Lake of the Ozarks and Ha HA Tonka State Park in Misouri

It was a tough day of towing the trailer due to the cement roads that were so rippled that our heads were bouncing off the seat and a windy day with 35 mph wind gusts that made us look like bobble heads and it was only 200 miles. We made it to Madison, had a tornado warning and without improving weather in the near future, we decided to head onward to our next destination.

We did try some cheeses and liked the portabella and chives in white cheddar quite well.

 

Osage Beach at Lake of the Ozarks State Park is great with huge spaces. Now that the kids are all back in school and not many people around, our campground had the host and us this morning.

Hiking in the evening along Lake Ozark

Almost got hit in the head with all of the falling acorns. I wonder if the squirrels wager on how many people they can hit.

Ha Ha Tonka State Park

Beautiful natural springs

Castle on the hill overlooking the lake after it burned down.

View from the castle

Limestone formations throughout the area

Natural bridge.

Turtles all around catching some rays.

One of many caves in the limestone inhabited by bats.

 

It is a long drive to Arizona and any suggestions about places to see on the way are appreciated. We will be driving thru Oklahoma on the turnpike and then the panhandle of TX. I am trying to psych myself up for that.

 

 

 

Cave Point and Whitefish State Park

 Couldn't help but take a lot of pictures of Lake Michigan and rock. The wind was blowing quite a bit on this side of the peninsula which made for some dramatic crashing waves. The water was many colors of blue.

A couple of nights ago while watching the sunset, a couple overheard us talking and suggested that we visit these two places. We always appreciate good suggestions and this was one.

The sound of the waves against the rocks were quite loud.

For the past 5 weeks, we have had spotty phone and internet service along with occasional TV. While in Fish Creek, we would go down to the beach concession area and get some pretty good internet. It was nice to sit along the beach watching the boats, kayaks and people while checking emails.

Door County has a land trust that is purchasing properties to keep as parks. There are a suprising number of properties for sale here.

 



Whitefish State Park is a large white sand dune with very fine sand similar to Cancun and few people on the beach.

Not many people here except, as the locals say, Newlyweds and early to beds. I have heard it said "almost deads" but prefer early to beds myself.

There are many ship wrecks in the great lakes and parts on one are on exhibit in the state park.

We enjoy looking at the dairy farms and apple orchards as we ride our bikes or drive. Mike grew up helping his grandmother in Vermont on a dairy farm. The farms are kept very tidy around here. There is very little traffic except the occasional womp, womp of the tractor or combine

After our bike ride today, we stopped by the bakery to pick up the bread we had ordered. The owner of the place was beside herself that she had sold it to someone else. She insisted that we take a loaf of day old bread at no charge. We were a little sad but thought the loaf was pretty darn good. She wouldn't let us pay for it, so we picked out a couple of other things to pay for. What can I say?

After a 23 mile bike ride thru the countryside and another bee sting, we thought about how they say (whoever "they" are), "Leave them wanting more." We would have to say that Door County has definitely done that for us. Now, we head down the road to explore in Madison, WI,

 

 

Door County Century

 

Fall is definitely in the air with crisp 55 degrees in the morning and the sound of the leaves in the breeze. Perfect cycling weather.

Where did the time go? We left 7 weeks ago and are starting our way back to the southwest. It has far exceeded our expectations. We started this blog to help us remember as we go and share our adventures with our friends and family. We have used it a few times to remember where we were when something happened.

The lighthouse in the park overlooking Green Bay. Watch out for the poison ivy and wild parsnip.

What a fabulous route and sunshiny day for a ride along the peninsula and bay with a temp of 47 degrees at 7 am. Thankful for Tylenol and ice for the knees after 50 miles. With over 3000 riders today, these Midwest people love to ride their bikes.

 

Here come some of our friends.

Fish Creek Beach

Sometimes, it is difficult to decide where to ride next. We are trying all of them, yeah right.

 

 

A new jersey is always a conversation starter. Mike wore his Colorado Copper Triangle jersey and people just had to discuss it. People have been very welcoming and happy to give us hints on places to go and see or good places to eat. That would be all of them and we tried.

The overcast cloudiness made riding quite comfortable. The ride from town to our campsite is only 3 miles. It can seem longer after a long day but nice under the canopy of trees.

Egg Harbor

Artisanal breads and hot soup for lunch

Cheese curds have to squeak when you bite into them to know they are fresh. Nothing but squeaky cheese around here so far.

Checking out the local farms on our bike ride.

 

 

Yep, the goats are up there and the Swedish pancakes pretty darn good at Al Johnson's in Sister's Bay.

The bike ride thru Ephraim.

Thirty minutes after sunset, the bats come out of their homes. Most of the bat houses are on the side of buildings. This one was built with a special grant. But the seagulls would sit on top and catch the baby bats when they come out and eat them. The whitenose syndrome is killing off the bat population, not so good for the environment. Between the seagulls and whitenose, the bats aren't doing so well.

A camp host was watching the sunset with us and told us stories of the area and how she volunteered as a docent the Rock Island lighthouse for a week. It is very rustic but she had a bed, gas refrigerator and stove. Everyone else on the island had to bring in what they needed and walk to their camping sites. No cars allowed.

Another great sunset along Lake Michigan.