Flyover States

Have you ever drove through Indiana?

As we headed out from Cincinnati, Jason Aldean asked if we had ever been through Indiana.  I was starting to agree with the two guys in first class that it was nothing but a bunch of cornfields that all looked the same, until we rolled into Indy for dinner with my mom, sister and my nephew Colin.  The Hoosier state's been good to my family, so it was nice to start the trip off here.

Is this the man who will one day "plow that earth, plant that seed?"

After spending the night in America's Best Value Inn, a classy joint indeed, it was back on the road. An early morning drive through Chicago quickly took us back to the cornfields of Illinois.  Illinois quickly gave way to the rolling hills of Wisconsin.  We passed through the Wisconsin Dells, which as far as I could tell appeared to be the Gatlinburg of the north.  Funny how we flock to nature’s wonders, whether it's the Smoky Mountains or the Dells, from hundreds of miles away, and when we get there all we want to do is shop at outlets, ride go-carts and eat eat eat!

The border between Wisconsin and Minnesota is the St. Louis River.  Crossing this river, we got our first views of Lake Superior, our companion for the next 235 miles.  We arrived at Gooseberry Falls State park to set up camp, and took a short hike around the park.  Lake Superior truly is breathtaking.  The landscape of mountains, cliffs and lakes is reminiscent of Maine or Big Sur, without the salty smell of the ocean.  For now, its light a fire, cook dinner and try to get some sleep before a 19.6 mile day tomorrow on the SHT!

Matt

Dad on the lakeshore at Gooseberry Falls