Change of Seasons, Change of Scenery

At the end of every summer we spend in the Midwest, Doug is faced with a Herculean task ... convincing me that with the change of seasons, it is time to start thinking about a change of scenery. Apparently, these beautiful colors mean the white stuff can’t be too far behind.

It didn't help his cause that the mega-dose of summer we enjoyed while visiting Honolulu and American Samoa in late August continued into early September. After completing our national park quest, we spent ten days in Kona, Hawaii. Hot, humid weather and fragrant flowers kept summer firmly planted in our minds.

While we hoped to explore more of the Big Island this time around, it turned out to be a more laid back vacation for us as Doug dealt with some neck pain. Apparently, red-eye flights and "too soft" Airbnb beds don't agree with him. But while in Kona, we were both happy to enjoy ...

Evening swims with sunset views from our condo's pool area,

Mornings in Kona coffee heaven,

Walks to our favorite dinner spot overlooking the Pacific,

A sunset catamaran cruise,

And the mega-wave effect of Hurricane Lowell as it approached Hawaii's western islands.

When we returned to Minnesota after Labor Day, it seemed like the summer vibe was still hanging on. We returned to our old stomping grounds for a few weeks while Doug rehabbed his neck.

Walks in the woods,

along the river,

or with our favorite pooch while doing another short pet-sitting gig,

combined with some physical therapy, will hopefully keep Doug pain-free for another 60+ years or 100,000 miles.

But the signs were popping up around us ... and it was time to start our winter migration south.

This winter, our "big picture" plan is to head toward Florida and launch some international travel from there. With six weeks to spare before meeting up with some friends in Gulf Shores, Alabama, we mapped out a route that would connect us with family, friends, and a few favorite cities along the way.

First stop ... Minneapolis where we savored a few more days with family.

Next up ... Wisconsin where hikes through the woods and around massive glacial boulders

are fueled by cheese curds, craft beer, and a good old Friday fish fry!

Followed by ... the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where Thomas Dambo's "Benny the Beard Fisher" troll greeted us,

roadside views of Lake Michigan delighted us,

and Mackinac Island's Victorian architecture and old-fashioned transportation intrigued us!

Next up ... the lower peninsula of Michigan and northern Indiana where scenic hikes through pine forests,

 young smiles,

family gatherings,

and a full moon rising over an Amish farm reminded us of all the things we love about the Midwest.

A new route for us along the shores of Lake Erie brought us views of Cleveland,

as we overnighted in our nephew's new hometown.

And as we crossed into Upstate New York, a stronger hint of fall colors and some amazing scenery made us realize that a change of seasons and a change of scenery ... can actually be quite enjoyable.

So, once again, we have begun our great fall migration ... a migration that will continue to lead us to beautiful new places. And, if Doug has anything to say about it, a lot less snow!

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