Tuesday and Wednesday

It was up early in Two Harbors headed north to Betty’s for breakfast. The bill of fare for me was Bread Pudding Toast, real maple syrup, eggs and bacon. Desert was two pieces of pie to go. During the summer months they make in the vicinity of 350 pies a day. I did my best to help them. My Mimi made much better pies but Betty has been doing this a long time. Stuffed to the gills it took a little effort to get hooked up and on the road. On the road through Duluth we spotted three of the tall masts of the schooners remaining in the Duluth harbor. It is difficult to hook a left with the baby egg trailing. Did it anyway…right through the hoards of people. Paulette jumped out of the car to get some pictures as I slowly went around the circle and then back on the road. Pretty slick! It is across the state to Pipestone National Monument. We never get where we are going very fast because I am easily lured off the road by a mere sign saying something like “Ojibwa Museum.” Luckily I had only a few minutes before they closed. Paulette went nuts over the cool barns. None are painted with quilt square as in Iowa. Silos and barns really have a draw. As usual we pulled into Pipestone at 10:30 at night. The mosquitoes were so bad that we set up in record time and quickly ran to the shower. Sleep was good.
We were up pretty early, had breakfast in camper and off to the monument. We were greeted by the most delightful young woman. She is working on a master’s degree in history while working as National Park Ranger. She is Oglala Sioux who loves her family. Her family is heading to Pine Ridge Pow Wow on Friday. This is her first time to miss this because of her new job. We had a long wonderful conversation about her grandmother. She is not bitter about the treatment of her grandmother during the days when children were taken from the parents on the reservation and placed in schools. She shared a lot of information about the pow wow and gave me dates of the Sun Dance to be held at Pipestone next year. We walked the trail and observed the quarries where only American Indians can dig for pipestone. It was as beautiful as before. In the distance I could see the main pole of this year’s Sun Dance. We took as many photos as we could being so far away. A walking tour of the town was next. A large number of the buildings in town are made of Sioux quartzite which is red and resembles the pipestone.
We had our dried fish tonight with mustard and crackers. Yummy! It is off to bed and ready for an early rise tomorrow and off to Mt. Rushmore and a few other stops like Sioux Falls. Loving what I am doing….got a new tiny cedar flute today. Mama you will love it. Hugs and blessings, Mary Alice

Monday

August 2

Sunday night in the forest at Eckeback State Campground was great. The open windows allowed a sweet breeze to flow through the camper. A few little night friends sang their chorus and I slept like a baby. It rained most of the night which made good sleeping. I rolled over and my knee touched the area under the window. Wet! Windows went down and we took care of the dampness. Upon awakening at daylight in the forest I could hear rushing water. The night before, you could walk across the Baptism River on the rocks. This morning, the water was rushing and deep. We jumped up to take pictures before hooking up and heading out. The idea of sunrise at Split Rock Light house was a myth. We were there by 7:30 and wandered around the grounds. A gentleman and his daughter were there. His great-grandmother use to sit a specific rock on the shore and paint the light house in various seasons and weathers. He had many of her paintings. When each child is old enough to appreciate the thought, he brings them there to see the lighthouse and to sit on the rock where she painted. I was honored to take their picture at the lighthouse.
We hiked down to the shore on the trail and returned following the steps near the location of the tram. The tram was used to bring supplies and guests from the ships on Lake Superior up to the lighthouse. There were 170 steps to climb ~ little tough on my bum knee. Paulette toured the light house ~ I had done it 2 years ago. The fog was so heavy and made for some great pictures. We took lots of pictures of us and others at the rugged rocks on the shore line. This is the 100th Birthday of Split Rock Lighthouse. We zipped down to Two Harbors to acquire a camping spot with at least water. We got a good spot with water and electricity. Then we were off to Betty’s Pies. Yummy and it was worth the wait for a table. I had Betty’s Beef Passtie and then RHUBARB/STRAWBERRY pie. Just as I had remembered! Gooseberry Falls was the next stop for a nice hike up to the Upper Falls, Middle and Lower Falls. We were fortunate to be at Upper Falls with not a sole around. It got hot while we were there. We took a break at the Quilt Shop where we had a fabulous visit with the ladies there. “You Betcha” we did. They invited us to come park our trailer at their house next year. We visited Agate Bay Light House in Two Harbors. It still sends its beam into the night. There were lots of Canadian geese around. Fog began to roll in and we headed for the house. A quick shower, light supper in the camper and it was lights out for these girls. Check you again tomorrow after breakfast with Betty. Blessings to all, Mary Alice

This was Sunday ~ New destinations on a new day. This was a reorganize day. Paulette washed clothes and I hooked up the trailer. The dress clothes are packed out of the way except for something to wear to church and I am hunting a UPS store so I can ship home the wonderful jewels I got at Showcase. Some of my friends have been asking for the punch with a palm tree and I got a few. I placed my order this morning for the new things that just came off the press. I know some of you don’t know nor could care but the new Cricut Cartridges that are exclusive to CM are must haves.
We pulled out of Minneapolis heading for Duluth. Roads under construction are painful for me. We took the low road to avoid it and got it again in Duluth. The tall sailboats came into Duluth on Friday and Saturday with tours scheduled for today. There were no parking places for Jr and the little red truck so we had to pass on tours today. Up the shore we drove hunting a campground…not to be found until we entered the National Forest only 100 miles south of the Canadian border. We have ditched that plan but will stay in Minnesota another day. The light houses are lovely on the shore. I have seen them before but this is the 100th Anniversary of Split Rock Lighthouse and sometime soon they will shine it’s beam one more time. We plan to leave the campground early enough to see the sunrise over Lake Superior at the lighthouse. Paulette wants to take the tour and then I plan to eat a piece of rhubarb pie at Betty’s Pies. A good meal might be in order. Tonight I made grilled cheese sandwiches in the trailer and they were jummy. It is raining ever so slightly on the baby trailer and with no electricity in the forest I am grateful for butane cooking and a full battery on my laptop. This will be posted tomorrow as there is no internet or telephone service in the North Woods. Listening for bear in the woods, I remain Mary Alice the wanderer.

Everyday I have driven into Minneapolis for Showcase I have been a bit challenged. Miss GPS tells me how to travel except she does not know that the entrance to the road I need to go down is closed construction. I managed and got there. Thinking I was crazy, Paulette rode with me this morning to help me find the turn. Well we never made it to the turn because another section was closed. Paulette had a fun day planned - jumping out of her comfort zone and striking out on her own and alone. She made her own walking tour of the center of Minneapolis. She found a wonderful museum in an old flour mill right on the river.

We will be pulling out tomorrow if all goes well. You won't believe it but we have several ideas for the next destination on this journey. Northeast or northwest - flip a coin? will it by Green Bay and on up to Mackinac Island or will it be to Duluth and up the shore of Lake Superior to the Canadian border and then head west to Pipestone, Minnesota. Decisions will be revealed. I have to get home in about 10 days as I have to schedule a "Photo Solutions Party" and a 50th high school reunion to finalize.

Blessings and keep on making memories to keep in your heart and in your albums. I am passionate about the company I am associated with. Mary Alice

Making our way to Minneapolis

Did we ever have fun on Wednesday. We pulled out of Manhattan around 8 am heading for Minneapolis. Some could get there in the allotted hours as designated by the annoying voice of the GPS lady. It took a bit for us to navigate through Kansas City. I have never made it straight through KC without ending up traveling on some road that goes through cornfields that are growing up to the steps of the houses. There is little of interest to me from there until I get near Limoni, Iowa….home of many Amish families, a visitors center run by the students of the local college where wares of the Amish are sold, and perhaps horse drawn carriages traveling on the road. Yes, I bought a basket which I needed for the garbage in the trailer. Checking to see if Paulette might be interested in the covered bridges of Madison County, I peeked her interest. Truck and trailer hooked a left headed west? To Wintersett. Winterset is the birthplace of “The Duke.” Since I was there last, a statue has been erected and many bricks are laid in the sidewalk with donor names. A real deal. The names of the contributors make a very interesting group. While in the area we visited 3 of the bridges that are still standing or have been restored. Flat Donna liked having her picture made. Two little girls from Oklahoma held her at the bridge for a photo-op. Off we went for the final leg of our trip. Miss GPS is now saying arrival time will be 11:15. Book of CD and a steady foot on the pedal brought us to Apple Valley, Minnesota to the Lebanon Hills Dakota Campgrounds at 11:30 pm. We are fast at setting up this little Jr. Egg. We took a fast shower and hit the bed. I have a big day ahead. I know you are afraid that we did not drink enough water or eat enough…do not worry about that.

Traveling Fast in the Slow Lane

Meet "Flat Donna" who will be traveling with me. She is my friend Donna Whitecotten.
Days fly by when you are having fun. I did not get in a hurry this morning and could hardly wait for coffee. I headed out on I-35 for Oklahoma City. Paulette was in Waco when I left Gainsville. About that time the phone rang and Nick was wondering when I would be getting into Manhattan. I was so excited because I was not sure I would get to see him this trip. The rest of the day was spent in anticipation of seeing him so the miles were long. While I waited to meet up with Paulette, I visited the Oklahoma Fallen and Living Firefighters Memorial and State Firefighters Museum. Much of it was the history of firefighting equipment. The most impressive part to me was the tribute to those who assisted in the bombing at the Murrah Federal Building in 1995. Having visited the memorial on site just a year ago brought it all to my attention again….we are so vulnerable in our country of free thinkers. The parking lot at the zoo and science center had one shady area and I claimed it for myself. The soft breeze in the shade gave me a nice place to wait. We left Oklahoma City at 3pm headed to Junction City, Kansas. Sweet GPS directed us down a different road that turned out to be such a good road and straight through the corn and grain fields of Kansas. We only saw one field of sunflowers..salute Sue Paben. We set up the trailer very quickly and hurried to meet Nick for dinner. He brought Giles Bell with him and we were delighted. They have become good friends and I hope they take good care of each other when they deploy. It will be different this time and I fear more dangerous. I hated to say good bye to him but he will come home on leave before he goes. I look forward to that. Well these two old broads are settling in for the night. The baby egg traveled very well today. We boogied down the road and hardly knocked anything off in the floor. Tomorrow will take us through Kansas and Iowa where the barns and silos are waiting for grain and into Minneapolis for 3 days of Creative Memories hoop-la. Blessings to all who are following. Days may get more exciting come Sunday.

Stumbling for Sure to Showcase and Beyond

Not sure anyone wants to know the details of this day but here goes. Wanting to have a nice leisurely drive leaving my home and arriving somewhere north of Ft. Worth by night. The baby egg “Edwina Jr.” was hitched to my little Toyota and time left to say good bye to a few friends, delivering a get well present and wishing success to a friend who is having surgery on Tuesday. In my attempt to do something properly, I FELL ON MY KNEES! OUCH my new pants now have a small hole in the knee and my knee is bleeding and hurts like a big bulldog. Okay, I cleaned up the knee, locked up the house and pulled out at 12:02 just as planned. Off I go just as happy as “a pig in slop.” Pulling into a service station in College Station gave me my next revelation….NO PURSE. In the process of delivering the lovely gift to my friend, I took my purse with me in the car which is the law. The knee injury followed the gift delivery so upon returning to the house to fix the knee, I left the purse IN THE CAR. Being very fortunate, I am Richeys very good friend. He went to my house, got the purse, and met me half way back. The rest of the day was a piece of cake. I had planned to see a former student Monday afternoon but with running a little late we had to postpone the visit for another day. This all puts me at the south edge of Ft. Worth and the clock says 5:02. Yes, I could pull over and eat dinner and wait for the traffic to die down but I really had no trouble until downtown. All were in such awe of “Jr. Egg” that I had no trouble getting through town on I-35W. I found the loveliest state campground north of Denton. It is Lake Ray Roberts State Park. Now I am grateful to our state for posting good signs because the very expensive GPS could not find the lake nor the KOA that I know is on I-35 just over the Oklahoma line. I have now had an egg sandwich, watched 3 episodes of last year’s season of the Closer and writing for my blog of this trip. These will be my first writings in my blog of the 3rd trip to Minneapolis. Wow, looking back to the first driving trip…..this is great. That time I was in a tent and it was hot. I am sleeping tonight in “Jr.” with the air conditioner running and I dinner cooked in the microwave. Just like the good Bulldog puppies would say, “woof woof woof.”
Traveling along with me is my friend “Flat Donna, a real Girly Girl.” She was created by one of my friends Donna Whitecotten. She created this cutie using Storybook CreatorPlus3.0. Consultants etc., who could not attend Showcase, are going by proxy in the suitcases of those of us who are attending. Most will fly their guests to Minneapolis but Donna is traveling by auto and seeing very interesting sites.