May 17th Superior, Wisconsin

Superior is across the St. Louis River from Duluth. We took the long way cross country on a two-lane road along the river instead of the interstate. Here's a picture of the river. Don't know if you can see the yellow water-caused from iron ore.

We drove southeast of Superior to check out a possible campsite for when we come back down from the north shore. It was a wasted trip. Back in Superior we stopped for lunch at a spot overlooking the harbor. There are ship-building docks, ore docks, coal docks, grain docks, and trains hauling materials everywhere. We stopped at a mansion that was built in 1889 for $150,ooo. First floor was restored a few years ago and that cost over $1.2 million. Ev toured the inside and I took pictures outside.

The owner started out in the newspaper and lumber business and ended up in the ore business-which was like the price of gold. Ev here: my sisters would love it. 42 rooms, original stained glass windows. Interesting downdraft system from roof, down through the 3 floors which helped circulate air when windows were opened. Bryan would have found it interesting. They repainted all the ceilings on the first floor and so beautiful. Each had different designs. Our dad would have loved all the exotic woods used for the woodwork and the various tiles for the 8 fireplaces. After he died she moved to Calif. and left the mansion as a children's home. She had been involved with neglected and abandoned children and it was constant. It served that purpose for 42 yrs. There is a board where adults have visited and written short memories. One girl was there from birth till 18. One guy said they ate oatmeal 6 days a week and, if they did, they could have cornflakes on Sunday. He said "I never had cornflakes and it took me 15 yrs after leaving here to look at oatmeal."

In a parking lot today a man in late 30's, probably, noticed Tom's Vietnam Veteran window sticker and said, "You fought a war for me? Thank you and God bless you."

Tom toured the Richard Bong WWII museum. Mr. Enclopedia already knew Bong was a fighter ace in the Pacific. He also earned the Medal of Honor.