Heading further west from the Pictured Rocks Nat’l Lakeshore in Michigan, we continued on the Circular Lake Route, flanking Lake Superior towards Wisconsin. We drove, and drove, and drove some more until we finally crossed the state border. Phew… this lake is HUGE!
At last, the road took us southwest and the Wisconsin welcome sign is in sight. Oh no... is that a low RR bridge.. again? Phew, good, it was high enough.
But alas, our troubles came back… the road to our destination was closed to large vehicles (and Gertrude is a large vehicle) only 30 some odd miles from our campground! Curses, no signage…again! So, we were forced to take a major detour. After 100+ miles or so, we finally back tracked to our destination. Well, I guess that’s what we get driving the back roads!!
A nice glass of Merlot and a good home-cooked meal later, we both settled down and snoozed the evening away. The next morning we took another back road to St. Croix National Scenic River hoping that detours are not on today’s agenda.
At last, the road took us southwest and the Wisconsin welcome sign is in sight. Oh no... is that a low RR bridge.. again? Phew, good, it was high enough.
But alas, our troubles came back… the road to our destination was closed to large vehicles (and Gertrude is a large vehicle) only 30 some odd miles from our campground! Curses, no signage…again! So, we were forced to take a major detour. After 100+ miles or so, we finally back tracked to our destination. Well, I guess that’s what we get driving the back roads!!
A nice glass of Merlot and a good home-cooked meal later, we both settled down and snoozed the evening away. The next morning we took another back road to St. Croix National Scenic River hoping that detours are not on today’s agenda.
10,000 Years ago, rock canyons of the St. Croix river way were carved at the end of the ice age when water from huge lakes burst natural dams, sending torrential flood waters downstream. The Dakota (Sioux) and Ojibwe (Chippewa) peoples called this land home. The Ojibwe still live in the valley today and the Dakota live nearby. Post-World War II prosperity created a rush for natural resources. Sewage from cabins and existing towns began to degrade the St. Croix. Luckily, in 1968 the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act became law, and it created a national system for protecting rivers. |
St. Croix was one of the first river ways so designated.
Hiking the river banks on a hot muggy day proved to be a battle between the species. The raw beauty of the river water combined with thick vegetation growth, hot temperatures and no breeze, became an opportunity for the mosquito species to feast on a yummy blood meal lone silly human species provide on the trail, yes….us!
Long story short, humans lost, mosquitoes won.
We bee-lined back to Gertrude :-(
Long story short, humans lost, mosquitoes won.
We bee-lined back to Gertrude :-(