Wisconsin Trip

B and I just got home from Wisconsin. We went up to the Menominee Indian Reservation for a family reunion. This reunion was the first of it's kind as the participants were descendants of Alexander Robinson (1772 to 1872). Alexander was married to a Menominee woman named Sasos and I am a descendant of that union. Other family descendants included those descending from the union of Alexander to Catherine after Sasos'es death. It can get rather confusing but thru the efforts of a few, we all came together to honor grandfather Robinson and meet family that until recently, many of us never knew we had. The story of Alexander Robinson is a interesting one. I've been told a family member is publishing a book on grandfather Robinson. When it is complete, I will happily forward the information to anyone interested.

It was my idea to go to Wisconsin for the reunion on our motorcycle. I remember telling B that it would be a perfect time to go up as the weather should be good at this time of year. Not too cold and not too hot. What is they say about the best laid plans? Well, for the most part the weather did indeed cooperate with us. However the last two days on the Motorcycle found us trying to make it home in 100° plus heat and very high humidity. NOT FUN. For anyone who has not experienced traveling by motorcycle in really hot weather....let me tell you.....don't. It's miserable.

I got to see lots of my relation on the reservation. All my Aunts and some of my Uncles. Cousins and other people I've met over the years when I was visiting. I really enjoy my time with the Aunts. For one thing they are a ton of fun to be around and are GREAT cooks. For another, it is always interesting to find out new family information or hear new funny stories. I wish I could see them more often.

Traveling to another part of the US is interesting to me as I notice the difference in how things grow and the differences in business, farms and residential areas. I noticed the blooming time for flowers in Wisconsin is a good month behind ours. So many beautiful Pines and Spruces. Lots prettier than the ones in Kansas. I also noticed how many farms and country residences were so neat in appearance. Hardly ever did I see a place junked up like I did in Colorado last fall. And the farms, they were huge. Lots of outbuildings and I notice most had working silos. The silos in this area have not been used in years. It is rare to see one with even the top still on it while it's not uncommon to see a tree growing out of silo top. Weird.

On the way to the Reservation we drove to Lake Michigan where I remembered gathering smooth stones and lake glass when I was young. B had never seen Lake Michigan so it was something new for him. I waded on the shore but didn't find any lake glass this time.

It was a good vacation for us. I'm anxious to go back again. Maybe late next summer.