Since we're running a little behind in the blog, we thought we would update you where we are and also try to catch up the Canadian portion.

We had been staying with Jerry's cousin and wife in Apple Valley, MN. Jerry flew to Kentucky to be with their son and family. After a day of rest, Sharon, Arlene, Roxie and I set out on the next leg of our trip with Prince Edward Island in our sights. Our next stop is Wisconsin Dells, WI. But we were in for quite a treat. Bob Tetrault, Jerry's cousin, had suggested that we take a highway that follows the Mississippi River down from a little town called Red Wing until we reached Interstate 90. This highway is also known as the Laura Ingalls Wilder Highway, which goes right through the town where she was born.

At Red Wing, we first saw the Mississippi River up close and personal! It was my first time to see the river up close. I had seen it several times from 35,000 feet, but this was a treat for me. While we were driving towards the bridge that crossed the Mississippi, we passed the Red Wing Shoe factory. After crossing the river, we saw many low lying areas that were flooded because of heavy rains they had been experiencing. Even rivers that joined the Mississippi were at flood stage. But Highway 35 on the Wisconsin side was clear and we went through many small villages. Some had a "population" of only 100! Soon we passed through Pepin, Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthplace. Sharon took some pictures that described some of Laura's life.

Next we stopped at an open-air market which featured cheeses and vegetables produced in Wisconsin. The women purchased some fresh fruit and vegetables to complement what we already had in the refrigerator. The next large town that we come to, we decided to pull into a park and have lunch. Well, the highway crossed back over to Minnesota. The next town we came to was Winona, WI, home of Winona State University. The park we found was a beautiful park right beside the Mississippi and a Veterans Memorial Park. After a lunch of grilled cheese sandwiches and hot tomato soup, I took a Roxie for a walk through the Veterans Park. There were memorials to each war that the United States has been involved, starting with the pre-revolutionary and the Revolutionary war. Recounting how many people gave their lives. These are the men and women on whose shoulders we stand. It was a sacred place to me ~ honoring veterans both living, dead and still missing.

After a nice rest, we hit the road again for Wisconsin Dells. It was only an hour and a half drive, but I was ready for the traveling to end for the day. We arrived at Stand Rock Campground at 4:30 and checked in. Our first time to back into a camp site! AND we successfully backed in on one try! I was the guide and Sharon was driving ~ definitely a team sport!