All good things come to an end. After visiting our son and his family in Michigan for about 2 weeks it was time to head for home. Rather than take the busy route through Chicago we took I-75 north to the Mackinac Bridge to cross Lake Michigan. Once out of the sprawl of Detroit and adjoining cities it was easy driving. We enjoyed the brilliant colours of fall and the pastoral scenery of the Michigan countryside.
On the first day of travel after about 2 hours of driving we were hit by a weather front. We could see it coming. Heavy wind and rain slowed us down considerably. By the time we reached Mackinaw City and the northern tip of Michigan’s lower peninsula the bridge that crosses the Straits of Mackinac was closed. We had to wait for about an hour to allow the winds to subside. The Mackinac Bridge, a suspension bridge, joins Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. It’s 5 miles long and is a magnificent feat of engineering.
After crossing “Mighty Mac’ our route took on secondary highways through the town of St. Ignace, Michigan to eventualy join up with interstate highway 90 just south of St. Paul, Minnesota. Interstate 90 took us to Spokane Washington. From there it was a rather short and pleasant drive to the US/Canada border at Midway, B.C. and then home.
We came across many old and broken down farm buildings. I managed to photograph some of them but it was difficult from the side of busy interstate highways. We loved the small town of Mitchell South Dakota. The main attraction there is the Corn Palace, a world famous auditorium that has existed for over 100 years. It annually attracts more than 500 thousand visitors. The building is decorated with murals entirely made of corn cobs.
On the way to Mount Rushmore and the sculpture of four of America’s presidents we stopped at Wall, South Dakota. For more than 200 kilometres, billboards along the highway enticed drivers to stop, stretch their legs, eat a delicious homemade meal and of course purchase some of the trinkets and items of clothing that are common fare to most tourist attractions.
Mount Rushmore is a magnificent edifice. It’s mind boggling to think that men hung from ladders and ropes as they carved four presidential faces out of solid granite. It is very popular not only as a tourist attraction but also as a reminder of the contributions made by 4 consequential presidents.
After visiting Mount Rushmore Ellen and I realized we wanted to be home. It had been a long but very satisfying drive. So, for the last 2 days we enjoyed the scenery and I made notes of places to visit should we venture that way again.
Jim Harding
13 Nov 2022I appreciate your journey and pictures Stu
Stu
19 Nov 2022Thank you Jim!
Alan FLYNN
16 Nov 2022A comprehensive and interesting information ofmtour journeynand espereineces Stu accompanied by stunning scenes. I would,love to see.Mounr Rushmore.
Stu
19 Nov 2022Mount Rushmore is a very interesting site. The first time we were there it was shrouded in fog which after a few minutes lifted. Then fell again to obscure the sculpture. Very mystical.