September morn

Oh, what a wonderful week Mr. Kerry and I have had!

Last Monday morning, after dropping Mr. Eddie off at the doggie spa and resort, Kerry and I headed north. It was somewhat what we did three years ago, but we had a few different tweaks in this trip.

After stopping at a little college town named Alma, we made it all the way to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and stopped. Along the way, we laughed, we talked, we ate, and we thoroughly enjoyed each other. It always brings back memories for us to go along this route, for my parents and I headed up north many, many times.

I also thought of Gene Sampson as we went through Grayling and crossed the Au Sable River. He took Peter (and maybe Jordan?) canoeing down that river with the Scouts several times. So pretty.

Tuesday morning, we crossed the border into Canada. Sault Ste. Marie is known for its locks, and forty years ago my parents and I went on a tour of the locks. I was amazed at how they could change the level of one body of water to match that of another.

Kerry and I had to laugh at all of the moose signs as we meandered our way around Lake Superior. We never saw one, but they must have the same problem with moose that we do with deer.
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Our first major stop was at a town named Wawa. There really not much to it, but I particularly remember it because of a statue of a huge Canadian goose outside of town. It was still there! When mom and dad and I traveled, this was one place we always stopped and stayed a few days. It was also known for these little bugs called "no-see-ums" - and you really can't see them. They sure can bite, though.
We also thought of Miss Harmony, as we crossed a Harmony River and saw a Harmony Beach.

The scenery all the way around the lake took our breath away. Each turn in the road presented a new scene for us to be grateful for. Lake Superior was as smooth as a mirror.

I have always felt that America could learn a lot from the Canadians in the way they care for their parks, rest areas, campgrounds, etc. They are absolutely impeccable. It was no different on this trip. As we entered into the Thunder Bay (part of Anita Adkins' mission area when she served in Winnipeg), we stopped at a park that I will never forget. Again, it was perfectly clean - but this one had food, fruits, pastries, waters, milk, etc. galore! I thought, "Wow! America really could learn a lesson here!". But, I soon learned that a special commemoration had taken place that morning.

Terry Fox is one of their national heroes. At 18 years of age, he was diagnosed with bone cancer that claimed his right leg. They had to remove it six inches above the knee. While he was hospitalized, he was saddened at the suffering of so many children with cancer that he wanted to do something to raise awareness. Hence, he decided to run across Canada.

He dipped his toe in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Newfoundland and began his run. On one leg. He had gone just over 3300 miles when he became sick. Cancer had invaded his lungs. He died in 1981 at the age of 22. But, his legacy lives on. http://www.terryfox.org/Foundation/

This park was commemorating his legacy, and the statue there was beautiful
This is just a bit north of Thunder Bay.

We stayed the night, then crossed the border the next morning. As much as we love to travel, there is something about coming back home to America. Just past the border crossing, we stopped at a rest area, where the first thing we noticed was complete silence - no traffic, no motors, no music, no media, nothing except for a few chirps. Lake Superior was in the distance. I can't remember a time when there was absolutely no sound.
In Minnesota, we drove into a town named Grand Marais and saw a store named Viking Hus. We had to stop! In honor of Kerry's Danish (and Viking) heritage, we had to stop! We loved this shop and had to pick up a few things. Just down the street, we enjoyed lunch at a lakeside restaurant where whatever you ordered was fresh caught. I had walleye fish and cold slaw (in place of deep-fried "chips") and Kerry had a trout wrap. Both were delicious! I declared it was truly the best fish I had ever eaten!!

I got my fill of lighthouses. I love them so much...

I also love waterfalls. Along the highway, we noticed a sign for the Cross River. We couldn't figure out why a river would be so angry. But, we soon learned that in the mid-1800's, a Catholic priest and some Indian guides weathered a severe storm on the lake, and made it to shore at this spot. In order to show his gratitude to God, he erected a cross - a likeness of which stands today. There were some of the most lovely waterfalls ever...
After spending the night in Steven's Point, we stopped in Wild Rose, WI to visit a place we had stopped at three years ago. Back then, we just happened upon a gas station and sports shop by the name of Lauritzens! We had to stop! Right now, there doesn't seem to be a connection, but that doesn't mean there won't be. We bought a few items, looked over the guns and ammo and fishing tackle and lures and said our good-byes.
We were going to take a car ferry across Lake Michigan, but the cost would have been $218!!!! We just don't do those sorts of things - we're pretty frugal, especially when one can go on a Caribbean cruise for about $399. So, we kept on driving. We enjoyed pasties (pronounced with a short "a"), which is a local meat, potato, onion, carrot and rutabaga filled pie. So good!

For our last night, we camped at Indian Lake, which is outside of Manistique, MI. It was in the same campground my parents and I camped in forty years ago. Oh, how it brought back memories...
Those are little ducks on the morning we left.
We cross the Mackinac Bridge and headed home. It had been a good and relaxing and fun trip. Just before cross into Ohio, we stopped at Cabela's and wandered around through the store. If it sounds like I'm a bit into sports and such, don't be surprised. I always tagged along when my dad went into hardware stores, so I feel right at home in one. The same goes for sporting goods stores. My skills aren't the greatest, but that doesn't mean I don't love walking around in them.

Kerry and I had a lot of catching up to do when we got home. We picked up Eddie, who quickly forgave us for leaving him, went to the farmer's market, got the oil changed, went through the car wash to get the MILLIONS of bugs off our car, went to the store, drove to the other side of town to help out a friend, came home, and prepared lessons for church.

Yeah...it was good.

Till next week.........
Miss P