Judy Garland's Birthplace: Grand Rapids, MN

Interesting little place... lots of memorbilia, costumes from Oz, Meet me in St Louis, that sort of thing... Her house is actually in it's third location in Grand Rapids. The move to it's current sight was mainly on some donated land so they could have a museum next to it. You know, she was a working girl since the age of 3.... kinda sad when you think of that. She lived with everyone's expectations of her...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Very pretty scenery here... but one thing we miss is

The smell of salt water.... sounds weird, I know... but all these huge bodies of water are fresh water... sill just as nice, but different...
Found a bridge picture, have posted just a little tease here.. Also, drove the Skyview Rd... Got some beautiful pics of the Duluth area... You'll see a pic of the Lift Bridge...

 

 

 

 

 

Egads... slept in till 9:30... loved it !

So, after a delicious late start to our day... off we went! We ate at a place called the Duluth Grill that I had seen on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.... When we travel we try to find local unique places and with this show, we've found quite a few scores! This one was no exception.

 

 

So when we were all done, we drove to Wisconsin for a fun little game of PuttPutt... No one could we be this close and not go to the Cheesehead state... Quaint little course, right next to the water. If whoever gets the highest score wins.. I can proudly say, I WON! even got a Hole in One...!

 

 

 

Thank heavens for cell phones... Jerry is able to conduct business even when we're on the road... Wait, I think I've said that before.... Oh well...I love to hear myself talk.. errrr type I quess!

 

The course is next to a ship that has been turned into a museum. It's parked righ there on terrafirma (and has been since about 1971)! The keel is 10 feet below the grass we walk on. Pretty weird body style for a boat... built in the late 1800's... The sign photo at the bottom kinda describes it!

 

Driving through Minnesota!

So started our day with gorgeous weather... and it stayed that way all to Duluth! The sky was bright blue with the puffs of clouds that only the Midwest seems to know how to do right! Stopped for some lunch...Mexican... and by the time we left, got back in the car and on the way to the freeway... H and D assumed the stance they always seem to in the car... Looks so uncomfortable to me...
Our hotel we are staying in is right in the middle of the action in front, and in the back, where our room is, we are on the shores of Lake Superior. Have already seen a couple huge ships come in through the lift bridge. Dinner out, of course, and had to get back to watch "The Voice"....

Every evening they have the fire going on the lawn area and supply the makings for S'mores... Pretty darn nifty... Jer, Halley and Dan participated naturally...

Off to northern Minnesota.... Lake Superior!

We started out with the best news... UPGRADE to First Class.... ahhhh, such a nicer way to travel!  We're looking forward to some fun times with Halley and Dan;  Jerry will have his work hat on while we are here... Last trip we went on, he processed TWO offers for clients.  Wonderful what computers can do!  We couldn't visit with Halley if that wasn't available to us!

Harbor Lights for Dinner... a great ending!

Oh My Gosh... The Copper River Salmon was perfecto....

Bye bye to Winthrop, Hello Leavenworth... the Northwest's Bavarian town...

So, we bid adieu to Winthrop on Saturday, and travelled new roads for our trip home. Those of you not from the Northwest, we have such a variety of flora and terra firma in this state.... We traveled on the east side of the mountains that divide the state, Pines instead of Firs, then, lots of great land next to the Columbia River(...and big vacation houses too, lol). Lots of Apple, Peach, Cherry Orchards... More beautiful country!  We turned right and drove back up into the mountains, and visited the little town of Leavenworth...

Lunched at Cafe Verona.... Oliver even got to join us outside!

I love how the mountains surround us in the place!  Still snowcapped!

So, So cute!

Even McDonalds and The Safeway store are built in the Barvarian Motiff!

Notice the huge commercial mixer being used now as a planter... on the bottom right of pic!

Back in the car... snoozerville again for a couple folks we know...!

Going over Snoqualmie Pass... FOG, FOG, FOG and rain... could hardly see in front of us!

Hiking to the "Sound of Music" in the American Alps!

So, per Carol's suggestion, we drove up to SunMountain Lodge and talked to them about hiking on the trails. They suggested a great route and off we went.... Everything was so beautiful... Mucho Thanks for the idea, Ms Berry!
Oh, and if you're wondering, Oliver did not go with us. Good thing, cuz, I think we would have had to carry him the last mile...
You can see from the pics just how vibrant all the colors are right now.... and everything is oh so green. love it, love it, love it....