Summer '24 Part 1 - May 30 to June 20

Hello good people! I'm finally posting an update from an action-packed summer. Journey with me, if you will, back to a simpler time. A time before an assassination attempt and a bonkers election cycle and a perplexing Olympics opening ceremony. A time we shall call...2 months ago. Here we go!

This summer's adventure began in the surprisingly jaw-dropping lands of...Central Ohio! Who knew that an hour from Columbus you could hike along streams through canyons into ravines with crazy rock overhangs and dozens of sweet waterfalls?

The answer: anyone who has been to Hocking Hills State Park! I recommend that you become one of those people someday. And go with some lovely friends like Sam and Kristen. I promise you won't regret it :-)

MacDuff also recommends going with a friend like Sam. I'll leave it to you to figure out why.

After Ohio, I made my way through Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota on the way to North Dakota. Had a good time celebrating Sam's birthday in the weird college town of Muncie, Indiana (Go Ball State!), followed by great visits in Illinois with Taya, Michael, Nico and Enzo, and in Wisconsin with Jim, Jan, and Emily. I really need to get better at taking photos with everyone I am lucky enough to spend time with on the road.

I did, however, remember to take a few snaps at a delectable roadside attraction in Austin, Minnesota.

Yup, the SPAM Museum in the hometown of Hormel Foods. It really is a crackup. They manage to enjoy poking fun at themselves while promoting their Sizzle Pork and Mmmmm. Even if you're not a fan of the product, everyone wants to know how they measure up. In terms of SPAM cans tall I mean.

You're asking yourself...but did he eat any? I'm no Iron Chef, but when presented with a can of SPAM with Tocino (top seller in the Philippines!) I know what to do: SPAMbled eggs :-)

How do you attempt to top the SPAM Museum? You drive a good bit out of your way to Darwin, Minnesota to visit the World's Largest Ball of Twine Made By One Man (now that's what I call a Master of Twine Arts). Based on my experience, I left feeling strung out and am just knot a fan. But for those of you who are determined to channel your inner Clark Griwsold, follow this thread: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biggest_ball_of_twine

As you know if you've been following my WanderStuff for a while, I've become quite a fan of North Dakota. This year I managed to convince intrepid traveler and friend extraordinaire Bobby Mauriello to join me and help answer the question we all have: Is North Dakota really cool, or is Derek just really weird?

First off, it is a myth that North Dakota is short on pizazz. Where else can you get a Bloody Mary with an onion ring topper?

They also have the Enchanted Highway, 38 miles of prairie land interspersed with some of the world's largest metal sculptures.

You do have to watch your back out there, though. Still a bit lawless.

You really can't be too careful.

But mostly it is wide open, beautiful, and peaceful. Here's a pano from Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Medora, the town adjacent to the National Park, has its own folksy/charming outdoor musical. I'm more of a Medora sign than a Hollywood sign kinda guy.

Some say North Dakota has its own special magic.

Bob considered it carefully and decided that North Dakota gets two thumbs up! And also, that Derek is indeed weird.

After NorthDakotaPalooza, Bob flew home and I continued west with brief stops in Billings and Helena, Montana; Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and Underwood, Washington (thanks, Lesley!) on my way to meet up with Lisa in Portland to kick off a 2 week stint in Oregon. More on that in the next edition of WanderStuff!