Sunday, September 26, 2010

Back Home

Last day and no real plans, just knew I had to get home sometime today. We were close to Arthur, IL which is an Amish settlement. Really didn't think we would see much since it was Sunday, but we did see this guy out. After leaving there we went to Parke Co, in Indiana. It was an area we have been to before. There are 31 covered bridges in this small county. Before, when we were here, we saw most of them, but thought we would stop through again.

Catlin Bridge, Built in 1907 and was 54 ft long. This one was moved to this area.

West Union Bridge, Built in 1876 and was 315 ft long.

Marshall Bridge, built in 1917 and was 56 ft. long

This was along the way. The bicycle was as tall as me. To get the true perspective, look at the seat. It was a normal bike seat.


Rush Creek Bridge, Built in 1907, 77 ft long. It has recently been painted. (They are having a covered bridge festival here in 2 weeks so guess they are getting ready)

Jackson Bridge, Built in 1861, and is 207 ft long

Buddy driving the pony through



This really gives you a better idea of how long it is.

After leaving the covered bridge area we drove through another Amish area we had been to 3 years ago. Didn't really think we would see much since it was Sunday, but there were quite a few out on the road. Sorry some of the pics are blurry, I had my camera on the wrong setting, plus we were moving along at a pretty good clip.









Our route today.

This was the GPS when we got home. It was off by about 61 miles according to the mileage on the car. Something was wrong and it kept shutting down. So our total mileage was 2,917 miles.

So, until next year, that was the trip in the Pony. I think we have pretty much covered the upper states, so guess we will have to move south. Really wish we could drive the California/Oregon coast, but we would need more than a week to make it there and back. SOMEDAY!!!!


Saturday, September 25, 2010

Fall Trip Day 10

This morning as we left we took all backroads again, and it took us to beautiful farms
Couldn't leave Wisconsin without getting some cheese. We stopped and bought some cheese from Igor!!! Another great farm This picture don't do this justice, because I had my zoom lens on and couldn't get the whole feel of it. Hundreds of acres of cornfields (these were taken while moving down the road)




After going through all this beautiful country side in Wisconsin, we enter Illinois and see all these ugly windmills. Thanks, Obama for making your state an eye sore in this beautiful country.

They went on for miles and miles
This was one straight road that we drove for 80 miles, and yes all we saw was corn fields.

Thousands of acres of corn.
You build a house, plant a few trees, and yes, you are surrounded by CORN
Our route today.

Friday, September 24, 2010

Fall Trip Day 9

Today when we left Two Harbors it was still a little rainy, so we decided to move on and not go back to see Split Rock Lighthouse. As I said before we have been there and I have some good pics of it, so wasn't too hard for me to move on. Our plan (by many people insisting) was to go to Mall of America. We got there around noon, so first thing on our agenda was lunch. We checked out the map and decided on Ruby Tuesday. Now to find it was a different story. This place is huge. After we ate, I thought we needed to go shopping? HA HA. NOPE went straight to the Nickelodeon Amusement area.

This is a Pirate Ship adventure where you can walk planks, wires, swinging ladders. All of course with ropes tied to you. I know some little boys that would love to get loose on this.



Then we saw the Deago & Dora Bus ride. OOPS, can't forget Boots!
It was like a ferris wheel
This is Dora's Ferris Wheel
This was the Sponge Bob Drop that me & Buddy rode. If you double click on the pic and enlarge it you will get a better view of the real drop. Lot of flips and turns.
They had log rides
Backyardigans roller coaster

So many other rides, for kids. I just wish I had my grandkids with me. We need something like this in Nashville. That way I could take them to the Nickelodeon Area and their moms could go do my shopping. That would be a great trade out.
My favorite place was the Butterfly Room. You could go in and walk around. The butterflies would land on you or they would let you pick them up.
This one was on a girls shoulder when we walked in.


This is what it looked like before it opened up.
Of course I would have gotten one with injured wings.
Okay, so we were there for 3 hours. Only stores we went in were the Lego store, American Girl & Nickelodeon. I took a couple of picks of part of the mall but there was no good way to get even any idea of how big it is.
It is 4 stories high and close to 500 stores in it.
This is only one wing of the parking buildings that are around it.
After leaving the Mall we road down a route along the Mississippi River to Onalaska, WI
This was our route today.