Road Trip 2009: What you see is what you get

Last night we stayed in a nice roadside motel in Iron Mountain, Michigan with a very good restaurant within walking distance and a piece of local history next door; an early attempt to process low grade iron ore from the area. All that remains are large chunks of concrete and an historic plaque.

Driving through Northern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan has been beautiful; lots of lakes, trees and a nice highway. So many tempting side roads to explore.

The problem with a road trip like this is that you need to keep moving. What you see is what you get and there is very little time for more than brief side trips and exploring. Each area we have passed through is deserving of an extended stay.

It is a different kind of trip but has it's own magic with the scenery, elevation, weather and all surroundings changing quickly. The size, beauty and diversity of this country are seen daily.

There are areas where I truly wonder why someone would choose to live there; no beauty in the eye of this beholder; obviously poor economy and other areas with so much more to offer. But usually we drive down the road a bit further and see a lake or community or somehow get a sense of the area and see how, if this is home, this has it's own beauty and connections for those who do choose to live there.

Other communities tug at us. We could live here! As we enter the Great Lakes area of the Midwest Jim feels more and more at home. He loves the small freshwater lakes with the fish he caught as a boy. The calm waters with no tides where strategy is more a part of fishing than in our open saltwater front yard. He has always said he would like to live on a lake with a dock and a small boat.

Each day I look forward to the adventure, the changes, the memories and the discoveries. Time to start today's journey.