Since our last post, we visited Grand Forks and stayed on the Air Force base. Then we went to the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile historic site in North Dakota. It is a decommissioned launch site and missile silo from the '60s - 90's.
Then we stayed in Fargo/Moorhead and got to see an air show there this morning. Now we are in Melrose, MN.

We had a swell time in Duluth MN-Superior WI learning all about the port where the Edmund Fitzgerald loaded up before her fateful voyage in 1975. While there, we discovered the donuts in a local grocery store. They look like any other ordinary donuts . . . . until you notice the normal sized donuts below them. Those suckers are over 8" across. Unbelievable!
Then we camped at Chippewa National Forest by Cass Lake in upper Minnesota and saw the most wonderful sunset from our campsite. Pretty cool huh?

Here is proof positive that Ann is, indeed, a true "Cheesehead." We stopped at Mars Cheese Castle and bought some amazing Wisconsin cheeses. Then we went to Milwaukee and got to attend the historic Third Ward Summer Sizzle festival which included the Air Force Thunderbirds and at least three bands. The waterfront is amazing. Then it was Culver's for dinner - the best!

More photos from our adventure in the Windy City.

Fishing on the Chicago river. Milwaukee the next day was just as excellent. We attended the Third Ward Summer Sizzle, watched the Air Force Thunderbird show, walked the River Walk and ate at the most incredible Culvers. And, oh yes we also stopped at Mars Cheese Castle too. What a day. Today, after church we drove to Green Bay, saw the Packers stadium and visited the Cooks Corner - the largest kitchen store in the United States and ate at Culvers again. The very best cherry chocolate malt I have ever had!

We have just finished three incredible days in Chicago. We stayed with my Sister, Sheila, and her husband Rick in Winnetka. We got to see everything including: House of Blues, Buddy Guy's Legends, Cultural Center, Art Institute, Library, the bean, the L, fishing, river architectural tour, Navy Pier, the beginning of Route 66 . . . . .

Yesterday and today were exceptional. We were in Springfield, IL and got ti visit Abraham Lincoln's tomb, Museum and home. Incredible! After having seen so many of the Civil War sites already and then seeing how things were going from the President's point of view, I am so glad I didn't have to live through that period. And, it, once again, makes me so thankful for those who saw it through.
Then this afternoon we traveled to Eureka, IL where we met with my retired Navy buddy, Mike Thurwanger, PhD. He gave us an incredible tour of President Ronald Reagan's Alma mater - Eureka College. What we missed seeing at the Ronald Reagan Museum and Library in Simi Valley, CA we got to see here in a more personal way. We even got to see, and I got to stand on, the exact spot where he gave a speech as a freshman on a small stage and where he first came to realize that he had a gift to speak and persuade others. It was a pivotal moment in his life.
So, we have visited the homes or historical sites of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Harry S Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Chester W. Nimitz, and Ronald Reagan. What an honor! Richard