Page 55 - USA ROAD TRIP SUMMER of 2000

The only access is by water. We just aren’t water people and do

not have it in us to paddle a canoe for miles to see the same birch,
aspen, and red pine trees we can see from the shore. We have

been assured that the most wildlife we will see will be on the road

– if we’re lucky.

We did find one overlook on a gravel-logging road. We stopped
and were delighted to have another first – our first look at loons.

There were two males and two females fishing busily not too far
off the bank. Then we got to hear the cry of the loon. It is truly a

strange and haunting call. That was great.

We cooked in the apartment tonight and have spent the evening

reading and relaxing. We will go for a hike tomorrow. Hopefully it
will live up to its billing as having great views of the lakes from

high bluffs. Then it’s off to the tire store and a day in the “big” city
of Virginia.

ELY and VIRGINIA, MN

Thursday - Today our spirits rose again. The sky was clear blue and
the four days of overcast and intermittent rain had passed. Once

again, the morning temperature was in the 60’s. That has been

true almost every day of the trip. The afternoon temperatures
have ranged from the low 80’s everywhere but in North Dakota

where we saw the high 90’s and occasionally 100 degrees.

We found a hike that sounded interesting even though we had to
drive 20 miles out of our way to get to the trailhead. It was a good

walk – it was great to be dirty, sweaty, and tired again. Love those
hills when we can get them.

The trail ran through an area that had been involved in the

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