eHeart

Friday, September 17, 2021

Michigan via Indiana

On the way to Michigan, we stopped Pullman National Monument in Chicago, Pullman manufactured luxury train cars.

Pullman Exhibit Hall in the Administration Clock Tower

Pullman National Monument - Hotel Florence

And then Indiana Dunes National Park - West Beach

Indiana Dunes National Park - Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk

Indiana Dunes National Park - Lake View Beach

Black Lake Boardwalk - East

An Historic Ottawa County Park at Holland

Ottawa County Park - Holland Harbor

City of Milwaukee at Manistee

Arcadia overlook - Lake Michigan

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - Covered Bridge

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - Lake Michigan Overlook
Can you see these two people climbing back up the dune?

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
North Bar Lake

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Dune Climb

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Glen Haven Historic District - Cannery Boat Museum

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Maritime Museum

Grand Traverse Lighthouse at Leelanau State Park

Mission Point Lighthouse Est. 1870

Scenic turnout

We had a good Mexican dinner at Traverse City

Tunnel of Trees on the Scenic Byway to Cross Valley

We took ferry to Mackinac Island.
The ferry took a longer route under the Mackinac Bridge so tourists can see the bridge up close.

Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the Mackinac Island. The buildings are beautiful and unique.

Someone balanced the rocks like a statue.

Taxi on the Mackinac Island.

The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore visitor center in Munising Falls was closed.
We laughed when we saw the sign "Passport Stamps Take a photo".

Someone saw holding the National Parks Passport, and asked us how many stamps we have. His said he sister has 80. I think we have her beat.

Dinner at Dogpatch in Munising.

It was worth taking a 2.5 hours cruise to see the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore from the Lake Superior. Many rock formations have names. The cruise driving in this narrow cove, and then backed out.

I bought a onyx heart as a souvenir from their gift shop.

Wagner Falls at Munising.

Scenic Area when we drove through to the town of Christmas - Scott Falls.

After the cruise, we also drove through the park - Miners Castle Lower Overlook.

Log Slide Scenic Overlook, someone climbing up the dune.

Sable Falls

Sault Ste. Marie - Soo Lock observation.

People on the tour boats and people on the observation deck were waving and taking of each other.

We think we had more fun watching the tour boats than the people riding the tour boat through the lock.

Soo Locks Visitor Center - A lock is like a water elevator for the ships moving between different levels of water. This one is between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.

A couple there saw me with no jacket, and said to me, you will be freezing, and lent me their jacket as we were watching the ships go through the locks. Their kindness warmed my heart.

Canal Park

Tower of History Holy and Name of Mary Catholic Church

Michigan State Capitol in Lansing

The dome of the capitol building

Dinner at Red Lobster in Livonia

We spent 7.5 hours there, and only covered the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and part of Greenfield Village. We did not have time to see everything in the Village or go on the car factory tour.

An old presidential car.

I bought this from their gift shop

Greenfield Village - Thomas Edison lab

River Raisin National Battlefield Park

Dinner at Smokey Bones Grill in Maumee

Steve made a pilgrimage to an archery shop before we continued to Indianapolis.
Indiana State Capitol

Downtown Indianapolis - Ghostbusters on a mission, we don't know whether they caught a ghost or not.

Cataract Falls State Recreation Area in Indiana.

Friday, May 14, 2021

Louisiana via Arkansas

A road trip May 8-14

The bridge connecting Memphis and Arkansas

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park in Memphis, TN.

First time we saw a telescope for color blind people.

這是給色盲的望眼鏡，特别的鏡别能給他們看到全部的顏色。

我試用望眼鏡，出現的顏色却不是如常的全部顏色，不知道是不是就成色盲所看到的顏色？

Arkansas Post National Memorial

Poverty Point World Heritage Site in LA (2100BC)

Vicksburg National Military Park in MS - Missouri monument

Vicksburg National Military Park in MS- USS Cairo

Natchez National Historical Park in MS

Louisiana's Old State Capitol

River Front at Baton Rouge

City Hall

Public Library

The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway - 23.83 miles

French Quarter in New Orleans

Hotels didn't provide hot breakfast due to covid.

Steve asked the receptionist where he could get beignets, she recommended Cafe Du Monde. They were fantastic.

People were lined up for them.

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park closed on Monday, sad that we couldn't do or see anything.

So we headed in Grand Isle.

Grand Isle State Park is at the tip of isle.

We stopped for the day in New Iberia, I asked the hotel receptionist if she could recommend a good local place for dinner. She recommended Duffy's Diner.

Big portions and reasonable prices.

Shadows-on-Teche is closed when we were there.

We arrived at Avery Island too early, so they wouldn't let us in.

We headed to Rip Van Winkle Garden at Jefferson Island.

Driving through torrential rain in Lake Fausse Pointe State Park in LA, but Steve did not want go in, and wanted to turn back, he afraid the road would flood.

Cane River Creole National Historical Park in LA - Oakland Plantation

Cane River Creole National Historical Park in LA - Melrose Plantation

Crater of Diamonds State Park in AK.

People come to try to find diamonds with tools, we didn't have any tools and didn't to rent them. So we just walked around to see if the previous day's rain uncovered some near the surface.

Do you we found any diamonds?