Casita Rojita

We left Edina this morning with Brady and Davis remotely schooling while Kelly and Marc remotely worked.  We headed across Minneapolis to the GRR (Great River Road).  Most of the morning was industrial areas with an occasional open field. We saw our first tug or pilot boats and barges but most were restIng at the side of the River. When we stopped for brunch we looked out on this.  Can you identify it?  In Prescott on the Wisconsin side of the river we found a wonderful Great River Information center.  The area had been a resort area right above the river for many years.  It sat up on the bluffs that line much of the Wisconsin side of the River.  The couple who owned this resort provided the property for the information center. The park surrounding the center has many signs posts, etc. filling you in on such things as the history, navigation and migrations on the River. We were glad to find it open as many such information opportunities have been close...

 We are coming to the end of our visit with the Olins in Edina, Mn.  It was fun to catch up with all the happenings here.  It is also interesting to see how other parts of this country are dealing with our pandemic.  Over all Minnesota has handled it well but it seems to have more metro compliance while more rural areas less so.  In fact the transportation folks have taken this opportunity to renovate major roads and parts of the metro area as most folks are working from home.  No need for much highway to downtown.   We have continued to socially distance as we can.  But Pan has come to the conclusion that this virus should be treated a bit like getting bit by a dog.  But rather then a bite it is interaction with other folks.  If you take the appropriate precautions in your interaction with folks, limit the number to those you can keep track of and thus if someone does show the signs of the virus you know it and can quarantine yourself. ...

 From Kentwood, the birth place of Casita Rojita, we traveled to suburban Detroit and on to the north.  This was the start of the journey to explore the Mississippi River.  But first it was a stop off to see some good friends and family along the way.   These stops included our old stomping grounds, Mackinaw City then on to the UP.  Our first night was Tahquamenon Falls State Park on to Grand Maria’s, past the picture rocks of Lake Superior.  We spent a good part of this day on a washboard dirt road that allowed to believe nothing was going to fall off or come apart on our lovely Casita.  We spent the night on Lake Michigamme State Park. Next stop Wisconsin and a detour to take in the Apostle Islands.  It seems that at least some National Parks are not open due to good old 19.  So it was more of a drive by.  We hope this is not true further on.  But we have discovered that you have to make reservations to stay at state park campgrou...