We’ve traveled now for just over two weeks.  This first part of our journey took us to northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan.  We’ve been in one U.S. national park (Voyageurs), four national forests (Superior, Chequamegon, Ottawa – which is in Michigan, and Hiawatha), and a good number of state parks.  We’ve camped at Voyageurs, at state parks, and at municipal campgrounds (so far no national forests; these are the most rustic with no amenities as a rule).

We’ve spent two days on an island (Madeline Island, part of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore in far northern Wisconsin), driven through forests, walked along lakes, rivers, and on trails, and stood by four waterfalls.  We’ve come across several lighthouses and toured one (40 Mile Point) that was open to the public where we got a pretty good education on how they worked.  As we’ve chosen to drive along U.S. routes instead of interstates, we’ve visited countless small towns, some interesting and pretty, others less so.  We talked with local shopkeepers (gift store owners are the best) who were more than happy to share life in the northern areas.  They are proud and independent – and tough, which you would need to be when winter brings in more than 200 inches of snow.

The beauty we’ve seen is astounding.  As these northern areas are sparsely populated, we went for long times with little or no traffic.  We just breathed the fresh air, took in the sights, and took delight at what we experienced.  The one time we hit crowds (Painted Rocks National Lakeshore, 4^th of July weekend) we decided that although it was indeed beautiful, we are just as happy in lesser visited areas.

We are getting used to the rhythms of travel:  driving, meals, davening in beautiful surroundings, shopping, laundry, tank fills and dumps….  We stop at things that interest us, drive as much as we want.  We are trusting that we will find campgrounds.  The only time we look for something specific is on Thursday, for a place to spend Shabbat, which we spend quietly, with walks around the campsite, reading, studying.

With our small kitchen, our meals are simple and we try for healthy.  We have found just about all we need at local Walmarts (the exceptions so far are yellow cheese and regular yogurt, although Chobani Greek yogurt is good and seems to be available everywhere); we have even found grape juice in two places – Superior, Wisconsin and Cheboygan, Michigan.  The rolls we buy feel and taste the same two weeks after we bought them (the wonders of packaged bread), but we keep them for Shabbat and have now started to supplement with homemade challah.

We have found the folks at campgrounds to be friendly and courteous.  Quiet time (usually from 10 pm to 8 am) is adhered to.  Campsites are clean, even though in many cases the only place to throw out trash is at the entrance to the campground, and that is not always a short walk.  We have also found that our RV looks so small next to the big Class As and trailers – being pulled by large trucks as a rule – we park next to in campgrounds (and looks so large next to cars in a shopping center), but we like the fact that it drives and parks like a regular van.

Time, quiet, and space allow for reflection and thanksgiving – for what we have, for what we are being shown, for the privilege of experiencing the beauty that is in this world.  Though we have tried, we cannot name a specific favorite so far – maybe Voyageurs with its pristine, natural beauty; maybe Lake Superior, that largest of the Great Lakes and very impressive body of water, although the drive along Lake Huron has also been spectacular; maybe a quiet spot in one of the state parks we stopped in.  Maybe, in some way, spending Shabbat in Duluth with the dedicated people of Adas Israel, trying to keep the shul going under difficult circumstances.

We are looking forward to seeing other places to choose from.