Snow Thermometer....39 feet???in one year!!!

August 21, Friday, We awake to a steady rain again, it is supposed to clear up this afternoon. We decided not to tear down in the rain, so we will stay one more day here at Ft.Wilkins. We end up going for a drive to Calumet for a look around. We arrive downtown and all the streets are paved in brick,quiant old historical town. We see the Fire House Museum is just opening by a volunteer "John" His grandfather & father were some of the early members here. There was a $2.00 admission charge here to see the old fire house and equipment, we toured the place then went upstairs to see more, This was a collection of neat old fire stuff, If they had more $$$ they could display it in a nicer display cabinets etc. John said they are very short on $$$, some months they have a hard time paying the electric bill. We also bought a soda out of the machine for $1.00 John said wow!! I made $5.00 so far today more than all week ..it was sad to see the place in such a need of finances!! We then drove around town to see more old buildings, some were pretty cool others were abandon and boarded up with no future in sight.

We then went out to McLain Park to see if they were full and look at the sites for camping. This place is right on the Lake Superior Water front sites. We will come here tomorrow!!! We pass a Therometer of snow fall from previous years, one year it snowed 390'' here, Thats alot!!! We drove about a 100 miles today then back to camp for a pizza supper.

At 7:30pm we left for Brockway Mountain top again because the sky did clear up and I think we will see a sunset tonite. We drive up the mountain to the top..WOW...The view is forever!!! We can see mountains on one side and Lake Superior on the other...Beautiful sight to see the lake run off into the horizon. The sun is up in the upper clouds hiding, We wait for an hour to see it come down into the opening, so do many other cars arrive. Must be a popular spot for everyone. About 8:30 the sun peeks thru the bottom of a cloud then into the opening before the horizon, just a big Ball of Orange Glow..click..click..click.. I got a few shots. Then we drive down the otherside toward Eagle Harbor, the sky is still red along the waterfront, I try some more pictures but no success of good shots here, too late I guess. Back to camp..zzzzzzz

August 22,Saturday, we tear down at 8 am to head for McLain which is 40 miles away. Arriving at 9 am there is a good site available in the 2nd row. Our trailer's rear faces the lake, so we have a wind buffer from the lake. The sun is shinning brightly today & we have a great site for the next 3 nights. I hope to get some good sunset shots here too!!
God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

Sunset at Copper Harbor ..............


Aug 18, Tuesday, Rise and shine off we go to the northern tip of the Upper Penisula of Copper Harbor,Michigan. We travel along some pretty highway scenery thru alot of trees that are over hang the highway. we arrive in Copper Harbor State Park and pick a site..#169. We decide to stay 6 nights here to see all the area. $23.00/electric per nite & we have to buy a season stamp of $29.00 for a pass to all Michigan state parks. We get a nice site next to the showers and plenty of shade. It is cold here because of the lakes and the wind passing over them into the area. It is the first time I wear a sweatshirt this summer. But it does feel good to have the breeze blowin'.

We take a drive along Rt 26 all along Lake Superior stopping to see the overlooks and pull offs. Beautiful sites as always and picture time. We even pass a sign telling us to watch out for blowing sand across the highway. We drive to Eagle Harbor and then to Eagle River enjoying the drive all the way then return on Highway 41 back to camp. We see the sunset along the way back.

August 19,Wednesday, We tour the local fort..Fort Wilkins Historic Park..This is a collection of buildings, redone to the 1800's the way they were during the time they were designed to keep peace in Michigan copper country. The town of Copper Harbor is a neat little village of craft shops, little cottage cabins everywhere, a general store, and a waterfront of resturants and boat docks for cruises from here. Tonite we made a campfire to relax around and to pass the time.ZZzzzzzzzzz

Aug 20,Thursday, Also the 74th day on the road, would you believe this is the first bad weather day since we left home!!!! It is Raining and low fog clouds all around us, it is a slow drizzle all day. We can't see more than a mile. We drove up Brockway mountain road to the top of the mountain. It was a no show at all the turn-offs for a look down the mountain across Lake Superior. Maybe later this week we can come back. We ate supper in Copper Harbor at a small resturant. There was a humming bird out side the window drinking from the water feeder. It is still drizzling and back to camp for a night of dvd's movies of "Mash" and "Roy Rodgers" Tomorrow, we will packup and move 40 miles to McLain State Park to see the sights around there. ZZZZZZZZZZ God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

August 16, Sunday, We leave Pikes Peak Camp and headed up the Mississippi River. The first town we hit is Marquette,Iowa, They have a Showboat Casino with a buffet for sunday brunch. I stopped to take pictures of the Showboat, but found out they don't run the river anymore and it is stationary along the river. Carol and I went in for brunch, they had 3 buffet bars full of breakfast,dinner, and salad bar. We filled up fast,every thing was delicious. We then went over to the showboat, lots of people spending $$$$$ I lost $2.00 that was enough.. We went up to the top deck to look around and left shortly.

We went into Marquette and walk around the stores down town, there was also a R/R Station there too!! My buddy Dick Marquette loves trains!!! So I took a few pictures for him, I will send them later. Just imagine ..."Marquette Train Station" I know he would have loved this town!!

Then we crossed the Mississippi River into Wisconsin and followed the river north. We did see trailers placed on cement blocks WAY UP in the air, to be above flood waters. It sure looked Funny to see them so high above ground(grin). We then headed for Michigan across the state. We saw a park for camping later in the day at PinePoint County Park, we pulled in and it was 1/2 empty or 1/2 full. We found a site along the lake, the sunset was happening, so I hooked up the electric and skooted down to the lakefront for some shots of the sunset...click..click. Awesome!!! Then back to the airstream for supper,that Carol made for us, it is almost 9pm by now ..over 200 miles today. ZZZZZZZZZZ

The next morning Monday, August 17, I hear Carol up at 7 am and I look out the window at the lake and it is covered with a ground/water fog...time for pictures!!! Quickly I arose and grab the camera and headed for the lake front...Yes I did get dressed!!! Click..click.. the morning is the best time to take soft color pictures... wow great view. We then eat breakfast then leave by 9 am for Michigan.

First we stop at Wal-Mart to restock the airstream. We follow Rt 8 east..then Rt51 north to Ironwood into Michigan following Rt28 east. We turn at Bruce Crossing onto Rt 26 and see a town park on the right with some campers in there. We decided to stop early for the night, donation of $10.00/nite honor system with a lock box at registration. We have water/electric. Carol makes supper of Chicken/potatoes...yum..yum.. we eat outside and later watch the sunset..romantic ain't we??? Another 230 mile day ..Thats enough!! ZZZZZZZZZ
God Bless AirstreamHobo & Carol

HORRAY!!! I hit a Single at the Field of Dreams!!! Read on!!!

August 15,Saturday, Last night the train went thru again, but this time he blew his horn out of town and just went thru town quietly, I had to look out the window to see if he was going thru. Thank-you Train Engineer!!! After a good nights rest , we packed up again and left Webster City on Rt 20 east.

We traveled about 150 miles to Dyersville,Iowa, 1st we stop at the Toy Farm Tractor Museum. We eat a lunch in the trailer then go in the museum. The cost is $5.00/each then thru the doors...THOUSANDS of Toy Tractors!!! Rows and rows of display cases with so many toy tractors, they are displayed by manufactures and models too. Unbelievable??? I never saw so many tractors, we read some of the display signs, International Harvester tractor display had a game of 14 questions and when you filled out the card..correctly..you got a multi-colored pencil..it changes color when you hold it in your hand and the heat changes the color. We were there about 1 1/2 hour..great museum for Big Kids..see but don't touch!

Next we go into town to see "Basilica of St. Francis Xavier'' Catholic church...It took up a whole city block. Mass was at 4pm and we were going past a few minutes before. Across the street,cars parked in the street side by side and behind each other blocking the whole street, lots of people were on the sidewalk headed toward the church.

Then we saw a sign for "Field of Dreams" 3 miles outside of town, I decided to follow the road. When we got there the parking lot was filled with Baseball Fans wanting to play baseball on the field, where the Movie was made. There is no organized games allowed, just take turns hitting,running, and fielding the field. I saw all ages & all boys & girls playing....Guess what??? I stepped up next to bat..I told the pitcher to take it easy on this old man...Grin... I hit the 1st pitch and ran...I Got a Single!!! Then was called out on the next hit to 2nd hit by the next kid. I guess I should have run faster!! Then I got some pictures around the farm. We spent about an hour there also...This place is popular with the tourists..over 65,000 come here each year!!

Then we continued north on Rt 136 to Rt 52 to follow the Mississippi River. We arrive at Pikes Peak State Park and get a site for the night. Complete with electric and showers across from the campsite. Beautiful day and night here, we ate at the picnic table and enjoyed the neighborhood... showers later..then Zzzzzz ... 200 miles today(still no plans..just look and see the sights!!!) Tomorrow more Adventure..............
God Bless..AirstreamHobo & Carol

Some of the old Barns along Rt 20

August 14, Friday, I can't believe it is friday already? We hang out this am taking our time to eat and tear down the camp, it is so easy here unplug elec, then unhook water hose..Done!! we leave here about 11 am for Iowa, We have to take a detour to get around Rt 20 to the east. It is about 34 miles out around. You have to remember that these states don't have alot of back roads. Most roads are anywhere from 6-7 miles between intersections so when you drive around the square detour you do drive 21-28 miles out into the country. That is why these Ranches are so big as to being chopped up in little plots. Boths sides of the highway, corn fields are growing as far as you can see...thousands of acres of corn. There are also water giants spreading water over the corn to help it grow.

I look out my window to the rear and see that my stone guard has let loose on one of the screws...stop to make a rivet repair in 15 minutes and off we go again. Thanks goodness for rivets and duck tape, I do know how to use those tools..not much else though.

In about 50 miles down Rt 20 we enter Iowa..still on Rt 20 however the little towns are now off the 4-lane highway, more people I guess. I am seeing more traffic now, so now I have to be on guard for the other guy. I am still stopping and getting some pretty good shots tho!!! We pull into Webster City, Iowa and find the city park..here it is $12.00/electric hook-up ...Looks nice, several trailers are here, creek on one side and a R/R on the other. Everyone is on the creekside and I am on the R/R side of the park. Well here comes a train as I type..bells/crossing ringing...AIR HORN Blaring!!!! WOW..My Ears hurt!! A truck just crossed the tracks a few feet in front of the train, the engineer laid on the HORN for a long time... It doesn't matter which side of the park you camped on ..it is LOUD!!! Well I hope I sleep soundly tonite! I am tired and covered 267 miles today, we should be in Wisconsin tomorrow, I hope to drive along the Mississippi River towns, but we'll see...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
God Bless....AirstreamHobo & Carol

Aug 13, Thursday, today we only moved about 35 miles(because of a detour actually only 15 miles) We are in Plainview, NB. and are camped in another city park..Free!! water/electric hookups too!!

We are across the street from"KlownDoll Museum" Largest in the world!! Over 4,000 Clowns on display...wanna see all the pictures??..grin..This museum has all kinds of clown figurines and pictures on display..all were donated by clown lovers...They have never bought anyones collection but have recieved donations from all over the world. Mary was our guide and took about an hour to point out the special ones to us. She sure knows her clowns.

I spotted a collection of 3 paintings for Sale and ask how much? Now "Obie" has 3 awesome clown paintings in his posession...Yeah!! I went to clown college and had this person as my teacher at one of the seminars, he has since passed on, so I knew I had to have these paintings.They are also autographed by him and the artist. Did you see the SMILE on my Face??????

We are parked across the street, so I did return this afternoon to pickup the paintings and take some pictures....I won't bore you with them all ,so the ones above will be enough!! Do you realize since I left home I have seen the Circus museum, a Circus Parade, now this a Klown Doll museum Too!! What a fun Day!! Tomorrow we will leave early and continue along Rt 20 into Iowa...follow along....

God Bless ...AirstreamHobo & Carol

This is Rt 20 across America in Nebraska..lots of little Towns to pass thru!!

Aug 11,Tuesday, Up and going... we stop to wash the rigs as they have alot of dust on them and time to clean them!!! They travel faster and better mileage when clean??? We follow the highway 120 out of town toward Nebraska, we decided to go south and catch RT 20 to follow all across the states to Wisconsin.

We go thru the Wind River Canyon..high rock walls on both sides of us. at dinner we pull over at a pull off.. there is a Yellow Train with a Back/hoe on the low bucket cars on the top rails, he is scooping stones out of the cars and dumping them along the tracks for filler. we make lunch and watch him work and move along the cars emptying each car as he goes. Entertainment while we eat...wow!! Then off we go again...into Nebraska finally..around 4-5 pm and stop at Fort Roberts State Park, They have campground there, we pick a site and make supper and relax. I don't even unhook tonight, we want to leave early again tomorrow. 350 miles today..

Aug 12,Wednesday, we check out the Fort Roberts before we leave then we follow Rt 20 east. just a 2 lane highwaybut the speed limit is 65 all the way with reduced speeds at each little town. Alot of towns have dwindled down in size and alot of abandon buildings are present. We stop for fuel and lunch, in the diner there are hard working cowpokes taking a break. You can tell they work outside and hard Too!! They are very polite and friendly too. There are poloroid pictures on the wall, I ask..she said this wall is Truckers..next cowboys..next motorcyclists...What No Clowns?? She said they are all clowns, so I give her a "Obie" card and she tapes it to the wall next to front door...Look for it if you stop in!! Sands Cafe is the Diner, Merriman,Nebraska.

There is a book on the table with mile markers all along Rt 20 and it explains what to see. I ask for one and she said they are free. It is nice to read short essays about each town, some have 39 residents some have more or less. But each highway town sign has the population on them. We stop and drive around each little village and return to the highway again. It is a shame for some of these towns that used to have such buildings,but now are in disrepair.

We arrive in Randolph,Nebraska, they have a town park for tourists to camp in the night...did I say FREE!!! You get water/electric too...but you may leave a donation too...what a nice gesture for these towns...yes... each town does this...5-10 spots Free!! Just Donation. Think of the business they bring in from campers. I already spent $60.00 on fuel and plan to get a few groceries tomorrow...NO Wal-Marts Here!! Just Mom & Pop Stores the Back Bone of America!! Sometimes we get caught up the fast life we forget what did build these small towns years ago..now some are falling apart. There are 3 motorhomes and 2 trailers here tonight. A late supper under the Beautiful Sunset!! 370 miles today...Then zzzzzzzzzz
God Bless...AirstreamHobo & Carol http://picasaweb.google.com/AirstreamHobo/Rt20Nebraska#