Monday, September 22, 2008

Ripon, WI

Here we are in Ripon at Haley and Joe's house. On the way we went through Lac du Flambeau but I decided not to stop since it was Sunday and everything was closed. That is except the casino and gambling isn't my thing. The Tribal Campground was beautiful and I would definitely stay there. In fact, I do plan to return. It seems that during the summer several of the tribes have Pow Wows and I think it would be fun just to travel from one to the other. The country is simply beautiful in this part of WI, rolling hills covered with forest and lakes everywhere.

We arrived in Ripon about 4pm yesterday. I was really tired and it was nice to get in the bath. Mitchell helped me park the Casita and we both had to laugh at my efforts. Joe straightened it out for me when they got home. He, Lily and Haley were at Lily's softball practice when I arrived. So far it is quiet today but we will get started with football tomorrow night and a volleyball tourney on the weekend. Joe and Haley leave for NY on Wednesday. I plan to check out the art company in Appleton and get started painting. More later.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Ely Campground


Lake Superior

To all of you who have commented on the blog, thanks, it is nice to know someone out there is reading it. Fox and I are in Bayfield, WI on the shore of Lake Superior. I am enjoying hot chocolate and graham crackers with butter. Foxy is licking the butter dish. I guess we're both happy.

I checked in at the campground then Fox and I went downtown for a bit. It is quite hilly, reminds me of San Francisco on a smaller basis. Narrow streets, some cobblestone and a harbor full of sail boats. Very picturesque. It is amazing how well I navigate the hills when the elevation is at sea level! There is a definite nip in the air and windy. That nice cold wind off the lake in the autumn. Just love it. I met people with a casita at the last campground and we exchanged info. They are from the twin cities and a very nice couple. I have only seen 4 Casita's so far. Fox doesn't quite understand that you really can't play ball in a Casita.

Oh, I forget to say that I bought gas for $3.49 in N. Dakota. Wow, that's almost down to a $1.50!
Anyway, I was impressed. Foxy just grabbed the napkin off my lap and ran. He thinks there is food on it. There is a fancy 5th wheel parked next door with one of those hot semi-truck cabs. When the cab pulled up two old folks got out and could barely walk to the camper. That just goes to show that you're never too old.

Tomorrow we are off the the Indian reservation Lac du Flambeau. I plan to camp on the tribal campgrounds. We'll see. It is 7:04 pm, almost time for bed! Night all.

Internation Wolf Center

Finally getting around to writing something. Yesterday was a full day and started with rain. Now I know why my sheets were wet! Got a leak in the window or somewhere. Will trouble shoot that when I get to Ripon. Fox and I just finished a 2 mile walk along Lake Superior on a beautiful bike path. What a georgous place. The pictures I took really doesn't do it justice. But isn't that always the case.

The IWC was most interesting. The wolves are outside and you look through glass walls to view them. They have 6 at the present time: two pups four months old, arctic wolves, one male and one female they are the alpha pair. Two other grey wolves, male and female. Hope you enjoy the photos. I spent quite a bit of time watching the wolves and touring the center, not to mention time in the gift shop! There is a human/wolf room with the history of humans view of wolves and a taxidermy wolf pack in the center (no photos allowed). You may wonder where the wolves came from. . . all were recovered killed from the wild. They are posed in various behavorial poses depecting their natural state. Very interesting. I was surprised at the archatecture, modern and yet lent itself to the mood of the wolves. Really nice.

From there I drove through Ely stopping for lunch at the Chocolate Moose. I like the name. Food was excellent, service bad and so was the pie. Ely is a quaint town with a pop of just over 3K. Looks like a nice place to live but I can't help but wonder about the winters. Probably pretty white!

I drove on to Two Harbours where I camped for the night. Boy, was I lucky to get a place. The camp host said everyone was here for the fall colors. Only problem, they really haven't started to turn much here. We are on Lake Superior in a harbour. I can barely see land on the other side, must be WI or Michigan. Steep rocky cliffs and national forest. There is a bike trail that runs several miles along the lake. The weather has been around 75, clear and fall like. Or in other words, perfect.

My stop at the Chocolate Moose has been my only eating out experience since I tried a substandard hamburger at Dairy Queen in Mobridge, SD. I stopped and bought a NY strip and had that with baked potato a couple of nights. Breakfast is usually cereal and fruit or eggs with Jimmy Dean potato, sausage, etc mix. Occasionally I stop for pie, ice cream or MacDonald's biscuits (like everyday). Got to keep up my strength. It is time to pull out of here so more for tomorrow.

Alpha male & female


Bronze Wolves


International Wolf Center


Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Ely, at last!

Finally, I am actually here in Ely. This is someplace I've wanted to visit for the past 15 years. We are camped 3' from a beautiful lake. By the time we arrived in Ely it was 4:30 and the International Wolf Center closes at five. I did run in just to look around a bit and decided to go back tomorrow. 10 am is Wolf 101, the birth and development of new pups. There are 2 in the pack and I am anxious to see them. When I saw the water tower with Ely written on it I had to smile to myself. The town is very hilly and northwoodsy. Tomorrow will offer ample time to explore and check out the houses for sale! I must say, it does look like a nice place to live.
The drive from Park Rapids showed off the changing fall colors nicely. It was apparent that we were heading north as the trees got progressively more colorful. A beautiful time of the year and, of course, my favorite time. I am going to see if there are any northern lights in the sky tonight. Should be clear and starry with a lovely moon.

Ten thousand lakes is no exaggeration. The landscape is mostly forest and water, slightly hilly. Very lovely and there is a nip in the air. Perfect! It is hard to believe I am this far north. Tomorrow I will take the scenic route down the north shore of lake Superior. I only have 92 miles to go tomorrow so I will be stopping frequently to take in the beauty.

So far, South Dakota has my vote for camping. The state parks are clean, spacious campgrounds with electric hookups and inexpensive. N Dakota's did not have hookups nor does MN. MN's camp sites are rather cramped, expensive and not very clean. To get hookups you have to camp in an RV place and they run a minimum of $30 per night. I am going to stay in a municipal city park in Two Harbours. It is right on the Lake.

No sign of wildlife yet, other than deer. Supposedly there are lots of moose and bear, as well as a wild wolf pack. The Bear Center is close by so I might take a look at that.

For now, I am going to sit back, listen to the waves on shore and contemplate the universe. Night all.

Park Rapids, MN

We drove mostly on I94 today. I don't like the interstates because you never go through a town. We are now camped at Breeze Campground outside of Park Rapids. It is very foresty here and hard to see much other than trees. Occasionally, you get a glimpse of a lake. The lake at the campground is Eagle Lake and looks to be a fairly small one. The campground is heavily wooded and full of RV's seemingly parked for the winter. Evidently, folks spend the summer here on the lake fishing or canoeing. I find it rather spooky because very little sun gets through the trees, mostly tall pines and birch. Then of course there is the fact that almost everyone has left. When I drove in the office was closed. After a bit a tall, skinny guy came up to help me out. He assured the owners would be back in the am and that I could go ahead and park. He showed me a spot and guided me while I backed in then said goodbye and told me to holler if I needed anything. Oh, did I mention that he was hollow cheeked, with buzzed black hair and a yellow-toothed smile? Reminded me of Anthony Perkins in Psycho. For all of you lucky enough to be too young or didn't see it, good for you. So, tonight it looks like I load the 'ole six shooter. Foxy just got a pair of my underpants out of the dirty clothes. You can't hide anything from him.

They have showers here so I think I'll do that in the am. Oh, of course, Foxy will join me. He is such a noisy protector.

People at the gas stations always make comments, not like "where are you from? or where are you going" but the first question is always "Are you traveling alone?" They all say how courageous I am. I think it is kind of funny.

Right now I am listening to jazz on my new TV CD player. The artist is the harpist fellow who played in LV. That reminds me that the Celtic thing will be starting soon. Know you are buy Holly and Kay.

This morning I checked the oil and decided I had best add a quart. Couldn't get the cap off to fill it. A guy at the gas station couldn't do it either so I had to stop by the Jeep dealer. Fortunately, it was only 2 blocks away. Kenny, the lube man, helped me and had to use a huge pair of plyer things. He got it off and I asked him if I needed to carry around special tools from now on. He assured me not. I told him I needed a quart of oil, which I had in my hand. He (like every man) needed to check for himself. He put the plunger in and out four times and, yep, it needed oil. Imagine that! I thanked him and was on my way. Well, at least as far a McDonalds for a senior cup of coffee. The other coffee I get at the convenience stores is so bad that I had to buy hot chocolate mix to make it more palatable.

Tomorrow is the big day for me. We will arrive in Ely and the International Wolf Center. I want to take some time and look around the town. Then I will take a scenic drive down the north shore of Lake Superior.

It really is dark out now. I don't know if the full moon will show through all the trees or not. I'm signing off for now so y'all have a nice night.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Fox


Sitting Bull



moon rising


Jamestown

Foxy and I are camped just outside of Jamestown, ND. We left Mobridge this am for Mandan. Along the way we stopped at the Sitting Bull memorial. It is a granite statue of Sitting Bull overlooking the Missouri. Very impressive. Unfortunatel, it is kept up by a nonprofit and not very well. The road to the memorial had a lot of weeds in the asphalt. Sad to see.

We traveled quite a ways on the Standing Rock reservation. The res actually belongs to 5 plains Indian Nations. I'd name them but I only remember 2, Sioux and all the others I can't spell. The res was much more impressive that Pine Ridge. Lots of farms and ranches, and of course, sunflowers. I continue to be stunned by the immenceness and beauty of the land. The Indians here appear to be more prosperous that Pine Ridge. But then I really haven't seen everything. Not sure where I'm going tomorrow, at least to Fargo then somewhere on into Minnesota. It is like summer here, 85 deg. Tonight I cooked a steak and corn on the cob, yum. Now i am listening to a Blues CD by a female group. Great music. Foxy is looking out the door ready to challenge anyone who comes along.

The sun is producing another beautiful Dakota sunset. Wow! Life is good, how fortunate I am to be able to travel and see this beautiful country.

Mobridge, SD

We are camped along the Missouri in a place called Indian Creek Rec area and the sun is coming up over the hills and water. Although there are many trees in the campground, the landscape around the river is bare. At least it appears bare from a distance. This area is primilary plains and grassland, although, the plains are rolling, reminds me of moguls on a ski slope. Everything is very green and the tall grasses are turning purple and gold. Truly a beautiful place.

Pierre, SD is a charming town. On the way in for at least 50 miles are the National Grasslands. SD seems to be mostly grasslands with interspersed with fields of enormous sunflowers. Very tempting, I really wanted to stop and pick one. Maybe I'll do it. Also I have noticed several bee hives along the way, probably raised to pollenate the sunflowers. The cattle industry looks like it is doing a good business here, too. I used to think of the plains as around OK and TX, but this is spectacular, so immense, you can actually see nothing but grassland all the way to the horizon.

You come upon Pierre quite suddenly, it is nestled in what I would call a hollow next to the missouri river. Quite a picture. I stopped at the Native Cultural Center which houses an excellent collection of the various Indian tribes' artifacts of the area. Quite interesting.

After hearing weather reports of possible flooding near Devil's Lake I decided to head for Mandan, ND today. Mandan is rich in history of Lewis and Clarke, not to mention it is 100miles closer! I will cross the Missouri at Mobridge and travel through the Cheyenne Indian Res.

Fox is looking for a walk and I am hungry so will cut this short. Incidentally, this is probably the most beautiful campground I have stayed in. I took some shots of the full moon rising last night so will post them soon.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

We're on the way




On to Pierre

By morning the wind had abated somewhat but it was very cold. Time for my furnace which I lit with success and enjoyed with gratitude. My morning routine other than the obvious first, is take Fox for a quick "outside", make and drink a cup of coffee. Fortunately, I brought along a two cup French Press which works quite well in the absence of electricity. That made it necessary for my second challenge, lighting the stove. Success again along with a fried egg and Jimmy Dean potatoes, onions, sausage and peppers. Yum! Then a long walk with Foxy for a bit of exercise.

The Badlands were beautiful in the morning light and bright blue skies. I took a walk by myself to the visitor center. I strolled around looking for something Indian but most stuff looked like it came out of China via The Cracker Barrel. Then I realized I hadn't gone far enough, the visitor's center was a mile on down the road. Even so, I was pleasantly surprised by a fellow in Elvis sideburns walking around the gift shop with an electric razor trimming up those sideburns. Life is Great!!

After I left the Badlands I ended up on I90 at the C store looking for a tire pressure gauge. A really nice kid with a "braces" smile helped me find the gauge and also fixed my sun glasses I had dropped. While he was doing that three other teens struck up a conversation with me. I told them I came up through Pine Ridge. They wanted to know what I thought. I told them it was depressing. One girl said when you drive though Pine Ridge just be sure you have a lot of gas and don't stop at night. I told her I kinda got that idea just coming through during the day.
Picked up a book "On the Rez" which is all about Pine Ridge Reservation. Should be interesting.

Met a couple from Hubbing, MN who were really nice. They were surprise that I was traveling alone. I assured them I would be alright and that I really didn't have much choice if I wanted to travel.

I am now camped in Pierre at Farm Island Rec area right on the beach. I think it is on part of the Missouri. Very beautiful, quiet with just enough folks to feel secure. The sun is going down now so I want to try and take some pictures.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Pine Ridge and the Badlands

The wind is howling, at least 50mph, and the Casita is rock'in and roll'in. The drive from Sterling was spectacular. Such lovely colors and green rolling hills. Northern NB is very scenic, a surprise to me.

Last night was warm thanks to my little electric heater. Lots of fog and moisture around the lake. Made for a beautiful view but chilly night. Foxy was up and down, mostly up all night. Hopefully, he will sleep better tonight, although, the wind freaks him out a bit.

When I was approaching Pine Ridge Reservation I couldn't help but see it 200 years ago when the Indians roamed. Knowing it was the res I was curious about what the Lakota did with this beautiful land today. Lots of very large ranches, corn and fields of sunflowers. The little town of Pine Ridge was shocking! There were groups of drunk Indians on every corner, literally. One old man was leaning againt a garage door barely standing. He had a paper bag bottle in one hand and his head was downcast. He had long black hair all matted and dirty. I was truly saddened and suddenly their plight really hit home with me. So very tragic. Every few miles I would see an old tire hanging on a fence with "no hunting" or "no tress". Then there was one with a wreath of flowers on it with the words "no whites." Wow! I could have cried. Here is this beautiful land home to such tragic souls. I couldn't help but think of all the pain and sorrow their ancestors had endured...

It truly is a miracle I arrived in the badlands. On the res each road seems to be labeled once, when you get on it. Then for miles there is nothing except a tiny town that isn't on the map. I figured if I kept heading north I couldn't go wrong.

Just a note about yesterday. About 30 miles out of Sterling the horizon revealed hundreds of white windmills. They were awesome, reminded me of ballet dances dressed in white standing on their hands and their legs whirling about.
The sun will be going down soon and the sunset promises to be a stunner. Tonight the moon is almost full and the sky will be lovely against the ragged peaks of the badlands. Such marvelous beauty. The sky will be particularly lovely since there are no cities nearby to light it up.

There are 2 other Casitas here but I have not talked to anyone. The wind is too bad to stay out too long. The poor guy next to me is on his motorcycle with a tent. He has tried to put it up 3 times and gives up, goes back to the picnic bench and continues to read his book. Other lucky lucky folks are struggling with their tents. Never again will you catch me in one of those nasty things.

I'm off to walk the Fox and get sunset shots.