Back in the USA!!

First day out of Winnipeg.. cleared border uneventfully, stopped in FARGO, ND and saw the infamous WOODCHIPPER - the one actually seen in the movie Fargo! We were finally able to serve up revenge to a few of the aggressive drivers we had encountered (as seen in photo...)

Had a longer than desired stay in Onawa, Iowa where first, upon our arrival we discovered that our car was dead and we had to get a jump from AAA and then went out and purchased a new battery…. Checked out downtown Omaha and WOW WAS IT WAY BIGGER than we expected! Had hoped to get a good cannoli at an Italian place called Orzios, but they only had pudding filled… yuck.  Next morning upon gearing up to leave Onowa, Iowa… the RV started and then dies right at the campsite. Turns out we must have picked up some bad diesel fuel somewhere and needed new fuel filters. This was disappointing as we JUST HAD THEM REPLACED about three weeks ago! We ended up being marooned in Onowa Iowa for an extra day while waiting for the proper filters to be express shipped from out of town.  Finally rolled out of Iowa at about 3 pm on Friday afternoon…. Drove thru a good part of the night to arrive at Memphis by 11 am Saturday the 27^th to the Graceland RV Park which was right next door to THE Graceland where Elvis lived (and DIED.  Pictured are his mansion, his "Jungle Room", the piano he played the day he died, his plane (named the Lisa Marie, after his daughter,) and his grave site. Did also visit the historic Lorraine Motel where in 1968, Martin Luther King was shot and killed by James Earl Ray.  Plenty of great BBQ places … we ate at Corkys and Central BBQ, as well as Gus Famous Fried Chicken….

Oh... and we almost got to see the Peabody Ducks in Memphis- in a BBQ!!!! When we showed up, the place was surrounded by fire trucks, as it was having a fire in the laundry rooms!!

Alright... we went back for a second try to see the Peabody Ducks (after we were visited by the windshield peoples to repair our THIRD chip in the RV on this trip...) This time, we DID get to see the parade of quacking fowl... they were quite cute.

After those daffy ducks, we went to THE FLYING FISH for lunch, around the corner from the Peabody Hotel... Uniquely, the place ADOPTS unwanted talking/singing Billy Bass fish (in exchange, they give the donor a free catfish dinner platter! There were hundreds of these upon the walls of the restaurant.

Final stop to note in Memphis was significant... in the Sun Studio... which is thought to be the birthplace of rock and roll. It is where Elvis recorded "Its Alright" and signed his first contract. Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis. Bob Dylan and most recently, Maroone 5 also have recorded in this studio. Grabbed a few sweet treats at MUDDYS BAKERY...Pecan Pie, Coconut Pie and cupcakes from a place named after the picture below.... Yup, thats the Mississippi River and its nickname is Big Muddy!

We did a marathon drive from Memphis, TN to Tallahassee Florida.... only to land on the very spot on the very day, where Tropical Storm Hermine was pointed! REALLY???? We were gone the entire summer and not one single storm comes toward Florida... that is until the VERY DAY we return, and then it is heading right toward the spot we stopped overnight at???  Welcome home!

Winnie the POOH!!! From WHERE??? WINNIPEG, CANADA!!!!!

Arrived in Winnipeg Canada on Sunday 8/21… and first thing we learned was that WINNIE THE POOH has his origins in WINNIpeg, Canada! See two pics in that regard….

Visited one of their top attractions- the Canadian Museum of Human Rights… a stunning building with unique architecture both inside and out.  Also had a dazzling display of exhibits inside on ALL types of rights: LGBT, womens, childrens, minorities, aboriginals, and disabled people’s.  

We also saw…Over the top parks- one of which, Assiniboine, had a phenomenal sculpture garden filled with incredible flowers and works of art- all the while a fantastic music performance was occurring (all FREE!) Had the BEST EVER Chicken Curry while there, with PILES of toasted coconut and chutney and raisins !

Yeah.... and then there was the story where we wondered if we were identified as some homeless people who needed a free meal!  During a concert in the park in Winnipeg, we were approached and offered some free soup in the back of the stage area.... hmmmm, should we consider perhaps dressing UP MORE??? Soup was.... really really good!

Tomorrow, Tues 8/22... we point the Mother Ship Southward for the long homeward journey.

Voyageur's National Park & Back to CANADA for 3rd time this trip...

Moved ourselves in to the Voyageur’s National Park in WAY UPPER Minnesota (borders Canada…) Stayed at The Pines at Kabatogama (and boy we will never forget it, as we had so much PINE TAR fall from the trees and on to our RV, and the blow up boat!)  Both of us got to ride the monster WALLEYE fish seen in photos below…

Miles and miles and miles of pristine rocky /  tree covered shoreline and islands to boat through.  We met a “couple” from Minnesota there (gentleman and his niece…) and we shared company on a rented pontoon to visit the ‘apparently famous’ Kettle Falls Hotel and restaurant… he has been coming to the area for several decades and was a certain bonus to have on board the boat as a guide to the area.  Had an unusual boat lunch of PBJ and beer….  For dinner we did take out walleye fish sandwiches from the Kettle Falls Hotel (were pretty big and very tasty!)

On Saturday 8/20 we crossed back into Canada at International Falls MN to Fort Francis Canada border crossing…. Oddly it was a longer slower line to go to CANADA, then it was to get back into the USA!  Nice ride up to Kenora area (one day stop over to get to Winnipeg) where they are best known for “Huskie the Muskie” 40 foot fish… saw a nice provincial park that was really similar to the Voyageurs National Park back in US.

Back to Florida... just to visit and Return to Minnesota

Flew back to Florida for a week to attend baby shower for soon to arrive grand daughter, Emma.  Very ambitious party put together by Jessica for Caylan and Mark's future arrival.

Returned to Minneapolis picked up car and drove back to Duluth MN to pick up RV (just had it serviced)... and then drove up to the "North Shore" on MN, which is North of Duluth along the coast of Lake Superior.... to stay 5 days at beautiful Grand Marias Municipal Campground (less then an hour to the Canada Border.) Truly a quaint fishing town....

Did lots of hiking around the area to take in several Falls- Devil's Kettle among the nicest of them.

Took a day trip up to Thunder Bay, Canada...the area was overall..."Ehh..." but we did have a real good Polish dinner there consisting of perogies, sausage and stuffed cabbage...  Oh- and YES- there was the amazing Fort William (recreated village of the FUR TRADERS from the past- where this area was the central hub.)  Apparently the main hub WAS in the US in Grand Portage, MN- until we screwed it up and the Indians had to move across the border to Canada due to a treaty that the US drew up with Canada...

Moved on to more central MN in Tower at the Hoodoo Point Campground.  Here we experienced the true nature of 10,000 lakes that MN is known for!  We were right on Lake Vermillion and utilized our blow up boat each day we were there.... caught some perch and smallmouth bass.  Close by was the town of ELY where we visited two neat places... First was the International Wolf Organization, where they has impressive displays of wolves in action AND they had 7 resident wolves- two of which were three month old pups (arctic wolves, WHITE)....

Second place was the American Bear Center, again with some great taxidermy specimens and in addition they had some resident BLACK bears as well. Will be heading a bit further north tomorrow 8/17, to the Voyageurs National Park near the Canadian border.