On the Wings of a Dolphin: October 2011

(Posted by Caitlin)

Wisconsin

We spent one night and two days in Milwaukie, WI. There, we bought and cooked some amazing bratwursts, stuffed them in pretzel rolls, and topped them with grilled onions (too delicious to add condiments). Further south, in Racine, we took a free tour of the Johnson and Johnson Wax Museum. Online Source Exerpt: Johnson Wax Headquarters is the world headquarters and administration building of S. C. Johnson & Son in Racine, Wisconsin. Designed by American architect Frank Lloyd Wright for the company's president, Herbert F. "Hib" Johnson, the building was constructed from 1936 to 1939.^[3] Also known as the Johnson Wax Administration Building, it and the nearby 14-story Johnson Wax Research Tower (built 1944–1951) were designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1976 as Administration Building and Research Tower, S.C. Johnson and Son.

Iowa

We briefly dipped into Iowa to have an overnight backpacking trip in Yellow River State Park. It was good to get away and have a big fire, but this state park was not what we expected. Our 12 mile trail crossed over vehicle accessable roads about every ½ mile. Hunting was permitted and we encountered the park border at all four directions. Corn was even being grown inside the state park. It seems this place was planted mainly so locals can fish and shoot things. But, we did see an actual bald eagle, which was a first for the two of us…and probably the only (sorry, no photo). And the foliage was the best us Californians have seen thus far.

Chicago, IL

We have been in Chicago since 10/23 and will be leaving tomorrow. Becca, Andy’s friend from high school, has opened her home to us during this time. We’ve been enjoying hot showers, the benefits of a heating system, a big kitchen, plus the company of Becca and her roommates: Alice, Emily, and Max. A few select trees here display some amazing foliage and this town has great public art (see bellow). We’ve all been preparing good food for one another, so it’s kinda been like home. Andy and I bought two $14 3-day transit passes which have paid for themselves almost twice over. Good ethic food being non-existent in the Midwest, we went to Chinatown twice. $5 worth of dim sum stuffed the two of us J

Next is Niagara Falls. We’re going to take our time heading to NY due to a snow storm currently in the North East. This pace will give us time to enjoy Indiana and Ohio foliage, which is peaking right now. We’ll be hugging Lake Michigan until the Michigan border. Then we’ll stay on the Indiana/Ohio side of that border. Then we’ll hug Lake Erie until Niargara Falls, NY.

Andy's socks never seem to dry

Yellow River State Forest, Iowa

A rare land dolphin

Somewhere in Illinois

Frank Lloyd Wright

most photos are gathered from internet as museum workers don't permit photography

Johnson and Johnson Wax Headquarters/Museum

Works in Chicago

The Robie House

Wright's Home and Studio

Other Wright houses in the area

Public Chicago

Frank Gehry's Concert Stadium

The BEAN!

Under the Bean

Funny video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VF9-sEbqDvU

WARNING: Older generations may not find video amusing

(Posted by Andy)

Since our last post, we saw the southern part of Idaho, blasted through Wyoming (I'll explain why) and almost completed our South Dakota journey.

In the southern part of Idaho we set our sights on Gold Bug Hot Springs, our dearest Dan Johnson's "favorite place on the planet!" This is no small title coming from this well traveled outdoor enthusiast. Dan discovered this particular spring on a 3 ½ month backpacking trip through Idaho with his travel buddy and pack-mule. They were caught by a surprise blizzard that lasted for a week and a half, and wielding only some warm clothes and a tent, Gold Bug was a sight for sore eyes, and legs, and back. Surrounded by pine and pink granite cliffs, an amazing bird's-eye view of the canyon below, and fresh water pools of 85-125 degree water, Caitlin and I were in Dan's shoes. When we come back to Salmon, Idaho in years to come, we will make it top priority to soak our bones in the serene Gold Bug hot springs, as should you!

(Unfortunately we forgot to bring the camera to Gold Bug, so you’ll have to go see it for yourself. Call us for exact location and directions!)

We made our way down further south in Idaho to Craters of the Moon National Monument. In short, an ancient volcano and series of fissures really lost their cool and spewed lava for about 50 square miles in the south of Idaho. It has since cooled, hardened and been claimed by the government. Looking like a prime filming site for the original series of Star Trek, Craters of the Moon really throws you into a celestial state of mind. Pictures below include panoramic views of the flow and of some caves we went hiking through. Just 20 miles from the main highway, this is completely worth the time to go visit.

Wyoming. We got snowed on in Jackson, but our Glacier experienced resulted in an immediate purchase of rain gear, so we were dry at least. The snow was severe enough, sadly, to keep us from the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone (honeymoon opportunity?). We filled up in Wyoming for $3.25 a gallon and Lost Springs has a population of 4. Off to South Dakota!

We will remember South Dakota for Mount Rushmore and the Badlands National Park. The drive up to Mt. Rushmore was as impressive as the monument, boasting jutting rock pillars, beautiful pine rolling hills and tranquil overcast skies. The first thing that came to mind for the monument itself was, “It’s smaller than I thought.” It’s not on a proud, gleaming white cliff that watches ever vigilant and regal over South Dakota and our nation as the history books portray, it’s just right there in the hillside. But it was one of the most impressive monuments we have ever witnessed. As we got up closer, the busts grew substantially and I was truly proud to have the same human cognition as those who skillfully and masterfully crafted this rock into a national treasure. Sadly, as the clouds rolled in, our dead presidents’ faded out, and we left. We spent the night in Wall to wait for the sunlight for our Badlands experience. It was indeed an experience. Having visited the Grand Canyon previously, I personally thought it was as equally literally awesome. Also volcanically spawned, the Badlands are the eroded remains of millions of years of volcanic ash turned clay and stone. Without erosion the Badlands would just be another grassland, like miles and miles of the surrounding area. This is not the case, and the pictures below speak for themselves. We were lucky enough to do a 4 mile loop trail, of which we also have photographic proof.

South Dakota has also given us 2 other experiences, of Crazy Horse Monument and getting a new Dometic refrigerator- THANK YOU STEVEN SEGO – we love you. Crazy Horse is the same idea of Mt. Rushmore, but for the commemoration of lost lives of Native Americans. This monument is 10 years in the making and still has an expected journey of 20ish years. We paid $20 to see the monument (which is only the face of the entire project), but it was raining and we couldn’t go up to see it. We got 1 picture, got our money back, and got the heck out. But on the bright side, our fridge is practically freezing! Thanks again Dad.

I am posting from Mitchell, Sd (the location of our fridge installation). From here, we go to Sioux Falls to hopefully buy some more coffee beans, then off to Minneapolis and the Great Lakes. Hope you enjoy the pictures, and we’ll be posting in another week or so!

-Craters of the Moon National Monument-