Erie, Pennsylvania

The restored Niagara, part of the victorious American fleet in the War of 1812 Battle of Lake Erie, in the process of being mothballed for the winter.

Cleveland, Ohio

 

Balto was a Siberian Husky and the lead dog for the final leg of a famous 1925 dog sled run that delivered life-saving diphtheria serum to Nome, Alaska. He spent his final years in Cleveland honored as a hero, and today his remains hold a place of honor at Cleveland's Museum of Natural History.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio

Drum solo!!!

Fremont, Ohio

Conducting business at the Resolute Desk at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums!

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Ready for takeoff at the Air Zoo Aerospace and Science Museum!

Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana

On a windy day, Lake Michigan is hard to distinguish from the ocean, except 1) we walked for over a mile along the beach without seeing another person, and 2) you can see Chicago on the horizon.

Baraboo, Wisconsin

The International Crane Foundation has all 15 species of cranes. Don't ever call a crane a heron. The cranes really don't like that. They just throw their wings up in disgust and walk away.

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

We explored the Dells (or gorges) along the Wisconsin River both by boat and on foot. This passage is called Witches Gulch.

Museum of Root Beer, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

Root Beer, Root Beer, Root Beer, KC, Root Beer

SPAM Museum, Austin, Minnesota

Spam, Spam, Spam, KC, Spam

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Sending Morse Code on a WWII-era transmitter at the Old Courthouse Museum. ➖•➖  ➖•➖•

Brookings, South Dakota

Met the chickens at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum. They were very friendly!

Harrisburg, South Dakota

At Abby Normal's Museum of the Strange, they have a picture autographed by Bigfoot. I was skeptical, but there's also a Certificate of Authenticity. So I guess...

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

An impromptu street performance with a goofy chocolate lab named Jake.

Mitchell, South Dakota

At the "World's Only Corn Palace," the huge murals are completely redone every year with a different theme. They are made completely from corn, other grains, and native grasses. 

South Dakota State Fair, South Dakota

My new favorite sport -- horse soccer!

Darwin, Minnesota

It's me and the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota!

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Great tour of historic Lock and Dam No. 1 on the Mississippi River from my new friend Ranger Jess!