Page 4 of ChicagoDave Travel Blog Posts



Entry 15: Lewis and Clark National Forest, Mont. August 1, 2010 Stranded at 7,500 Feet From T.R. National Park, Sophie the dog and I jumped on our first major interstate after almost 2000 miles—I-94. After 50 miles, in Glendive, we hit a desolate road, Route 200, which continues westward towards Great Falls. The drive offered astounding views of rolling, wheat-filled plains. I listened to the I-pod, playing more Dylan and Velvet Underground, snapping pictures at random out the window. Our next stop is Glacier National Park, but having not left T.R. National Park until about 4 p.m., we were again driving directly into the sunset. There would be a stop tonight in another National Forest, the Lewis and Clark. A rare double-rainbow, now a current cyber-hit on YouTube (A hippy-type guy in, I think, Yosemite, gets ... read more
Lewis and Clark National Forest Camp View
Till' the Cows Come...
Mountaintop Tree


Entry 14: Teddy Roosevelt National Park, Southern Unit, August 1, 2010 A 2-hour drive south through the Little Missouri National Grasslands lead me to the small, but “western commercialized” town of Medora, gateway to the T.R. National Park’s Southern Unit, which features a 36-mile scenic drive and offers more “close inspection” of the Badlands varied geographic features. The winding road showcases the massive length of the Badlands, and proves that, in fact, Roosevelt was right to fall in love with this place, as tough as it is. Because it was high noon, the sun was blasting down, overheating both Sophie and myself. I was determined to find water (it’s easy to see where water does flow, as dark green patches are woody trees and shrubs). There’s only one river running through, the Little Missouri, and from ... read more
DSCN3747
DSCN3619
DSCN3711


Entry 13: Nature’s Politician: Teddy Roosevelt, July 31, 2010 If Yellowstone National Park is the heart of America, then Teddy Roosevelt National Park is the soul. If the North Dakota Badlands had not had such an impact of our former President, who first ventured there on a cattle-buying deal with a partner in 1883, then there’s a good chance that he would have not have started the “National Park” process going by establishing the Antiquities Act of 1906. Noting that the Plains’ large animals (buffalo in particular) were being depleted by mans’ hands in alarming numbers, one of Roosevelt’s strongest agendas was to begin to preserve similar primitive lands in America. In fact, he created 5 National Parks, and termed other lands “wildlife refuges,” allowing many to later become National Parks. Quite positive action from a ... read more
Driving All Night
Wild Horses
Finally Found Some Water!


Entry Twelve: Driving Da’ Tacoma tru’ Da’ Dakota! Friday, July 30th, 2010 I’ve always been a fan of the late-night driving, often opting to leave on trips from Chicago at mid-night. There’s less people on the road, less to look at, and easier to see cops (I’d only seen one the entire trip thus far). Leaving from Hibbing at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, I drove to Grand Rapids, and then picked up Hwy 2 heading west. In West Grand Forks, Minn., I grabbed some junk food (a luxury for long drives, as the thought of pulling out all the cooking materials is waayyy too much work). Veggie burger from Burger King for me, two plain double-cheese hamburgers for Sophie the dog. Entering my 49th state (only Hawaii to go—probably can’t drive there), memorably, I began to ... read more
Center of North America
Minn. sunset
Hibbing to North Dakota Drive

North America » United States » Minnesota » Hibbing July 30th 2010

Entry Eleven: Bob Dylan Daze! Friday, July 30, 2010 Touring Hibbing with America’s Greatest Songwriter… After leaving the Boundary Waters the previous night, blowing through perhaps the most-famous Boundary Water town, Ely (ee lee), I camped in the Superior National Forest, camping at the scene of large, exposed rocks. A 7 a.m. reorganizing of the truck took an amazing 2 hours. However, the systems were become more solid. I drove the 2 hours, cranking Dylan all the way. I had always wanted to visit this town, as although Dylan had been born in Duluth, he moved to Hibbing at aged 5 and left after high school in 1959. Amazingly, it was only 7 years later that his career label of “folk singer” was already being replaced by his “going electric,” and recording the famous “booing” concerts ... read more
Dylan and the Dead Photo from Author
Drive to Ely
National Forest Campground

North America » United States » Minnesota » Lutsen July 29th 2010

Re-pass Tale: 3 Generations Look for Wedding Ring! At the put in site of Brule Lake, I met 3 individuals holding what looked to be a bazooka heading out on the water for a day trip. From St. Cloud, Minn., Eldon S. was the most distinguished looking of the trio. A teacher, his brother-in-law had created the 3-foot, black cylinder object. It was an underwater scope. Objective: Lost Underwater Wedding Ring Location. The ring belong to the son, Matt., 5-yr. old Ava in tow at Lake Brule that August 2010. In November 2009, while winter camping, Matt jumped into the freezing water of the lake to wash his hair. The shampoo allowed his wedding ring to slip into the waters. This fact was realized 30 feet back on the shore, and a 3-hour, 6 person search ... read more
Son, Granndaughter, Granddad
Check Out the Scope
Brule Lake bottom

North America » United States » Minnesota » Lutsen July 29th 2010

Entry Ten: Lake Brule: Stress-free canoeing! Thursday, July 29th, 2010 Winds Die; Blue Skies Return Having spent the last two days essentially confined to on dispersed campsite as a result of high winds (I only saw two canoes at a distance, hugging the shoreline), I was glad to be back on the water. Yesterday left my confidence level at a bit of a low, as seeing the power of those winds made me a bit uneasy about being on the water. But, the photos of the mirror-image trees on my last morning in the Boundary Waters proved that Lake Brule was back to its old self. And…since I was finally leaving the spot, the Rangers would have to buy my concocted cover story that I was able to precisly work out yesterday, seeing as I had ... read more
Boundary Waters Shores
Flower detail
Differnce Rocks Make

North America » United States » Minnesota » Lutsen July 28th 2010

Entry Nine: Lake Brule: Stranded! Wednesday, July 28th, 2010 The Tides They aren't a’ Changin’! Waking up early, I quickly packet the tent, and made 6 trips carrying all the camping equipment, which had been stored with Sophie the dog and me in the tent. After a careful review of what I had seen on yesterday’s paddling around, combined with what I could currently see from my illegal camp site, I thought that I had a general idea where I was. However, there was presently no way to prove or disprove it. The wind had been blowing all night, and when I looked outside the tent towards the lake, I could see whitecaps on waves. I walked down to the water’s edge, and thought, “Was I too overzealous yesterday and had actually paddled on this?” I ... read more
Dispersed Camp View
Camp Moss
Packed and Ready to Go

North America » United States » Minnesota » Lutsen July 27th 2010

Entry Eight: Lake Brule Boundary Waters canoe camping: Tuesday, July 27th, 2010 Boundary Waters Kicks My Ass! Upon awakening at Temperance State Park, located on Lake Superior in Northern Minnesota, it was time to turn my attention to the granddaddy of all lake areas: The Boundary Waters. Yesterday, I had secured my permit necessary for legal entry ($16) at Sawtooth Outfitters, located in Luften. I had yet to pack, and, needing electricity in all forms (camera batteries were the main priority, as these were the only ones to be taken on my initial foray into the canoe/camping realm). However, I still needed to pack, and it was starting to rain, so I quickly struck the camp, forgoing my morning swim in Lake Superior. I had to hightail it over to the bathrooms, my (still seeming!) new ... read more
Camp view of Canoe
Dusk Camp View
Concerned Captain

North America » United States » Minnesota » Lutsen July 26th 2010

Entry Seven: Cascade River Day Hike: Monday, July 26th, 2010 The Cascade River comes roaring down, it’s support system of rock walls dropping hundreds of feet in elevation and providing a dramatic finish to its travels. Since my entry to the Caribou State Park was already covered by the car fee from the other park, Temperance, I scooted past the entry gate to the Cascade River Trail. The general direction is upwards, through thick woods on an easy trail that follows the river and provides excellent bank views of the various waterfalls. The trail also dips into some nice forests as well. I saw only a couple of other people on the trail, so it was a nice, solitary experience (although I was still fuming from the other park’s employee!). Finally Hikin’! In Sophie the dog ... read more
Tiny Plants
Cascade River
Hippyish-Hikers




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