Today, we started in Ohio and ended in Eau Claire, WI.    We saw 2 tundra swans flying north towards Lake Michigan.  We also saw a lot of deer (and so many deer stands near the highway!)  We drove over 500 miles, including stop-and-go traffic thru Chicago.

Our 3 previous trips to Alaska I have avoided Chicago even though it is the practical route.   C didn’t exactly enjoy it, but doesn’t think Chicago traffic is THAT bad.  I prefer to go north to get around Lake Michigan, even though it is 77 miles longer to go via the Mackinac Bridge and takes an extra 1.5 to 2 hours.  The beautiful Upper Peninsula is so peaceful while Chicago is so hectic. https://roaming-nature.com/2023/10/05/day-15-three-lakes-to-grayling-mi/

Our fun stop for the day was Rock Cut State Park.  We saw waterfowl on the lake, and I took a short hike hearing a great variety of birds singing in the woods.  I hoped to see one of the several golden-crowned kinglets that Merlin (the birding app) told me were in the area, but no luck.  If we stop in again I want to hike the interpretive trail through their prairie restoration,  but it was mysteriously closed today.  At least that gives me something to look forward to if we travel south to get around Lake Michigan.

We are staying at Scottish Inns and Suites, which is a nice budget option (though still $88 with tax) in Eau Claire.  Rooms throughout the city were decidedly more expensive for tonight (Friday night) than if we booked a future night and we ended up a little further off route than we hoped.