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Saturday, October 18, 2008...Southwest Trip

Saturday, October 18, 2008
Eau Claire, Wisconsin - 56 degrees
Miles from Northwood, Iowa to Eau Claire, Wisconsin...226 miles
Drove through the following States...Iowa, Minnesota, and home to Wisconsin
(click on pictures to enlarge)

We left Northwood, Iowa this morning at 9:00am. We got up at 7:00am expecting to leave at 8:00am...but...when I saw the fog outside my window I decided 9:00am would be better.

This is what the parking lot looked like at 7:00am this morning...fog...fog...fog.


When we got on I-35 it appeared we had a reprieve from the fog. I drove a few miles down the road and discovered I was wrong. It is unbelievable how many people drive in the fog without their car lights on. We drove in dense fog for about 45 miles. Crossing into Minnesota it was still foggy...could hardly see past the front end of my car. Once we got to Owatonna, Minnesota it cleared up.

Leaving the Country Inn and Suites...and...Diamond Jo's Casino...with a few less pennies.


Crossing over to Minnesota...the picture is not blurry...just foggy.


Huh, another McCain sign.


And another...


Driving through Owatonna, Minnesota we saw the Three T-38 Jets Statue. Three T-38 Jets Statue Off of I-35 there is a giant statue that consists of 3 T-38 jet planes [painted in Air Force "Thunderbirds" flight demo team style]. It used to be in front of an air museum that closed -- Heritage Hall. Now it's right next to the Cabela's and you can see it from the freeway.


Arrived in Blaine, Minnesota around 11:15am to see my Julie and take her for lunch. The pottery is what Granny picked out for her...guess we know who Julie is supporting....she has been drinking some of that Obama kool aide.


Some fall color by the Minnesota/Wisconsin border. Not much left for color...the landscape has its winter color.


Leaving Minnesota and heading for Wisconsin.


Entering Wisconsin...trees and some red in the landscape.


Yet another McCain follower.


This is around Baldwin, Wisconsin.


Nice Infiniti...

Near Menomonie...trees have lost their leaves. I did see road kill along the road but not as much as I expected...deer are being hunted.

Getting close to home. I am really tired and glad to be home...although...I do miss New Mexico!


Gas prices have been so cheap...when I left I believe I paid over $4.00 a gallon for premium. We are usually the highest...I filled up in Minnesota.


Looks pretty good at home. I am going to mow, pick up leaves, and probably eliminate the flowers tomorrow. Winter will soon be here...sooner than we want. We arrived home around 3:00pm today...nice to be home.

Is that a McCain sign?


This is the red lava rock that we brought home from Richardson, Texas. My mother loves it and was so happy when Bill gave it to her. Tomorrow we will put it in the back yard.


I have a deer cam in my backyard that I left on during my vacation...this is sort of a crappy picture...BUT...if you look closely you can see my deer!


We had a great vacation...we are both very tired but had a great time. I drove 4,123 miles and averaged 25mpg...not bad. We are planning for the Balloon Fiesta 2009 and will spend time in Santa Fe and, of course, two days in Gallup, New Mexico for shopping. We want to go back to Old Town in Albuquerque, New Mexico...try and go the the shops we missed.

Our next trip will be in February...my mother wants to go to Florida...quick trip down and quick trip back...probably only spend about 1-1/2 weeks in Florida.

Tomorrow my Meggie and my Matthew will be stopping in to see Grandma Deb. I missed them a lot.

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