Tuesday, October 26, 2010
hello everyone
This will be short but sweet for right now. I am in Dublin,Virginia and have been here since Friday. I want everyone to know yes I am alive and im ok. My Uncle Bill doesnt have internet at his house so I have not been able to get online. I will write more later and let everyone know what I have been up to. I am leaving here on Thursday cause there is tornado watches in the area for now and thunderstorms for tomorrow. Then im heading to Flordia to visit my cousin. After that I will be heading home to Nevada. I have had alot of fun here and really dont want to leave it's so pretty here.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Getting Lincolnfide (it wasnt a word but it is now) in Illinios
Let's all have a shout out of Hell's Ya! I didn't freeze last night, actually it was nice outside. I slept in today and then after getting up and making my instant coffee headed out to become one with Abe Lincoln.
So first I head over to the Lincoln Home. Where Lincoln, his wife and 4 sons lived ( later 3 when Eddie died). They all lived there before he became President. It was cool to tour the house and they had some stuff that was the original, like his bed,carpet, photo viewer, desk and some other stuff. You can then walk around to see other homes of back in that era. There is also a field that shows where one of the Underground Railroads to help free the slaves would have been. It was only like 5 houses down from Abe's.
It was cool to see that but the best is now coming up...
So after leaving there I went to the Lincoln Museum which was Awesome! I think everyone should go there. The Ranger from yesterday was right this place was cool. The two theatre's that they have are way cool. I won't tell you everything cause I want you to go there but one theatre your seats and stuff move and in the other it looks like a real guy talking to you but at the end you know it was just fake. It was crazy. They also have a reproduction of what his boyhood home would have looked like and then you go in and theres this huge display of things he did before going into the White House. Did you know he was 1 of 4 people running and he barely won as the President? Also his own home town of Springfield didn't give him the majority of the votes for their area. O and he was our 16th President. He also helped make the 13th amendment to the Constitution. I learned so much there. The also had a reproduction of the White House and his time in there from the start all the way until his death by Booth and his funeral. They have lots of real stuff that was his like gloves that he had in his back pocket when he was shot that still have blood on them and the fan his wife Mary had that also had blood on it. It was just way cool. I could go for days on everything that was there but for $12 I recommend you see it yourself it's worth all $12. O and the Lincoln home is free to tour. They don't make Abe look like he was always loved cause he wasn't, actually people didn't really like him but one he was dead then everyone liked him and started keeping his stuff and running tours. I was there for 4 hours and that was none stop off looking and reading everything. I know right, 4 hours but seriously it didn't even feel like it. Sorry I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the actual stuff you mostly can only take pictures of what I have otherwise no photo's allowed.
After leaving there I hurried up to drive to his tomb where Abe, his wife Mary,and 3 of his sons are buried. His son Robert is buried in Arlington, Virginia.
IT was also cool to see. It's free and you can walk around it then walk inside to see where he is buried and then the burials of his wife and sons are in the wall with their names engraved.
By the end I was ready to go back to camp and chill. My brain was on overdrive from all this learning haha. So I went to leave the cemetery and guess what I got lost and o' no not just once but 3 let me repeat 3 times. All of them in the ghetto or bad sections of town. Let me just say that I was probably the only white person in a 5 mile radius. If I was a cop I could have busted 3 drunk in public and 2 drug bust. I didn't dare ask for directions cause I probably would have been mugged. It was honestly pretty dang scary. I would have taken pictures of what the homes looked like but again I was afraid they might have thought I was a spy or something and shot at me. How did I get lost, well most of the streets are one way only so I had to find the streets going in my directions and when I would it would end cause of construction and say detour but really it was not a detour but a death trap. I wanted to scream I was so mad.
Finally when I got out of there and found my way to what looked familiar I went and ate at Cozy Dogs, home of the original Corn Dog. Again I saw it on Man vs Food and it was really good dogs. I took them back to my camp and sat my the fire thinking when can I get out of this town.
I know I have family in Illinois and all that but really I can care less if I ever come back here again. The people are rude and not like Cali busy rude but like we are better then you rude. If I could have gotten away with smacking some people for the looks or how they talked to me I would have. At this moment I just wanted to go back to Iowa or South Dakota where the people are so nice.
Thank goodness im leaving tomorrow.
Miles Gone Today 33 (long miles felt like I went a hundred)
So first I head over to the Lincoln Home. Where Lincoln, his wife and 4 sons lived ( later 3 when Eddie died). They all lived there before he became President. It was cool to tour the house and they had some stuff that was the original, like his bed,carpet, photo viewer, desk and some other stuff. You can then walk around to see other homes of back in that era. There is also a field that shows where one of the Underground Railroads to help free the slaves would have been. It was only like 5 houses down from Abe's.
It was cool to see that but the best is now coming up...
So after leaving there I went to the Lincoln Museum which was Awesome! I think everyone should go there. The Ranger from yesterday was right this place was cool. The two theatre's that they have are way cool. I won't tell you everything cause I want you to go there but one theatre your seats and stuff move and in the other it looks like a real guy talking to you but at the end you know it was just fake. It was crazy. They also have a reproduction of what his boyhood home would have looked like and then you go in and theres this huge display of things he did before going into the White House. Did you know he was 1 of 4 people running and he barely won as the President? Also his own home town of Springfield didn't give him the majority of the votes for their area. O and he was our 16th President. He also helped make the 13th amendment to the Constitution. I learned so much there. The also had a reproduction of the White House and his time in there from the start all the way until his death by Booth and his funeral. They have lots of real stuff that was his like gloves that he had in his back pocket when he was shot that still have blood on them and the fan his wife Mary had that also had blood on it. It was just way cool. I could go for days on everything that was there but for $12 I recommend you see it yourself it's worth all $12. O and the Lincoln home is free to tour. They don't make Abe look like he was always loved cause he wasn't, actually people didn't really like him but one he was dead then everyone liked him and started keeping his stuff and running tours. I was there for 4 hours and that was none stop off looking and reading everything. I know right, 4 hours but seriously it didn't even feel like it. Sorry I wasn't allowed to take pictures of the actual stuff you mostly can only take pictures of what I have otherwise no photo's allowed.
After leaving there I hurried up to drive to his tomb where Abe, his wife Mary,and 3 of his sons are buried. His son Robert is buried in Arlington, Virginia.
IT was also cool to see. It's free and you can walk around it then walk inside to see where he is buried and then the burials of his wife and sons are in the wall with their names engraved.
By the end I was ready to go back to camp and chill. My brain was on overdrive from all this learning haha. So I went to leave the cemetery and guess what I got lost and o' no not just once but 3 let me repeat 3 times. All of them in the ghetto or bad sections of town. Let me just say that I was probably the only white person in a 5 mile radius. If I was a cop I could have busted 3 drunk in public and 2 drug bust. I didn't dare ask for directions cause I probably would have been mugged. It was honestly pretty dang scary. I would have taken pictures of what the homes looked like but again I was afraid they might have thought I was a spy or something and shot at me. How did I get lost, well most of the streets are one way only so I had to find the streets going in my directions and when I would it would end cause of construction and say detour but really it was not a detour but a death trap. I wanted to scream I was so mad.
Finally when I got out of there and found my way to what looked familiar I went and ate at Cozy Dogs, home of the original Corn Dog. Again I saw it on Man vs Food and it was really good dogs. I took them back to my camp and sat my the fire thinking when can I get out of this town.
I know I have family in Illinois and all that but really I can care less if I ever come back here again. The people are rude and not like Cali busy rude but like we are better then you rude. If I could have gotten away with smacking some people for the looks or how they talked to me I would have. At this moment I just wanted to go back to Iowa or South Dakota where the people are so nice.
Thank goodness im leaving tomorrow.
Miles Gone Today 33 (long miles felt like I went a hundred)
 |
| a view down the road going to town from the koa |
 |
| a room in the Lincoln house with his photo viewer |
 |
| Lincoln's original desk and may be dresser also |
 |
| The original Lincoln home before he went to DC |
 |
| site for underground railroad |
 |
| outside of museum |
 |
| white house area in museum |
 |
| Abe's home growing up area |
 |
| Abe with his family (remember one son past away already) |
 |
| Lincoln and his families burial plot |
 |
| Lincoln's family history |
 |
| Abe's tomb |
 |
| Good Corn Dogs |
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Herbert Hoover in Iowa to KOA in Illinios
Well folks not much really happened today. I left Cedar Rapids,Iowa and headed over to the Herbert Hoover NHS. If some of you don't know he was our 31st President of the United States. Honestly I didn't remember him either, but I did learn some interesting facts about him. Like he was a Quaker and was big with the Boys Club and just giving back. I toured the home that he was raised in and the community hall/church he attended. I also got to see where his wife and him are buried in West Branch,Iowa. I didn't go to his museum or library. I will save that for another time. I got talking to a Ranger there that had worked in the Santa Monica NRA before and he said that if it was between the Hoover or Lincoln Museum he would chose the Lincoln. (Which ended up being a good call, cause I didn't want to see both museums within two days) The Ranger was awesome he also told me to drive the Alaskan highway one day, and that him and his family just did it this August and the roads are fine they didn't have any trouble. That was awesome because I have always wanted to drive the Alaskan highway and now I really can't wait. Going to Alaska period would be a dream come true. ( Has you have probably noticed by now I have alot of dreams that concern travelling). O at the Hoover place there is a sculpture by a Belgian artist named Putteman caused Isis- The Goddess of Life. It's weird looking she has a veil on and also whoever posed for the sculpture must have been cold cause the woman is pretty nippily if you know what I mean.
It was cool though to see the leaves changing on some of the trees. Most of the trees I have seen so far all their leaves have already fallen off but there is still some that have leaves still on them. The colors are awesome to see.
So after I left the Herbert Hoover area I just drove to my KOA site in Springfield, Illinois. It was out in the middle of no where. At first I thought you have to be kidding me but then it ended up being alright. The first person I talk to in Illinois ends up being one of the KOA owners and right away he walks out and says " You know how I know your from California?" and I say "Ya cause my license plate says California" ( thinking Duh) and he says " Well that too but its because California is the only place that takes up the whole license plate with letters and numbers" ( And with a look of ok dude whatever, I was thinking just cause your state only has like 200 people and each gets a number). I was like "O I never thought about that" and walked away. His wife was just has weird. Actually the whole place is weird. I already can't wait to leave this state, and I still have another day here.
O by the way sorry im late on posting because the KOA said they have wi-fi and they didn't. The lady got mad at me that I would expect Wi-Fi (well ya I do especially since it said it would) and that I should just enjoy the outdoors. If only she knew how much i've been enjoying the outdoors.
Miles Gone Today 280
It was cool though to see the leaves changing on some of the trees. Most of the trees I have seen so far all their leaves have already fallen off but there is still some that have leaves still on them. The colors are awesome to see.
So after I left the Herbert Hoover area I just drove to my KOA site in Springfield, Illinois. It was out in the middle of no where. At first I thought you have to be kidding me but then it ended up being alright. The first person I talk to in Illinois ends up being one of the KOA owners and right away he walks out and says " You know how I know your from California?" and I say "Ya cause my license plate says California" ( thinking Duh) and he says " Well that too but its because California is the only place that takes up the whole license plate with letters and numbers" ( And with a look of ok dude whatever, I was thinking just cause your state only has like 200 people and each gets a number). I was like "O I never thought about that" and walked away. His wife was just has weird. Actually the whole place is weird. I already can't wait to leave this state, and I still have another day here.
O by the way sorry im late on posting because the KOA said they have wi-fi and they didn't. The lady got mad at me that I would expect Wi-Fi (well ya I do especially since it said it would) and that I should just enjoy the outdoors. If only she knew how much i've been enjoying the outdoors.
Miles Gone Today 280
 |
| The first home that Hoover lived in |
 |
| The blacksmith shop that Hoover's dad Jesse owned |
 |
| Isis the Goddess of Life ( and cold weather haha) |
 |
| a tree losing it's leaves but has some color left |
 |
| you cant really see it but this tree has green, brown and orange leaves |
 |
| Mr and Mrs Hoover's tombs |
 |
| our 31st President |
 |
| Herberts wife |
 |
| Welcome to Illinios |
Monday, October 18, 2010
Laura Ingalls vs "If you build it they will come"
So does they title give the things I did today away? No, well then folks you need to watch more tv and movies.
Last night when I was driving to my hotel I saw a Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum about 11 miles outside of town. I thought I so have to go there. Considering I read the books has a kid and then later when I got Tivo I recorded every episode of Little House on the Prairie. I know I know nerdy but I don't care I love that show.
The museum is in Burr Oak,IA a small town. I was lucky once again to get my own private tour with this lady. Once again I didn't get her name. She gave me lots of interesting information on Laura Ingalls and about the other places that she lived and what each of those museums have. I have now decided that once I am done with this roadtrip that will be a next one, where I go to all the places she lived and where she is buried. In the books they don't talk really about Burr Oak but her parents had moved them there and worked in a hotel/restaurant. Also her sister Grace was born there. I got talking to the tour guide lady and her husband is a farmer there. She told me that the reason why the corn looks dead but that they are harvesting it is because its for feed and gas in cars not for humans. I thought that was pretty interesting. The corn is used for the ethanol gas for our cars and they also feed the cows and other animals with the rest. The museum is $7.00 for the tour, only worth it if you are interested in Laura Ingalls and her family.
So after my 1hr turned 1 1/2 tour (cause we were talking about UPS and how her husband was a driver for them and what happened to us) I headed out back on the road.
I went to Effigy Mounds NM by McGregor,IA. Back in the day Indians used it has a ceremonial,burial and food gathering place. They would make these mounds shaped like animals. I got a picture from the visitor center but in the video it says that you can see the mounds but you cant really make out what they are unless from the air. Sooo I decided not to walk the 2 mile hike up hill for about 1/2 of it just to reach the first mound of 8 or maybe it was 9 and not be able to get a picture of what it really is. Maybe after I lose o alot of weight and then walk more I will be more excited about walking 2 miles up hill. They did have some cool arrowheads and bowls that they found there. I also saw my first glimpse of the Mississippi River.
I headed out again on the 52 to the 136. It was a really pretty drive and not only is there tons of cornfields but alot of cool small towns. You also drive by some parts of the Mississippi River. All I kept thinking was all this corn is for cars and cows. That's alot of freakin corn. I also thought this is America, right here. This is like the heart or what America when I think of it is. Friendly,small town,hard working people. The kinda place where the neighbors all help each other, they leave their doors unlocked and always wave when you drive by, they even talk like your an old friend. Maybe I can't explain it right and I am not in anyways saying everywhere else is not America just when you drive down these country roads you get that all American feeling. It's hard to explain and maybe you wont think that way when you drive down that road but thats what I thought.
So anyways speaking of American what is more American than the movie Field of Dreams. Everyone remember that movie? Well I went there. The movie was filmed on a farm next to the town Dyersville,IA. The Lansings(who have owned the land for over 100 years and still farm it) kept the baseball field there and the house was the owners dad (it might have been the grandpa, sorry will have to check my paper and let you know for sure). While it was being filmed the dad moved into a trailer. Today they were taking down the corn in the field. It looked still exactly like on the movie. Its Free to see it (which again Free is always good) and you can play baseball there. There was a family there from out of town who brought stuff to play ball with. You can't tour the house since they still live there but you can play the field, walk around and buy a souvenir. There is also information on how that farm was chosen and about the family and making of the movie. I thought it was pretty cool. O and I gotta say this, this lady and I were standing waiting to pay for our souvenirs when this other lady came up and let out the biggest loudest fart I have ever heard in my life. It was so loud and long it sounded like she was deflating, and then she walked away. The lady and I at the same time just looked at each other like can you believe that and I was like O my Gosh she just crop dusted us. We laughed and were like whatever. Seriously lady just cause we are surrounded by corn fields doesn't mean we need to be crop dusted too. I had to share it will you cause it was well weird. I would understand if she had the old people walking farts but this was way bad and it wasn't just a little puff. And Kate no Kevin Costner was not there, sorry.
So now im in Cedar Rapids for the night and heading out tomorrow. Just not sure of all my plans yet. I had a nice day today not only with the drive but getting to see a old home of Laura Ingalls and then the Field of Dreams.
Miles Gone Today
Last night when I was driving to my hotel I saw a Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum about 11 miles outside of town. I thought I so have to go there. Considering I read the books has a kid and then later when I got Tivo I recorded every episode of Little House on the Prairie. I know I know nerdy but I don't care I love that show.
The museum is in Burr Oak,IA a small town. I was lucky once again to get my own private tour with this lady. Once again I didn't get her name. She gave me lots of interesting information on Laura Ingalls and about the other places that she lived and what each of those museums have. I have now decided that once I am done with this roadtrip that will be a next one, where I go to all the places she lived and where she is buried. In the books they don't talk really about Burr Oak but her parents had moved them there and worked in a hotel/restaurant. Also her sister Grace was born there. I got talking to the tour guide lady and her husband is a farmer there. She told me that the reason why the corn looks dead but that they are harvesting it is because its for feed and gas in cars not for humans. I thought that was pretty interesting. The corn is used for the ethanol gas for our cars and they also feed the cows and other animals with the rest. The museum is $7.00 for the tour, only worth it if you are interested in Laura Ingalls and her family.
So after my 1hr turned 1 1/2 tour (cause we were talking about UPS and how her husband was a driver for them and what happened to us) I headed out back on the road.
I went to Effigy Mounds NM by McGregor,IA. Back in the day Indians used it has a ceremonial,burial and food gathering place. They would make these mounds shaped like animals. I got a picture from the visitor center but in the video it says that you can see the mounds but you cant really make out what they are unless from the air. Sooo I decided not to walk the 2 mile hike up hill for about 1/2 of it just to reach the first mound of 8 or maybe it was 9 and not be able to get a picture of what it really is. Maybe after I lose o alot of weight and then walk more I will be more excited about walking 2 miles up hill. They did have some cool arrowheads and bowls that they found there. I also saw my first glimpse of the Mississippi River.
I headed out again on the 52 to the 136. It was a really pretty drive and not only is there tons of cornfields but alot of cool small towns. You also drive by some parts of the Mississippi River. All I kept thinking was all this corn is for cars and cows. That's alot of freakin corn. I also thought this is America, right here. This is like the heart or what America when I think of it is. Friendly,small town,hard working people. The kinda place where the neighbors all help each other, they leave their doors unlocked and always wave when you drive by, they even talk like your an old friend. Maybe I can't explain it right and I am not in anyways saying everywhere else is not America just when you drive down these country roads you get that all American feeling. It's hard to explain and maybe you wont think that way when you drive down that road but thats what I thought.
So anyways speaking of American what is more American than the movie Field of Dreams. Everyone remember that movie? Well I went there. The movie was filmed on a farm next to the town Dyersville,IA. The Lansings(who have owned the land for over 100 years and still farm it) kept the baseball field there and the house was the owners dad (it might have been the grandpa, sorry will have to check my paper and let you know for sure). While it was being filmed the dad moved into a trailer. Today they were taking down the corn in the field. It looked still exactly like on the movie. Its Free to see it (which again Free is always good) and you can play baseball there. There was a family there from out of town who brought stuff to play ball with. You can't tour the house since they still live there but you can play the field, walk around and buy a souvenir. There is also information on how that farm was chosen and about the family and making of the movie. I thought it was pretty cool. O and I gotta say this, this lady and I were standing waiting to pay for our souvenirs when this other lady came up and let out the biggest loudest fart I have ever heard in my life. It was so loud and long it sounded like she was deflating, and then she walked away. The lady and I at the same time just looked at each other like can you believe that and I was like O my Gosh she just crop dusted us. We laughed and were like whatever. Seriously lady just cause we are surrounded by corn fields doesn't mean we need to be crop dusted too. I had to share it will you cause it was well weird. I would understand if she had the old people walking farts but this was way bad and it wasn't just a little puff. And Kate no Kevin Costner was not there, sorry.
So now im in Cedar Rapids for the night and heading out tomorrow. Just not sure of all my plans yet. I had a nice day today not only with the drive but getting to see a old home of Laura Ingalls and then the Field of Dreams.
Miles Gone Today
 |
| Laura Ingalls when she was older |
 |
| Laura's Pa and Ma |
 |
| Laura with 2 of her sisters |
 |
| Laura's husband Almanzo |
 |
| The old hotel and restaurant (its bigger inside then what it looks like) |
 |
| At Effigy Mounds NM (what the mounds would have looked like from the air) |
 |
| Arrowheads found in the area at Effigy Mounds |
 |
| my first look at the Mississippi River |
A barge on the Mississippi River
 |
| Mississippi River |
 |
| The house from Field of Dreams |
 |
| You build it and they will come-baseball field |
 |
| the house again |
 |
| me at the baseball field |
 |
| the bleachers with the house in the back |
 |
| the family harvesting their corn crop |
 |
| what it looks like from the air |
Video of the area around Field of Dreams
 |
| for those of you wanting to know about my book this is the front |
 |
| each state has parks that you get your book stamped at |
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Part Two
So where was I o' ya after my laundry I hit the road. I have more room in my car now that I sorted out stuff to put in my top carrier and got rid of both bags of wood.
So off I headed on the I-90, and I want to tell you something exciting that happened but to bad there was nothing. Actually right when I crossed into Minnesota I first thought dang I didn't get a picture of the sign( it came up to fast and was a rock, how was I suppose to know that was their welcome sign) and then my second thought was am I in Iowa already, cause all I saw was corn fields. At first I thought these were dead cornfields but apparently not cause at night they were cutting them and trucks were being loaded. So anyways I looked to my left-cornfields, I look to my right-cornfields I saw more cornfields today then I have probably seen in my whole life span.
So here I was driving down the freeway and decided O' theres a National Monument in Minnesota only 30 miles out of my way (60 road trip) so I hurry up and get off onto the MN-23 and though it was a nice drive it was only all cornfields.
So I get to Pipestone NM ( not knowing what kind of National Monument it was) and actually it was pretty cool. Its actually scared ground to the Indians(all different tribes) that use the pipestone( the red rock) to make their peace or ceremonial pipes out of. Indians today still quarry( have a piece of area that they dig for pipestone). Some of the work that they do is really pretty but very expensive ( well at least to me anyways). It's all hand carved so I would charge alot to. All my ass could afford was a keychain to scrapbook later on. But it was very interesting and to know they can still go there today.
They have a path to a waterfall there but since it was so cold I opted out, sorry folks I chose warmth over pictures. I did get out and take pictures of these rocks called the Three Maidens which the Indians say that the Maidens require you to make offerings to them before you can quarry for pipestone.
The visitor center has alot of information and there was even a guy named Travis there that was making pipes and other stuff and you can watch him doing it.
So after I left I decided to head out and take the US-75 back to the I-90. Well here was a change of pace road. So first I drive and I see cornfields of course but then BAM a whole bunch of Bison in a fields right in the middle of these cornfields. So I go to pull over and then where I decided to pull over(to turn around and take pictures) is the tiniest Church I have ever seen. I thought I would not fit but I did and it's cute inside. It has 4 pews in it with bibles and a welcome sign in sheet. All this right in the middle of all these cornfields. Needless to say I was pretty excited I got to see something new. Outside of the church was two picnic benches ( I guess so you can sit and watch the corn grow). Both things are not far outside of the town of Luverne,MN so even if you are just on I-90 you can get off and drive maybe 3 miles outside of town and they will be on your left, you would see the church 1st and then the bison 2nd if coming from I-90.
So after taking some pictures I headed back on the road. Sorry folks nothing more exciting happened. I wish that something did but all it was was cornfields and then when it got dark I could still make out that all there was was cornfields. I did see some farmers harvesting at night so once in awhile I saw lights out there but other then that nothing.
O' wait welcome to Amish country. I saw my first caution Amish buggy sign and I was so excited. I haven't seen one of those since I was in Wisconsin after High School.
I do want to make a note for those that don't know about the stamp books or what im talking about. When I was little my parents started taking us each summer to different National Parks, Monuments, Historical Sites and Recreation Areas. There is a National Passport Book that when you go to these places you get your book stamped. My goal is to one day see them all. There is no prize or award for seeing them all just a goal for myself. I always say God can't take me until I get my last stamp.
Thought of the day: Why make a to do list when you forget to do everything on the list. I stopped at walmart to get some stuff and the one thing I needed the most-conditioner was the one thing I forgot to get. I need to make a to do list just to remind me to read my real to do list. So back to Walmart I will go.Ps and another thing (men maybe you can explain this to me) why is it that gas for regular unleaded is more expensive then super unleaded or xtra blend? And can I put super unleaded in my Kia 2001 Sportage? Seriously I would like to know cause out here Regular unleaded is the more expensive.
Miles Gone Today 415
So off I headed on the I-90, and I want to tell you something exciting that happened but to bad there was nothing. Actually right when I crossed into Minnesota I first thought dang I didn't get a picture of the sign( it came up to fast and was a rock, how was I suppose to know that was their welcome sign) and then my second thought was am I in Iowa already, cause all I saw was corn fields. At first I thought these were dead cornfields but apparently not cause at night they were cutting them and trucks were being loaded. So anyways I looked to my left-cornfields, I look to my right-cornfields I saw more cornfields today then I have probably seen in my whole life span.
So here I was driving down the freeway and decided O' theres a National Monument in Minnesota only 30 miles out of my way (60 road trip) so I hurry up and get off onto the MN-23 and though it was a nice drive it was only all cornfields.
So I get to Pipestone NM ( not knowing what kind of National Monument it was) and actually it was pretty cool. Its actually scared ground to the Indians(all different tribes) that use the pipestone( the red rock) to make their peace or ceremonial pipes out of. Indians today still quarry( have a piece of area that they dig for pipestone). Some of the work that they do is really pretty but very expensive ( well at least to me anyways). It's all hand carved so I would charge alot to. All my ass could afford was a keychain to scrapbook later on. But it was very interesting and to know they can still go there today.
They have a path to a waterfall there but since it was so cold I opted out, sorry folks I chose warmth over pictures. I did get out and take pictures of these rocks called the Three Maidens which the Indians say that the Maidens require you to make offerings to them before you can quarry for pipestone.
The visitor center has alot of information and there was even a guy named Travis there that was making pipes and other stuff and you can watch him doing it.
So after I left I decided to head out and take the US-75 back to the I-90. Well here was a change of pace road. So first I drive and I see cornfields of course but then BAM a whole bunch of Bison in a fields right in the middle of these cornfields. So I go to pull over and then where I decided to pull over(to turn around and take pictures) is the tiniest Church I have ever seen. I thought I would not fit but I did and it's cute inside. It has 4 pews in it with bibles and a welcome sign in sheet. All this right in the middle of all these cornfields. Needless to say I was pretty excited I got to see something new. Outside of the church was two picnic benches ( I guess so you can sit and watch the corn grow). Both things are not far outside of the town of Luverne,MN so even if you are just on I-90 you can get off and drive maybe 3 miles outside of town and they will be on your left, you would see the church 1st and then the bison 2nd if coming from I-90.
So after taking some pictures I headed back on the road. Sorry folks nothing more exciting happened. I wish that something did but all it was was cornfields and then when it got dark I could still make out that all there was was cornfields. I did see some farmers harvesting at night so once in awhile I saw lights out there but other then that nothing.
O' wait welcome to Amish country. I saw my first caution Amish buggy sign and I was so excited. I haven't seen one of those since I was in Wisconsin after High School.
I do want to make a note for those that don't know about the stamp books or what im talking about. When I was little my parents started taking us each summer to different National Parks, Monuments, Historical Sites and Recreation Areas. There is a National Passport Book that when you go to these places you get your book stamped. My goal is to one day see them all. There is no prize or award for seeing them all just a goal for myself. I always say God can't take me until I get my last stamp.
Thought of the day: Why make a to do list when you forget to do everything on the list. I stopped at walmart to get some stuff and the one thing I needed the most-conditioner was the one thing I forgot to get. I need to make a to do list just to remind me to read my real to do list. So back to Walmart I will go.Ps and another thing (men maybe you can explain this to me) why is it that gas for regular unleaded is more expensive then super unleaded or xtra blend? And can I put super unleaded in my Kia 2001 Sportage? Seriously I would like to know cause out here Regular unleaded is the more expensive.
Miles Gone Today 415
 |
| see the gas prices? someone help me |
 |
| what I saw all day driving Corn fields |
 |
| a canoe made out of pipestone |
 |
| Pipes made out of Pipestone( not for smoking weed folks) |
 |
| Ceremonial Pipes |
 |
| no comment :) |
 |
| The Three Maidens |
 |
| a big pond behind the Three Maidens |
 |
| hey guess what more corn fields |
 |
| Bison |
 |
| Big Bison |
 |
| baby Bison |
 |
| Tiny Church |
 |
| When you walk in this is what you see |
 |
| and this is the view if you walk to the front and turn around |
 |
| the town of Luverne must smell the Bison cause they even made this sign |
 |
| Amish Country now |
 |
| Iowa welcomes us |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)