Since I had such a nice campsite last night (Minneopa State Park), I did not even mind that it was Cold! when I woke up. I just stayed snuggled in my sleeping bag until the sun came up over the tree tops. Then I had a great hot shower, packed up and drove to Worthington.
My time in Worthington was very productive and accomplished very quickly, so I moved on to Sibley, Iowa. As I was leaving the nice city of Worthington, I thought I bet I'll be sorry I'm not staying the night here. Sibley is a little town. Well, it was worse than I thought. I could not find a place to eat in Sibley. All of the restaurants that the GPS pulled up were closed, out of business. So I went back to the edge of town where I had bought gas and there was a Subway adjacent and I ate there. Not bad but I had little to eat all day and would have preferred something else.
However, they have a nice modern library with Wi-fi and I was so happy because I remembered that I had audio-books due today that I had to renew. Then I could not renew one of them because someone had a hold on it. Not sure what to do about that; guess I will just email them and tell them I'm on the road, back in a month!
Had a very long and dusty detour half way between Mankato and Worthington. Drove on a lot of dirt/gravel roads. Car is dirty again, but there is an automated car wash here that I plan to run it through. But no laundromat, that I have found yet. Clean car but no clean clothes. But my business in Sibley will not take long and in the morning I will be headed to a larger place.
Today, for the first time I put super unleaded gas in the car. In the state of Iowa if you use super unleaded which has 10% ethanol, it is 10 cents cheaper per gallon, dong their bit to "keep Iowa clean". It took me a while to catch on and the pumps are all labeled differently, but this time I remembered. I hope the car continues on this gas okay because it has been running like a charm, no problem at all. Almost due for an oil change though. I think my trip odometer says I have been nearly 2600 miles already.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Day 26 Still in Minnesota
Just a quick note as my laptop is low on battery and I can not find an outlet in this place.
I visited Fort Snelling cemetery this morning. That is an impressive place. Found a grave I was looking for, related to the Wesley Douglass family of South Dakota.
Came back to the Minnesota History Center but forgot the library is not open on Sunday, but the museum is so I am taking advantage of their Wi-fi.
Spent all day yesterday with Carol McGrath, my friend who has MS, at her Care Center in Robbinsdale, MN. We talked and talked and since reading is difficult for her, I read her a couple chapters from my book. She tires easily so she took a nap after lunch, which I had with her there. Then I relaxed and read in my car and came back after her nap. Nowhere as nice as the place where Bruce is; this is strictly nursing home care and the smells to go with it!
From here I am going to an art center not far away and then to Mankato.
I visited Fort Snelling cemetery this morning. That is an impressive place. Found a grave I was looking for, related to the Wesley Douglass family of South Dakota.
Came back to the Minnesota History Center but forgot the library is not open on Sunday, but the museum is so I am taking advantage of their Wi-fi.
Spent all day yesterday with Carol McGrath, my friend who has MS, at her Care Center in Robbinsdale, MN. We talked and talked and since reading is difficult for her, I read her a couple chapters from my book. She tires easily so she took a nap after lunch, which I had with her there. Then I relaxed and read in my car and came back after her nap. Nowhere as nice as the place where Bruce is; this is strictly nursing home care and the smells to go with it!
From here I am going to an art center not far away and then to Mankato.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Day 24 Minnesota History Center, St. Paul
I am sitting in the cafe of the MN History Center to write this. This is a big place! No wonder they charge $15 for a copy of a death certificate. They have to pay for this somehow. It is huge and new and modern. Lots of information online, a big room full of microfilm readers, and they are new readers, maintained and work well - not always the case in older libraries.
My car got the once-over from the local policeman last night in Long Lake. Luckily I had waked up just before he decided to look me over, so I just laid still, as opposed to being startled awake. I was prepared to talk to him if he knocked on a window, but I am not even sure he knew I was there. First the cop car search light, then he got out and used a flashlight. Just before he left he hit the car or made it rock a little. It took me a while to figure out what he did. Then I knew. The sliding door had not closed entirely tight, but it was locked. He evidently shoved at it to see if he could make it close which of course he couldn't, and then he drove off. And I dozed off again.
Minneapolis-St. Paul is a huge city and I hated having to tackle it but I needed to go to the History center and there are two cemeteries here, one of them Fort Snelling where a couple people are buried. But except for a frustrating time trying to get out of the city last night, to the place where I parked (probably not the best spot but I was so tired of driving I did not care)I have managed okay.
I had a wonderful chat with Bruce and Charlotte Douglass yesterday at Charter House, a senior citizen house connected to the Mayo Clinic by a skywalk. Bruce took me to lunch right there in the Supportive Care Unit, where he currently is. Great lunch, sliced pork, mashed potatoes and gravy, an WHOLE ear of corn on the cob (not just one of those 3 inch segments), a dish of fresh pineapple. And when I thought that was it, they brought out pumpkin chiffon pie with a cookie crumb crust. I feasted, did not even need more than a snack for supper. Charlotte is a fan, says she reads every copy of the Douglass Digest I send out.
Tomorrow I will visit Carol McGrath.
My car got the once-over from the local policeman last night in Long Lake. Luckily I had waked up just before he decided to look me over, so I just laid still, as opposed to being startled awake. I was prepared to talk to him if he knocked on a window, but I am not even sure he knew I was there. First the cop car search light, then he got out and used a flashlight. Just before he left he hit the car or made it rock a little. It took me a while to figure out what he did. Then I knew. The sliding door had not closed entirely tight, but it was locked. He evidently shoved at it to see if he could make it close which of course he couldn't, and then he drove off. And I dozed off again.
Minneapolis-St. Paul is a huge city and I hated having to tackle it but I needed to go to the History center and there are two cemeteries here, one of them Fort Snelling where a couple people are buried. But except for a frustrating time trying to get out of the city last night, to the place where I parked (probably not the best spot but I was so tired of driving I did not care)I have managed okay.
I had a wonderful chat with Bruce and Charlotte Douglass yesterday at Charter House, a senior citizen house connected to the Mayo Clinic by a skywalk. Bruce took me to lunch right there in the Supportive Care Unit, where he currently is. Great lunch, sliced pork, mashed potatoes and gravy, an WHOLE ear of corn on the cob (not just one of those 3 inch segments), a dish of fresh pineapple. And when I thought that was it, they brought out pumpkin chiffon pie with a cookie crumb crust. I feasted, did not even need more than a snack for supper. Charlotte is a fan, says she reads every copy of the Douglass Digest I send out.
Tomorrow I will visit Carol McGrath.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Day 22 Owatonna, MN
Had a really nice (and expensive) campsite last night that I found on the edge of Owatonna. I knew it was going to cost me but the thought of a hot shower in a nice facility made me throw caution to the winds. It was worth it. Once in a while.
Every office in every community is different. I never know what kind of reception I will get. Some clerks say come on in, here's what we've got, help yourself. In other places, they kind of begrudge your interruption. I try to be as sensitive as I can to their work needs, stay out of the way, wait for them to be free, etc. and usually that wins them over. In Illinois I had to fill out and sign a sheet in every office I entered and show ID. It varies. Some have special areas set up just for genealogists. In other places you have to find some small space to work often standing up.
Here in Owatonna, there does not seem to be a Genealogical Society. I tried the Historical Society, but mostly they have a museum and give tours. So after I got all I could from the courthouse, now I am at the library where again there is a wide difference in helpfulness. But I have most of the information I wanted and I am headed out to the Medford cemetery now. (This is where Fernando Douglass lived and where Earl Douglass, the man who discovered the dinosaur fossils was born)
Every office in every community is different. I never know what kind of reception I will get. Some clerks say come on in, here's what we've got, help yourself. In other places, they kind of begrudge your interruption. I try to be as sensitive as I can to their work needs, stay out of the way, wait for them to be free, etc. and usually that wins them over. In Illinois I had to fill out and sign a sheet in every office I entered and show ID. It varies. Some have special areas set up just for genealogists. In other places you have to find some small space to work often standing up.
Here in Owatonna, there does not seem to be a Genealogical Society. I tried the Historical Society, but mostly they have a museum and give tours. So after I got all I could from the courthouse, now I am at the library where again there is a wide difference in helpfulness. But I have most of the information I wanted and I am headed out to the Medford cemetery now. (This is where Fernando Douglass lived and where Earl Douglass, the man who discovered the dinosaur fossils was born)
Monday, August 24, 2009
Day 20 Emmetsburg, IA
It's 7 p.m. and the Emmetsburg library is open until 8 so I will take this opportunity to send a few lines.
The land in Jones County was rolling, but the land in Rockwell City, Iowa, was flat and it is pretty much flat here. I stopped in the shade of some trees in Boxholm to eat lunch. These are very nice trees. They do not grow over 40 ft. tall but they branch every which way about 8 ft. off the ground so that makes for a very dense circle atop a slender trunk. Wonderful shade in this land of vast spaces where the sun beats down.
Around Roslyn there was a sign on the road "Be alert for cross winds". I had been aware of them ever since I left Boone, but 'twas true that right there near Roslyn the NW winds were very gusty. I wondered where the windmills were and figured the farmers thought their land more productive for crops, but about 50 miles further on, there was a line of windmills. Paradoxically, in nearly the same place was a whole line of the old telephone poles, the ones with a crossbar on the top with an insulator on each end and one on the top of the pole. I don't know how many years it's been since I've seen those old poles.
The State Park campsite last night near Boone, IA, was one of the best so far. They had sown wildflowers in the park and across from the park was a 30 acre field they had sown to native prairie grasses, very attractive. And on the access road to the park some wildflower had seeded itself in great patches, about 2 feet tall with lovely white feathery flowers that waved with the wind. They had carefully cut around them when they mowed the roadsides. Very pretty.
Today I spent hours in two different county courthouses, plus one library, and several hours driving. Will sleep well tonight. I usually have no trouble falling to sleep about 10 and waking between 6 and 6:30 This is my last stop in east/central Iowa. Will be going on to Minnesota next, but will visit Iowa again later.
The land in Jones County was rolling, but the land in Rockwell City, Iowa, was flat and it is pretty much flat here. I stopped in the shade of some trees in Boxholm to eat lunch. These are very nice trees. They do not grow over 40 ft. tall but they branch every which way about 8 ft. off the ground so that makes for a very dense circle atop a slender trunk. Wonderful shade in this land of vast spaces where the sun beats down.
Around Roslyn there was a sign on the road "Be alert for cross winds". I had been aware of them ever since I left Boone, but 'twas true that right there near Roslyn the NW winds were very gusty. I wondered where the windmills were and figured the farmers thought their land more productive for crops, but about 50 miles further on, there was a line of windmills. Paradoxically, in nearly the same place was a whole line of the old telephone poles, the ones with a crossbar on the top with an insulator on each end and one on the top of the pole. I don't know how many years it's been since I've seen those old poles.
The State Park campsite last night near Boone, IA, was one of the best so far. They had sown wildflowers in the park and across from the park was a 30 acre field they had sown to native prairie grasses, very attractive. And on the access road to the park some wildflower had seeded itself in great patches, about 2 feet tall with lovely white feathery flowers that waved with the wind. They had carefully cut around them when they mowed the roadsides. Very pretty.
Today I spent hours in two different county courthouses, plus one library, and several hours driving. Will sleep well tonight. I usually have no trouble falling to sleep about 10 and waking between 6 and 6:30 This is my last stop in east/central Iowa. Will be going on to Minnesota next, but will visit Iowa again later.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Day 18 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Got into Cedar Rapids yesterday about 3 pm after spending a rainy morning tramping through cemeteries on back roads in Jones County. Finally found the Clay township cemetery. I knew from the map which Section it was in but no more definitive details. When I thought I must be close I pulled into a farmhouse, knocked on the door, was motioned to come in (I had seen a ramp so suspected the owner was disabled). I opened the door and sitting at the kitchen table were two men who sported full beards and overalls. Not until later did I realize they may have been Mormon, though nothing else except the tidiness of the farmstead would have denoted that. Anyway, they gave me good directions and I set out. Twenty minutes later after traversing this one piece of road a couple times I stopped another place for directions and discovered that when the bearded gentleman had given me directions, starting out with "go to the corner and turn right..." he meant the corner where his not-so-long driveway met the road!
Anyway, my car needs a wash badly and I will see to that this evening. When I got into Cedar Rapids yesterday I went directly to the Genealogy Library and there was no Wi-fi there, so now I am at the public library. It is located in a partially empty Mall. The policeman who gave me final directions added, "they've set up there since the flood." They have Wi-fi here and I have a very nice comfortable chair to sit in.
When I attempted to post a new blog today, I got this error message that something needed to be done to enable Java scripting. The blog had very helpful suggestions, and I was irritated again, because Windows had just done an automatic update and when they do that it always messes with programs. But I followed directions and was able to access the blog site - thank goodness.
In a little bit I will go to visit Ellie Cass. She said if I ever got to Cedar Rapids I had to stop by, but I could find no phone listing for her. I had sent her an email, but I don't think she uses her email much; I never got a reply. Earlier this afternoon I looked up the address. No one was home, but I went next door to be sure I had the right place and I did.
Anyway, my car needs a wash badly and I will see to that this evening. When I got into Cedar Rapids yesterday I went directly to the Genealogy Library and there was no Wi-fi there, so now I am at the public library. It is located in a partially empty Mall. The policeman who gave me final directions added, "they've set up there since the flood." They have Wi-fi here and I have a very nice comfortable chair to sit in.
When I attempted to post a new blog today, I got this error message that something needed to be done to enable Java scripting. The blog had very helpful suggestions, and I was irritated again, because Windows had just done an automatic update and when they do that it always messes with programs. But I followed directions and was able to access the blog site - thank goodness.
In a little bit I will go to visit Ellie Cass. She said if I ever got to Cedar Rapids I had to stop by, but I could find no phone listing for her. I had sent her an email, but I don't think she uses her email much; I never got a reply. Earlier this afternoon I looked up the address. No one was home, but I went next door to be sure I had the right place and I did.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Day 15 Around Anamosa
A few little things I keep forgetting to tell you. When I was at the college in Platteville, just leaving the alumni office with Susan, who was ushering me out, the fire alarm went off. Oops, she said, we have to go out, so we did, into a drizzly rain. I had an umbrella with me so put it up and offered to shield her too. Her car stood at the curb but she did not have her keys; she had several umbrellas in the car -- no good to anyone. I couldn't offer my car as it was too full and too far away. We must have stood there close together for at least 10 minutes before the "all clear" sounded, getting our backsides damp because the umbrella was too small to cover all of both of us. A little awkward but she was pleasant and we chatted some. We weren't the only umbrella "grouping" getting damp.
Last night, after supper at the Bamboo Garden, right in Anamosa, I went for a walk in the large and well-cared-for cemetery that is only a short distance from the Park. It has a rather large hill in the center and as I crested the top of the hill, I came face to face, not 20 feet away, with a fawn. I stopped still. It looked at me; then I noticed another fawn and a doe about 12 feet to the side. They all just looked. I saw a tail flip once and was sure they would leave but they didn't. The fawn closer to me moved over towards its mother a little and the other two went back to grazing. But the little one I had surprised just turned and looked at me. I thought it was curious, but then it stamped its forefoot and gave a snuffling snort. At that the other two startled but they still did not run. The fawn repeated it's stamping and snorting three more times and I decided I was being told to "bug off", so I started walking away from them towards my car and I heard one more parting snort as I left. After I had gone 300 yards or so I looked back and they were still there in the same place. Evidently they considered that their turf!
The first night I arrived in Anamosa, I could not find anything. Usually when I get into town, the courthouse and the library are in the center of town. This town did not seem to have a center. I saw a sign for the penetentiary, which amused me because it kind of expressed where the emphasis was. The next morning when I went into town, though, I saw the courthouse up on a rise, nearly hidden by the trees at street level. And it is directly in front of the penetentiary. But the reason for the sign, I figured out, is the pententiary's unusual architecture. It looks for all the world like an old castle or keep, complete with a turret! It's probably considered a tourist attraction. They even give tours. Not for me.
The other "first night" experience was trying to find a decent place to eat. My GPS wasn't coming up with anything interesting locally and for the promise of a good meal I was not adverse to driving a little ways towards Cedar Rapids, but when I got to the promised eatery, it was closed. So I stopped at a fast food place. Ugh! The next day I passed the Bamboo Garden and it looked like a nice place and had lots of cars so I ate there last night. Good Choice! By far the best Chinese buffet I have ever had. I shall plan to eat there every night as long as I am here. They had lots of vegetables and had them fixed in four different ways, all good. And they had a wonderful egg-drop soup which I love. And fruit, and pot scrapers. Yum! A great meal for under $10. Can't beat that.
Last night, after supper at the Bamboo Garden, right in Anamosa, I went for a walk in the large and well-cared-for cemetery that is only a short distance from the Park. It has a rather large hill in the center and as I crested the top of the hill, I came face to face, not 20 feet away, with a fawn. I stopped still. It looked at me; then I noticed another fawn and a doe about 12 feet to the side. They all just looked. I saw a tail flip once and was sure they would leave but they didn't. The fawn closer to me moved over towards its mother a little and the other two went back to grazing. But the little one I had surprised just turned and looked at me. I thought it was curious, but then it stamped its forefoot and gave a snuffling snort. At that the other two startled but they still did not run. The fawn repeated it's stamping and snorting three more times and I decided I was being told to "bug off", so I started walking away from them towards my car and I heard one more parting snort as I left. After I had gone 300 yards or so I looked back and they were still there in the same place. Evidently they considered that their turf!
The first night I arrived in Anamosa, I could not find anything. Usually when I get into town, the courthouse and the library are in the center of town. This town did not seem to have a center. I saw a sign for the penetentiary, which amused me because it kind of expressed where the emphasis was. The next morning when I went into town, though, I saw the courthouse up on a rise, nearly hidden by the trees at street level. And it is directly in front of the penetentiary. But the reason for the sign, I figured out, is the pententiary's unusual architecture. It looks for all the world like an old castle or keep, complete with a turret! It's probably considered a tourist attraction. They even give tours. Not for me.
The other "first night" experience was trying to find a decent place to eat. My GPS wasn't coming up with anything interesting locally and for the promise of a good meal I was not adverse to driving a little ways towards Cedar Rapids, but when I got to the promised eatery, it was closed. So I stopped at a fast food place. Ugh! The next day I passed the Bamboo Garden and it looked like a nice place and had lots of cars so I ate there last night. Good Choice! By far the best Chinese buffet I have ever had. I shall plan to eat there every night as long as I am here. They had lots of vegetables and had them fixed in four different ways, all good. And they had a wonderful egg-drop soup which I love. And fruit, and pot scrapers. Yum! A great meal for under $10. Can't beat that.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Day 14 Anamosa, Iowa
Boy! Am I happy to get on Wi-Fi at the Anamosa library. I was afraid I had goofed up my internet access somehow. But here the signal is good and strong and I had minimal trouble getting connected.
Right after I wrote my last blog in Sparta, I exited the library and saw this little old museum across the street and I took a look. Well, they had a history room and lo-and-behold they had the information on microfilm that I had wanted from the county office. So having completed my need to be in Sparta, I decided to go on to Platteville. I cancelled my campsite reservation, called Bruce back and told him I'd see him in a week or two, and drove to Platteville. I'm not sure I made a change for the better. Very small town in spite of U. of Wisconsin having a college there. The library was NOT open on Sunday and the college looked dead with no one around. BUT I had a neat parking place right behind the UCC manse. Perfect! Off the street so it was not right under a streetlight, one block from the police station. I parked there both nights. No campsites in the area.
On Sunday I read a lot, walked all around the campus, sat in the park and learned the main routes around town. It served me well because yesterday morning, I got up and went directly to the college welcome center, where they were more than happy to help me look up information about Agnes Jean Douglass who taught there, from 1926 to 1947, it turns out. When I finished there, I drove directly to Anamosa, Iowa, an even smaller town, but it has a State Park and I got myself registered there. Saw two deer browsing just across the road from my campsite this morning.
Today has been one of the prettiest days lately and, of course, I spent the whole day in the courthouse looking at old records. I found the original marriage license of my great grandfather Chester L. Lee to Addie Johnston in 1886, along with lots of other info.
Illinois had corn 8 feet tall, Wisconsin had shorter corn and lots of corncribs and elevators and lakes, Iowa has acres and acres of corn, as far as you can see in some places. Leaving Wisconsin yesterday I saw lots of strip-cropped hillsides, just beautiful. Hard to take a picture when you're on the highway.
Right after I wrote my last blog in Sparta, I exited the library and saw this little old museum across the street and I took a look. Well, they had a history room and lo-and-behold they had the information on microfilm that I had wanted from the county office. So having completed my need to be in Sparta, I decided to go on to Platteville. I cancelled my campsite reservation, called Bruce back and told him I'd see him in a week or two, and drove to Platteville. I'm not sure I made a change for the better. Very small town in spite of U. of Wisconsin having a college there. The library was NOT open on Sunday and the college looked dead with no one around. BUT I had a neat parking place right behind the UCC manse. Perfect! Off the street so it was not right under a streetlight, one block from the police station. I parked there both nights. No campsites in the area.
On Sunday I read a lot, walked all around the campus, sat in the park and learned the main routes around town. It served me well because yesterday morning, I got up and went directly to the college welcome center, where they were more than happy to help me look up information about Agnes Jean Douglass who taught there, from 1926 to 1947, it turns out. When I finished there, I drove directly to Anamosa, Iowa, an even smaller town, but it has a State Park and I got myself registered there. Saw two deer browsing just across the road from my campsite this morning.
Today has been one of the prettiest days lately and, of course, I spent the whole day in the courthouse looking at old records. I found the original marriage license of my great grandfather Chester L. Lee to Addie Johnston in 1886, along with lots of other info.
Illinois had corn 8 feet tall, Wisconsin had shorter corn and lots of corncribs and elevators and lakes, Iowa has acres and acres of corn, as far as you can see in some places. Leaving Wisconsin yesterday I saw lots of strip-cropped hillsides, just beautiful. Hard to take a picture when you're on the highway.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Day 11 Sparta, WI
Well, you can't win them all. I was looking at a weekend when the county offices would be closed but I figured the library would be open so I reserved campsites for the weekend in Sparta, figuring to get into the county offices on Monday morning. (I learned from experience I need to reserve sites ahead on the weekends) But even though the Sparta library has Wi-fi, I can not connect to it. I've had no problem other places, but I tried all the tricks I know and nothing worked. My Wi-fi adaptor was active, but no wireless connection showing. No one here can help; others get on okay and they have no security code.
So what to do with the weekend? Well, this morning I spent time housekeeping, or rather "car-keeping", organizing my suitcase, and the other stuff in the car. I need to buy ice for the cooler today, usually do that every other day. I've been thinking about all the things I am using that you kids gave me: the stuff bag for my sleeping bag, whisk broom, Pond's cleansing pads, nice bright yellow flashlight, car cup, handy little jacknife, camera case, skin cream - there's probably more - thank you.
I am writing this on a library computer, have not been to the campsite yet. Perhaps the campsite will have some distractions. Yesterday at Castle Rock campsite in Black River Falls, I took one of the hiking trails. The terrain reminded me of the Adirondacks, but not nearly as high.
Tomorrow I am driving into Rochester, MN - about 100 miles to visit Bruce Douglass, an old genealogy friend of mine. Then after Monday I will be headed for Iowa. It's going to be another hot day, 78 at 10 a.m.
So what to do with the weekend? Well, this morning I spent time housekeeping, or rather "car-keeping", organizing my suitcase, and the other stuff in the car. I need to buy ice for the cooler today, usually do that every other day. I've been thinking about all the things I am using that you kids gave me: the stuff bag for my sleeping bag, whisk broom, Pond's cleansing pads, nice bright yellow flashlight, car cup, handy little jacknife, camera case, skin cream - there's probably more - thank you.
I am writing this on a library computer, have not been to the campsite yet. Perhaps the campsite will have some distractions. Yesterday at Castle Rock campsite in Black River Falls, I took one of the hiking trails. The terrain reminded me of the Adirondacks, but not nearly as high.
Tomorrow I am driving into Rochester, MN - about 100 miles to visit Bruce Douglass, an old genealogy friend of mine. Then after Monday I will be headed for Iowa. It's going to be another hot day, 78 at 10 a.m.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Day 10 Wisconsin Rapids, WI
My cell phone was not dead. Radio Shack checked it out; battery was completely uncharged. I had not been able to get the charger working at the campsite, but it worked fine at Radio Shack, so we decided it was just a fluke, or the charger did not like the electrical outlet at the campground.
I spent the last two nights at the Mirror Lake campgrounds, north of Baraboo. Most of yesterday morning I was in the Courthouse. I left there at 11:45, and walking back to my car, saw a used car dealer, with a sign that said repair shop. Since it was across the street from the library, I stopped in to inquire and within a half hour, they said yes, they could get parts locally, and so I walked up the street and did my laundry while they installed a new muffler, and then I spent the rest of the afternoon at the library. I considered myself lucky that the courthouse, the library, the repair shop and the laundry were all within 2 blocks of each other!
Leaving Baraboo early this morning, I drove through Wisconsin Dell. What a place - looks like a mini-Las Vegas! Obviously a great tourist area. Couldn't believe some of the stuff I saw. There was a huge hotel complex that had an outer facade (huge) over the whole thing that looked like a palatial building that had been destroyed by an earthquake. Judging by some of the other buildings I saw, I guessed the area has been trying to emulate historical Rome. Was happy to leave it behind.
I spent the last two nights at the Mirror Lake campgrounds, north of Baraboo. Most of yesterday morning I was in the Courthouse. I left there at 11:45, and walking back to my car, saw a used car dealer, with a sign that said repair shop. Since it was across the street from the library, I stopped in to inquire and within a half hour, they said yes, they could get parts locally, and so I walked up the street and did my laundry while they installed a new muffler, and then I spent the rest of the afternoon at the library. I considered myself lucky that the courthouse, the library, the repair shop and the laundry were all within 2 blocks of each other!
Leaving Baraboo early this morning, I drove through Wisconsin Dell. What a place - looks like a mini-Las Vegas! Obviously a great tourist area. Couldn't believe some of the stuff I saw. There was a huge hotel complex that had an outer facade (huge) over the whole thing that looked like a palatial building that had been destroyed by an earthquake. Judging by some of the other buildings I saw, I guessed the area has been trying to emulate historical Rome. Was happy to leave it behind.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Day 8 West Bend, WI
The weather was cool this morning when I got up, but warmed up quickly. At 11 a.m. it was sunny and hot. Now two hours later, there are huge puffy clouds in the sky and it keeps getting darker. That seems to be the pattern. Two days ago in Janesville, we had such an afternoon storm that the library warned patrons to stay away from the windows. As hard as the wind blew and the rain poured, they did not lose any trees so they must have tougher trees than we do in Covington or the wind wasn't as strong as it looked. Yesterday that pattern did not create any rain for a change, thank goodness.
Because yesterday I stayed at Lake Lenwood Campground and had a lovely time. It was 3:15 when I got there and I could have gone into West Bend, about 4 miles, but the water looked so inviting I changed into my swimsuit. The camp owner said the water was clean as no gas motor boats were allowed and it was spring-fed. So I expected it would be really cold, but it wasn't. You know me, used to Lake Ontario, I waded in slowly but quickly was all in and swimming out to the raft. Had a good swim and then later a hot shower, both real relaxing. So I did not one lick of research yesterday, did not even open my laptop until nighttime when I put an audio-book CD in it and fell asleep before it finished.
My cell phone has died, so next order of business is to find a Radio Shack. I hope it's only the battery.
Because yesterday I stayed at Lake Lenwood Campground and had a lovely time. It was 3:15 when I got there and I could have gone into West Bend, about 4 miles, but the water looked so inviting I changed into my swimsuit. The camp owner said the water was clean as no gas motor boats were allowed and it was spring-fed. So I expected it would be really cold, but it wasn't. You know me, used to Lake Ontario, I waded in slowly but quickly was all in and swimming out to the raft. Had a good swim and then later a hot shower, both real relaxing. So I did not one lick of research yesterday, did not even open my laptop until nighttime when I put an audio-book CD in it and fell asleep before it finished.
My cell phone has died, so next order of business is to find a Radio Shack. I hope it's only the battery.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Day 5 Janesville, WI
Well, as so often happens, when I am about to give up, I finally find what I want. The Historical society in Geneva did not have anything but they called Aurora for me and they did, so drove 8 miles to Aurora and checked out their goodies, then headed north.
Got as far as Kirkland, pulled onto a side road and found a wide, level spot near a copse of trees, so I could be completely off the country road. It had rained nearly all day from 10 a.m., with downpours from 2:30 to 5:30, so I was just happy to find a place and happy the rain had stopped. Very little traffic on this road, big farms in the distance in all directions. The fire-flies were Huge! Congratulating myself on having found a good place to spend the night, I climbed out of the car in the morning to find a "NO Parking" six feet behind my car! LOL. Evidently others have found this neat place to park in the past.
Now I'm in Janesville and it is a lovely town and has a nice big library on the banks of the Rock River (which is channeled between walls here)and I can park free in the lot behind the library and enjoy the breeze and the ducks on the water and the shade of the trees.
Town also has a nice city park with lots of trails, rest rooms, picnic areas, etc. and believe it or not, it is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.! I spent most of my morning there reading, relaxing, writing. Tomorrow I should finish up my business in Janesville and head north to Milton.
Got as far as Kirkland, pulled onto a side road and found a wide, level spot near a copse of trees, so I could be completely off the country road. It had rained nearly all day from 10 a.m., with downpours from 2:30 to 5:30, so I was just happy to find a place and happy the rain had stopped. Very little traffic on this road, big farms in the distance in all directions. The fire-flies were Huge! Congratulating myself on having found a good place to spend the night, I climbed out of the car in the morning to find a "NO Parking" six feet behind my car! LOL. Evidently others have found this neat place to park in the past.
Now I'm in Janesville and it is a lovely town and has a nice big library on the banks of the Rock River (which is channeled between walls here)and I can park free in the lot behind the library and enjoy the breeze and the ducks on the water and the shade of the trees.
Town also has a nice city park with lots of trails, rest rooms, picnic areas, etc. and believe it or not, it is open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.! I spent most of my morning there reading, relaxing, writing. Tomorrow I should finish up my business in Janesville and head north to Milton.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Day 3 Geneva, IL
When I saw the door to Geneva Public Library and there was this neat little sign - Free Wi-Fi, it warmed my heart. First chance I've had in the last two days to use Wi-Fi, mostly because I've been in the boonies.
Yesterday I left Dixon, IL and headed for Geneva, IL but knew I was not going to get there in time to locate a good camping site, so stopped in Big Rock, population 750. In a town that size everyone knows what everyone else drives and all their neighbors. But I had a nice walk around the 4 square blocks of residential area, and ate supper in a shady spot. Then drove a circle around town, found an old barn sitting back from the road completely screened from the road by acres and acres of 8 ft. tall corn. Pulled in and looked around. Startled two beautiful owls out of the barn. Their wingspread as they flew 12 ft. above me was just beautiful. I had not planned on a "cold camp" last night, but had absolutely no problems - except for the possibility that, try as hard as I could to limit what I brought, I still have too much "stuff". I have a feeling some of it is going to be jettisoned if I can't figure out a better storage system. I have a new appreciation for people who have to live out of their cars.
Downtown Geneva, as advertised, is a lovely historic area of little boutiques and shops. First thing I saw when I turned the corner on Main St. was Starbucks Coffee. I wished I had waited to get my morning coffee here - the coffee I got in Big Rock was like dishwater! To use Barry's comment, "a little thicker, please."
As lovely as downtown is, the county government buildings are scattered all over to east, south and west. I spent the whole morning with no results. Even the library, my usual savior, does not have what I need. I am going to try the Historical Society and if that does not have anything, will head for Milton, Wisconsin. I can camp there without problem over the weekend and the weather report says it will be in the 90s.
Yesterday I left Dixon, IL and headed for Geneva, IL but knew I was not going to get there in time to locate a good camping site, so stopped in Big Rock, population 750. In a town that size everyone knows what everyone else drives and all their neighbors. But I had a nice walk around the 4 square blocks of residential area, and ate supper in a shady spot. Then drove a circle around town, found an old barn sitting back from the road completely screened from the road by acres and acres of 8 ft. tall corn. Pulled in and looked around. Startled two beautiful owls out of the barn. Their wingspread as they flew 12 ft. above me was just beautiful. I had not planned on a "cold camp" last night, but had absolutely no problems - except for the possibility that, try as hard as I could to limit what I brought, I still have too much "stuff". I have a feeling some of it is going to be jettisoned if I can't figure out a better storage system. I have a new appreciation for people who have to live out of their cars.
Downtown Geneva, as advertised, is a lovely historic area of little boutiques and shops. First thing I saw when I turned the corner on Main St. was Starbucks Coffee. I wished I had waited to get my morning coffee here - the coffee I got in Big Rock was like dishwater! To use Barry's comment, "a little thicker, please."
As lovely as downtown is, the county government buildings are scattered all over to east, south and west. I spent the whole morning with no results. Even the library, my usual savior, does not have what I need. I am going to try the Historical Society and if that does not have anything, will head for Milton, Wisconsin. I can camp there without problem over the weekend and the weather report says it will be in the 90s.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Day 2 - August 6
Just a quick note. Had a lot of driving yesterday, my first day out. Left home at 7 a.m. Got to Fred and Linda Bellinger's in Indianapolis about 9:30, visited and had lunch with them, then on to Aunt Dora's in Princeton, IL. Had a little problem with my GPS, it dumped me off route about 15 miles from her and insisted "you have reached your destination" while I was looking out over lush green fields of alfalfa and not a single apt. house in sight. A couple phone calls to Aunt Dora (Joy was there at the time) and I arrived without further trouble, a little late, but just in time for supper (I had forgotten about the time change - gave me a whole hours' leeway). Had a good visit with Dora; she is doing remarkably well considering all she has been through.
Left her place this morning when her therapist came for her 9 a.m. appt. and traveled to Dixon, IL where I am now. All my preparations were for naught. The Historical Society had a sign on the door saying they were open T and Th 9-3, but it was locked up tight and no one responded to my phone message. The Genealogical Society was closed on Thursdays! So, drop back and punt. I went to the county clerk's office where I was informed if I wanted a copy of a death certificate it would cost me $30! No way. So found the library and after an hour or so, located just what I was looking for and am blogging as I am about to leave here and go to the Amboy cemetery. Next stop Geneva. IL
Beautiful sunny day. Lovely lush green countryside and I am having fun. Love
Left her place this morning when her therapist came for her 9 a.m. appt. and traveled to Dixon, IL where I am now. All my preparations were for naught. The Historical Society had a sign on the door saying they were open T and Th 9-3, but it was locked up tight and no one responded to my phone message. The Genealogical Society was closed on Thursdays! So, drop back and punt. I went to the county clerk's office where I was informed if I wanted a copy of a death certificate it would cost me $30! No way. So found the library and after an hour or so, located just what I was looking for and am blogging as I am about to leave here and go to the Amboy cemetery. Next stop Geneva. IL
Beautiful sunny day. Lovely lush green countryside and I am having fun. Love
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Checklist
Okay. Now I have a checklist - and I'm trying real hard not to add any more things to it. Today I'm concentrating on the "chore list."
One of the rivets had fallen out of a leg on my suitcase. Brother Phil put a rivet in it for me back in May and it held for one more trip but the rivet came out again. So I found a small metal bolt in my tool box, but it had no nut with it, so go to Walmart and find similar size - took a little looking - and come home and push bolt through, apply nut and voila - felt pretty proud of myself for that one. Throw package of bolts in car tool box in case more rivets give out.
I also bought a DC-AC converter for my car so I can charge my laptop battery while I'm on the road. For someone who is "technologically challenged", my checklist includes a large assortment of electronics. In addition to the laptop and cell phone and GPS, I now have a digital voice recorder. So it figures, if I'm driving I'd better be charging something as I go along. Oh yes, and there are the accompanying instruction manuals. And I haven't even bought a camera yet. I found what I wanted and the clerk said, "Sorry, we're out!" Wouldn't you know.
One of the rivets had fallen out of a leg on my suitcase. Brother Phil put a rivet in it for me back in May and it held for one more trip but the rivet came out again. So I found a small metal bolt in my tool box, but it had no nut with it, so go to Walmart and find similar size - took a little looking - and come home and push bolt through, apply nut and voila - felt pretty proud of myself for that one. Throw package of bolts in car tool box in case more rivets give out.
I also bought a DC-AC converter for my car so I can charge my laptop battery while I'm on the road. For someone who is "technologically challenged", my checklist includes a large assortment of electronics. In addition to the laptop and cell phone and GPS, I now have a digital voice recorder. So it figures, if I'm driving I'd better be charging something as I go along. Oh yes, and there are the accompanying instruction manuals. And I haven't even bought a camera yet. I found what I wanted and the clerk said, "Sorry, we're out!" Wouldn't you know.
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