Bemidji Trip - Day 12

I slept in this morning, but the kids went with Dad to experience a "historical morning" at the Josiah Dennis Manse (that also, I guess, included a stop at The Barn and Company). In the afternoon, Nicky and the kids (and I) went out for to explore. [We had lunch at Friendly's (always nice).] We visited Grammy, the Brewster Mill and the Old Brewster Store. When we stopped at Bonnie's house, she offered for us to swim in her (warmer) pool - so we stayed for a while (got to see Bryan, too). [Back to Dad's house in time for one of his cookouts.]

Bemidji Trip - Day 11

Left around (0830) and drove over to Albany. Got gas in Fultonville, New York (0945L) and continued on I-90 until we hit I-84. Drove south (on I-87?) and got off the Interstate near West Point, NY. Had a picnic lunch at the campus - on the river - and explored. Crossed the river and made our way into Connecticut - got on I-95. Arrived on Cape Cod just after dark... Dad and Beth were waiting to put us up for a few days.

Bemidji Trip - Day 10

Took the scenic route to get to the Falls today. Before driving to the waterfalls, we made a side trip into Niagara-on-the-Lake (AKA Old Niagara). Nicky and I had visited before (see JUN 1997) and we really liked the area. Nicky visited several stores: one called "Cute Shop" for souvenirs and clothes (1255L), one called "The Prospect (1305L) and one called "Just Christmas" for nice ornaments (1330L). As we drove out of the town, we stopped at a few wineries to see if we could buys some ice wine, which we tried and liked last time - but it has REALLY skyrocketed in price! It's a shame, since we wanted to take some home. I was not going to pay $50 a bottle, though... We then continued to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls - and found it to be extremely crowded (things sure have changed since our previous visits)! I dropped Nicky off so she could pick up some souvenirs at the Skylon Tower (1530L) - we couldn't even get a close parking spot this time! When she came back, I gave up trying to park and we drove over to the New York side (no problems at border). We learned this evening that Niagara Falls State Park (1700L) is a pleasant, quiet and less busy place to view the waterfall. The kids were impressed by how close they could get - we threw leaves and sticks into the water and watched them fall! We had dinner in a State Park restaurant ("Top of the Falls") - from our perch, it still looked very crowded on the other side... It wasn't dark when we departed - and we got on I-90 without much trouble. Got some gas in West Henrietta, New York. After that, we continued east for the rest of the evening until we were only about 35 miles west of Albany. Found a hotel (Rodeway Inn), just off the Interstate, in Palatine Bridge, New York (2300L).

Bemidji Trip - Day 9

Woke up early - visited for most of the day with Leslie. She took us downtown near where my Great-Grandparents lived in Rochester, MI. We walked around for several hours, visiting a park with great wildlife and playgrounds. Topped off the day with a visit to the first Dairy Queen I had ever visited (when I was a little kid - we used to come here nearly every summer). After freshening up back at Leslie's, we drove over into Ontario - want to make Niagara Falls tomorrow... Had some big-time trouble trying to cross the border - we didn't bring kids' birth certificates and had to listen to a long lecture from the border crossing agent at the Canadian crossing. We'll do better next time. Made it to our hotel, the Residence Inn in London, Ontario. We had dinner at the Magnolia Lane Restaurant (finished at 2130L). On that way back to the hotel, I noticed that the Labatt Brewery was close by! Nicky bought me a BIG bottle to celebrate...

Bemidji Trip - Day 8

Woke up around 0730 (I was VERY tired!) and got gas in Gaylord (0810L) while Nicky was checking out of the Quality Inn (0815L). After everyone was in the car, we headed south to pay a visit to my cousin, Leslie, who lives near Detroit. It was a good drive and we found her home around noon. She took us over to see Aunt Francis - it was the first time she had ever seen the kids. We relaxed in the afternoon and then went over to Lynne's for a cookout. The kids enjoyed the nice weather and had a great time playing outside while we visited. They like Leslie's dog, Jazz, too! Went to bed kind of early...

Bemidji Trip - Day 7

Left Bemidji this morning and drove east on US-2. After just over an hour, we arrived in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. Our first stop (1055L) was the Forest History Center State Historic Site, a "living history museum" that replicates a late Nineteenth Century logging camp. We spent several hours exploring the camp - cutting logs with a two-handled saw, helping lead horses towing big logs, eating flapjacks in the mess hall and watching men run across a river covered with logs. Nicky found some good souvenirs (1325L). We picked up a quick bite to eat at Burger King (1330L) and drove into Grand Rapids to look for the home of "Dorothy" ("Wizard of Oz"). The town had a nice little museum honoring Judy Garland - the kids liked that. After getting our fill of fun, we got back on US-2 and drove into Wisconsin, where we filled up the gas tank in Ashland (1615L). Shortly later, we arrived in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I had wanted to take the kids to Pictured Rocks National Park (see MAR 1991), but it was clear by then that we wouldn't have the time. It was a pleasant drive, though. Got some more fuel (2200L) in Marquette, Michigan, and then kept driving east (on US-41 and MI-28 ?). Everyone fell asleep and it was well after midnight when we crossed the Straights of Mackinac (on the world-famous bridge). The kids woke up then and started to complain that they wanted a bed! Fortunately, I found a hotel for us near Gaylord, Michigan (checked in at 0155L...).

Bemidji Trip - Day 6

Visited one of our distant relatives, Iola and her husband - first time we have ever met. She was very nice and gave us a good tour of town. Trish and Terry were working again, so we picked up all the kids around 1200 and took them north of town to a place called "The World of Christmas Park" in Park Rapids, Minnesota. They had lots of good water rides, go-karts, video games, etc. All the kids had a great time - and we topped off the afternoon with ice cream. Found a pretty shrine near town on the way home - would be a nice place for an outdoor Mass. Fun at the house tonight - our last before heading East... What a great visit!

Bemidji Trip - Day 5

Took it easy today - pictures of Paul & Babe down in the town square. Had a great lunch at a Chinese restaurant called Great Wall Buffet (finished at 1245L). Started to rain in the afternoon, so Trish and Terry suggested that we check out the new hotel in town that has a huge indoor water park. They actually got a room for me and Nicky tonight! The kids all swam until late and then went home. Nicky and I went out to dinner and a movie (the 2130 showing of "Stepford Wives", at CEC Theatres Amigo 9).  It was the first time we'd had any kind of "Date Night" in a while!

Bemidji Trip - Day 4

I woke up late - the kids were already playing. Trish and Terry had to go over to their Miller distributorship - we stopped by to see their business around lunch time. We spent the afternoon Lake Itasca State Park, the place where the Mississippi River begins! The kids really seemed to enjoy it. One of the highlights was when they were able to walk across the river at its narrowest point - and Brenna fell in! Later, Mollie and I took a walk down a shady dirt road. We saw some lakes called the Twin Lakes - and took several pictures (of course!). On the way back into town, got some gas (1850L). After that, we had a great cookout with our cousins - complete with roasted marshmallows! Went to bed relatively early...

Bemidji Trip - Day 3

Woke up around 0900L and left Davenport (0950L). We were headed towards the farmland that belonged to our Coogan relatives when they lived in Iowa in the late Nineteenth Century! Our first stop was Oelwein, where we located an old cemetery where most of our distant relatives are buried. After a bite to eat at Luigi's Restaurant (finished at 1240L), we proceeded out into the cornfields and located some other towns where the family lived (Alma, in Howard County, and Alta Vista). I did a little research in one library (while Nicky took the kids to a nice playground) and we later found another cemetery connected to our pioneering relatives. Most of the afternoon was spent on rural roads in northern Iowa but we eventually made our way back to I-35 and crossed the border. Got gas in Owatonna, Minnesota, (1800L) and then drove north on the Interstate towards Minneapolis. Nicky wanted to stop at the Mall of America but there wasn't any time left after all the exploring - maybe another time... After getting through the Twin Cities metro, we drove up MN-371 as it got darker and darker (fortunately, it is summer time!). We started to see a LOT of deer - and I nearly hit a couple! All the way, we were looking for the Northern Lights, but we never saw any... Kids were still in a good mood when we arrived at Trish and Terry's around 2300L. Megan and Erin were awake to greet them. It should be a good visit!

Bemidji Trip - Day 2

Woke up around 0800 and drove the remaining miles over to St. Louis. Crossed the Mississippi and took the kids first to the Gateway Arch - we got there right when it opened. Our ride up in the little elevator cars was a memorable moment - the kids liked it! Great weather, could see a lot of Illinois and Missouri from all angles. After we were done with that experience, we drove over to Grant's Farm (scouting out helps a lot - see AUG 2003). The girls loved the animals and the tram tour. I enjoyed some beers again in the plaza at the end of the tour. After around five hours in the park - including some good pictures with baby clydesdales and great souvenirs (1335L) - we sadly departed, bound for Illinois. Got some gas in Affton, Missouri (1400L) before we crossed the Mississippi River. We got on I-57 and headed north. I had planned to take the kids to see the grave of Abraham Lincoln, but by the time we got to Springfield, we got sidetracked in the area around his home - it has been restored to look like it did when he left in 1861 for Washington. We arrived in time to take a tour of the area, which was quiet and almost felt like a time machine... Bought some nice items (to remember our visit) at Mr. Lincoln's Souvenir Shop (1610L). We stayed until after sunset (we never did get to see the grave...). [We ate dinner...]. Our day had been fun, but our little side trips meant that the schedule was affected (I was planning to visit President Reagan's home in northern Illinois, but the time didn't seem right). Hotel availability also became a concern. At that point, I decided to continue into Iowa so that the leg to Bemidji would be shorter tomorrow. Filled up the tank in Davenport (2055L) and then found a Quality Inn in Iowa City (2145L).

Bemidji Trip - Day 1

Left early in the morning - kids in a good mood. Played the license plate game and looked for signs. Took I-65 to I-24. Ate an early lunch (or late breakfast) at Burger King in Manchester, Tennessee (1030L). Continued north to Murfreesboro and visited the Stones River National Battlefield. It was kind of quiet and very green. The kids had lots of questions about the "Unknown" cemetery stones in the battlefield cemetery. Later drove through the "Land Between the Lakes." I have seen this from the air a few times and wanted to see it. There were live buffalo - a big herd - and lots of other wildlife. The lakes looked very inviting and there were several places where we could have stopped to have a "picnic buffet" on the side of the road. After being tempted for miles, we stopped at the Kenlake State Resort Park (near Hardin, Kentucky) for a dinner - we wanted to try some of their Southern cooking! The kids checked out the buffet and brought back some skinny looking legs of what looked like chicken. After devouring a few of them, the kids went back for more - and I saw that they had been eating frog legs! Despite this revelation, they seemed pretty proud of themselves (I was glad they weren't upset...). Before dark, we visited Fort Donaldson, site of one of US Grant's first victories on his way south to Vicksburg and immortality. Drove until dark. Luckily, we found a cheap hotel (Best Inns of Mount Vernon) in southern Illinois.

[Fairburn], GA (USA)

[Georgia Renaissance Festival]