Midwest Ghostcam Adventure

After the fun of Milwaukee's webcams and the joy of Benny the Beard Fisher Troll in Michigan's UP, plans were afoot to visit more, especially since both were special and in limited supply. With Halloween on the horizon, what would be better than an October Ghostcam adventure? 

Aullwood Audobon - Dayton, OH

After picking up the rental and stopping at the obligatory stop at the local donut shop (Dutch Girl in Detroit), we headed to Dayton! Now, we've been to Dayton a few times, but not in the northern burbs. There we found a family of Dambo Trolls frolicking in Aullwood Audobon park.

It was a nice set of trails, if a little confusing at first. For two hours we navigated marked paths to visit Bo, Bodil, and little Bibbi [featured in their personal story: The Troll that Hatched an Egg]. Even after our Benny adventure, I'm amazed at the construction of these trolls! Look at the curves of their legs & bellies and the uniqueness of each face made from... planks and bits of wood!

This troll story included a nest, which we found at the southern end of the park. This seemed to confuse a lot of visitors who were just there for an afternoon walk.

Satisfied but a bit tired from the climbing paths, we headed to a nearby Earth Cache for International Earth Cache weekend to earn our souvenir. Maybe this one as seen better times or maybe Ohio has suffered a drought, but the waterfall was not as raging as anticipated.

Historic Waterfall GC190MT

Louisville, KY

Night found us back in Louisville! We LOVE Louisville, and we were stoked to see the Irish Rover on (the very hip, very happening) Frankfort Street still open. We stopped here after seeing an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives during the 2017 solar eclipse outside Nashville. This time the food was still delicious, and they even seated us at the same table!

Even though it was late, we did a giant detour on the way to our hotel to see the famed Louisville Slugger! FINALLY, somebody made it a virtual!

The second day of our trip was filled with beautiful sunshine on a very quiet Sunday morning, so we headed back downtown to explore without the crowds. Naked David was still standing watch over Main Street, and we passed him as we enjoyed reacquainting ourselves with the local businesses. There are a lot more bourbon places than before, and they were beautiful in the old storefronts with their gleaming giant windows, dark wood, and brass. 

We headed back to the Slugger just a few blocks away to complete the Virtual.

Louisville Slugger - Batter Up! Virtual GC7B6AP

Then, before heading out of town we detoured to a brand new virtual in Oak Hill, Cemetery. This was our second visit to see Muhammad Ali at his final resting place.

The Greatest Virtual GCAJFHN

And, this time, we had company.

About 45 minutes south of Louisville is Clermont KY. We TaGeez and I found different types of natural wonders to enjoy!

Bernheim Arboretum - Clermont, KY

First up? The Bernheim Forest Giants!

Spending about an hour and a half, we visited with their Forest Giants in a Giant Forest: expectant Mama Loumari and her two children, Little Elina and Little Nis. We have now met 7 giants, and I'm still as fascinated by their uniqueness and construction. Look how beautifully placed they are? 

You can read the Story of the Giants and Thomas Dambo's Fairytale "While the Weather Got Better" here.

As unspoiled as Aullwood was, I preferred Bernheim. Located in Clermont, KY, it was a beautiful mixture of paved pathways, pretty lakes, woodland trails, wooden bridges, prairie, and parkland.

Jim Beam Distillery - Clermont, KY

I was wondering why TaGeez was so excited about going to Clermont. It seemed to me like it was more than just the trolls!

Could it be the caching? 

Jim's Driveway GC468YN

Geocaching is thirsty work!

After a little sipping and a lot of shopping, time to head out to the main objective of this trip: The Ghostcam. We took the two-hour drive from Clermont, KY to Evansville, IN with just a quick detour in Owensboro for 4 unexpected first-to-finds!

Willard Public Library Ghostcam - Evansville, IN

Willard Public Library boasts that they have ghosts! A favorite being the Grey Lady! 

We visited all 6 ghostcams, but no presence made themselves known while we were there!

Ghostcam Webcam Cache GCA4C4

Afterwards, we next headed over to the Webcam Challenge Cache GC44E1R not even a mile away! With time to kill, we enjoyed several local virtuals and adventure labs (including a very nice historic cemetery) before turning in for the night.

Johnson Island Virtual GCAJGT9

Time to rise & shine and head to Casey, Illinois!

Big Things in a Small Town - Casey, IL

We've been so close so many times, and we were determined to make it this trip. You know how we feel about Roadside Americana! And this town is covered in it!

World's Largest Wind Chime, Golf Tee, Pitchfork, Rocking Chair, Wooden Shoes, Mailbox, Gavel, Truck Key, Barbershop Pole, Teeter Totter, Golf Driver (now missing), and Swizzle Spoon. Plus, as advertised, many "Big Things"! 

We spent a wonderful few hours walking up and down downtown, taking pictures and completing Adventure Labs. We drove out to see the outliers, too.

We grabbed a fun traditional cache - meet Dave!

Say Hi to Dave GC6QXA6

And claimed quite the populate Virtual, too. Yes, the mailbox is large enough for someone to stand in.

BIG THINGS Are in Store! Virtual GC7B8KF

Lucky for me, TaGeez is always willing to get into the act!

This was a fabulous 3-day adventure, perfect right before Halloween. Now it's only inspired us to see more Trolls, find more webcams, and make take a bourbon tour in our future. 

Lake Michigan Circle Tour: Roadside America

The thing about traveling with SJ is the weirder the better. Nothing like a good, old-fashioned "Roadside America" road trip, and I'll tell you - this trip didn't disappoint!

Note: You will see a lot of Virtuals in this post, but there are no spoiler answers disclosed.

Illinois

The goal on this trip was to scoot past Chicago and get right into Wisconsin. But, left to my own devices in the passenger seat, I became just a bit curious over this Virtual along the highway. Yep! It's a pyramid! Actually, it was multiple pyramids (on an island, no less), plus a giant Ramses, dozens of smaller sphinxes, and a giant gold wall (blocking trespassers - this is private property).

Onan's Pyramid Virtual GC9P6BA

Wisconsin

Wisconsin starts with a "W" - so does "Wildly Weird".  

Take the Mary Nohl site. She was an accomplished artist who wanted to be surrounded by her art. And she did. Every inch of the exterior. It's worth the trip just for the view next door, too!

The Witch's House Virtual GC9EF4

If you are heading out of town to see the Mary Nohl house, you will most likely pass Kopp's. Home of the giant burger, krinkly fries, handmade shakes, and 20 cows out back!

Black and White Cows Virtual GC891H2

And, just a little further down the road....

WSQ His Last Trip Virtual GC75A3

This isn't even a virtual. It's someone's front yard!

HEEYYYY!!! You never know who you see along the Riverwalk!

Near the Letters Carried to the Fonz cache
GC1FGFC

Stop by to visit with Gertie the Duck and her ducklings on the Wisconsin Avenue Bridge. Now, there's a story there...

This one, to me, is not an oddity, but a rarity. We almost missed it because it's in the center of Marquette University's campus, but we double backed later to find metered parking. So glad we did!

According to the cache page: 

Originally named "The Chapelle de St. Martin de Saysuel", and built about 1420, during St. Joan's lifetime, it was located in the little French village of Chasse. The chapel was first moved to the Long Island, New York and later moved to its present location.

According to AtlasObscura.com, there are "artifacts in the chapel that date as far back as before the Black Death. The chapel is the oldest building in Wisconsin."

The Joan of Arc Chapel Virtual GC9EED

Not too far down the street (and a few blocks over from our hotel) is the Ladybug Building! This is an art installation by the city of Milwaukee, and each bug is 10 feet long!

So far, all the Wisconsin stops have been within miles of downtown Milwaukee, but the fun doesn't stop there as you head North out of town 

Port Washington

The Pebble House in Port Washington is a visitor center. The house is built in 1848 by the Dodge Family from stones from the shores of Lake Michigan. 

Now, who's going to tell the Wisconsinians that they are spelling "Sheboygan" wrong? They do, however, have 4 fascinating monoliths outside their public library that's worth a stop. I can't show more without giving the Virtual away!

Cache of Ages Virtual GC1A0E

Alas! If I have but one regret of this trip.... we didn't stop at the Kohler (as in "toilets") Arts Center for that virtual. But we did continue down the street to Deland Park to walk inside the Lottie Cooper shipwreck!

Again, don't want to give too much away, but there was this thing that happened in Manitowoc.

We crossed the 45th Parallel twice! We know it because we finally located the stone markers hidden in the roadside parks on each side of the Door County Peninsula. Sad to say - I prefer Michigan's signs.

Alright, why am I standing next to a building with goat cut-outs attached? Did you notice the grass on the roof? It's for the goats. The live goats. They feed up there around 9am each morning. Not sure if they're out? Check the Goat Cams!

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant - Sister's Bay

We didn't get to see the goats, but we did see a dragon just down the road.

SJ asked, "What's in Green Bay?" Apparently one of Football's greatest fan bases! These people are fanatics, and it was so much fun getting caught up in their excitement even on a non-game day!

Lambeau Field Virtual GC7BA21

I hate to end this post on a sad note, but as you head up the coast of Wisconsin into Michigan you will see the remnants (monuments and 2 mass graves) of the Peshtigo Fire of 1871. It's America's deadliest wildfire - burning down the town of Peshtigo and killing up to 2,500 people. Many have never heard of it because it occurred the same day as a more famous incident, the Great Chicago Fire (with its wide property damage and 300 lives lost).

Near the Northwoods Catastrophy Virtual GC79E4

So, why no Michigan in this post? Simply because my favorite stop, near Germfask, Michigan, deserves a post of it's own.