HAPPY BIRTHDAY CINDI!!!

First I want to say July 30Th is Cindi's Birthday!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  More beautiful than when we met in Santa Monica almost 16 years ago.  The boys and I started her day with breakfast in bed and homemade birthday cards.  After we got going we headed out of Oshkosh (or as everyone has been saying, "OshKosh B'Gosh!  We can't help saying it over and over again).           

  -This smiley was made by one of the planes from the air show-

 We drove to Milwaukee, WI.  Known for uh... beer?  Weren't Laverne and Shirley from here?  I don't know.  Who cares?  Anyway... we visited our 3rd "most time spent in a store" store -- Apple.  WalMart and BestBuy rank higher although GameStop may beat Apple.  Anyway Cindi likes the new iPhone which is OK with me because I didn't qualify for the iPhone (remember me waiting in line at the Apple store for ever and walking out with nothing)  this way I can have hers and she will qualify for the new one.  A plug for Apple... the iPhone is awesome and we actually use it a lot on the road helping with all sorts of things.  For example, it helps us navigate, find cheap gas, determine the names and artists of songs (a very cool app she loaded), jogging partner for the tunes, and of course for texting and talking.  After our shopping excursion we fou

nd the cheapest diesel in the area thanks to gasbuddy.com (another plug).  $4.32 per gallon plus 5 free drinks.  Not bad, comparatively speaking.  We then decided to take Cindi out to dinner and she picked... Sushi (what else).  Unfortunately there is no Minuki's (Cindi's favorite restaurant back home) so we settled on a Japanese Sushi place, Nanakusa, near downtown Milwaukee.

It was getting late but we wanted to get dessert and continue to celebrate with cake, candles and a song so we headed south on the 94 when our night took an interesting turn.  As I'm driving I see a couple motorcycles with lights on escorting a bus.  I pointed it out to Cindi and said, "I'm not sure what that is but I wonder if maybe they are escorting prisoners or something."  We were ahead of the bus on the freeway so Cindi, who always has to be in the action and know what's going on, told me to slow down and let them catch up.  As they came up along side us it became evident that this was a big deal with motorcycle cops, sheriff vehicles, unmarked cars, then the big bus.  On the bus it read, "McCain." 

So we proceed to drive right next to the bus.  After all, we were at the same height and could see John talking on his cell behind the bulletproof glass (our Monaco Diplomat didn't come with that option).  Everything was fine until the Secret Service starting shining the blinding lights at me and motioning me to stay back.  Then it hits me... I am sporting the nice tall lid (I need to measure the height).  I was giving the bus the thumbs up and saying they got my vote (although I didn't vote for him in the primary) but they prepare for guys like me, "crazy wacko mohawkers from California (CA plates)."  They were not happy with a 40' motorhome driving right next to McCain's bus and were very sternly insisting I fall back.  Actually I think they were yelling at me but they had yet to brandish their automatic weapons.  Looking back, I think the 3 kids hanging out the side windows helped us look less threatening.  So I had to slow down and get behind the other unmarked, tinted windowed, lights ev

erywhere Suburbans, and staff vehicles and settled in behind the Press Bus.  When they exited the freeway miles down the road I'm thinking, "might as well follow them."  It's not like we even really knew where we were headed.  So we followed the caravan into a Marriott hotel in Racine, WI.  By the time we pulled in and headed to the lobby John McCain had already been whisked up to his room and it was just security and press that remained, everywhere.  Oh hey I should mention that I put on a hat so as to not be "taken down" trying to enter the hotel.

OK so we were back on the road.  With all the Baskin Robbin 31 Flavors closed now, we just decided to drive all the way to Gurnee, Illinois home to a Six Flags Great America Theme Park north of Chicago.  Once we arrived at the WM we broke out the ice cream and candle (and banana thanks to Pey) and sang Happy Birthday to MOMMY!  The kids got a little crazy with the whipped cream as you might be able to see in the last photo.

p.s.  Mitch and Cody thanks for the posts.  Mitch we actually didn't pay to go into the AirShow as it was going to be something like $120. Plus we would have had to join the EAA for $40 and pay for a 3 night minimum for the RV.  We probably should have anyway but oh well we did get as close as we could and saw a lot.  Didn't do the show justice though.  Did I see a CH14 there? 

p.s. again..... note from Cindi...since I didn't style my hair on my birthday and its looking quite the mess.  I thought I would post a picture of my new haircut when it is actually done (this is a rare sight since I am way too lazy to do it on a regular occasion. 

Oshkosh, Wisconsin

Now that you have all freaked out over our last post (we have gotten many calls and a few brave people have posted a reply..we love getting posts)  I will tell you that Dave has not flipped out.  He is not going over the edge, he was planning to shave is hair short for the summer and decided to give himself and the kids something to laugh about and go with the hawk for a week.  It does get worse before it will get better...he now dyed it blonde (well actually I dyed it but it is kinda blonde with a Indian red tint).  Crazy!  

Well, we are now in Oshkosh, Wisconsin which is home of the largest air show in the world that just started yesterday.  We drove here from Ashland, Wisconsin.  If you ever have the chance to vacation along the shore of Lake Superior jump on it...it is beautiful!  Our campground was directly on the water and at night displayed one if the prettiest sunsets I have ever seen.  I posted a few pics!  The kids had a great time fishing.  This is actually a pretty funny story.  Peyton and Dave took a walk out on the pier (boat launching area

) and their was this 5 year old boy standing on the pier fishing.  He looked at Peyton and said, "do you want me to catch a fish for you?"  Peyton started to reply and the boy threw his line in the water and a few seconds later pulled it out with a fish on it.  Peyton was amazed and the boy yanked the fish off his line and threw it back in the water.  A few seconds later he caught another fish.  Well Peyton ran back to the RV to tell his brothers and grab his fishing pole.  They started fishing with Velveta cheese (that's all I had).  They did catch one with the cheese but when the boy gave them a home grown worm from his garden the fish jumped on the pole.  So I walked into town and bought the boys a bunch of worms.  Well, they caught fish left and right (they were very small fish, but the boys didn't really care).  So now all Peyton wants to do is fish.  He is going to be very disappointed when we go to the next fishing spot and the fish don't jump on his line every time he drops it into the water. We drove all morning till we arrived in Oshkosh.  We went to the store and bought groceries and then drove to where the planes were flying overhead.  We sat outside the RV and had a BBQ and watched the planes zip by.  It was pretty cool.  We also were parked across from the Goodyear Blimp.

Thought of the Day:  It is so funny how differently people look and treat us because of Dave's mohawk.  He is the same conservative person he was before the funky hair but people see him so differently.  It made me really think about how often we judge people on their outside appearance and not take the chance to see who they really are. 

Duluth, Minnesota (day 2) and Haircut Suprise Sunday

Saturday - was a day of errands!  Laundry mostly....boring.  In the evening we did find a place to stay right down near the waterfront and then took a nice walk.  On the way we stopped at the chocolate store and bought some carmel apples (M&M and Butterfinger) which we enjoyed while watching Second Hand Lions (thanks to Jay for the movie suggestion) in the RV.

Sunday - We both went for a run.  Dave went first and then I followed.  I started to follow the same route as the 5k run the other night, but veered into the main shopping street on my way back.  No, I didn't stop and shop I kept running, but I did find a hair dressing shop that was doing a fundraiser.  $5 hair cuts!  So I ran back to the RV and rounded up all the boys and headed over for hair cuts.  hooray!  I'm going to let Dave tell you what happened next!......... Greetings!  Cindi got her hair "done" the other day so it was our turn.  The boys' haircuts looks great.

Uh Oh! Peyton got a hold of the electric razor!!!!!  Look what happened...

Just kidding ;-)  Could you see me with a mohawk?  That would be crazy.  Do USC  grads get mos?  Do MBA grads get mos?  It is true that I haven't worn a business suit in a while...  And it is true that I have learned alot more about, and in many cases sympathized with, our native North American Indians.  Crazy...   Anyway after haircuts we went to finally get the RV washed professionally.  I've washed it but it needed a full blown truck wash.  I had pegged one, days earlier.  It was located just over the state line in Superior, Wisconsin.  The RV looks good especially the rims!  We don't have a name for our RV.  I'm not even sure if it is a boy or girl.  Anyone have a good suggestion?

Well off we were again now with a sparkly motorhome.  We drove Hwy 13 along the southern part of Lake Superior to a small town called Bayfield, WI.  We walked the town, let the kids play in the sand and water for an hour, then ate an average meal outside at a restraunt.  Cindi and I had fish and chips.  The fish was WhiteFish from Lake Superior.  We then headed to Ashland, WI and found a city campground right on Lake Superior.  Tanner and Peyton got a night swim in while Sterling beat Mommy in a game of Stratego.

OK... I've delayed long enough.  Check this out...

Sweeeeett!

Now I can be a "Guitar Hero!"

All the boys with their new lids!

Duluth, Minnesota

On Friday morning we woke up to a phenomenal view of "the big lake they call Gitche Gumee."  Lake Superior!  The kids could see what they thought was the other side but that was just Wisconsin.  Lake Superior, the world's largest fresh water lake, holds 10% of the world's fresh water.  There is enough water to flood North and South America to a depth of one foot.  Tanner and Sterling have taught me the way to remember all the Great Lakes - "HOMES" - Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie and Superior.  Superior is so large it can contain all the other Great Lakes plus 2 more the size of Lake Erie.

We drove down the beautiful scenic route of Hwy 61 to Duluth.  We parked in an open public parking lot off the beaten path near Duluth's Canal Park water front area.  We visited the Maritime Museum where Peyton was Captain.

The Museum was right next to the canal that had 2 light houses at each end of the break water.  We were fortunate enough to witness a massive Canadian ship entering the Superior Bay through the canal.  The kids liked to watch the Aerial Lift Bridge raise and lower it's road allowing for the huge ship to pass under.

We then headed out for a swim.  Lets just say the water was cold.  So much so that it literally took my breathe away when I jumped in.

After swimming Cindi cooked us a fabulous Spaghetti and meatballs dinner in the RV.  It was very yummy!  Cindi is a great cook!  In the summer Duluth has a "movie in the park" so we decided to go.  After all... the price was right... free.  We decided to keep our parking spot and walk/rip-stick the 1+ mile to Leif Erickson Park where the movie Zoro was showing.  We brought our own popcorn with Hot Tamales and drinks.

After the movie we unfortunately had to make the trek back to the RV.  It was almost midnight.  On our way back we meet a nice woman, walking her dog, who informed us that approx. 400 runners were headed our way running an annual midnight 5K run.  So when we approached the start and finish lines we set back up our comfortable, portable USC chairs and cheered on the runners to the finish.  Our quiet parking lot, empty when we pulled in at 2pm, was now packed with the runner's cars.  We had to wait 'till after 1:30am for that one car parked behind us to leave to give us enough room to exit to drive to WM.  Late night again.  Sometimes I think we are just keeping Pacific Time.  Seems like we've been staying up 2 hours later and, of course, getting up 2 hours later.

Along the northshore of Lake Superior

Since this is a scenic drive I decided to present you a picture blog today.  This is the sights along the north shore scenic drive which is rated one of the most beautiful drives in the U.S.  We came in on Hwy 1 and headed south on Hwy 61 (famous North Shore Scenic Drive) to Duluth.

Split Rock Lighthouse was built in 1910 and was in operation till 1939.

Lake Superior is known for the number of ships that have sank in its waters.  Including the Edmund Fitzgerald that Gordon Lightfoot wrote his famous song about.

Some of the plants along the Gooseberry Falls path...this didn't even 

look real.

GooseBerry Falls is made up of the upper, middle and lower falls and you can climb up the rocks to all three (or if your less daring you can walk along the well laid out trails).

It's pretty peaceful right before the water drops down middle falls.
Dave, Tanner, Sterling and Peyton standing in the middle of middle falls.

A look at the upper falls while standing atop the middle falls.

Tanner and Sterling standing at the upper lookout point.
A picture of lower falls.

Sterling and all the boys had a blast climbing all around the Gooseberry Falls State Park.

We think the Seagulls are much prettier in Minnesota than in California.

This was the only leaf I saw that was this color and spotted...I thought it was really unique.

This is called the Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel.  It is 1400 ft long and was built in 1995.

We stopped in Two Harbors for a nice dinner (the most expensive of the trip) and stayed at Burlington Bay Campground for the night.

Soudan Mine and Ely, Minnesota

On our drive to Ely we stopped at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park.  Peyton did a great job driving us into the parking lot.  I had read about this Iron Ore Mine Tour and we were all very excited to visit.  First, let me give you a little history of the mine.  In the late 1800s gold prospectors discovered that northern Minnesota had a lot hematite which had extremely rich veins containing more than 65% iron.  The Soudan open pit mine began operation in 1882.  The pit got so big by the early 1900s that it became unsafe for the miners so they decided to go underground.  The mine remained open till 1962.  When it closed it was 27 levels and 2,341 feet below the ground.  That is about a half mile underground!  This mine was known as one of the safest and well maintained mines in the World.  The way the ore was mined was through a cut and fill method.  They would blast out a section, then mine the ceiling and artificially raise the floor at the same rate as the ceiling was being mined out.  The floor and ceiling were always 10-20 feet apart, and waste rock never had to be hauled to the surface because it was being recycled.  The mine closed in 1962 due to new technology making it more cost effective to use  less pure surface Iron than mining the very pure iron out of the deep mine.

Now let me tell you about our visit.  When we arrived we sat through a 10 minute video telling us what to expect on our decent into the mine.  Then we were handed hard hats and guided into a 80 year old electric mine hoist (kinda like an elevator that goes down at a 78 degree angle) and lowered a half a mile, 2,341 feet to the 27Th floor of the mine.  It takes 2 and a half minutes at 10 miles per hour to get to the bottom, which was actually 500 feet to the north from were we started.  Once at the bottom we boarded a rail car and rode 3/4th of a mile into the last and deepest area mined.  We went up a spiral stair case and into a fairly large rock room.  (The guide told us that there is a much larger room on another level of the mine.  He said it was large enough to fit a full baseball field in it.  In this room we got an idea of what it would have been like to be a miner. We learned all about the different jobs the miners had.  One miner called the pole man got payed a little more because he had the deadliest job.  He would go into the blasted area with a pole and hit the ceiling to knock down loose rocks so that the mine would be safe for the other miners.  The last man that died in the mine had that job, he hit the ceiling and a section of boulders collapsed on him.  

Our guide also showed us what it would be like to work in total darkness (there is dark and then there is 2,341 ft under the ground dark).  The miners did have some light to work with.  They had to buy their own supplies when they worked in the mine so each miner would only have a few candles and would light them very sparingly in order to save money.  We learned that the miners worked 12 hour shifts 7 days a week.  The boys decided that mining was another job they didn't want to do.  (On a side note, I forgot to mention that while at the fur post Sterling decided that he would like to be a Indian fur hunter and Peyton thought being a Voyager would be fun if he didn't have to do any of the chores).  We then headed back in the rail car and learned that their was a state of the art, high tech lab down in the mine.  The Soudan Underground Lab is the leading deep underground science and engineering lab in the US today. Scientists from around the world come here to study.  Well, we headed back up the man-operated cable elevator and into sunlight.  We visited the crusher room and the rest of the mine and then headed back to the RV for ice cream.   

It was a 20 minute drive to Ely, the home of the world famous boundary waters canoe area wilderness.  This town is so sweet.  I seriously could spend a week here just walking up and down the quaint streets, relaxing on the patio of one of the roadside pubs, taking walks or canoe rides in the amazing wilderness.  We decided to settle in at Fall Lake National Campground.  What a wonderful campground right on the lake.  Peyton and I walked to the lake and had a great mommy and me moment.  He is so cute!  Most campers were in possession of a canoe or were out on a canoe...I guess what I'm trying to say is "If you come here bring a canoe and Off (mosquitoes like it here too)".

                                   Peyton is a great driver!

                                   The boys on the rail car.
                                   Mom on the rail car.
                                   View from the crusher.
                                   Tanner is the photographer.
         This is the size of the wheel used to lower mine hoist

                     View of Fall Lake from our campground.
                          Cutest ragmuffins in the world.
           Sterling found a way to keep the mosquitos off him.