This will be a quick update, because today was overcast and threatening, with light rain falling all afternoon, so the top stayed up all day. We had a very strong thunderstorm last night that woke me up, and it was apparently associated with tornados that struck Devils Lake, North Dakota, where I passed through yesterday! In fact, I saw a Tornado Chaser vehicle somewhere on the road yesterday, heading west, so I guess they knew what was coming. Glad the tornados didn't make it to Minnesota! I have been really fortunate, weather wise for this trip. Every day, except for today, has been perfectly clear, with great top down weather. I have the tan to prove it. :} I did have the occasional sprinkle that caused me to briefly put the top up, but over all, there were only 3 nights when I was awakened with a passing thunderstorm.
On to today. As usual, I asked Garmin to tell me what to expect:
Forgot to add a couple pics. The headwaters of the Mississippi are near here, but I did not go there. But, the river flows through Grand Rapids, and it's a bit narrower than it is down-stream, say, in St. Louis. So, before I left, I took these pics:
This was a statue in the park beside the river bridge.
For some reason, Minnesota and Wisconsin make it impossible to take a photo of their state sign with your car, so I have no photographic proof that I was in those states, but, trust me, I was!.
Today was my first sighting of Lake Superior at Duluth, and it was quite imposing to see what is now called the rust belt of the US. Unfortunately, no pics. Michigan, however, was welcoming, though I had to park near inches off a merge ramp to get these pics:
What, exactly, is "Pure Michigan," though?
Anyway, I am on the north shore of Lake Michigan on the Upper Peninsula, and was able to grab a couple pics of the lake. Quite impressive with the on shore breeze.
I didn't realize the Big Boy chain was still around, but guess it is:
And today's final GPS reading:
Tomorrow, I'm off to Toledo, with a lunch and beer stop at DLQ Dave's. It'll be good to see him and Donna!
This was also a long day, which involved crossing back into the US. I must say that the Canadian Border Guards are much more pleasant to deal with than ours. Today yielded some pleasant surprises, but first, the GPS reading, which, for the second day in a row, I agreed to follow its guidance.
Note that it's back in American-speak since we will be ending in the States. :)
At the border, I had noticed a little note on my AAA maps: International Peace Garden. WELL. So glad I took this route. The following are a whole bunch of photos of this phenomenal place, which should particularly be of interest to my gardener friends: Bea and Sharyn, and my photo friends, Lainey and Patty. I'm sure the 4 of you (and others, could have easily spent hours and hours exploring these grounds, but I just didn't have the time!) I apologize for any duplicate photos.
Sadly, the monument pictured above is deteriorating, and will soon have to be destroyed, as noted in these pics:
So, after leaving the Peace Garden, it was on to North Dakota, the third in my bucket list state:
While not the world's largest ball of string, I found that the Geographical Center of North America was interesting, and someone even volunteered to take my ugly mug in Rugby, ND:
The next state on my bucket list is the one I'm in now, Minnesota, however the state-line marker on a bridge above the road so I was unable to get a photo as I quickly passed under. I'll try to find a remedy tomorrow, as well as a photo of the headwaters of the Mississippi, as I continue on my journey!
Ending GPS photo tells today's tale:
Trying to catch up on my posts. This was a very, very long day. First of all, I stopped by the local Honda dealer in Medicine Hat to see if I could get an oil change squeezed in, since I was overdue for one. They were very accommodating to me and after a wait of about an hour and a half, I was out the door. Surprisingly, even with Canadian dollars, it was cheaper than I had been paying at my local dealer in Dover, Delaware. With the current exchange rate, it was way cheaper! Let's hear it for the Canucks!
As an aside, while waiting for the oil change, I struck up a conversation with a nice retired gentleman who was also waiting for his car. When he found out I was from the States, his first question to me was, "With 360 million people in your country, is this the best 2 that you could find to run for president?" I have to agree with him. :) Anyway, we had a very nice conversation until my car was complete. I just wonder, how many Americans are as aware of Canadian politics as Canadians are of ours???\
So, after paying the bill, and programming the GPS, it was off to Brandon, Manitoba, on the Trans-Canada Highway 1, a 4-lane road, similar to our Interstates, but with much less traffic. Since this was across the Canadian prairies, I don't have many photos to share, except for the GPS beginning photo and the provincial signs:
Got to check off another province, Saskatchewan: (too bad someone had to deface the sign)
And the third province I had never been to, Manitoba, probably the nicest provincial sign I encountered on the trip:
I have been so fortunate to have had absolutely wonderful weather for the entire trip. I think this was the 3rd day in a row that I was able to travel all day top down!
Ending the day in Brandon, the GPS read this: Oh, I followed its guidance all day today. :)
Note that the readings are all in Metric. After all, we're in Canada!
