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Basement Paul wrote:How many miles did it end up being?

-BP

BP,

I should have checked the odometer before we left but didn't. Had to be over 3000 miles since the most direct route from Raleigh to Bemidji is 1400+.

Jim

We're home after an easy drive from Beckley, WV to Winston Salem, NC. I-40 from Winston Salem here was hectic with lots of nutty drivers. It was a great vacation seeing family and friends all along the way. We're blessed with great families and friends, some of which we may not see again given our a...

Yesterday we drove thru some HARD rain in spots from St Ignace, MI UP, to Saginaw in the lower to see niece Meredith, husband Tom, son Lucas, daughter Veda, and dog Mavis. Found them all happy and healthy. Had a 50 MPH ride in the ATV. 0922191705.jpg 0922191654a.jpg Out to dinner. 0922191815a.jpg 09...

We mostly vegged today. Had our coffee and donut holes (purchased yesterday) in the room. Walked the beach, napped, Sudoku on the deck, happy hour, more Sudoku, then GOOD, light dinner at Village Inn. We both had "Arnold" sandwiches named after a former employee whose name was Arnold. Warm...

After the free, foggy boat ride this morning we drove to St Ignace and checked in to our really nice, old, inexpensive hotel on Lake Mich. Our room has a slider out to ground-level patio and lawn down to the lake. We liked it so much we decided to stay another day and reserved the room for tomorrow ...

On to George's house. He took us on a boat ride out to Grand Isle (?) for a view of the cliffs where the famous ice caves form in the winter. 0919191604_Burst01.jpg 0919191624_Burst01.jpg 0919191628_Burst01.jpg 0919191630_Burst01.jpg It was a beautiful day on the water and a good thing we went. Next...

Up this morning and called the church http://www.stpaulstjohnlcms.org/StPaul/stpaulelc.htm Answering machine gave the number for Pastor Bryan Lundquist. Called Pastor Bryan and he agreed to meet us at the church and give us a tour. Turns out, Sunday they're celebrating their 140th anniversary and Pa...

This morning we'll drive by the Lutheran church where my grandfather's cousin (my 1st cousin, twice removed) was the first pastor.

http://www.stpaulstjohnlcms.org/StPaul/stpaulelc.htm

Then to George's house.

Yesterday we took a ride into Bemidji, a really neat town with lots of art and artists. Toured the town, visited an art museum and had lunch at an interesting sandwich shop. The women chatted and I took a nap and a walk around the grounds. Then, back into Bemidji for a great dinner at an Italian res...

Took a ride around the lake on this beautiful 80 degree day. And a ride thru the forest, stopping at a county park. Keni made dinner with Walleye fillets, wild rice, salad, and ginger bread & whipped cream.

One more day here and then off to Michigan UP.

Two cabins by the lake. One with beds and one with kitchen, dining, and bathroom. Small pontoon and fishing boat.

Deer-proof raised bed garden. Octagonal house. Spiral stair to loft bedroom. Continued on next post.

Did a little shopping at Target yesterday (Sunday) and drove about 3 hours to Bemidji. Was good to have an easy day after the long Saturday. Keni and Warren made a beautiful place cut from 160 acres of forest previously owned by Warren's parents. Warren and his late dad designed and built an octagon...

Had a LONG day today. Up at 6 AM EST to get the ferry to Wisconsin at 9 EST. B&B had a lot of good-looking breakfast food which Lois enjoyed but I can't eat that early. 0914190730.jpg Cute dog jumped up between us as we sat having breakfast. 0914190713b.jpg Docked in Wisc after the 4 hour crossi...

In Ludington, we also looked for the spot where my great grandfather's brother had a bakery in the late 1800s. We had seen the location about 25 years ago when it was a gift shop or something. The building is gone now, being replaced by a big apartment bldg now under construction.