Drummond Island , Michigan, September 2003 and November 2004 -
Drummond Island is positioned one mile off the eastern tip of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, only 60 miles from the Mackinac Bridge and the largest freshwater island in the United States. Over two-thirds of the island is state land, so there is lots of access to the outdoors. Visitors to the island can arrive by airplane, boat, car or snowmobile (crossing on the auto ferry from DeTour Village).
You can visit the sight City of Drummond Island - Pure Michigan Travel to learn more about it.
Soo Locks , Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, September 2003 and November 2004 -
The Soo Locks have been referred to as one of the great wonders of the world and are still the largest & one of the busiest waterway traffic systems on earth! Watching huge vessels pass through the Locks is a unique experience that cannot be seen anywhere else in the United States! The Locks consist of two canals and four locks that allow vessels of many types/sizes to safely traverse the 21-foot drop in elevation of the St. Mary’s River between Lake Superior and Lakes Michigan and Huron. From viewing decks, you can watch "Lakers" and "Salties" (ocean-going vessels) as they travel the seaway between ports and navigate the rise/drop of the water levels.
You can visit the sight Soo Locks - Sault Sainte Marie Historic Sites, Tours - Pure Michigan to learn more about it.
Howell Nature Center, Howell, Michigan, November 11, 2004 -
On site is the beautiful Wild Wonders Wildlife Park. This park is home to over 30 species of Michigan wildlife. These majestic creatures are living in natural habitat enclosures that closely replicate where they would live if free. All being permanently injured, the creatures are given a home in the Wildlife Park where they help teach visitors to appreciate and care for their natural environment.
You can visit the sight Howell Conference & Nature Center to learn more about it.
Minnehaha Falls, October 5, 2005 -
Minnehaha Falls is located located in Minneapolis Minnesota. The falls is in Minnehaha Park, a large city park on the shores of the Mississippi River. The park includes picnic areas, trails, sculpture and the 53 foot falls. The park is located off of Hiawatha Ave (Route 55). There is a bridge just above the falls, and trails that go down into the gorge on both sides, and another bridge below the falls. The trails continue along the creek. I believe you can follow the trail all the way to the Mississippi, which is less than 1/2 mile away from the falls. There are viewing areas on both sides of the gorge and at the bottom of the gorge. There are warning signs and small fences to deter you from getting closer to the falls, but is obvious that many people do. From the look of it you could get behind the falls.
You can visit the sight Minnehaha Falls to learn more about it.
Da Yoopers Tourist Trap, October 9, 2005 - You have to go there to believe this, it has a lot of strange sights, here is the official write up about it that is posted on their site:
Boat trip on Lake Huron to Lime Island, Michigan, October 10, 2005 -
This little known gem of the north is a great destination for families or those wishing to set a base from which to day trip. The Island was own originally owned by a steamship co. as a refueling stop in the days when steamships could not carry enough fuel to make large ports. It is now controlled by the forest service and is visitor friendly and never crowded.
You can visit the sight Lime Island is an Undiscovered Gem to learn more about it.
Trip to San Francisco and tour of the USS Pampanito in January 2006 -
The USS Pampanito (SS-383) is a World War II Balao class Fleet submarine museum and memorial that is open for visitors daily at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf Pier 45. Pampanito made six patrols in the Pacific during World War II during which she sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others.
You can visit the sight Maritime Park Association - USS Pampanito Home Page to learn more about the history of the USS Pampanito.
Block Island and The Southeast Lighthouse August 23, 2006
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Block Island is a 7,000 acre island, about seven miles long and three miles across at its widest point, located 12 miles from Long Island and about the same distance from Charlestown, Rhode Island. The island is surrounded by dangerous shoals and ledges, and was sometimes called the "stumbling block" of the New England coast. Dozens of vessels went down near here in the years before the lighthouse authorities decided to build two lighthouses on the island: the North Light in 1829 and the Southeast Light in 1875
You can visit the sight Block Island Southeast Lighthouse History to learn more about the Island and the Lighthouse.
Pipestone National Monument, Pipestone, Minnesota September 1, 2007
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Pipestone National Monument offers an opportunity to explore American Indian culture and the natural resources of the tallgrass prairie. Established by Congress in 1937 to protect the historic pipestone quarries, the site is considered sacred by many American Indians. Spanning centuries of use, American Indians continue to quarry pipestone which they carve into sacred pipes.
You can visit the sight Pipestone National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) to learn more about Pipestone National Monument.
Cruise to Alaska on the ms Amsterdam, September 7 - 14, 2007
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We had the best time ever on the cruise to Alaska. We boarded the ms Amsterdam in Seattle Washington, and headed north toward Alaska. The first 2 days we were at sea. On the Second day there was the formal dinner on the ship along with great entertainment. We arrived in Juneau Alaska on September 9 and went on a Whale watching boat trip followed by a trip to the Mendenhall Glacier. After this we spent some time shopping before boarding the ship. On September 10th we were at sea enroute to Glacier Bay, the ship spent several hours there. The next day we arrived in Sitka Alaska. There we went on a Whale, Otter and Raptor Quest. During the boat tour we saw many Whales, Eagles, Sea Otters and a Brown Bear. Afterward we visited the Alaska Raptor Center and learned about the plight of the American Bald Eagle. After leaving the center we followed a trail back to SItka and of course did some more shopping. On September 12th we were in Ketchikan Alaska where we went on a a tour of the Saxman Native Village followed by The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show and more shopping. September 13 we were at sea until 6pm when we arrived in Victoria British Columbia, Canada and went on a city tour followed by Afternoon Tea at The Fairmont Empress (even though it was almost 8pm). From there we went back to the ship for the last time. The next morning we were back in Seattle, Washington.
Mississippi Headwaters, Itasca State Park Minnesota, September 16, 2007
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The Mississippi River begins it's two thousand three hundred and twenty mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico by overflowing the edge of a picturesque little lake in north western Minnesota. The Gulf of Mexico is due south, but the Mississippi, in contrary fashion, embarks on its trek by flowing due north. The first of many indications that this river itself and the history that surround it are, as Mark Twain said, "in all ways remarkable."
You can visit the sight Mississippi River Headwaters to learn more about the Mississippi head waters and Itasca State Park.