When I was growing up, Wizard of Oz was broadcast on television once every year. I, and every kid I knew, looked forward to the day that Dorothy would end up in the land of Munchkins and journey to Emerald City. Along her journey, Dorothy worked her way into our hearts as she faced fearful obstacles and made new friends. So, today, when I find that our travels are taking us near a Wizard of Oz attraction, it immediately goes on our itinerary. Here are three that we’ve enjoy over the past few years:
Read moreJudy Garland Museum
Podcast: Great River Road Days 1-4
Welcome to the inaugural Midwest Wanderer podcast! As we traveled the Great River Road from the Mississippi River headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Quad Cities, we summed up our daily activities each night in a podcast. We turned the first two recordings into videos while we traveled and posted them on Facebook. But that required late nights, and after two nights of five or fewer hours of sleep, we decided to record and wait until we got home to publish them. So here we are, with the first four days of our Quad Cities adventures. Rather than videos, we’re presenting them in podcast format. Read more
Podcast: Great River Road Day 4
Day 4: St. Cloud and St. Joseph
From the gorgeous Munsinger and Clemens Gardens to St. John’s University in St. Joseph, and back to St. Cloud for Summertime by George, our day was packed. Read more
Podcast: Great River Road Day 3
Day 3: Bemidji to St. Cloud
Starting our day with the Bemidji sculpture walk, we then continued on the Great River Road to the Judy Garland Museum in Grand Rapids, then went on to St. Cloud, Minnesota, and a St. Cloud ROX baseball game. Read more
Podcast: Great River Road Day 2
Day 2: Mississippi River Headwaters back to Bemidji
On Day 2 we drove to Lake Itasca State Park, where the Mississippi River begins, and walked across the river. After exploring more of the state park, we drove the winding Great River Road back to Bemidji, crossing back-and-forth over the river dozens of times. Read more
Podcast: Great River Road Day 1
Day 1: Traveling to Bemidji
We begin the Midwest Wanderer Great River Road adventure at the Lindbergh House in Little Falls, Minnesota. We stopped there on the way up because it wouldn’t be open on the day we passed through traveling down the Great River Road. Our final destination for the day was Bemidji, Minnesota, “the first city on the Mississippi.” Read more