Check out some great Midwest-related stories I found online this past month:
The Keweenaw Peninsula: Quincy Copper Mine and Copper Harbor
I've never been that wild about taking trips myself in small planes and trips underground, but this story from Erin about a trip she and her son took to see the Quincy Copper Mine at Copper Harbor in Michigan's Upper Peninsula was pretty fascinating. I do share her son's fascination with geology and rocks, so I may have to re-think my aversion to tiny enclosed spaces. Meanwhile, I can see highlights of Erin's trip and exploration of Quincy. A bonus? The duo stayed at a motel we've stayed at several times in the past, and I loved the shots of their room at the Bella Vista and the beautiful harbor view that I loved seeing. Think I'm due for another trip up there one of these days?
We loved visiting Ohio's Amish Country in the heart of Holmes County. Share Heathers travels through the scenic country side, visits to the area's "Cheese Heaven" (and several cheese places we also visited), plus a glimpse of the hearty comfort food we also enjoyed so much when visiting there ourselves). Check out her story at the Ohio Girl Travels blog.
Anniversary of the Miami-Erie Canal
Canal history always fascinates me...probably, at least in part, because we do not have much in the way of canal history here in Michigan. Ronny takes a quick look at the rich history of the Miami-Erie Canal in Ohio. The canal was a major transportation link throughout the state and served to move folks through, and around, Ohio before automobiles, trains or other technological advances made transportation speedier. The canal system in this country played an important part in fueling the westward expansion, but the leisurely place of oxen, horse and mule drawn boats allowed travelers a more leisure look at the passing country side than we enjoy today. Check the story out at the Queen City Discovery blog.
You'll love this Covered Bridge Town in Western Indiana
Join Chris on a tour of some of the covered bridges in Parke County Indiana. I've long heard about Parke County and its amazing collection of covered spans. It's on a destination on my Midwest bucket list. Meanwhile, I can enjoy getting a little peek at the area with the images on this article at the Indiana Insider blog.
Learn about Indiana's Limestone Heritage in New Exhibit
It is impossible not to see many buildings made of lime stone in and around Indiana! Mark offers us a fascinating look at the history and use of this natural Hoosier resource, the shifts in the technology of the limestone industry and some of the iconic buildings of limestone that are around the country. Check out the story at the Indiana Insider blog.
50 Quirky Things to See in Ohio
Tonya gives us a great list of cool and interesting things so see in Ohio. We've seen a few things like The World's Largest Collection of Rock and Roll Memorabilia (at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum in Cleveland), The Garfield Memorial (at the Lake Side Cemetery in Cleveland), eaten pizza at a Covered Bridge (North Kingsville) and visited the Tomb of President McKinley (Canton). There are still plenty of things on the list I'd love to see yet myself like the Pencil Sharpener Museum (in Logan) Dave Grohl Alley and the World's Largest Drumsticks (Warren) and the Y-Bridge (Zanesville). Check out this fun list at the Traveling Praters blog.
Fans of the "Little House" series of books are well aware of Laura Ingalls Wilder's connection to many Midwestern states and make it a point to visit as many of the places where Laura and her family lived during the late 1800s. Beth takes readers at Midwest Weekends on a quick tour of these sites in places like Wisconsin, Kansas, Minnesota, Iowa and South Dakota where Wilder and her family spent time at one point during their life journey. It's fun to see so many of these sites gathered together in one article.
Ashland NE in Numismatic (Money) News
Many classic old bank buildings no longer exist, but Mark profiles one here that still stands in the eastern part of Nebraska along with a couple of other former bank buildings still in the area. This is a fun look at banks and currency through the years in Ashland, Nebraska. Check is out at the Stay on Route 6 blog.
14 Fun Facts about the North Dakota Capitol
I always love visiting state capitol buildings, and found this round up of facts about North Dakota's unusual skyscraper capitol building quite interesting. This is one of only three skyscraper capitol buildings in the U.S., but Connie found out that this style of building has 80 percent usable space versus the usual traditional domed building we're usually used to seeing as a capitol building. Check it out at the Midwest Wanderer blog.
Highlights of Hamilton County, Indiana
It's been a several years since I've visited Hamilton County, which is about 30 miles from Indianapolis, Indiana, so I enjoyed virtually revisiting the area with Francesca and her family. This story spotlights several of the favorite places I saw during our visit there, including the historic Hamilton County courthouse in downtown Noblesville, the lifelike statue of a woman grocery shopping in front of the butcher shop in Carmel (where we originally discovered another Midwest treat--Rickle's Pickles) and Conner Prairie (where we experienced a thought-provoking Underground Railway program). Check out the story at the Working Mom's Travels blog.
Hiking during our Galena Weekend
I've always wanted to visit Galena, Illinois, and this story from Mel show us several noteworthy hikes in the area. I particularly enjoyed seeing images of the pedestrian bridge along the Galena River Trail (I'm a real bridge fan, so this goes on the list of things I need to see in Galena!). Check out the story at the A Little Time and a Keyboard blog.
Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom
Travel through the beautiful scenic farmland near the Wisconsin Dells and enjoy a little old fashioned history and adventure near Baraboo, Wisconsin. I loved seeing the restored vintage railcars learning a bit more about railroad history in the area. Check out Kenneth's story and great images at the Wisconsin Explorer blog.
We've visited this western Michigan and favorites like Schuler Books & Music many times in the past, but I can see that there are several places I've yet to see here according to Jeff's story. Check it out at the Lifelong Michigander.
Five Favorite Places for Kids on the Sunset Coast, Michigan
Join Jessie at the Wandering Educators blog for another look at western Michigan as she surveys some of her kid-friendly favorites with sites that include some of my waterfront favorites like Grand Haven, Manistee and the Sleeping Bear Dunes area. This definitely puts me in the mood to do a little more traveling myself!