Stillwater, Minnesota

 We’re checked into William O’Brien State Park just north of Stillwater, MN, the first and therefore oldest settlement in the state. Site 65 is one of the most open sites in the park, but with the community water source in the site, backing into the space was a challenge.

We reserved this site from Minnesota’s DNR site without a lot of info, because it was open to the sky. We assumed that temperatures would be lower at this point in the Fall. We were totally wrong as it was 98 today, with a feels like temp of 112! During the high demand months of the summer, sites must be reserved 120 days prior to the arrival date, so the pressure is on! If you have never been to the park, it’s kinda hard to make an informed decision on a site.

We’re here because Donna’s brother and sister-in-law live here, and are experiencing some health issues. We need to provide a bit of support where we can. We joined a small family reunion the day after our arrival, with family flying in from the west coast. Sasha was invited as well!

Donna and Sister-in-Law Linda hadn’t seen each other for two years, but picked right up where they left off!

Niece Cara and husband Bruce established a close relationship with Sasha.

Great nephew Jacob and niece Jill had not seen each other for some time, and got caught up!

Jacob works two jobs and is making his way as a young adult in this challenging world, and Sasha tried to help out!

The next day Nephew and wife hosted a wonderful party for the west coast half of the family.

They live in an amazing hundred year old home in the Twin Cities. They are accomplished hosts, and a great time was had by all! We all stuffed ourselves on an awesome Mexican feast!

Our Son-in-law Monte, (with glasses) and nephew relaxed on what turned out to be a very comfortable afternoon. C’mon Monte…..get a grin!

Son Jeff had some stories to tell about his recent trip to Japan. He has earned an Aikido Black Belt, of an advanced degree.

Nephew is a long-time recreational knife thrower. ‘Twas a hoot watching us oldsters attempt a good throw, but son Jeff stuck four out of six!

Daughter Teresa was looking good!

And, of course, she matched her brother, knife for knife! Nice job, Kids!

Some more just recovered family day photos:

Jeff and whatsizname.

Bruce and Cara…

Linda, Donna, Bill, Teresa and Monte.

Linda, Bill and Donna. Sis-in-Law, brother and sister.

Brother and wife with their nephew and niece!

Sasha rarely spends any time in a lap, but she was comfortable with Linda! At least as long as the petting lasted!

After a week spent enjoying family time (and some locally grown sweet corn and vegetables), we reluctantly had to say goodbye.

Once we wiggled out of site 65, it was clear sailing 305 miles east via US 8 and US 2. We had plans to make it to Escanaba, Michigan, but rain and traffic delayed us a bit, so we sneaked into the back lot of the Island Resort and Casino in Harris, Michigan, to get some rest before tackling the great Mackinaw Bridge tomorrow!

A One Nighter: Osseo, Wisconsin

 We pulled into Stoney Creek RV Resort about four this afternoon. Stoney Creek is in the town of Osseo, Wisconsin, just a few miles south of Eau Claire. We’re in a back-in site that has a bunch of grass around it. Sasha is loving it! We were treated to an awesome show as we set up for the evening!

This section of the park is new, so the landscaping is still minor, but the swimming pond/lake is not! Complete with a sandy beach, chairs, and a water slide, this is something you don’t see in just every rv park!

In our backyard flowers/weeds are making their last appearance of the summer.

And a nice sunset to end a day!

A One Nighter: Milton, Wisconsin

It’s day 5 of our run for the border….the Wisconsin/Minnesota border, that is. We’re tucked into one of the nicest KOA’s we’ve stumbled across. Milton,WI, is just about due west of Milwaukee and a bit south of Madison and the park is spread through many acres of farmland, where corn and soybeans are the dominant crops.

But then, corn and beans have been the landscape since we left Crawfordsville this morning! Today’s drive was a bit longer than we would like, with several unexpected highway changes, but generally we hopped on Interstate 74 and putted west, through Champagne and Bloomington, where we turned north on I39. With Chicago to the east and the Quad Cities off to the west, we navigated our way onto I90 north and into Milton. On the way, we wondered, again, about the vast farms in Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin.

A good nights rest and a couple of dog walks, and we’ll be back on the road tomorrow.

A One Nighter: Crawfordsville, IN

 We reluctantly left Rocky Fork, OH, this morning under beautiful skies.

We are on an endurance segment of our trip, needing to be in Minnesota in a few days. Crawfordsville KOA, site 22, is providing an overnight respite from the road. Crawfordsville is northwest of Indianapolis, on Interstate 74, so it is convenient for our purposes.

This KOA leaves much to be desired, and is priced as if it were a vacation resort, which it is not!

On the bright end, the utilities work, there is a dog park for Sasha, and we’re outta here tomorrow!

Two Nights: Hillsboro, Ohio

 We left Washington, Pennsylvania, at about eleven am, knowing that we had a three and a half hour drive and couldn’t check into our next destination until three pm. Nineteen miles west, we slipped into West Virginia.

And, just thirteen miles into West Virginia, we ran into Ohio! That was quick!

Interstate 70 took us to Columbus, and Interstate 71 took us southwest toward Cincinnati. Our destination was the small town of Hillsboro, Ohio, and the state park located there, Rocky Fork. This reservoir is a huge recreation area, with boating, fishing, and camping. Each campsite only offers electricity, but well kept washrooms and showers are conveniently located throughout the park. We chose site 103 due to its view and grass, for use as Sasha’s playpen!

This beautiful place is a great place to relax and enjoy nature, but it’s not the only reason we’re here.

There are over one hundred thousand identifiable mounds built by American Indians, including the Hopewell, who flourished 1,600 to 2,000 years ago. Named for Mordecai Hopewell’s farm, where the first excavations in 1891 revealed copper ornaments, stone tools and effigy pipes that archaeologists later identified as being from the Hopewell Culture. Not the first American Indians to build mounds, nor the last, but the Hopewell were a cultural revolution. 

Arguably the most astonishing mound structure of the era is located just a half hour away, The Serpent Mound. 1,376 feet long, in the undulating shape of a serpent devouring an egg, and measuring approximately three feet high, its purpose is unknown, but the mound has some peculiarities. The head is exactly oriented toward the Summer Solstice, the three eastern facing curves on the serpents back line up with the solstices, and the coiled tail aligns with the Winter Solstice. Go figure! 

We had to see this, so off we went on the one day we had available, and after a lovely drive through a rainy Amish countryside, we arrived.

Closed on Monday.

I cribbed a photo from Getty as a tribute to the remarkable people that created this remarkable structure.

We returned to Hillsboro on Highway 50, decidedly disappointed.

Rocky Fork lake is an especially beautiful place. 

Here it is August and the leaves are beginning to turn. 

  

Good Bye, Ohio.