine it looked, as if its construction had just been completed. Molly, our tour guide, told us that the governor had announced that morning the Grand Opening of the newly renovated building. The Capitol is another tribute to masterful refurbishing of a beautiful building.
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Equally impressive and built around the same time as the capital, was St. Paul Cathedral. The Cathedral is located near Summit Street which is famous for its parks and lavish mansions. As we strolled down the street, we were particularly impressed with a bigger than life-size carving of Mary Poppins or at least that is what we thought. Later research revealed that the carving was Madame Nina Clifford. The word Madame was a polite way of addressing her, but it also described her profession. Another famous but less infamous resident of Summit Street was F. Scott Fitzgerald, who spent his boyhood here.
St. Paul Cathedral
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As fans of NPR’s Prairie Home Companion, no trip to St. Paul would be complete without a visit to the Fitzgerald Theater.
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Our two next two stops were the capital cities, Bismarck, ND and Pierre, SD. Not only did we visit both capitals, but also the state museums. In North Dakota we camped at the historic Fort Lincoln State Park. The Fort offered tours of the commander’s home, General George Custer and the early Native American On- A- Slant Mandan Village.
Capitol Building, Bismarck, North Dakota
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Old Governor's Mansion, Bismarck
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In South Dakota, we stayed in the beautiful Left Trailrace Campground, an Army Corp of Engineer Park at the Big Bend Dam where we took a tour of the hydroelectric generation plant.
Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota
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Dome, Capitol Building, Pierre, SD
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Happy 4th Of July!
Inscription at Capitol Building, St.Paul, MN