EASTERN FALL COLOR SUMMARY

DRIVE OUT • BACK EAST • DRIVE BACK

Day 1 - I headed out from Boulder, Colorado, toward Nebraska. My first stop was the Julesburg Colorado Welcome Center where I learned about the Pony Express. Outside, I made a friend at the picnic tables, and since he was basically homeless with nothing better to do, he agreed to come with me. I named him Jules. We then stopped in Gothenburg and visited one of the original Pony Express buildings and also a free historical museum. The Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center offered a welcome driving break. The cranes weren't around but they had a few bison (although it was naptime) and an amazing view of the Platte River. I was hoping to swing by the Stuhr Museum in Grand Island but I had forgotten about crossing into the Central time zone (thereby losing an hour). So instead I headed for Lincoln (Nebraska) where I stayed with Yvonne, a wonderful couchsurfer who is lettling me spend the night at her place... and also fed me a delicious meal! Total driving time today: 8 loooong hours!

Day 2 - In the morning, I took the Nebraska state capitol tour, enjoying the building's giant floor mosaic and a trip to the top of the tower. Then I climbed a Danish windmill in the tiny town of Elk Horn (Iowa). Next was a tour of the state's gorgeous capitol building in Des Moines. It is famous for its five domes (the center one we got to climb up into) and its incredible law library. I then drove out to Cedar Rapids where I spent the night with Teri, a wonderful couchsurfer who gave me her own room to sleep in!

Day 3 - My first stop was Cave of the Mounds in Wisconsin with its spectacular formations. I took a tour of the state's capitol building in Madison... along with a couple hundred school kids! Wisconsin is known as the "Badger State," so images of this feisty animal could be found everywhere. Here too we were allowed to view the city from the dome. I did a brief stop at the Lake Mills Aztalan Historical Society museum. It was comprised of several original buildings (settlers' homes, a church, an old school) as well as countless artifacts and an old Native American burial mound. I arrived in Port Washington as the light was fading to spend the weekend with my cousin and his wife.

Day 4 - After a lazy morning, I spent the afternoon walking around the charming little port city, including a stop to their weekly farmer's market. Fishermen lined the numerous piers. A stop at Union Cemetery provided an interesting look into the city's past as it was filled with old headstones from the late 1800's written in German. Lovely statues and stained glass windows filled St Mary's Church. But the tour of the city wasn't complete until a visit to the Light Station from 1860. Unlike a lighthouse, this was more of a location beacon than a warning of any danger. We learned about the life of the lightkeeper and even got to see the Fresnel lens.

Day 5 - In the morning I popped down to Milwaukee. Conveniently there was an enormous Native American festival happening along the waterfront with music, dancing, crafts, etc. I later joined my cousin and his wife on a short jaunt to Cedarburg with its historic downtown and amazing covered bridge (the only one in Wisconsin)!

Day 6 - I was going to visit the Ozaukee County Pioneer Village, but it didn't open until noon. Since I had a lot of ground to cover, I continued on my way up north. I made a brief stop at the Sheboygan harbor (mostly because it has such a fun name), then visited the impressive Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, including a tour of the submarine USS Cobia! It was a few more hours up to Munising where I met my friend, Dean, at the small local airfield. He had flown in. Instead of setting up tents, we slept inside on the floor of the small airfield house.

Day 7 - We spent the day driving around Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Park, enjoying numerous waterfalls, lakeshores, viewpoints, expansive dunes, and historic spots. Our journey led us to the small town of Grand Marias where we had a lovely dinner before heading back to Munising. Instead of the airfield, we opted for a motel room... complete with warm shower and cushy beds!

Day 8 - We climbed into Dean's 1948 Stinson 'Station Wagon' (yup, that's what it's called!) and flew past Pictured Rocks to Mackinac Island... I even got to take the controls for a bit! We spent the day wandering around the small, historic island. There are no cars allowed here... just bikes and horse-and-buggies. Our flight back involved a bit of rough weather and a smattering or rain. Again we decided to go the route of luxury and grabbed another night at the motel.

Day 9 - We cruised along the shores of Grand Island in a glass bottom boat, viewing several shallow shipwrecks. Incredible! After a lunch of pasties (traditional, hearty, filled pastries), I dropped Dean off at his plane and drove out to Tahquamenon Falls State Park. I strolled to the lower falls then set up my tent to beat the approaching storm.

Day 10 - The storm raged most of the night. Fortunately the tent stayed dry... although it did feel like sleeping on a waterbed! I wandered around the upper falls, then began my drive down south, starting by crossing Mackinac bridge. My first stop was the Cross in the Woods with its massive cross and highly impressive doll museum (all with traditional religious outfits). At Hartwick Pines State Park, I enjoyed a walk through an old pine forest and a logging museum. I couldn't resist a stop at Cops and Doughnuts in Clare before ending up at Lansing, where I spent stayed with Tod, a gracious and fun couchsurfer.

Day 11 - I got my own personal tour of the capitol building then began my drive to Canada. I made a quick stop to see how apple cider was made (including an amazingly delicious sample) then left Michigan via Port Huron. I arrived at my Niagara Falls motel in the evening.

Day 12 - I started the morning out with a soaking wet (in spite of the thin plastic ponchos they gave us) boat tour to the bottom of Horseshoe Falls. I then walked across a bridge to the States to experience Cave of the Winds, which involved standing at the base of Bridal Veil Falls and getting blasted with hurricane force winds and water! I returned to Canada where I enjoyed numerous more views of the waterfalls and several more fun activities, including a Daredevil museum that displayed several of the barrels people have used to go over the falls... not always successfully!

Day 13 - I left early, re-entering the USA via Buffalo (New York), and made my way down to Pennsylvania. In Ashland, I took a small train deep into a coal mine to learn all about this dangerous profession. I fought my way through heavy construction and traffic for another hour or two until arriving at my destination of Allentown where I plan to stay with family for a week or so.

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