17. Minnesota and Wisconsin

Arrived in Pipestone, MN, on the afternoon of Thursday, September 19th. Used my bicycle to visit the nearby Pipestone National Monument, an Indian quarry used by many tribes for making peace pipes currently and in the past. Saw the film, watched a craftsman, and walked the 1.5 mile trail, but there wasn't anything else to see there. Rode my bicycle around the small town and spent the night at an RV park across the street from the monument.

Nice waterfall on trail

 One of the many quarries - still in use today.

Next morning drove East for an hour on small roads through the Minnesota farmlands before joining I-90. Started to rain and was cold so continued to drive 3 hours East, and stopped in Austin, home of Hormel meats and its SPAM museum. Visited the museum which was a lot of fun. It is a place which makes fun of itself while at the same time showing the history of SPAM and how it has been a part of historic events in the past 50 years.

That afternoon, drove 1 hour East along the historic Bluff Country Scenic Byway in Southeast Minnesota which wasn't all that scenic, and spent the night at an RV park near Lanesboro,  on the Root river.
Next morning, Sep 21st, finished the not-so-scenic byway by driving 1 hour East to the Mississippi river, stopping briefly in the town of La Crescent to see a very boring Apple Festival. Drove across the river into Wisconsin to the town of La Crosse.  Walked around the downtown historic area which is full of bars and restaurants and visited nearby Riverfront park which was OK but nothing special.  Missed their famous Oktoberfest by one weekend, which was probably a good thing.

Old paddle wheeler docked by the park

 Mississippi river between Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Spent the night at Goose Island country park, 3 miles South of La Crosse. It was cold and windy when I arrived so did not tour the park, but instead watched football in my RV.  Next day, drove 2 hours East to an RV park between the towns on Wisconsin Dells and Baraboo. Spent two nights there and used the scooter to get around. Baraboo was the home town for the Wringling Brothers circus so visited the circus museum there which was very nice.

The town of Wisconsin Dells is a summer family tourist spot with lots of water parks and arcades so there wasn't much for me to do there. Spent some time at the local Indian casino where I won $40, first time I've won at a casino in a long time.

Next day, drove another 2 hours Southeast to the city of Madison, the state capital and also home to the University of Wisconsin. Stayed for 2 nights at a county park 5 miles from the town center.  Used my bicycle on the nice trails to ride around and visit the city and campus.  A real nice place, want to revisit.

One of the many lakes surrounding the city - capitol building in the distance.

 Center of campus.  Graduating students sit on Lincoln's lap and whisper their dreams into his ear.

Next morning, Thursday, Sep. 26th, said goodbye to Wisconsin, and drove Southeast towards Chicago.