We’ve landed in Michigan, where the husband’s job brought us, and it’s a very beautiful place. On the way here we visited many other beautiful spots, through Montana and North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. North Dakota’s National Grasslands, Painted Canyon and Theodore Roosevelt Nat’l Park are breath-taking, so if you are anywhere west, it’s well worth the trip. Yellowstone likewise made us glad we ventured out of the Pacific Northwest, although snow in August was unexpected. Minnesota really does have a lot of mosquitoes who have an amazing tolerance for Deet, and Wisconsin’s Black River State Forest was one of our best surprises on the trip.
My brain now has a giant supply of images and scenery and settings and the story engine is percolating. I think I really need to set something in North Dakota, especially.
It felt very different to live without an internet connection, spotty cell reception, often no electricity or running water, as we camped across the US, but it was also so restful that I think we should make it an annual habit. Minus the thousands of miles of travel, but an unplugged vacation is good for the mind and soul. There’s a lot to be said for listening to the quiet.
Anybody else gone on any interestings summer trips this year, or tried an unplugged vacation?
I think you’ll find the consensus in your new area for vacations is northern Michigan or up in the UP (Upper Peninsula, north across the Mackinaw Bridge). At least that’s what the missus tells me, her family have a cabin up in the north part of the state, and the first part of our honeymoon was up near Traverse City. Beautiful country up there.
Glad you made it safe and sound.
Haven’t been on a holiday this summer. Still have hope that I might make it. Sounds like you saw some amazing places on your trip across the country.
NJ, we saw beautiful places I’m pretty sure we would otherwise have never visited. Glad we did. I hope you and G. do get away before summer’s over!
Now you’ve made my vacation mouth water…it sounds so lovely, even Minnesota and the mosquitoes.
We’re planning to get away Christmas, the first time in a while, it’ll be down south though.
Hey, Monica! I hope you do get away for Christmas and have a lovely, relaxing time. South should be warm! I’ll be shoveling snow. *g*
I’ve been to the UP and Northern MI, so I know it’s gorgeous. : ) I’m hoping we can do some camping up north this fall. Nice place for you guys to honeymoon!
sounds like a trip i’m planning to Maderia. Internet connections are patchy at best but it does sound like i’ll get a chance to just switch off.