En route to the Badlands we crossed 250 miles of rolling prairie on I-90 in SD. Briefly stopping on the way to take in the Corn Palace, we posed for a corny photo. Judging from the historic photos, this site was much more impressive in years gone by.

In complete contrast to the surrounding natural beauty, we also stopped at a site memorializing the Minuteman missile silos that dotted the northern plains during the Cold War, some within view of the interstate. The red chair was used by the missile commanders on duty.

The Badlands formed the gorgeous background for our campground of the day. We explored on foot and then ate (bison burgers and chili) in the park lodge. The park encourages off-trail exploration and Ben especially enjoyed having free reign over the landscape, climbing wherever caught his fancy! The three people atop the ridge in the last photo are Nick, Ben, and Rowan. To cap off the day, Ranger Ed provided an informative evening lecture on the geology and fossils of the park. We think these lands are pretty awesome, in both senses of the word.

Day 11: Lake Vermillion State Recreation Area SD to Badlands National Park (Cedar Pass Campground) SD – 256 miles.

Today was a long driving day since we had to cross the whole width of Minnesota. Turns out that in addition to being the land of 10,000 lakes, MN is also a land of corn, as that was what we saw for most of our trip – perhaps that’s why Rowan was playing with her food during our driving lunch!

We made good time across MN, however, giving us time to explore the charming city of Sioux Falls, SD. We started at Falls Park, site of the old falls that gave the city its name – now much changed due to quarrying but still beautiful. From there we took the free public trolley into town, toured the outdoor sculpture exhibit throughout the city, and enjoyed delicious shakes at a classic diner.

We continued a bit further west to our campsite in SD, only to find upon arriving that we were nearly the only people here – guess we won’t have to worry about quiet hours! After a refreshing swim in the lake we were treated to yet another lovely sunset during dinner.

Day 10: Stillwater MN to Lake Vermillion State Recreation Area SD – 286 miles.

Hard to believe that Ben is already 11! We intentionally had a short driving day so we would have time for a variety of birthday activities. And pack it in we did. After breakfast at the hotel (yum, waffle maker!), we took a paddle boat onto the adjacent lake and Ben opened his presents on the water. Among them, he received 2 new yo-yos, which he was eager to try out. Then we all played mini-golf at the Lumberjack Village course and topped off the fun (but hot) game with ice cream – before lunch. 🙂

After driving across the rolling farmland of middle/western Wisconsin, we crossed the St Croix river into Stillwater Minnesota – see Nick going for a river dip. The highlight for Ben was going ice skating (kudos to Susannah for finding a year-round rink with public skating on Ben’s birthday!), though he also loved the Mongolian grill/buffet dinner at the end of the day. All in all, a thumbs-up birthday.

Day 8: Hayward WI to Stillwater MN – 119 miles.

No major sightseeing today but we can report a few small events of note:

* We bid farewell to the Great Lakes, after traveling through Michigan and into Wisconsin.

* We shifted from Eastern to Central time – now perhaps we can get the kids to sleep a little earlier! 🙂

* Chester hit 50,000 miles! (only about 1500 are from our trip so far)

* We went hog wild (is that a legit WI phrase?) on some civilization perks, including a hotel room, a movie (we recommend Despicable Me 2), and laundry!

We’re in lumberjack country tonight – see the stained glass display at the hotel restaurant from tonight.

Day 8: Ishpeming MI to Hayward WI – 233 miles

We pulled up stakes after 2 nights in the same place (!) and headed west through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Just outside of Munising we explored the tip of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along Lake Superior. We visited Miner’s Castle – a scenic rock outcropping above tropical-looking waters. Check out the colorful kayaks dotting the water below the cliffs.

But the real highlight was a visit to Camp Greenlee just outside Ishpeming with wonderful hospitality from all of Jill’s family. We sampled a variety of water sports: both kids got up on water skis (a first for both of them!), Nick tried out paddleboarding, and we all went out on a pontoon boat and took in the sunset. Rowan adored and was adored in turn by Sophie and Isabelle, 4-year-old twins. A memorable visit to a wonderful camp!

Day 7: St. Ignace MI to Ishpeming MI – 183 miles.

What better way to spend the 4th of July than to visit the historic Mackinac (pronounced Mackinaw) Island? No driving in Chester today, and no driving at all on the island because “horseless carriages” have been prohibited since 1898.

After taking a fast catamaran to the island, we rented bikes, circumnavigated the island, visited the Fort Museum, watched a 38-gun salute (in honor of the 38 states in the Union in the 1880s), rode in a horse-drawn carriage, explored the stores and fancy hotels (Ben even found his namesake establishment), and – of course – ate fudge. Back at the campsite tonight we watched multiple sets of fireworks across Lake Huron. What a glorious day!

Day 6: 0 miles driving (but 13 miles by ferry and 8 miles by bicycle).

The drive along Lake Huron through Ontario is very scenic, though we kept moving (at Chester top speed, in any event) most of the day so we could connect with Nick’s parents, Lyn and Roger, in Sault Ste Marie in the mid-afternoon.

After glimpsing one corner of Lake Superior, we continued together to St Ignace, MI where we set up camp in the most scenic campsite right on the water overlooking the Mackinac Bridge in Straits State Park. Lake Huron is on one side of the bridge, Lake Michigan on the other. Check out the multiple beds in Chester plus the little tent. The bridge is especially striking at night…

Day 5 – Grundy Lake Provincial Park ON to St Ignace MI (via Sault Ste Marie) – 293 miles.

July 2 – We started our day at the “Prairie” loop of the Bronte Creek Provincial Park with a leisurely morning.

We drove north much of the rest of the day, with a surprise but most welcome stop in Parry Sound, birthplace of Bobby Orr. A second Hockey Museum in just 2 days, featuring – you guessed it! – more interactive hockey games and memorabilia. 🙂

Our campground at night, Grundy Lake Provincial Park, was classic woodsy/lake camping, shared between people and mosquitoes (I think the latter were winning!) Absolutely gorgeous views across the lake through the trees…

Day 4: Bronte Creek Provincial Park ON to Grundy Lake Provincial Park ON – 212 miles.

(We have been in Canada for the past 3 days and haven’t had cell/wifi coverage so we’re a bit behind on posting. Here comes the bounty…)

The July 1 highlight was Toronto. Although we saw the CN Tower from afar, there’s no question that the Howe Family destination of choice was the Hockey Hall of Fame. The kids especially enjoyed the interactive hockey games. Another discovery was the engaging documentary about the pivotal 1972 Canada vs Soviet Union hockey series. And, everyone enjoyed seeing (and even touching) the actual Stanley Cup!

Sampling Toronto cuisine, we had lunch at the market-style Marché inside a Calatrava atrium, and then dinner at a neighborhood pub with the Wilcox family.

Day 3: Fourmile Creek State Park NY to Bronte Creek Provincial Park ON – 64 driving miles (plus GO Train between Bronte and Toronto).

Pretend this was sent yesterday – we didn’t have cell coverage at the campground…)

Today’s highlight was a visit to Niagara Falls. The Canadians truly do have a better view. Crossing the Rainbow Bridge to Canada on foot is free, but coming back home cost 50 cents each for the pedestrian toll – crazy!

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Last night we saw the sunset across Cayuga Lake in Ithaca from the porch of our friends Scott and Laurie. Tonight we saw the sunset across Lake Ontario with the Toronto skyline in the background. Lovely views both.

Day 2: Ithaca NY to Fourmile Creek State Park NY via Niagara Falls – 176 miles.