Midwest travel links for May 2012

I found a lot of great Midwest-related stories online during this past month, making it particularly difficult to keep my list to a dozen this time!

El Gran Midwest Viaje-Author Stephanie Elizondo shares her Iowa road trip adventure at Around the Blog, visiting places like the Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum and Library, the ball field from the Kevin Costner "Field of Dreams" flick and Dubuque's Museum of Arts while sampling some Iowan cuisine and visiting a couple of indie bookstores.

Prairie Avenue Bookshop Lives on as Art-I fell in love with Chicago's Prairie Avenue Bookshop when we found it several years ago, only to find that my first visit there would be my last visit ever. The architecture book store was one of just a few left in the country when it closed in 2009, but The Chicago Architecture Blog recently reported that Chicago-based artist Theaster Gates purchased the store's stock and used it to create a unique public archive on the city's south side. This article also links to John's report, Theaster Gates and the Prairie Avenue Bookshop Archive, on A Daily Dose of Architecture blog.

Prairie Avenue Bookshop in 2009 (above)

See Chicago Like Ferris Bueller-Need suggestions for an itinerary next time you visit Chicago? Follow Ferris Bueller's footsteps with Amanda at Film & Travel and check out many of the sites featured in this classic John Hughes flick featuring actor Matthew Broderick.

Chicago's Top Ten Accessible and Economical Summer Hotspots-Check out Michell's post at TravelinWheels for some great ideas for your next Chicago visit, along with tips about parking, public transit and other information geared to assist travelers with disabilities.

Happy Gwen Frostic Day!-A visit to author and artist Gwen Frostic's studio and store has always been a "must" when I visit Benzie County, Michigan (about a half hour from Traverse City). Gwen is gone now, but her artistry and words live on at her studio, and I was surprised to learn that May 23 is actually a designated as Gwen Frostic Day in Michigan. Check that story out at Michigan in Pictures.

12 Lesser-Known Michigan Inventions and Celebrities- What do Buster Keaton, Gumby, the "real McCoy" and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers all have in common? Tim has the answer to this question at Great Lakes Guru with a fun list of people and places sharing a Michigan connection.

Detroit history in Washington, D.C.: Alexander Macomb-Amy has a knack for uncovering stories about Michigan's fascinating history in the most unexpected places. Check out her story about Alexander Macomb, a War of 1812 hero and namesake for the metro Detroit county immediately east of my home. Check it out at The Night Train.

Pavek Museum of Broadcasting in St. Louis Park, Minnesota-Linda takes readers of her Travels with Children blog on a visit to this fun museum where her family played a Theremin, competed in a quiz show, and created their own radio show in the museum's radio studio.

Cleveland: Up-top Terminal Tower-I love seeing sites from a birds-eye view and taking photos from those high vantage points. Click on over to The Adventures of the elatlboy to check out Aaron's great shots of Cleveland, Ohio, taken from atop the city's historic Terminal Tower skyscraper.

The Pictured Rocks Expert - An Interview with Bill Thompson-What is the best way to explore Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore? Jesse's interviews local sports expert, Bill, who shares some great tips about kayaking, snowshoeing, camping, hiking, ice climbing and other unique ways to explore this beautiful area along Lake Superior at Things to do in the U.P.

Cedar Falls, Hocking Hills State Park

Old Man's Cave-Hocking Hills State Park-We love Ohio's Hocking Hills area, and I enjoyed Raji's photo essay about Old Man's Cave at her Travelog. Raji's images of Hocking Hills State Park taken on a rainy day show the landscape's lush greens and velvety texture of the waterfalls to especially stunning effect.

Midwest Guest