May 27, 2013. On the Road to The North Woods.

 

 

May 27, 2013.  On the Road to The North Woods.  We are off.  Our destination is the North Woods by way of Door County, WI and Mackinac Island, MI.  The plan, subject to revision and fine tuning, is to spend a week in Door County, a night or two in McLain State Park then on to Mackinac.  After Mackinac, we will turn north and enter Canada near Sault Ste Marie, then cling to the coast of Lake Superior until we reenter the United States at Duluth, MN.  We will be out about four weeks.  Of course, the good thing about free-ranging is that you can change directions on a whim.  We are nothing if not whimsical.

 

We got a late start today and found ourselves near Cedar Rapids, IA about quitting time.  We are in Palisades-Kepler State Park on the Cedar River.  The river is running full, but we are up-hill from it, so we are dry.  We had linner (half lunch and half dinner, usually taken in the mid-afternoon) at the Ox Yoke Restaurant, part of the Amana Colonies.  The Colonies were settled by immigrants from Germany in the 19th Century.  There are seven colonies which are inhabited by descendants of the founders.  They are a hard-working, good-cooking bunch. 

 

It began to rain this morning before we left.  I attached the bike rack in the rain, getting wet in the process.   The rain continued until we reached Des Moines.  The rain was attended by a strong cross-wind.  Harvey wanted to weave from shoulder to center line for the first hundred miles.  It has a high profile which makes it harder to steer in cross-winds.

 

Today is Memorial Day so I think of my father who was a medic during World War II.  I don't know if he ever fired a gun, but he didn't need to in order to prove his courage.  He was awarded the Purple Heart and a Silver Star for his bravery during an exchange with German soldiers in France.  Several American infantrymen were wounded in a clearing near a railroad track.  Dad went over the embankment to administer aid despite incoming fire.  He saved their lives and was wounded himself in the process. 

 

Dad rarely talked about the war.  That was typical of his generation.  They did their duty, then came home to work and raised their families.  I know what I know about his bravery from frayed and browning newspaper clippings.  A  man who will put his own life in danger to save others is a hero.  My dad was a hero.  So, on this day, I remember him and the millions of other Americans who are now recognized as "The Greatest Generation."  He left a legacy of courage and obedience to duty which makes be proud to be his son.  I will not forget.

 

Tomorrow, we will finish the drive to Door County and stay in Peninsula State Park.  There, we will stay for the next week.  There will be biking, pie eating and relaxing.  I plan to relax and enjoy time without demands.  Thank you, Lord.