Minnesota to Mississippi
09/16/2005 to 09/30/2005
It was time for the annual trek to Minnesota to see family and friends. Since we were driving up we decided to do some touring on the way back home. Exotic places like Iowa, Missouri, & Mississippi.
Before you laugh, did you know Iowa has wireless access at all it's rest stops? Pretty neat!
Since we try to use scenic routes our drive was rather long but very pleasant. However, there are only so many pretty pastures, stands of trees, and quaint buildings you can post on a web site, so to keep viewers from snoring, we will only show you highlights of some of our touring.
09/16/2005
We didn't make it out of the state before our first stop. The Hubbell Trading Post on the Navajo Reservation was operated by the Hubbell family until the mid 1960's when it was taken over by the park service. The Navajos still raise sheep for their weaving, which is demonstrated in the store.
This is the trading post. Not much has changed about it since it was in service in 1878 until it's sale
This is the hay loft for the stable
A horse. I label it just in case you have any questions
This is the bread oven. With temperatures over 100 you really do NOT want to bake in the house
Just a shot of the grounds
This is the guest hogan
The sheep's wool is used in traditional weaving. The llama guards the flock
09/19/2005 to 09/26/2005
Our main destination was Minnesota. Now, most of our friends know to hide when we pull out the camera, but family is fair game. Quinn had his second birthday during our trip, and Jenny planned a nice little party for him. He was a lot of fun to be with, and I love that serious expression he's usually wearing.
We do have at least one shot of an outing with friends. Barb & Steve took us on a nice little hike in a beautiful Minnesota park overlooking the river. Sorry guys.
Sara & Casey didn't escape either.
On our way to Mall Of America
Quinn & Jenny - obviously at the party
Jenny, Quinn & Brian - thank goodness only one toy was "assembly required"
Quinn likes to do stairs
Quinn & Jenny again
Recognize George's feet? He was on Quinn patrol
Barb, Steve & Sharon - do we all look happy? Well, at least Barb looks good
Casey & Sara
OK, I look like that picture of the runaway bride - crazy eyes.
09/26/2005
I know, Iowa. But you should know there are a few things besides cows and corn in the state.
We took the scenic route which winds it's way through - well yes, corn & cows. But on our way, in the middle of farm country, is a Iowa Welcome Center located on a conservancy center & wildlife refuge. So, we stopped and toured.
Who would expect something like this in the middle of nowhere?
This is the Welcome Center & Conservancy headquarters. The lower level has exhibits of frogs, snakes and some insects.
This is the walk along the aviary. There are golden eagles, horned owels, hawks, and a bald eagle
Yup, the bald eagle. The bars make it hard to see, but he was impressive
Besides deer there is a bobcat, bear, cougar and wolves
A pair of wolves playing
Elkander has some beautiful old buildings. We ate dinner on a patio overlooking the Mississippi River and the keystone bridge
09/27/2005
Located in Harpers Ferry, Iowa The Effigy Mounds National Monument is beautiful.
Prehistoric burial mounds are preserved here, some are shaped as bears. The path takes you along the Mississippi River offering some breathtaking views.
A shot of the path through the park
The Mississippi River
This vulture was just sitting there posing
Our artsy shot of a huge spider web with dew on it
We're really getting into mushrooms. These were some new ones for us
The obligatory shot of me on the trail
09/28/2005
Moving southward, our next stop was the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO. It was completed in 1965 and stands 630 feet above the city offering some great views.
Since it is 40 years old, the pods you ride up to the top resemble very small space craft - very small with sloping, rounded tops. Did I mention VERY SMALL!!! My claustrophobia had a field day.
Once at the top however, the views were worth it
If you get into the city, you can't miss it
Those little black slits at the top of the arch are the viewing windows
I think that's the capital building
There are some great old buildings in St. Louis. Not too much glass & steel
That's the Bush Stadium. A new one is being built now
Some of our artsy shots. This give you a little idea of the size of the panels used to build it
Another artsy shot
09/29/2005
The Bonne Terre Mine, in Bonne Terre, MO. first opened as the St. Joe Lead Mine in 1870 and operated until 1961. Then around 1980 or so West End Dive bought it. Seems the water had filled up the lower level and with the large area it covered they could use it for open-water diving and certification classes. So, when you tour it's not only walking through the mine, but there's a boat ride from the dock the divers use. Ah, man's ingenuity at it's best.
The caverns are expansive and the several levels are supported by the huge pillars carved from the rock. It's hard to imagine men tunneling into solid rock, then removing enough debris to create rooms 50 to 60 feet high and wider than my house.
And with the water dripping, stalagmites are forming, as well as soda straws and some small stalactites, damns and beautiful flowstone
Entering the mine
Sharon & our guide. Gives you a sense of scale
Tracks in the mine and a mine car
One of the damn formations
Flowstone and abandoned mining equipment
West End Dive sign - it's at the lower level by the lake
This is the dock used for the boat tours and dive classes
These are some of those massive pillars - 20 feet or more around
This is cobalt
Manganese deposits in the flowstone
At one time the local Garden Club held functions in the cave
Climbing out of the mine - the obligatory shot of my rear climbing up
Just some mining equipemnt on display
The little digger
09/30/2005
In case you don't know or remember, we love to go to old battlefields, forts, anything historic. Since we were heading south, we wanted to see Vicksburg Battlefield. This was fitting since we were listening to Shelby Foote's narrative as we drove along.
Like most battlefields, what we see now is placid, green fields and hills with beautiful stands of trees. Along the route are numerous monuments to the various divisions from the different states. The largest is for Illinois - a huge domed rotunda whose steps inspired me to do my Rocky imitation.
The highlight was the Cairo, a Union ironclad salvaged from the Yazoo River in the 1960's and restored for viewing.
These are some recreated fortifications outside the Visitor's Center
A monument to the Southern soldier
This is the Illinois Monument. Who couldn't resist the Rocky Dance here?
A statue of Grant
Union soldiers under Gen Theyer dug this trench to get at the Confederates without getting killed on the ridge
The bow is where the torpedo exploded
These are 2 of the boilers
