Our family camped at Interstate State Park this last MEA weekend.  Located just north of the Twin Cities, Interstate State Park is just two miles west of Taylors Falls, MN.  On the banks of the St. Croix River, the area is known for its immense beauty and geological features such as glacial potholes.

Dismissing the cold nights, the weather was absolutely perfect.  Frosts earlier in the season had killed off the insects, food and beverages were plentiful, and we were able to explore the area.  While camping with seven kids can be trying, I think it is still a consensus that we all had a good time.  Things we enjoyed?  Relaxation, hiking, geocaching, kayaking Chisago Lake and enjoying the campfire.  The thing we liked the least about Interstate State Park is its proximity to MN State Highway 95.  The noise from the traffic, particularly trucks jake braking down the hill, is not what I look for in camping.  While the beauty of the river is enticing, the traffic alone is the reason why I will never again camp at Interstate.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Entrance to Interstate State Park Entrance to Interstate State Park	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Our home for the weekend, campsite #12e Our home for the weekend, campsite #12e	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN A view of the river from our campsite A view of the river from our campsite
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN The St. Croix River The St. Croix River	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Walking the St. Croix River Walking the St. Croix River	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Bart and Anna messing around in the river Bart and Anna messing around in the river
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Woke up Saturday morning to a foggy river Woke up Saturday morning to a foggy river	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN An eerie river scene An eerie river scene	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Another eerie river scene Another eerie river scene
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Molly climbing around the potholes Molly climbing around the potholes	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura posing like a ham Laura posing like a ham	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna swallowed by a pothole Anna swallowed by a pothole
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura posing again, I should be worried Laura posing again, I should be worried	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN While she'd never admit it, Molly having a good time While she'd never admit it, Molly having a good time	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna climbing boulders in Glacial Gardens Park Anna climbing boulders in Glacial Gardens Park
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura attempting to climb the cliff Laura attempting to climb the cliff	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Anna with a river backdrop Anna with a river backdrop	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura and Matt Bowers Laura and Matt Bowers
2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Laura and the four Bowers boys Laura and the four Bowers boys	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN Nene taking a break from climbing through potholes Nene taking a break from climbing through potholes	2011 - Interstate State Park, Taylors Falls, MN The Hiking Club password for Interstate State Park The Hiking Club password for Interstate State Park

Our family camped at Bear Head Lake State Park this weekend.  Located in the great north woods of Minnesota, Bear Head Lake is approximately half way between Tower and Ely.  While the area is known for vast populations of wolves and bears, the only critters we ran into were the three bears at the North American Bear Center, located just south of Ely.

Believe it or not, this was our family's first solo camping trip without the presense of other beloved friends and family members.  The weather was absolutely perfect, there were no troublesome insects, and the food was plentiful.  With the exception of a dead battery in the truck and having run out of beer, every one of us seemed to have a great time.  Things we enjoyed?  Relaxation, swimming at the beach, kayaking the lakes, hiking the trails, geocaching, enjoying the campfire, and stargazing at night.  There are many other gorgeous state parks we'd like to camp but Bear Head Lake has certainly made it to our short-list of places to return.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Entrance to Bear Head Lake State Park Entrance to Bear Head Lake State Park	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Our home for the weekend, campsite #53 Our home for the weekend, campsite #53	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Bart at the campsite Bart at the campsite
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view of Bear Head Lake A view of Bear Head Lake	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view from the beach at Bear Head Lake A view from the beach at Bear Head Lake	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view of Eagles Nest Lake Number Three A view of Eagles Nest Lake Number Three
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN A view from Bart's boat during the maiden voyage A view from Bart's boat during the maiden voyage	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Molly is a natural at paddling a kayak Molly is a natural at paddling a kayak	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Bart and Molly island geocaching on Eagles Nest Lake Number Three Bart and Molly island geocaching on Eagles Nest Lake Number Three
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura checking out the kayak on dry land Laura checking out the kayak on dry land	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura actually went out in the 12' kayak and held her own Laura actually went out in the 12' kayak and held her own	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Laura conquered her first kayaking trip Laura conquered her first kayaking trip
2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN Anna is a reluctant but very skillful paddler Anna is a reluctant but very skillful paddler	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN We were all surprised that Nene got in a kayak, paddled well, and claims to have enjoyed it We were all surprised that Nene got in a kayak, paddled well, and claims to have enjoyed it	2011 - Bear Head Lake State Park, Ely, MN The Hiking Club password for Bear Head Lake State Park The Hiking Club password for Bear Head Lake State Park

Back in September of 1995, Nene and I had the privilege to travel to Colorado Springs, CO.  On that trip, we drove the Pikes Peak Highway up to Pikes Peak.  On our way to the summit, we stumbled upon the infamous Bigfoot Crossing sign.  During a recent geocaching trip this month, I again ran into the sign.  I had always thought it was just a bit of fun being had by the Colorado park system.  If you believe the sign or the lore on the Internet, this area has claims of bigfoot sightings.  But I believe the REAL reason for the sign is to mark the geological feature located about 500' off the road and up the hill from the posted sign at coordinates N 38° 54.123 W 104° 59.481.  If you visit this location, you will find a large geological formation in the shape of a big foot.  Believe it or not.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Bigfoot Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO Nene at the Bigfoot Crossing sign back in September 1995 Nene at the Bigfoot Crossing sign back in September 1995

2011 - Bigfoot Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO Bart at the Bigfoot Crossing sign July 2011 Bart at the Bigfoot Crossing sign July 2011

2011 - Bigfoot Crossing, Colorado Springs, CO The geological feature in the shape of a "Bigfoot" The geological feature in the shape of a "Bigfoot"

Some of the greatest architecture in human history can be attributed to houses of faith.  St. Fidelis Church, The Cathedral of the Plains, is a gleaming example of just that.  Located in Victoria, KS, St. Fidelis Catholic Church was one of the largest buildings on the Great Plains when it was constructed.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS	2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS	2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS
2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS	2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS	2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS
2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS	2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS	2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS
2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS	2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS	2011 - Cathedral of the Plains, Victoria, KS

During the long and insipid drive through Kansas to Colorado, another roadside treasure was discovered that is a must see.  The Lighted Cross, located at the Excelsior Lutheran Church just off of I-70 between exits 209 and 216, has been described as a Guiding Light to those travelling along the interstate at night.  Built in 1976 by Gerald Klema, The Lighted Cross actually looks like a cross from ANY angle that you view it.  This is made possible by the fact that the arm of the cross is circular in nature.. ingenius.

Unfortunately, I was not in a position to see the cross lighted.  I was passing through the area during the brightest hours of the day.  But I still stopped to check out the structure and tour the little country church.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS Welcome to Excelsior Lutheran Church Welcome to Excelsior Lutheran Church	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The Excelsior Lutheran Church The Excelsior Lutheran Church	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS A view inside the little country church A view inside the little country church
2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The 60' steel cross from a distance The 60' steel cross from a distance	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS Looking up at the circular shaped cross Looking up at the circular shaped cross	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The Lighted Cross as seen at night. I believe the photograph was taken by Jeff Cooper (used without permission) The Lighted Cross as seen at night. I believe the photograph was taken by Jeff Cooper (used without permission)

While driving up the Eastern Shore of Virginia on a day trip towards Delaware, I visited Kiptopeke State Park.  Located three miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Kiptopeke is known as a significant birding area.  But I stopped to visit the ghost ships.  Partially sunk in 1948, nine McCloskey ships make up the Kiptopeke Breakwater for what used to be a ferry service.  The ferry service is long gone but the mammoth hulks of concrete still protect the Kiptopeke Beach today. 

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA Navigational marker in the break Navigational marker in the break	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA McCloskey Ships, head to head McCloskey Ships, head to head	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The Kiptopeke Breakwater The Kiptopeke Breakwater
2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The ships, gulls, and the bay bridge The ships, gulls, and the bay bridge	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA Bart at Kiptopeke State Park Bart at Kiptopeke State Park	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The pier at Kiptopeke The pier at Kiptopeke

During our stay at the Outer Banks, the children had the opportunity to go crabbing in Currituck Sound.  I had picked up some crabbing rigs from the local bait shop and Uncle John taught us the skills required to crab.  I was amazed at home successful our catch was.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Crabbing in Currituck Sound, Southern Shores, NC Laura crabbing in Currituck Sound Laura crabbing in Currituck Sound

2011 - Crabbing in Currituck Sound, Southern Shores, NC The catch The catch

2011 - Crabbing in Currituck Sound, Southern Shores, NC How to eat crab How to eat crab

During our seven day stay at the Outer Banks of North Carolina, many hours were spent at the beach which included body surfing, sand castle building, fishing, crabbing, and general horse play.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - The Beach of the Outer Banks, Southern Shores, NC A look to the north A look to the north	2011 - The Beach of the Outer Banks, Southern Shores, NC A look to the south A look to the south	2011 - The Beach of the Outer Banks, Southern Shores, NC The Southern Shores pier The Southern Shores pier
2011 - The Beach of the Outer Banks, Southern Shores, NC Laura enjoying the surf Laura enjoying the surf	2011 - The Beach of the Outer Banks, Southern Shores, NC Anna waiting for the next big wave Anna waiting for the next big wave	2011 - The Beach of the Outer Banks, Southern Shores, NC Molly building her sand castle Molly building her sand castle

During our stay in North Carolina's Outer Banks, we visited the Currituck Beach Light Station.  I took the little ones to the top of the lighthouse while the others visited the grounds below.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC The Currituck Beach Light Station The Currituck Beach Light Station

2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC Anna, Laura and Matthew atop the lighthouse Anna, Laura and Matthew atop the lighthouse

2011 - Currituck Beach Light Station, Corolla, NC A view of the Atlantic from the lighthouse A view of the Atlantic from the lighthouse

While enroute to North Carolina, we stopped for a day to visit Washington, D. C.  In addition to riding the Metro for the first time, we walked the mall from the Capitol building to the Lincoln Memorial.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - A Capitol View, Washington D.C. The Capitol building The Capitol building	2011 - A Capitol View, Washington D.C. Laura at the Capitol Laura at the Capitol	2011 - A Capitol View, Washington D.C. Anna at the Capitol Anna at the Capitol
2011 - A Capitol View, Washington D.C. The Capitol following a rain storm The Capitol following a rain storm	2011 - A Capitol View, Washington D.C. A rainbow above the Capitol A rainbow above the Capitol	2011 - A Capitol View, Washington D.C. The Capitol hiding behind the Washington Monument The Capitol hiding behind the Washington Monument