Travelog for: Ranil

Hello Mum,

as you know, it was Dicker Kumpel's birthday today.
We sang a wonderful song for him.



Then we gave him a big hug!



After the breakfast we drove to St. Anthony - it is in the North of Newfoundland.
Next to the street we found some snow - in June!



We made a boat trip - and saw this wonderful iceberg! This was amazing, Mum.



In the evening we had the birthday party! We had a lovely drink...



... and something nice to eat.



We were very tired for a moment.



But then we decided to become artists!



yours
Ranil

Hi Mum,

We are back in Germany now – and it is time for me to travel to my next host. But first I want to show you our last photos of Canada.

The last evening our traveling group sat together in a big armchair. We met a new friend from Newfoundland. He is the funny puffin between us.



We had a small party – it was such a nice holiday!



Today it was time to leave. I said good-bye to Dicker Kumpel. He had been a great host!



Then I got a hug of all the others.



USA – I am coming!

Love
Ranil

Yes, I made it! 

I heard only a few giggles and whispers for a couple of days.  I think everyone was excited that Miss Kate received mail before she even arrived.  But today I have met her and the other toyvoys, and I can't wait to have an adventure! 

Miss Kate tells me there are frogs "a plenty" here.    This highly increases my chance of completing a life mission of meeting a real frog.   

Thank you for letting me travel some more, Mama, and thanks to RikeH, too, for all the fun with her family.

Love,
Ranil

Hey Mama!  Hello everyone!

It was time to see the log cabin ... from the outside ... and walk (hop) down to the beach and Lake Superior.  It's beautiful.  And I think we're all getting along swimmingly. 

Ranil

We went to town today and found a map to help us orient ourselves.  Miss Kate marked it up to show you where we are staying. 

Cheerio's mom gave Miss Kate this book for all of us to read.  We learned a lot about lakes and about Wisconsin.  Like about soggy bogs.  I especially liked that part.  Nice and cosy for frogs. 

Miss Kate told us about a legend of a secret place where an old Chippewa Indian – they’re also called Ojibwe – built a small village.  Maybe for wood elves.  Maybe for spirits.  Years later he was gone and one family for generations has continued to add to the hidden village.  She said it's hard to find, but we will try ... 

I was so excited today was our day to find the hidden village. 

We drove on a narrow dirt road and had to drive back and forth to find the start of the hidden path.  We weren’t sure we had the right place until we were pretty far into the forest from the road.  Then it was clearly a path.  It was starting to rain, but we didn’t feel anything, only the sound of water drops on the birch leaves far above us. 



We walked through a cloud of mosquitoes but were intent on our goal.  Besides, snacking on them helped fuel my efforts.

Then suddenly … deep in the forest … a sign.



The first buildings I almost didn’t see.  They looked like mossy rocks.



A few more turns of the path and there it was!  The village center!



I was very pleased with this little church.  I think it has an important place here in the hidden village.  I am touching it, Mama, but very very carefully.  I promise I didn’t hurt it.



Off the main path, there were many hidden buildings under leaves and branches.  Most had no dates.  Perhaps these were built by the Ojibwe man.



Here you can see who built this, what it is and when.  This farm is more than 30 years old.



Finally, we all posed together on one of two bridges.  You can see we all enjoyed the hidden village.  I hope you did, too! 


Love,

Ranil

Hi Mama! 

Today we went on the ferry to the mainland.  It was a nice day, but a little bit of a cold wind.  Miss Kate made sure we didn’t blow anywhere. 




After our errands, Miss Kate gave in and took us to the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center. 



Do you like this wolf?  It was a little scary, but it was already in wolf heaven and not dangerous. 



Hey, that guy looks just like me.  But bottom dwellers??    Food for larger animals??    I'm going to try to forget I even read that!

I lifted the lid and found out that these poor frogs survive the winter freeze.  Not for me!    Boy, Mom, I’m not in Chile anymore!   



Great view of the pond from the tower.  I could just dive in right now.  If it weren’t for those freezing winters! 



There were a few informational computers in the center.  We could’ve looked at the snowmobile trails (?!) but chose instead to see the other Apostle Islands around Madeline Island. 



We also saw a 3-D model of Lake Superior.  We pushed the button for Native American communities and they all lit up.  Very cool. 



It was time to go, but on the way out we met this very nice ranger. 



We drove all the way back to Bayfield and got in line for the ferry back to the Island.




A quick stop at the little library to find a book on frozen frogs    ...



Miss you! 

Ranil

Miss Kate’s friend found this amazing rock on the beach.  He did some research at the little library and found out it’s a volcanic bomb.  This is all very old rock around here, some of the first volcanoes were here, and this was spat out of one of them.  Or so I’m told!    We were all very inspired to find our own rocks in the lake and on the beach.  I hope you like what we found.  My favorite is the green one.  Too bad we can’t take them home with us!  The best souvenir ever! 

Miss Kate introduced us to her Aunt Sal’s toys, Gecco and Anonymouse.  They are friendly and cute even if a bit weathered … not unlike the cabin where they live.   

Then Aunt Sal let us look at her ABC book.  It is in all the stores on the island and in Bayfield.  I felt like she’s a celebrity and asked for her autograph.   

Look:  a page especially for frogs. 

After all that reading, it was time to do some writing … check your mail box! 

Do you see the post card of Big Bay lagoon?  We’re hoping to go there before we leave!  Fingers crossed! 

Love,

Ranil

Hi everyone!

I am so glad to report that a little time was made for us to go with Miss Kate and her two aunts to Big Bay Town Park. 

Do you remember the card with the lagoon?  Well, first we saw the lagoon and then we saw the bridge. 

We walked far into the park.  Henrik was in front very enthused about seeing other moose.  And Shir Khan guarded the flank.  There were mushrooms that looked like trees and trees that looked like swings. 

Bye

Ranil

Henrik and Miss Kate took the ferry by foot to the mainland and came back with this most interesting creature.  I can’t wait to get to know her better.   

Hi Mama y amigos,

I am sorry to say that this is our last night on the Island.  We had a delicious dinner and were tucked in for the night.

It has been a lovely trip.  And a real honor to be Voyager of the Week.  I just can't stop smiling! 

My next update will be from sunny and warm California. 

Love,

Ranil

I'm in California!  Well, I've been here for a week.  We had much too much adventure missing our connection in Denver, and we've been taking a rest.  During our little respite, we found a painting in Miss Kate's postcrossing collection:



Do you recognize it?  (Hint: there's no row boat in this picture.)

California seems nice.  It's just a little drier here than in Wisconsin.  Too bad!  I like it moist and buggy! 

Shir Khan and Pipps are packing.  I'm going to miss them.    But maybe I'll meet them on a trail! 

Love,

Ranil