Fall 2019 Headed for Colorado Springs Going The Long Way

Lanee and I drove out of Water Valley, Texas on August 17, 2019 headed to the National Epsilon Sigma Phi meeting in Colorado Spring, Colorado. We spent the night in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma staying with travel club members George and Bernice White and went to Manhattan, Kansas and stayed with Jim and Sally Linquest. On August 19, we headed to Kansas City, Missori and we stayed three nights at Overland Park, Kansas with travel club members Rob and Debbie Givens.

August 22, we traveled to Des Moines, Iowa and spent two nights with travel club member Kay Hertz. We went to the Iowa State Capital, Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum, John Wayne Home and Museum, Madison County Courthouse, Clark Tower, Bridges of Madison County, Quilt Museum, Quilt Shop, and more.

August 24, we traveled to Elk Grove, Illinois and stayed with travel club member Gloria Dale Lewis for three nights. On August 25, we traveled by Amtrak to Chicago and had a beautiful day. On August 26, we spent the rainy day doing odd jobs, washing clothes, replacing bulbs, and other things.

August 27, we traveled to South Bend, Indiana with one objective, to tour Norte Dame University Campus (we did that on August 27). We spent the night with travel club member Marilyn, Witulski. We toured the football stadium on August 28.

August 28, we traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan and stayed two nights with club members Jim and Sharon Breuker. On August 29 we toured the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.

August 30, we traveled to Lansing, Michigan and stayed with travel club members Mike and Betty Holtham. Stopped at Horrock's General Store, enjoyed the R.E. Olds museum and its amazing collection of cars. Took pictures of the State capitol. Had some ice cream at the Michigan State University farm store and drove around campus and the football stadium. That evening we went to "Cosmos Woodfire Pizza" with our travel club members for our meal.

August 31, we traveled to Charvoleaux, Michigan and stayed with travel club member Donna Misslitz and her mother on the shore of Lake Michigan. We stayed two days with them and enjoyed some incredible sunsets. We stopped at Uncle John's Cider Place and a different Horrock's General Store, both were memoriable. Drove south toward Traverse City and went to Mission Penninsula, Beaulah where Sandy lived as a youg child and enjoyed some pie at the Cherry Hut. Went to Sleeping Bear National Dunes Park. Enjoyed some more pie at Traverse City, went to the Cherry Republic and sampled all kinds of cherry products.

September 2, traveled to Indian River, Michigan and stayed four nights with travel club members John and Dorothy Johnson. They had us stay above the garage in a nice apartment. Both club members run Marathons for fun. Dorothy completed her 100th half marathon this year and she runs about 1000 miles a year.

September 6, we traveled to Ludington, Michigan and stayed with travel club members Gene and Ruthann Kyle. We walked over to an Italian restaurant for dinner. September 7, took the ferry from Ludington, Michigan to Wisconsin. The ferry had "Chase Motorcycle Rally" participants onboard. They rode motorcycles built between 1932 and 1948. The race was from Ste Saint Marie, UP Michigan to Key West, Florida.

September 7 and 8, we stayed at the Door County Scotland Yard Haven Air B&B. Enjoyed watching some six week old scotties at play. On September 8 went to Al Johnson's Restaurant, Peninsula State Park and the Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. Stopped at the Lautenbach's Orchard Country Market.

September 9 traveled to Greenleaf, Wisconsin outside of Green Bay, Wisconsin. We stayed three nights with travel club members Tom and Mary Kempen. We were in the middle of a corn field. Enjoyed a quiet stay with great hosts. September 11 went to Lambeau Stadium and learned about the Green Bay Packers. Enjoyed a Butter Burger at Kroll's Burgers a Green Bay Landmark. On September 12 stopped at the Garden and Gift Shop in Greenleaf, Wisconsin on our way out of town.

September 12, traveled to Madison, Wisconsin and stayed with travel club member Helen Brown.

September 13, traveled to Wisconsin Dells and stayed at a Festiva timeshare until September 19. During those six days we went to Spring Green, Wisconsin and toured the Frank Lloyd Wright Talisin Home, Toured Alex Jordan's House on the Rock near Spring Green, Wisconsin, and went to Wisconsin Dells Lost Canyon and road in a horse-drawn wagon through the area.

September 19, we traveled to Minong, Wisconsin and stayed with travel club members Vern Drake and Lynne Arneson. We were in a log cabin on a secluded lake. Very quite and a beautiful place. We were so far from anywhere that they fixed us supper.

September 20, travelled to Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin and spent two nights with Don and Jeanette Rantala. September 21, drove to a little town near Duluth, MN, and had lunch with Tracy Remy. He stayed with us back in 1983 when we were living in Plainview. We did a 4-H exchange with a group from Iowa. He still lives in Iowa, but also has a cabin somewhere in Minnesota.

September 22, stopped at Betty's pie and then took pictures of waterfalls the rest of the day. Travelled to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and spent the night at Hampton Inn and Suites. Left my Ipad by mistake and it cost $80 to have it shipped home.

September 23, Traveled to Winnepeg, Manatoba Canada and stayed three nights with travel club members Roger and Kathy Yost. These are the first travel club members that we have stayed with on the trip that have spent the night in Water Valley, Texas. September 24, we went to the Forks Market and Old Market Square, the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, the English Garden, and the Winnie the Pooh Exhibit.

September 26, we traveled to Fargo, North Dakota and stayed with travel club members Le Roy and Dora Spilde. Found a place to do laundry; drove around the area and took a few pics of murals.

September 27, we drove to Sioux Falls, South Dakota and stayed with travel club members Loren and Jayne Bittner for two days. On the way through Waterton, South Dakota we stopped at the Terry Redlin Art Gallery. This arts has over 100 excellent pieces of artwork that he painted. On September 28 we went to the Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. Unique use of corn for sure.

September 29 traveled to Rapid City, South Dakota and stayed four days in and Air B&B. Went through the Minuteman Missle Museum, Badlands and Wall, South Dakota on the way to Rapid City. Travelled around the area and visited Custard State Park, Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Needles Highway, Presidents Statues, and the towns of Deadwood and Sturgis.

October 3, traveled to Wheatland, Wyoming and stayed one night with travel club member Edith Cook.

October 4, traveled to Aurora, Colorado and stayed one night with travel club member Gary Wright. He and his wife have traveled to 86 countries and have not slowed down. He has seen a lot of places and done a lot of different things.

October 5, traveled to Steamboat Springs, Colorado to stay in the Sunburst Condominiums for a week. We have traveled aroud town and bought a few groceries. Hiked to one waterfall and got a lot of rest. October 9 a front came through and left 12 inches of snow and the temperature dropped to 17 degrees.

October 13, traveled to Colorado Springs, Colorado for the ESP National meeting that will start on October 14.