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SPRING 2017 ISSUE 01 / VOL. 02
Left: The Niagara region’ s wineries and the unique local climate produce world-class wines and some beautiful landscapes. Above: Taking a break before crossing Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
We start in Moorhead, Minnesota, on the North Dakota border and travel along Highway 34 through Smokey Hills State Forest. Minnesota is honeycombed with forest roads begging to be explored by anything comfortable in the dirt, so we take a side trip, but soon find ourselves on Highway 200 on our way through Chippewa National Forest heading toward the shipping center of Duluth. Much of the road is an alleyway of pines, and at one point we pull over in the shade to take a phone call.
It turns into a sober reminder that our freedom to go where we like is bought and paid for by people we hardly know. It’ s the Family Readiness Coordinator of the 1-504 Parachute Infantry Regiment. She tells me my son’ s platoon was ambushed in Ghanzi Province, Afghanistan. He’ s not hurt, but there’ s sad news about his squad leader. I can only wish you the best on your sweet journey down cool, shady roads to your rest, Staff Sgt. Fredsti. You’ re a good man in the company of good men and we thank you.