Up North

Karen and I took a long weekend and went Up North.  It's a particularly regional expression that suggests a visit to the northern part of the state.  In some ways, it may as well be an international adventure.

Lakes abound Up North.  Water is very important to this state, as is hunting and fishing.  Wildlife in general routinely makes an appearance Up North, as evidenced by the porcupine that crossed the highway in the national park as hurtled along at sixty-five miles an hour.  He waddled much like our bulldogs do.  I was so intrigued at seeing my first porcupine in the wild that I nearly caused a pile-up with the car trailing behind me.

The ostensible reason for the trip was what's called Leaf Peeping in these parts or, as I call it more commonly, looking at the color change of the leaves.  It was absolutely beautiful and would have been more so had the weather cooperated.  As it was, we were able to visit each of the sites we wanted without climate interference.  The trip to each of the sites was a little soggy, but once we got there it was fine.

The boys accompanied us, and are they rock stars!  It's as if we're introducing a new breed into society. Thankfully, through Karen's hard work the boys are largely behaved.  In one location, a fudge shop was so taken by the little crowd that gathered around our dogs while Karen was in buying fudge that it brought out little bowls of ice cream for the dogs (none for the handler though...).  Again, as with virtually any place we went, the Generals had fans galore.  It was so bad that another couple who'd brought their three frou-frou dogs were left entirely alone while we were surrounded by as many as ten people at a time or constantly stopped and asked it if was all right to pet them to the exclusion of the frou-frou trio.  Some people even took their pictures.

The true stars of the weekend were the natural sights we got to see.  From the rugged coastlines to the wondrously beautiful and multicolored trees, we were in constant awe of nature.  So much so that our spartan accommodations didn't put a damper on our trips, nor did the rain.  It was a perfectly autumnal vacation full of nature and simplicity.  We took nearly a thousand photos documenting our trip and preserving the memories.  It would have been nice had the weather provided a more photogenic backdrop, but we can't complain.

The people in this region are no-nonsense, hardworking and friendly.  The accent, at times, was amusing, but perhaps my accent was amusing to them as well.  Heck, Karen finds it amusing, and she lives with me.

Next year we're planning on venturing farther west to see more of the region referred to as Up North.  In some ways it's wilder than its eastern counterpart.  Either way, I can't wait.

(c) 2013 The Truxton Spangler Chronicles