Westward Ho: The Setting Sun in Our Eyes

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October 6th 2006

Published: October 6th 2006

September 13 - October 2, 2006 Chatham, Cape Cod, Mass. - Chicago, Ill. 20,143 miles to date 1,792 miles this leg We’ve been squinting a lot in the last two weeks, now that we’re traveling west into the setting sun. Our generally southern route through New England took a decided right-hand turn when we departed Cape Cod, Mass. All the months we spent driving east, the roadway was nicely back... Read Full Entry

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Shelly & Jeff Randall

Waltzing Matilda

We are a writer/photographer and a land-use planner from Port Townsend, Wash., who quit our jobs to take a year-long "sabbatical" for the 12 months of 2006. Our travel vehicle was a Volkswagen Westfalia camper-van named Matilda, after the Australian phrase (and song) "Waltzing Matilda" -- meaning to hit the road with your possessions slung in a bag over your shoulder. We were glad not to be wandering on foot like those Aussie swagmen! We had a memorable trip waltzing around the U.S. and Canada, learning as much as we could about this vast and diverse continent we call home. So glad we di... full info

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Long Lake Concert

We sang a few songs for Tom, Polly and Louise at the conclusion of our pontoon boat ride on Long Lake.

Ohio & Erie Canal

Tom and Polly took us on a bike ride along a refurbished tow path (where the mules would've walked) of the Ohio & Erie Canal. This bridge marks a continental divide where water flows both west and north to Lake Erie as well as east and south to the Ohio and eventually Mississippi River.

Ohio Amish Country

While in Akron we made the rounds of cheese shops and furniture stores in Holmes Co., Ohio, where the largest population of Amish live in the U.S. What beautiful rolling hills!

Amish Bicyclist

The Holmes Co., Ohio, Amish rode bicycles and had rubber rims on their wheels (the Conewango community rejected rubber, maintaining steel rims on their buggy wheels).

Michigan Industry

One of the interesting views that passed by our window en route from Ohio to Michigan: rowers and a cargo terminal.

Lake Erie

The shores of Lake Erie at sunrise as seen from Sterling State Park in Monroe, Mich. Yes, that's a nuclear power plant on the horizon.

Custer Birthplace

We arrived in Monroe, Mich., birthplace of George Armstrong Custer, in time for Custer Week with a host of re-enactors. This is his equestrian monument.

Ernie LaPointe

At right is Ernie LaPointe, Sitting Bull's great-grandson, who unveiled a new portrait of his ancestor at the Monroe museum at the start of Custer Week.

Custer & Jeff

Jeff was enthralled to meet Custer's body double, a dedicated re-enactor named Stephen Alexander who happens to own Custer's house in Monroe.

Kalamazoo Hosts

In Kalamazoo we caught up with Jeff's high school classmate Aaron, his wife Elise, and daughters Caleigh (standing at left) and Brittney (standing at right).

Chicago Storm

It rained the day we spent in Chicago, but hey, those skyscrapers look grand in any weather!

Emily Grading Papers

Our Chicago suburbs host, Emily, grading math papers. Husband Jose got home too late to have his picture taken.

7th October 2006

Dad and Mom
non-member comment

Looking Sooooooo Good
Just finished reading and looking at the photos of the latest blog. Wow, what a nice write up and photographs. We relive some of our travels every time we see your travelog. What a great experience you are having. Looking forward to seeing you both soon. Love, Dad and Mom

24th October 2006

Sarah Peters
non-member comment

Thank You for Sharing
Hi Guys! We are lookig forward to your return...(when is the big day yo u roll in?) And wanted to say big thanks for sharing the adventure....My sister and her family in Cape Cod were delighted with your visit! Your website and especially meeting the wonderful two of you has opened the world wide open for my nephew and nieces. Miss you... Sarah, Josh, Agnes, Caitlin, and Lilliana Peters

26th October 2006

Jennie Steen
non-member comment

Nice to meet you.
Hi. Just looked at the pictures of family,farm, and the crane leaving the Necedah Refuge. The pictures are great. Also the article. It was nice to meet you and hope to see you again. Sorry you didn't get the job Jeff, but I'am sure there is a better one waiting for you. Take Care. Jennie

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Westward Ho: The Setting Sun in Our Eyes

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