Author: Arjan

August 7: Glacier National Park

Mile 2764 – Kalispell, Montana.  Drove across “Going to the Sun Road”.  Absolutely gorgeous day, lots of pictures.  Look for them later, when we have more time to edit the blog.

***
“Mommy, why do they call it Glacier National Park?”
“My child, a long time ago, when your grandfather was still alive, before 2020, the park had glaciers.”
***

According to current projections all the glaciers in the park will be gone by 2020 or 2030.  The ones that are left today look worn out and dirty.  There were major forest fires in 1998, 2003 and 2006.  When we were last there, in 1989, we saw no evidence of fires.  Now there’s burnt out forest everywhere.  It is still a magnificent park, one of my two or three favorites.

August 5: Mostly Minnesota

Arjan Taking a Picture of a Mississippi Tributary
Arjan Capturing the Mississippi

Mile 1890 – Devils Lake, North Dakota.  Under 400 miles today to slow down for perfect weather and Minnesota.  We swam in Andrusia Lake, near Bemidji, and followed that with a leisurely lunch on a terrace on Lake Bemidji.  We crossed the Mississippi four times (we were near the headwaters where it is a small meandering stream).

Tonight, in North Dakota, we broke down and ate prime rib and filet mignon.  It was very good.  When in Rome…. Last night we tried to eat what we’re used to, and it was not good.

Tomorrow will be a longer day.  We booked in Havre, North Central Montana.  Finding a place to sleep on August weekends can be difficult.  By the time we get somewhere, there is typically no vacancy.  We stay ahead of the game by booking a day in advance over the Internet.

Terrace on Lake Bemidji
Lunch on Lake Bemidji

[Photographs © 2012 P.J. Gardner. All Rights Reserved.]

August 3: Lower and Upper Michigan

Moose Statue in Michigan
Michigan Moose

Mile 1111 – Newberry, Michigan, in Michigan’s upper peninsula. Via Port Huron and the magnificent bridge across the Mackinac Strait between Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.  The Great Lakes provide natural air conditioning.  Approaching the Mackinac Strait, the temperature dropped from 88 to 73 F.  Lots of wilderness here, few people.  The inhabitants are called U.P.s (pronounced U-pees).  The gastronomic offerings are limited so we tried one of the local specialties: “pasties” (nothing to do with strippers, although the shape would be appropriate).  It is like a beef/veggie turnover.  Not bad, but tomorrow I have to have something different.

[Photograph © 2012 P.J. Gardner. All Rights Reserved.]

August 2: New York to London

American Falls at Niagara Falls, NY
American Falls at Niagara Falls, NY

Mile 684 – London. No, we’re not at the Olympics, but in Ontario, Canada.  Long day.  We started at 8:20 AM, stopped at 9 PM.  On the way we went through Ithaca and Interlaken, NY, where P.J. went to visit her Great Aunt Esther’s gravesite, her inspiration for this trip.

Onwards to Niagara Falls, Canadian side.  I was there 40 years ago.  I was appalled at the crass commercialism that has developed since then.  Big hotel skyscrapers, $20 minimum parking fee, even if you just want to stop for 10 minutes (although 1 mile away parking is $5 or free).  So P.J. and I dropped each other off and hovered in the car while we took turns taking pictures.  That was enough.  The natural phenomena is still impressive.  Too bad we managed to deface it.

~ Posted by Arjan

Be sure to see P.J.’s photo galleries:

[Photograph © 2012 P.J. Gardner. All Rights Reserved.]

August 1: Starting Out

The gardens at Hollyhock House B&B
Gardens at Hollyhock House B&B in the Berkshires

Mile 141 – Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Spent most of the day packing.  Our departure time was 3:20 PM. Our first night, stayed at our favorite B&B in the Berkshires, the Hollyhock House.

[Photograph © 2012 P.J. Gardner. All Rights Reserved.]