Illinois - Jell-O Legs

Oh yeah! I made it!  Chi-Town, aka Chicago, was here.  I woke up, and drove into the north side of the city to where my friend Abby lives to claim a parking spot.  Though she lives about 10 miles north of the city, I didn’t mind the long bike ride as it went down the majority of the waterfront trail.  Bag stuffed full with essentials for the day: bike repair kit (learned my lesson), climbing gear, photo gear, rain gear, food, and water. Destination: Millennium Park.

Illinois - On My way

Another day, a new home, not much more. I wanted across the river, and border, to Illinois in hopes that the other two cities in the quad city area would have more attractions.  They didn't.  Determined to move about and discover, I hopped on my bike. Thankfully it was a Sunday, so there was zero traffic out to get me.

Iowa - Doldrums

Done in Des Moines, and still lost as with what to do, east seemed like the best bet.  I made it to Iowa City, which turned out to be a huge college town, rife with everyone moving in, scared parents, and jay walkers.  Being slightly lost here meant not only juggling between figuring out where I am, and trying to not hit anyone in the process.  Suffice to say, I made it.  But there was nothing here for me, and I turned north to Maquoketa Caves State Park.

Iowa - Funnel Cake, Nightmare Fuel, and a Climbing Wall

Oh look, more rain.  Joy.  But thankfully it quickly ran out, and the weather report said no more for the remainder of the day, so I decided to take my chances.  I drove into the city to get a bit closer, found a park, and packed my stuff for the day.  Then I set off, in hopes of staying somewhat dry.  The first stop was the John and Mary Papp john Sculpture Park in the middle of downtown.  A great park with some fantastic pieces.  As well as some questionable pieces that seemed more like the artist waited until the day before the unveiling to start the piece.  Regardless, all the sculptures are larger than life in some way, and feature a multitude of mediums for materials.  A great start to the day, and next up, the Iowa State Fair!

Blogging is Weird

I’m just talking, erm, typing, to nothing, something, the world, maybe some kid in the far reaches of the planet who just got internet, maybe to your grandma.  Blogging is strange.  What tense do I use?  Do I use the first or third person?  Do I reference myself, or just keep it factual and all just general?  Who am I speaking to?

Iowa - Goose Chase and Rain

It’s not heaven, it’s Iowa.  It’s not much, it’s corn fields.  It’s not home, it’s different.  I finished up my time in Omaha, just a few hundred feet from Iowa, split only by the Missouri River.  On the west, Omaha, and to the east, Council Bluffs.  Two very different cities in two very similar states.  I rolled into Iowa at mid-day hoping that I could find a visitor center to point me in the direction of activities for the week.  Though, there were no signs on the highway as I entered the state.  But upon turning around, just before the last exit to leave the state, signs popped up for the visitor center. Odd.

Nebraska - Departing Thoughts

Nebraska, the greatest curse about the state ended up being one of its best features, that there is nothing around for miles on end.  It means driving for hours just to roll into a small town that really has no business existing except that it’s a hub for all the farmers around.  But with that nothingness comes immense beauty.  On my first night I was treated to an amazing star gazing experience and could clearly see the Milky Way from just outside my car…house…residence….the place where I sleep.  Unfortunately I did a lot of driving that could have been avoided if I had planned better, but oh well, the great audio book kept me awake and made the drive much more fun.

Nebraska - Lincoln and Omaha

Nearly three years ago, almost to the day, I was driving from Detroit to Denver with my mom to begin final preparations to move to Florence, Italy for 4 months.  On that drive, we cruised past the National Strategic Air and Space Museum and decided to stop by to check it out.  Unfortunately we were too late, and it was closed for the day.  But hey, it was a fun quick hop off the highway, and started my desire to always try something, because, why not?

Nebraska - I Suck at Planning

Minnesota seemed to fly by, but go so slow as well.  Having a partner in crime made the time move…differently.  But now, I had to move on to the next state, as my time was up.  Problem was, the two things on my list in Nebraska were on the western side of the state, and I was far from even the eastern border.  Smooth shooting there.  Ahead of me, gps called out an 8 hour drive assuming I took the fastest path, which I usually don’t, and if I made minimal stops, which again I usually don’t.  So, audio book loaded up, I set off for my destination, hopefully reaching it by nightfall: Valentine, Nebraska.

10 hours later.

Minnesota - Departing Thoughts

Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes and I’m willing to bet they missed a few when counting.  With highways bending around the lakes and through the land, I wonder if this is where little red riding hood’s grandma may live?  It was also a great change of pace to be submerged in trees again, after a long while in the mid-west plains, having shade that wasn’t a result of huddling behind my car was welcomed.  I was also fortunate enough to have a partner in crime for a portion of this state who not only gave me some photography pointers, but some much needed motivation, company, and help paddling.  Overall the week moved slowly on a daily basis, but it was one of the more natural progressions to see a whole state that I hadn’t quite felt yet.

Minnesota - Twin Cities

Saying goodbye is hard.  When I have family events, usually saying goodbye turns into a 30 minute ordeal as I go around to everyone.  In this case, I was saying goodbye once again to one of my best adventure buddies, Hoobs.  We were heading in different directions, but the short time together was awesome as always, and I know we’ll find a way to link up again in the future.  But for now, I had my sights set on the Twin Cities to not only explore, but get some much needed work and planning done.

Minnesota - That's a Paddlin'

Overcast. Cold. Damp grass.  It was a pleasure to wake up not in a parking lot.  The dogs at the house across the street (dirt road) barked at me as I exited my car, a proper second alarm.  Awake before Hoobs again, I decided to do some work and watch a movie while he slept, it was a good choice.  Once awake, we cleaned up and made the last bit of driving to Voyageurs.

Minnesota - Ridin Dirty

Traveling solo is awesome.  You can find a million and a half blogs online (if you have internet) and see why many profuse that traveling solo is the way to go.  I’ve been doing it, and so far its worked out well.  But having a companion to not only see and crash on their floor, but to also go out with you on long days and experience the wonders around you is also truly wonderful.  Travels are worth little with no one to share them with.

Minnesota - Land o Lakes

The border from North to Dakota to Minnesota is in the middle of two cities, simply a river.  So there is no sign at the crossing to stop and take copious amounts of photos.  I’ll have to remember to do that at the end of the state.

With a quick stop at the visitor’s center, I was again greeted by another overly happy attendee giving me a miniature library of books and maps for which to guide me this week.  The first stop, with homage to the cult classic again, Duluth.  An easy 4 hour drive across the state with many pit stops to fill the day.

North Dakota - Departing Thoughts

North Dakota is known as “The Peace Garden” state, and has the slogan “Legendary” on its welcome sign.  Though, the Peace Garden is situated half in Canada and half in the state, and is so small, no map even shows it.  If it is Legendary, I have yet to hear the legend, or meet anyone else who has.  The state, though it may have plenty to offer, had not much to offer me.  All the farmland is key to supplying America with its various crops, and the oil boom is not only keeping my car running, but millions of other cars as well, not to mention the tons of jobs it opened up.  But I now know that my suspicions that there wouldn’t be much to do here was right.

North Dakota - Viking Voltron

Playing in traffic is the classic “don’t do it” as a kid. But as a photographer, especially a self-photographer, it’s kind of warranted.  On my way to Jamestown for the evening, I stopped to enjoy the sun set and think a bit.  This would make one bad ass emergency runway…if you ever had an emergency over North Dakota and needed to land ASAP.  The sunset was beautiful, and I found further beauty in it with the silhouette of my car in front of it.

North Dakota - Welcome to Wally World

Occasionally I play in traffic

Waking up in a Walmart parking lot will always be a combination of graciousness, and disorientation.  The safety, or illusion thereof, is one that can only be found in the asphalt ocean of the parking lot.  The ritual of wandering in, washing up, searching for wifi, and returning to my car has become second nature now.  The wifi, when present, offers my daily connection to the rest of the world.