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Gitchi-Gami Bike Trail
Waking up beside a massive steam locomotive in Two Harbors, Minnesota, set the tone for a day steeped in history and scenery. Agate Bay’s skyline was dominated by the towering Iron Ore Docks—over 1,300 feet long and nearly seven stories high—a powerful relic of the region’s mining heritage. Across the bay, the 1892 Two Harbors Lighthouse kept watch, still guiding ships on Lake Superior. After a coffee stop at Cedar Coffee Company, tucked away on a dirt road outside town, the day shifted to cycling the hilly Gitchi-Gami State Trail. Scenic lake views, rugged shoreline, and a chance encounter with a family bound for Vermont framed the ride, as rain clouds rolled in over Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. By evening, the rain had settled in for the night.
Gooseberry Falls & Split Rock Lighthouse
A smoky sunrise over Lake Superior kicked off a slow Sunday along Minnesota’s North Shore. From a quiet riverside overnight near French River to scenic hikes at Gooseberry Falls and golden-hour photography at Split Rock Lighthouse, the day unfolded with good food, helpful park rangers, and a perfectly quiet night beside an old steam engine in Two Harbors.
Minneapolis, MN - Capitol
Exploring Minneapolis brought a mix of history, art, and local charm. The day began with a tour of the Minnesota State Capitol, where gilded sculptures, mosaic floors, and a massive unsupported marble dome told the state’s story with bold symbolism. From there, the city’s creativity shone at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden—home to the iconic Spoonbridge and Cherry—and inside the Walker Art Center, where free admission and unexpected conversations with locals made the visit memorable. Evening settled in with a smoky Lake Superior sunset, the perfect close to a day spent discovering Minnesota’s capital city.
Kayaking and River Boat Tour
A full day on the St. Croix River began with a peaceful seven‑mile solo kayak trip past shaded banks, wildlife, and remote campsites accessible only by water, capped by an engaging conversation with a park ranger about the riverway’s challenges and beauty. The afternoon shifted to the Taylors Falls Princess for an 80‑minute scenic paddleboat cruise through billion‑year‑old basalt cliffs, glacial potholes, and legendary rock formations, followed by a nostalgic burger‑and‑shake stop at The Drive‑In—a local staple since 1956.
Drive To Twin Falls
A routine laundry stop in Chippewa Falls turned into an unexpected history lesson from a mustachioed local who could recite Wisconsin’s past like an open book. From there, the back roads led through small-town diners, cappuccino breaks in Chetek, and a chance meeting with a globe-trotting park ranger at the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. By nightfall, the day wrapped up with dinner by the river and planning for tomorrow kayak trip.
Chippawa Falls and Leinenkugel Brewery
An afternoon walk through Chippewa Falls turned into a full day of small-town charm. From a tour of the historic Leinenkugel Brewery to a scoop of Dulce de Leche at Olson’s Ice Cream, the day was filled with unexpected moments. A stroll past century-old architecture led to reflections on the past, a fascinating historical plaque, and dinner to close out the day in classic Wisconsin style.
Elroy-Sparta Trail, WI
A long ride on the Elroy-Sparta Trail — the first rail-to-trail conversion in the U.S. — turned into a full-day adventure of tunnels, wildflowers, butterflies, and a minor crash. Along the way, travelers from around the world crossed paths, the Wisconsin landscape rolled by, and a few questions came up about the only state in the country that charges to ride its bike paths.
Wisconsin State Capitol-Madison
the Wisconsin State Capitol led to a stroll through the Monona Terrace, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, and a stop at the iconic Babcock Hall Dairy Store for a scoop of ice cream. Along the way, a conversation with a psychology student moonlighting as a wedding DJ, a hidden plaque honoring a local disability rights advocate, and a Liberty Bell replica added unexpected depth. One five-year-old summed it up best: the ultimate goal is to visit every ice cream shop in the world. Honestly, a goal worth chasing.
A Day at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is a week-long celebration of aviation, featuring everything from military flyovers and vintage aircraft to hands-on workshops, tech talks, and flight demonstrations. With thousands of planes on display and countless events happening across the grounds, it's a must-see for aviation enthusiasts—even a single day offers a glimpse into the scale and energy of the world’s largest airshow.
Cherry Pie, Starlink Apocalypse and Devil’s Lake
What started as a quiet morning with a shower and coffee turned into a series of small detours — from cherry pie confusion to a Starlink outage, changing weather, and a campground that was harder to find than expected. Not the day I planned, but memorable in its own way.
Exploring Fish Creek, WI
A full day exploring Fish Creek, WI—from panoramic views atop Eagle Tower to a rain-soaked boat tour, coffee and dad jokes at Blue Horse Café, a delicious dinner, and an unforgettable Wailin’ Jennys concert. This charming Door County Wisconsin town offers natural beauty, local flavor, and friendly conversations at every turn.
Ride to Gills Rock
I rode my gravel bike from Peninsula State Park up to Gills Rock at the northern tip of Door County. The route hugged the shore of Green Bay, passing through quiet towns, wooded stretches, and scenic farm country. It was mostly a peaceful, rewarding ride with views that kept pulling me off the road to take photos.
Green Bay Lambeau Field
After a quiet morning in JD’s backyard, I made my way to Green Bay for a deep dive into Packers history. From a classic Lambeau Field tour and an inspiring Hall of Fame visit to some local road wisdom and a no-frills overnight stop, the day blended football legacy, local flavor, and life on the road.
Wausau, WI
What started with a dead battery in the quiet woods near Bayfield quickly turned into a full, satisfying day. After a quick jump-start, I found a great coffee shop, explored two standout galleries, wandered downtown Wausau, and ended the day with a cold beer and live bluegrass at a lively local taproom.
Bayfield: Museum, Restaurant and Trails
Today was supposed to be a kayaking day around the Apostle Islands, but heavy rain and wind had other plans. I spent the day exploring Bayfield on foot—visiting the Maritime Museum, walking the Big Ravine Trail system, wandering the historic streets, and learning about the town’s roots at the Carnegie Library. A blackened trout lunch, a double chocolate ice cream, and time photographing the trails rounded out a quiet, weather-shifted day. By nightfall, I was back in the woods, falling asleep to the sound of rain on the van roof.
Cycling Madeline Island
I started the day in the woods near Bayfield with a maple-syrup-heavy breakfast, caught the ferry to Madeline Island, and biked 33 miles through sun, gravel, and quiet roads. Along the way, I met fellow cyclists, visited sacred Ojibwe sites, explored La Pointe, and ended the day with a black-bean burger, live music, and a sunset ferry ride back to Bayfield. Tired, dusty, and happy, I rolled back to my quiet pull-off in the woods and crashed hard.
Two Days of Heavy Rain
After a long day of travel through rain, high winds, and dealing with a slow tire leak, I made the two-hour drive to Duluth to get the tire fixed. I had planned to stay overnight at the local Walmart, but it turns out they don’t allow it—and the place was loud and chaotic anyway. As evening settled in, I headed back toward Bayfield and luckily found a quiet snowmobile trail pull-off just 13 minutes from town. Surrounded by woods and silence, it ended up being the peaceful stop I didn’t know I needed.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness
I spent time exploring the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park — one of the Midwest’s last true wilderness areas. From hiking the rugged trails down to Mirror Lake and spotting wild mushrooms along the way, to scrambling down rocks for a closer look at Nawadaha Falls, it was a day full of solitude, damp forest air, and quiet moments deep in the woods.
Quincy Copper Mine — Houghton, Michigan
I spent the late afternoon exploring the fascinating Quincy Mine above Hancock, Michigan — a place known as “Old Reliable” for its rich copper deposits and long history. From a quiet morning by Portage Lake to descending deep into Level 7 of the mine, I learned how miners once carved out a life in this dangerous industry, working by candlelight and fighting for better conditions. The old hoist houses, rusted ore cars, and wildflowers tell the story of a bygone boomtown — one you can still feel echoing through the dark tunnels today.
Canyon Falls, Cinnamon Rolls
A quiet morning hiking through Canyon Falls — a short, lush trail along the Sturgeon River, with mossy rocks, twisting roots, and the rush of water dropping into Michigan’s hidden ‘Grand Canyon.