Days Inn Iron Mountain

Years ago Mom said that she would like to take her 3 daughters to Chile to visit Gloria, who had lived with the Fergusons in 1970/71. Two weeks ago we decided that now is the time to make this journey. Dec. 2 we will fly from Milwaukee to Atlanta, GA to Lima Peru. We will visit Machu Picchu. Then we will fly to Santiago Chile.

... I'm not sure why, but that whole process doesn't seem as scary anymore.

I was VERY close to signing up for a volunteer trip to Costa Rica when the Morocco opportunity came my way. After I got back from Morocco, I wanted to make this a reality, so I signed up to volunteer for one week in an orphanage in Costa Rica at the end of February. The program is through (IVHQ) International Volunteer HeadQuarters, and I have heard nothing but positive ...

October 10 - 12 - The Push West!

October 10



Left Ottawa at 0530

Drove to Marquette, Michigan via Sudbury and Sault - St. Marie - a little over 1000 kms.

Stopped at Tim Hortons for breakfast

Quick stop in North Bay to p/u veggies/bread/cheese

Quick stop at park in Sudbury to go for short walk

Spectacular fall colors between Sudbury and Sault-St.-Marie

Marquette, Michigan, United States wendyandbrian

... state is an almost unused four-lane divided road. We also started seeing trees in the small river valleys.

In Minnesota, fall colours are starting to appear. Also, they are building a pipeline (Canadian natural gas?) across the state which made it almost impossible finding an inexpensive motel room. Picked up a gallon refill of beer (Oatmeal stout) in Duluth to be used at the Minnesota-Greenbay football game -- the ...

... of Chicago. Crazy!!!! Some great fun was had. Then it was back home for us, too, with horrible United Airlines who hadn’t managed to seat the 2 of us together although we’d checked in 6 ½ hours before departure. Thankfully the cabin staff made up for the ground staff’s incompetence and we found ourselves holding hands on the flight back to Heathrow reminiscing on our beautiful holiday off the tourist track in America. We’ll be back!

... it is mostly industrial but has a certain charm especially with the river. It is also the home of the Green Bay Packers and the locals are very proud of their team. Unfortunately we ran out of time so didn't get to go and look at the stadium (they had their training camp on which would have been interesting to watch.

The next day we were up and off to Grand Rapids / Duluth.

Got to check out the Iron Mountain mine today. Interesting, but nothing much different than other mines I've seen. One thing that was of interest, some of the old equipment on display still is operational! I also went to the Iron Museum of Michigan. Lot’s of history and good displays.

I hate to admit it, but the most interesting place of the day was "Da Yoopers" tourist trap. It’s quite unbelievable. I took lots of pictures.

This stop was creepy. I was driving and looking for a small town campground along the highway. I had seen numerous ones before deciding to stop. When I was ready, none were to be found. I drove for over an hour before seeing a sign. I pull in. The campground was deserted. Paid my $8.00. It was dark within an hour. Pitch black. The next morning I was still alone in the campground. I've posted a few pictures taken on the road to here during a rest stop.

... thought the crowd was moderate compared with a cricket crowd that has been drinking all day. The night became colder as the game wore on. The Buffalo Bills lost to the Denver Broncos but a week later the Bills beat the Cincinnati Bengals. Josh, who follows the Bills was glad they won for a change. However, their performance for the season was mediocre and they did not make the play-offs.

... und wir legten eine 16 zu 0 Serie hin. Am Anfang des 4 Quarters war dann endlich meine Zeit gekommen. Der Coach zog mich Spielern, die schon seit 3 Jahren spielen vor und nur aus einem Grund weil er wusste das er von mir absoluten Kampfgeist erwarten konnte und den brauchte er jetzt in der Abwehr. Also wurde ich eingewechselt und ich machte einen guten Job und dabei war es mir egal wieviele Fouls ich kassiere wichtig war ...