Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, near Orchard, Nebraska, where twelve million years ago ash fallout from an eruption of a supervolcano in what is now Idaho killed hundreds of animals. Unfortunately it’s far off the beaten path in the NE part of the state, about 125 miles NW of Omaha.

And moving on from the sublime to the ridiculous, there’s Carhenge, also off the beaten path, but near Alliance in the opposite, western end of the state.

We also stayed at gunflint lake on the canadian border in the BWCA. I really love the true wilderness. I know that the BWCA “land taking” was highly controversial, but it really is so special to have that kind of wilderness available. So many other beautiful destinations have become so tourist driven that the “back to nature” element has been all but lost.

Minnesota is a great state, even if the republicans are soon to overtake it. We had to listen to “tales from Lake Woebegone” the whole trip.

There is nothing like a hike to the back woods, and a swim in a cold clear lake to make your head and heart clear.

Break from work, client no showed…a little meditation as I remember when my head WAS clearer.

Grand Portage National Monument has lots of interesting stuff about the fur-trading voyageurs of the 17th and 18th centuries. It’s just a few miles across the border from Ontario on Hwy 61.

Grand Marais, about 40 miles down the road, is an old lumbering town now morphing into a funky artists enclave. It’s also the beginning of the Gunflint trail the other end of which is in the heart of t he eastern end of the Boundary waters Canoe Area. The BWCA is the largest designated wilderness in the lower 48.

Another 25 or so miles southwest is the Lutsen Resort, which has been there since the turn of the 20th century, before there was a highway 61, when guests came by water from Duluth. I worked there for a few months 45 years ago, and its place in my heart was widened a year ago this month when my son got married there. It has a good restaurant and rooms in a wide price range. It is almost exactly at mile #90 (from Duluth), and as you’re coming from Canada the turn off is immediately after you cross the Poplar River.

Next up is Temperance River State park, about 8 miles past the Lutsen Resort turnoff. It’s one of several state parks at the mouths of rivers that rise in the Boundary Waters and its deep gorge, in my opinion, makes it the most picturesque.

I second the notion that Split Rock Light House, mentioned above, is worth a stop.

Finally (at least with regard to the Minnesota North Shore segment of your trip), you come to Duluth, where I can’t ignore bmaz’s concern at #2 for finding opportunities for you to indulge your desire for the fruit of the malt. The place to stop, I have it on good authority, is Fitgers Brewhouse. I’ve never stopped there myself, since when I’m in that area I’m usually in a hurry to either get to the BWCA or home from it. But I’ve been told by those whose judgment I trust in such matters that they make a wicked good brew. Nearby there is also a Fitgers Inn, which is a B&B in the restored building of the old Fitgers Brewery. The latter went belly up decades ago and I’m told that the new Fitgers beers bear no resemblance to the old.

So much for the North Shore. Needless to say, if you stop in the Twin Cities area for any length of time there are several of us avid readers of this blog who would look forward to quaffing a brew or sipping something stronger, and sharing some conversation. Just let us know and when and where, of contact one of us for suggestions re the latter.

Finally, since you’re heading for western South Dakota, my guess is that you’re planning to take I-35 south from the Twin Cities to I-90 and thence west all the way to Rapid City and environs. About 50 miles along the way west you’ll come to my home town, Fairmont a small city of about 10,000. It’s quite picturesque as small upper Midwestern towns go, as it’s set on a chain of five lakes. There’s a fairly good place to eat there called the Sirloin House. It’s on the south side of town (the freeway passes on the north side), but it’s fairly straight forward to get to. Take the first of the two Fairmont exits, which is State highway 15, and go south past the shopping areas. When you’re getting close to the wind turbines on your right, start looking for Hall Street, where you’ll turn right. Take Hall Street as far as you can go, to Albion Avenue, and turn right. The Sirloin House will be on your left in about a quarter mile, overlooking Hall Lake. You can check their hours by phone at (507) 235-3856, and here’s a link to a map. I have no personal agenda in suggesting the Sirloin House. It’s just that I know from personal road travel experience how tempting it is to fall into the familiar franchise rut if you don’t have any suggestions from people with personal knowledge of an area.

Bon Voyage!

http://www.crazyhorsememorial.org/index.shtml

Something else I’ve done, which you may want to skip, but you never know: The World’s Largest Ball of Twine. It’s in Cawker City, KS – which is in north central KS, very much in the middle of nowhere.

It’s a long time since I ‘found a mountain’ in EstesPark, CO. I would imagine Jeralyn will be in the 5280neighborhood this year for the convention. I still think the floor votes will be surprising, more open than media are reporting.