Washington Island – Breakfast Stop

Washington Island - Barkräm Pankaka at Sunset Resort

Left Newport State Park and made a beeline for the ferry to Washington Island.  Spent a few hours driving around the island just taking in the scenery.  Not many photos to share other than these fantastic Barkräm Pankaka I ate for breakfast at the Sunset Resort. What’s a Barkräm Pankaka?  Icelandic pancakes that are delicious. … Read more

Newport State Park

Newport State Park - Sunrise over Europe Bay

Two days of driving, camping and hiking have brought me from the farthest western point in Wisconsin to the farthest eastern point.  Home for tonight is Newport State Park in the Door Peninsula.  Now why in the world would I make such a stupid drive rather than staying in one spot?  Well, the new moon … Read more

Bigfoot Beach State Park

Bigfoot Beach State Park - Trout fishing area

I’m posting out of order today in honor of the #optoutside movement started by REI to encourage people to skip the evil that is Black Friday shopping and instead get outdoors.  Luckily today in Wisconsin we had a mini heat wave and tied record highs around 65 degrees which made it an easy choice! Before … Read more

Max Patch Mountain

Max Patch Mountain - Kelly looking down the trail

Woke up and left Gatlinburg with some time for day hiking before the next destination.  Cold and wet weather killed most of our planned hikes, but we decided to try our luck on Max Patch, one of the most popular viewpoints along the Appalachian Trail.  Remember that smoky fog from yesterday? Well that doesn’t look too … Read more

Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Clingmans Dome

Clingmans Dome - Kelly posing in front of the amazing foggy views

Several days into the trip and we finally made it to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.  First stop was Clingmans Dome, the highest point in Tennessee and the infamous Appalachian Trail.  Views here looking over the mountain range are normally quite amazing, however today Mother Nature had other plans. Driving up the 7 mile … Read more

Cummins Falls State Park

Cummins Falls State Park - View across the Blackburn Fork State Scenic River

After leaving Waterloo Falls, I was itching to do some actual hiking.  Next stop was Cummins Falls State Park which was only 15 minutes away by car.  Weather today was nearly perfect – sunny and about 60 degrees, which felt like summer compared to what I left in Wisconsin. I started by hiking the Upstream … Read more

Fleet Foxes @ Chicago Theatre

Fleet Foxes @ Chicago Theatre

Got lucky and scored tickets months ago to see Fleet Foxes at the Chicago Theatre.  First balcony booth seats with a table and waiter service thanks to an awesome pre-sale deal. Opening band Nap Eyes was OK if nothing else.  Super chill sleepy-time music.  Guess it’s not just a clever name? Fleet Foxes went on around … Read more

World’s Largest Truckstop Iowa 80 (Redux)

World's Largest Truckstop Iowa 80

Pulled off for my last stop before home near Walcott, Iowa. Lots of corn here. LOTS. Apparently I found myself at Iowa 80 Truckstop (the world’s largest truck stop) so there’s that. My life accomplishments may have just peaked… Author’s note: I am revisiting old posts from my 2016 road trip because I posted all … Read more

Kansas City Waffle House (Redux)

Waffle House in all its sloppy glory. Never again.

Adventure comes in all forms, and today it took the shape of a gastronomical trek. The giant Waffle House sign called my name like a beacon of gluttony. We don’t have these in Wisconsin and probably for good reason. $11 dollars worth of shame and sadness was the outcome. Pecan waffle almost saved the day … Read more

Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que (Redux)

Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que

My concern on this part of the return trip has been to make miles and quickly. Because of that there was nothing to share in Amarillo, Oklahoma, or most of Kansas besides large fields of nothingness. Possibly one of the most boring drives ever. I-435 in Kansas City may also be the worst road I … Read more