Stillwater, MN

July 19-20
Our side trips while in Lake Elmo took us to Stillwater, MN and all of it's rich Logging History. The trolley ride gave us a great view from all sides of Stillwater...and the guide talked NON-STOP and was a wealth of information. The Sawmill below, although a very prominent part of the city in the 1800's now houses crafty places and businesses.

There were many mansions in Stillwater once owned by the Lumber "lords."

The lift bridge across the St Croix river was particularly interesting...we were told it was one of two in the world...the second located in Duluth which was to be on our itinerary down the road.

Chisholm

July 22-25, 2010 We were staying at an RV park right next to the mining museum in Chisholm, MN (from whence we first visited Itasca). Chisholm was the center of iron ore pit mining back in the 1800's. The statue is called IRONMAN. If you can see Jean...you'll get a good idea of how HUGE this IRON STATUE is. My exact memory is foggy (duh)...but it's somewhere around 20 stories high.

This beautiful lake used to be the prominent pit mine in this area.

It is now a Minnesota park...with an attached information center...and an informative train ride through the mined area.

Lake Itaska

July 22-25, 2010

"From the Northern Lake Itasca running southward to the sea...." A song from Jean's first grade remembrances. Just had to walk across the Mississippi at the headwaters after living near the river or one of it's feeds (Missouri, Arkansas) for an entire lifetime. We remembered that as a kid it used to be a piece of cake to walk on the rocky surface under the water...big surprise...it HURT!!!

Ron bought a new tripod...and we were able to take picturs of US. How fun!!!! (I kept holding my breath, fearing that the camera would dump in the water.) Worked fine, tho.

Lake Elmo

July 16 - 22, 2010

We are so behind on our posting, it's embarrasing. We left Daves and headed toward Minneapolis. First two nights we stayed at the East St Paul RV park. They had security like we had never seen at any park. You know, the arms that go up and down to keep you out or let you in. We were not allowed to move the RV "one inch" without an "attendant" leading us. Had dinner with Kari, Eric, Cole, and Alexis (missing from pic). Their house first night..."our house" second night.

Moved to the Lake Elmo Park Reserve after 2 nights at E St Paul. What a NICE PARK!!! As you can see we had hedge rows surrounding our RV...couldn't see if we had neighbors unless you went to the road and took a peek. :) Ron and I, Kari and Cole golfed at a nice course near Hudson. Kari (who apparently hadn't used her golf clubs since @ 4 years ago - last time we visited) discovered that her bag was host to a Mama Mouse and 6 babies. This baby thought she could hide from us under a truck. LOL

July 12 - 16, 2010 Rhinelander, Wisconsin

Our RV nestles quite conveniently between the tree row and the workshop and garage at Dave's place, and we have water and electric...much like many RV parks.


We had quite a marathon of bridge playing...3-4 hrs a day...sometimes more. Scoring was pretty even, but I think the fellas took the lead at the end.

Liz plays several times each week, so knows all of the newest conventions.

Great views and scenery from their home on the Wisconsin River.

Of, course you all know we cannot let too many days go by without swinging the clubs. We were able to play Northwoods Golf Course on Wednesday...and managed to finish 18 just before a horendous storm blew through the area.

#11 par 3 - green is on a peninsula. (Tough little bugger.) Waterfall in the distance...#12 teebox behind. Lots of challenges. Pristine condition, and we hear word that the LPGA is going to play there next year. Good luck, ladies!!!

After breakfast we headed west toward Lake Elmo, Minnesota, home of Jean's nephew and family. Staying 2 nights at the East St. Paul RV park, and 5 nights at the Lake Elmo Park Reserve...(they're booked a year in advance for weekends...looking forward spending the week days there while we explore Mid-Minnesota.)

July 10, 2010

Leaving St. Louis was sad yet happy to start our adventure to see as much of America as possible. We met a couple parked next to us who had been full timing for a month and also ready to RV the country. Although their plans were to spend 5 months in an Arizona park. Might be something we will do the future but for right now its travel, travel travel. Our first destination was a visit to Jean's niece and family in Cambridge, Wisconsin. Heidi and daughter Elisa were staying at the county fair grounds so Elisa could compete in several horse riding events. But husband Jeff out did himself to host our arrival with steak dinners and fireworks.

July 11, 2010

After a great breakfast (again Jeff the chef) we visited Heidi and Elisa and the fair grounds hoping to watch Elisa in competitions which were unfortunately cancelled. We did see some good pole races, however. A first for both of us.

And on to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to visit Jean's sister Norma.

Our arrival in Eau Claire was smooth thanks to Garmin (she's such a sweet lady...and so accommodating to "reconfigure" every time we stop for gas, etc.)

Her driveway is just the right length to back into. How fun!!!!

Norma's daughter Karen and two of her children Colin and Katrina joined us for a burger dinner...which was prepared on the Holland grill...under the awning...during a downpour. Karen and the kids got away from us before we could do the camera thing. (Ya think they maybe knew what we were up to???)

July 12, 2010 After a "Happy Birthday" call to Bradley, and breakfast with Norma, we headed out for the Northwoods. Rhinelander, Wisconsin to visit Jean's brother Dave, and his wife Liz.