Marleta Meanders

July – “Go where you wanna go and do what you wanna do”

Natalie joined me in Miles City and on July 1st we stopped in Makoshika State Park for a morning hike
The landscape is quite different from the rest of Montana
This natural bridge was an example of the change in the rock formations we encountered
We arrived in Medora, North Dakota and got settled in our campground. The highlight of the evening was the Medora Music Festival. This production has been staged here since 1965. This popular spectacle was followed with a western buffet on the hill overlooking the valley.
The Teddy Roosevelt National Park was our destination for the next three days. After visiting the ranger station for updates we took the scenic drive through the southern section of this vast park. The herd of bison were on the move and this one was just off the road.
Our first stop was the Wind Canyon trail which was a short loop hike
The Coal Vein Trail provided beautiful vistas and this fun stairway. Why didn’t I spend some time on the Stairmaster before this trip
The next day we drove to the Northern section of the park. The terrain was very different in between the parks. Fields of rapeweed created a bright yellow contrast and many oil wells lined the road. Once we got into the park we drove to the end of the road to see the herd of bison on their morning drive
From the Riverbend Overlook you can see the Little Missouri River winding its way through this valley.
We hiked the Caprock Coulee Trail and could see all the different layers of rock that formed over time
Referred to as the “Cannonball Mystery,” these rocks can be found along and inside the wall of a single rocky area. Some are still being exposed with wind and water erosion.
On July 4th we visited the Petrified Forest. We hiked the short loop and were able to see lots of examples of these rocks.
This one is easy to imagine as the stump of a very large tree sixty million years ago. To celebrate the 4th, we enjoyed spectacular fireworks over Medora that we could see from the campground. Early the next day, Natalie started her 10 hour drive to Colorado and I drove to Bismarck.
I arrived in Bismarck just as my brother drove up with his new truck. He and his wife, Rebecca, hosted me in their beautiful home and I got to relax in the backyard and swimming pool. The weather was just perfect.
After a delightful lunch with my niece, Keri, I arrived at Buffalo River State Park in Minnesota with time to take a nice hike.
My next destination was Itasca State Park to visit the headwaters of the Mississippi River
This beautiful sculpture at the visitor center depicts the “Heartwaters-Caretaker Woman”
I started the next day with a 17 mile Wilderness Loop around the park. I shared the paved trail, much of it one-way, with two cars and three bikes !
I spent the afternoon hiking several of the many trails throughout the park. On the “Ozawindib Trail” I had to fend off many mosquitos who were very thirsty!
This Showy Lady’s Slipper was a rare sight in the park. It is the state flower of Minnesota
Gooseberry Falls State Park offered two treats. The first was these beautiful falls not far from the campsite and the second was a paved bike paths for me to ride on to the Split Rock Lighthouse on the coast of Lake Superior.
The next morning I drove up to Grand Marais. This bookstore sits right on Lake Superior and I could have spent hours side or sitting on the sandy beach right in front of the store.
Cascade River State Park boasts access to the Superior Hiking Trail and these powerful waterfalls.
Here you can see the river “cascading” down the mountain to the lake in the distance. Another unbelievable hike !
Made it to Wisconsin and am pictured here in my new inflatable kayak taking a spin around Windigo Lake with Ann and Jim.
The following day we drove to Cable, Wisconsin to start a 20+ mile ride through the countryside. This is a part of the Namekagon River along the rode. Rolling hills, few cars and well paved roads made for a perfect ride. I only needed the juice from my Ebike a few times!
Cable is an adorable town and we had lunch at the little Velo cafe across the street from this statue that leads you to the public library
We got back to the cabin and were ready for a dip in the lake. This bright orange flower in their front yard is butterfly weed and is host to many monarch butterflies
Please remember that bears are not the only dangers that lurk in the area. This is digitalis, a cardiac med that you should not eat without your doctor’s order !!!
I moved on to Minneapolis to visit Pat and her children and grandchildren. It was such a treat to dine with all of them at Pat’s with my favorite Lebanese food from Emily’s. The next morning Pat took me on a little walk to the “Farmer’s market” You can see the Guthrie Theatre at the end of the old mill buildings. A well done contrast from old to new
We met up on the steps and the kids enjoyed pizza and lemonade! Tyler and Brooks managed to avoid the camera and we missed Ellie all day
Pat walked me back along the great Mississippi and explained all the bridges that cross along this stretch of the river
I was so fortunate to be part of a four vessel party navigating the Carroll River just 40 minutes from Pat’s home. The kids had a blast jumping from the raft to the standup paddleboard to another inflatable kayak. There were so many eagles, adult and immature that circled overhead. We encountered only one family fishing on the river and no other “boaters” I had so much fun in my kayak and taking in all that was around me. Exhausted after the river, we stopped at the perfect spot for burgers, fries and ice cream. I slept part of the way home. Thank you Pat for getting me there and back!
After a breakfast of leftover Emily’s, ( with some packed away for the next night) I meandered into Wisconsin to the Blue Mounds State Park. This is my campsite and you can see the lush vegetation and privacy that abound
The next morning Ann drove over from Madison and took me on a hike the top of the mound.
We walked to the top of the tower so we could see the different mounds in the distance
Hiking with Ann is an educational experience! She points out native plants and knows the name of most. This is Doll’s eyes
This is another plant we found along the way. It is ” May Apple”
There were so many more. This is “False Solomon’s Seal” I was overwhelmed with the wildflowers that fill the forests with such color and beauty
I took a tour of another underground wonder. The ” Cave of the Mounds” was discovered in 1939 when mining a large cave was discovered,. Now you take walk down and see the amazing limestone creations
Cave of the Mounds is fun for all to see what lies beneath the surface and educates us about the earth’s history
Ann and I met in Mount Horeb and rode to Verona. These are only two of the buildings that EPIC uses. The ride was a combination of trail and roads. The trails were lined with trees providing the canopy I so love. The roads were empty and we rode by corn, soy bean and alfalfa fields.
Ann pointed out this Elderberry!
What a great ride! We only stopped to admire the flowers.
Turk’s Cap is so beautiful and is plentiful in this area
I was sad to leave Blue Mounds but made my way south to Dickeyville Grotto. This place was created by Father Wernerus in the 1920s and 1930s. It is made of stone, wood, colored glass, shells and other things he collected over time. There is a separate patriotic grotto. It is located in the garden of the Holy Ghost Church.
I drove through Potosi to meet the Mississippi River again. I stopped at the Potosi Brew Pub but they were short on staff and I needed to drive a little further ! Next time!
I arrived at the campground and was able to secure the best site! I first encountered the beauty of Wisconsin when I was a medical student and used to visit Ann’s parents from my summer electives at the Mayo Clinic . I went so many times that I had picked out my favorite farms! There is a red barn in the distance and that was mandatory for my list of favorites. It is very peaceful here and the smell of cows and grass and dirt are soothing.
I left Wisconsin for Iowa and enjoyed visiting the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. It is quite large and very well done ! The children and adults visiting were having a great time.
I arrived in Dyersville, Iowa in the early afternoon and relaxed in the shade at “The Field of Dreams”
When I arrived, this man was standing on the pitcher’s mound, pitching to anyone who wanted to bat!
I could not resist the temptation of a selfie in the cornfields
My grandson, Ryan, arrived with his teammates and they played in the field for hours.
Each of the players got to pose with some of the locals who come out to support the “Field of Dreams” future.
At the end of the evening, we were taken over to the site of a permanent MLB field. They plan nine additional fields behind these to allow little league teams and the like to enjoy the venue.
After the must needed hair cut, I enjoyed fireworks from my deck in Chicago. Meander is parked outside and will take a break for a bit. I am excited to be home for Declan’s Christening

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