On the Road Again and Again

Chatanooga, Tennesee River Walk

Instead of racing to a destination we are savoring the scenic opportunities along the way to the Atlantic Coast in Georgia.


Our stops include:

Chatanooga, Tennesee
Art along the river walk. Enjoyed the pedestrian bridge across the Tenneesee River. We tried to go to their famous Aquarium but the lines were too long.

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River walk over Pedestrian Bridge



Abraham Lincoln first and only family home-Springfield, Il

Springfield, Illinois
Toured the Lincoln Home National Site. Their first and only family home. A freebie and very interesting.

Abe's modest desk



Lincoln Formal Living Room



Cahokia envisioned in its prime

Collinsville, Illinois
Cahokia Mounds
a state Historical site and one of about two dozen US World Heritage Sites. This one was on my bucket list.

Cahokia Visitor Center, Collinsville, Il 


Outstanding visitor center. You can even walk to the top of monks mound.



The walk up largest earth mound in the world



Shawnee National Forrest-Garden of the Gods



Garden of the Gods-Southern, Il

Shawnee National Forrest in Southern,  Illinois
We walked the Garden of the Gods. Beautiful visit. But don't ask us how to get there. We made  the mistake of taking a gravel road over the mountain and had to four wheel it. Rambo did a great job but did get dirty and a little scratched. Now he has some real street cred.















Garden of the Gods

Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta Botanical Gardens
We strolled through the gardens admiring many plants that don't survive our winters. The camellias, dogwoods and redbuds were in bloom. The claim to house the most orchids anywhere and there were too many to count.




Chinese Fringe Tree-Gardens

Atlanta Botanical Garden



Pitchers Plants-Gardens

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Orchid Displays- Gardens

Next stop-Tybee Island-Georgia








Anticipation

Just had to try! Like sour cream and onion
w/o onion and a note of pepper

After the storm system Tuesday, it looks like clear driving.

Still lots to do before we hit the road. I just can't leave the house until it's all clean. Just a thing I guess.

We've done our grocery shopping and plan on having our own little tailgating party along the way so there's food to prep. We've been emptying the freezer and getting creative with leftovers and mystery containers.

Lots of laundry to do so we can put together the most outfits between laundry stops and of course there's time to plot out the route.We have a newish voice activated  Garmon GPS, that we fondly call Wendy, will have to follow her anywhere.

Besides all the preparation we've gotten in the mood with a few movies, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and
The Note Book. Also have been watching Top Chef since it was shot in Charleston. Nothing like getting in the mood.

The hot tub is now drained and turned off, there's no turning back now.




 

Snow Bird Report

Snow Bird, common name for Dark-eyed junco.

No this blog isn't a birding count of juncos returning to our winter feeders or the amount of snow at a ski resort in Colorado.

It's about high time we join the other fellow Wisconsinites and take our turn heading south for part of the winter, as a true Snowbird would.

Just as the sudden appearance of juncos in time for snow we are going to make a sudden disappearance between snow storms this February. We thought we were ready to take HaRVey the RV, but not this year.


The winter season has been bearable with lots of anticipation in planning and preparation. It's been fun going through these modern travel aides to find quant roadside restaurants and unique places and events along the way.

It used to be you loaded up on maps, visited AAA for a trip planning guide or even stopped in to the local travel agent for brochures or advice. Its so different today browsing through travel apps, reading forums and just calling the place to talk to their visitor services. We've had much past success in our efforts finding just the right mix of nature and culture.

Here's just a few of my favorite sites and tools that I've discovered work for me and from those other travelers have shared.

TripAdvisor, app
Roadsideamerica.com
GasBuddy, app
Trolly Tracker, local app
Pinterest
Garmon, GPS

Note: I did go to Barnes and Noble to pick up an actual map of Eastern United States, just needed the big picture in front of me. Yes, they do still make them. I figure it couldn't hurt to have a back up plan.

This months destination Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, plus lots of stops along the way. Taking my laptop with to blog. I'm excited!
 

Pilgrimage

Pilgrimage, can be a journey you take to make peace with the world. Some make a pilgrimage to Perrot State Park to reconnect with nature.

Others looking for a more religious pilgrimage in the area make their way to the Shrine of Guadalupe in La Crosse.
















Located just south of town, the beautiful setting is open to visitors year round. Be prepared for a short half mile hike up a winding path leading you to the Shrine Church and passing along many sculptural displays of depicting the Catholic faith. There's also lots of stained glass, faux decorative techniques and large scale paintings to admire.













When you have the chance to visit be sure to request the half hour film in the Pilgram Center describing the 1531 events of the virgin mary's appearance to Juan Diego, in what is now modern Mexico City. Now hailed as the Mother of the Americas she is venerated right here is the Coulee Region.




 
 
 

Check out the website www.guadalupeshrine.org for other events like organ recitals, guest speakers which have included a daughter of a saint and touring relic displays. Or of course you can also take in mass and confessionals weekly.

 

While visiting they have a nice place to eat the Cuilina Marianna Café and Flores Mariae Gift Shop with everything from rosaries, metals of saints and Christmas decorations.

Speaking of saints, did you know the Patron Saint of Foresters, Parker Rangers and Parks is St. John Gaulbert.  So if you're inclined maybe say a prayer to him in order to help protect the good work done to preserve our parks.  

A-Musing Christmas

During the month of December most theater programs have repeat performances of the Nutcracker and other typical holiday scores.

In search of something different we attended the Great American Trailer Park Christmas at The Muse Theater in La Crosse, Wisconsin.

It was right up our alley, set in a trailer park in Florida, duded up in tacky holiday decor. The message of Christmas cheer conveyed in cutoff hot pants and trashy humor was enhanced as we sat in the pews of an old church turned theater venue.

The intimate theater has lots of charm saved by Vicki and Don Elwood. The Muse Theater is only a block away from a great dining opportunity Pogrebas.

Happy Holidays to you and yours. Hope your New Year stays A-Musing!

 

Pearl Street Brewery

 Tailgaiting for Life at the Pearl Street Brewery in La Crosse Wisconsin.














Housed in the old Rubber Mills Factory the local brewery was the ideal spot for the most unforgettable tailgating party as a fund raiser for the American Cancer Society.













The big game of Packers against the Bears and lots of delicious food provided by many generous local businesses and those willing to join in the Tail Gate Cook-off.










Everyone was a winner by the end of the afternoon with raffles and games.



Be sure to check out www.pearlstreetbrewery.com for all their fun events and a brew tour too.

Morning Moon Over Trempealeau

 These super moons lately have been quite a sight to see.















Having arrived early at Perrot State Park I had the chance to see the moon setting over Trempealeau Mountain going into Trempealeau Bay.













At the same time I happen to turn around and catch a nice sunrise too.