It has been a whirlwind few weeks. Vacation in the North part of The Netherlands to traveling in the USA.
My most recent journey started at the end of September as I flew into Minnesota from Amsterdam. I took one day to pack my car with all my camping gear and suitcases. Then started my 1975 mile round trip journey along the Great River Road.
The Great River Road Map at the Prescott, WI GRR Visitor Center.
I grew up on one of the a small river (Kettle River) in Minnesota that feeds into the St Croix River. The St Croix then feeds into the Mississippi River. As a child I would dream of what a cool journey it would be to ride the water the entire path to the Gulf of Mexico.
I have traveled across this huge long river in my many journeys but never skirted the river banks from North to South as it meanders it’s way to the salty waters of the Gulf.
The Great River Road is a series of highways that run along both East and West sides of the Mississippi River from its source to its exit into the Gulf. The waterway that has built and shaped the midwest of the USA. The road is a journey not only of the path of the river, but through a history of commerce that shaped the early Midwest. The Mississippi River still provides a vital water pathway for shipping agricultural and minerals out of the heartland.
This was a bucket list item. I opted not to really plan an itinerary I decided I had the route and would meander along the road and discover the treasures without research.
Would I be rewarded and surprised?
I would live “in the moment” and enjoy the small things and perhaps some discoveries.
A moth that looks like a leaf on the Visitor Center window
The next few blogs I will take you along the ride as I adventured this National Water Treasure.
The fall is a perfect time to travel this roadway as the birds, butterflies, and older people all migrate to warmer winter locations.
I started and ended this journey at Banning State Park in Minnesota.
This journey also provided plenty for my Hummm files.
©️ The Cedar Journal, 2019, all rights reserved.
The Cedar Journal 
Can’t wait to read about your adventure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! This moth is a beauty, I also thought on first sight that it was a leaf. I am looking forward to the next episode of your trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t wait to hear all about your adventure down the Mighty Mississippi – our local stomping ground as my wife grew up in Davenport giving us plenty of opportunity to greet the river and then being so accessible to us in the Midwest (as it does define my state’s western boundary) a common birding destination for us. Oh, and love the title shot especially now that it has new meaning for me.
LikeLike
You are welcome for the feature shot. It was so cool seeing thousands of pelicans migrating along the river corridor. Amazing what someone can see if they just look up!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to the read, I like trips with not much planning or direction now. I’m slowly converting
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have found some pretty cool places just by not planning and using the old fashioned map. Like I said the Hummm file is once again full. LOL
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve been on the lookout for odd stuff but so far only find it in the mirrors I pass.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😂
LikeLike
What a fun trip! I live so close to the Great River Road, and yet I’ve never driven more than a few miles on it. I look forward to reading more about your trip!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ann. You also have that beautiful jewel the MO River that is also deep with history.
LikeLike