history Archives - the right effort

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota!

October 29, 2026October 6, 2026Posted in Birds, blogging, environment, history, national park, Travel, wildlifeTagged birds, blogging, history, travel, wildlife2 Comments

Finally arrived at another national park new to me! The last few years I had been smoked out by Canadian wildfires so I never arrived this far north in Minnesota. Now I am here and yet, the best way to really enjoy this national park would be on a houseboat or canoeing around and visiting different islands. Another time; for now our feet for the most part were to be standing on land.

We stopped at the Ash River Visitor Center on our way from Duluth to International Falls, Minnesota. There we tucked in hikes on Beaver Pond Overlook Trail and part of the Blind Ash Trail before the rain. Our lodging was in International Falls, so we headed there

Next day we drove to Rainy Lake Visitor Center. A nice museum is here and an informative film. Voyageurs National Park was established in 1975 and it borders 55 miles with Canada. We hiked the Oberholtzer Trail, heard and saw some birds, and returned to the visitor center. We learned about a boat ride to Kettle Falls the next day, so we signed up!

Kettle Falls is a historic landmark between Namakan Lake and Rainy Lake. One can only get to this historic area by boat. So 9:30am we were off to visit it with a boatload of other people. During the 2.5 hour ride to the dam a national park ranger spoke about the history of the area and pointed out some wildlife. I was thrilled to see loons!

Upon arrival we took a short walk to oversee the “falls” at the dam, then another walk to the historic hotel built between 1910 – 1913. The dam and hotel were listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. I did walk in the saloon to notice the tilted floor, nicknamed the “Tilton Hilton”. You’ll need to notice how they made the pool table level for the players.

We bought the boxed lunch which was tasty and had time to walk to Namakan Lake before needing to head back to the boat for our return ride. While doing my research about this area, I saw a 1931 report regarding the dam, The dam did raise the level of Rainy and Namakan Lakes by 3- 4 feet, higher than what would have been the naturally flowing water. As a result, this destroyed wild rice beds, flooded private property, submerged spawning grounds and as a result other proposed dams were never built. This was good news for the native people in the area.

Here are some photos from our visit.

Look at the size of this Amanita mushroom!

Soon time to leave … hop aboard the boat!

Duluth, MN …Who Knew?

October 25, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, walking, writingTagged blogging, environment, history, travel2 Comments

Quite by accident I learned about an aerial lift bridge in Duluth! And there off in the distance as we drove from northern Wisconsin into Duluth I could see the 502 foot bridge! It was originally constructed in 1901 – 1905. Modifications were made in 1929 with the addition of an elevated roadway. Continued rehabilitation of it all was in 1986, 1999, 2007 and 2009.

We were fortunate to be standing near the bridge when it came time to elevate it! Vehicles on the bridge were off it. People walking on the bridge were told to get off it. And then the bridge lifted into the air between the two towers; amazing!

Bridge as vehicular and foot traffic travel over the bridge.

Bridge is up to allow boats to pass through.

And it comes back down … amazing and fun to watch!

The second thing I learned about Duluth, Minnesota is they are working to get Dark Sky designation so people can see all the beautiful stars in the sky at night. Fantastic Duluth!

Montreal’s Jardin Botanique

October 18, 2026October 2, 2026Posted in blogging, history, Plants, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged birds, environment, history, travelLeave a comment

Let’s drive a different road home? We left the USA through to Montreal, Ottawa, and Sudbury Canada to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Despite all the rain, we had our most enjoyable time at the botanical garden (Jardin botanique) in Montreal. It had Japanese, Chinese and First Nations gardens. There was so much to see!

Ready soon for the Magic of Lanterns Festival

The Chinese Garden resembles a private garden of a 14th – 17th century Imperial court official in China. This garden was built in China, dismantled and shipped by sea to Montreal! In 1990 it was reassembled by 50 Chinese craftsmen brought here from China. In 1991 the Dream Lake Garden opened. All of this demonstrates quite a friendship between China and Montreal. Plus, read below about The Magic of Lanterns Festival each year!

Chinese elm, 140 years old; donated from China

There was also a First Nations Garden in the deciduous forest. The Canadian Constitution recognizes 11 First Nations, Métis and Inuit. First Nations is the largest group. Our walk was through hardwood and conifer forests and landscape of tundra. This garden was inaugurated in 2001 along with an interesting display and we saw a red-shouldered hawk fly in! Wow! Then a short time later we saw 2 hawks in a tree. Look closely at that photo!

Two hawks in the tree … see them? What a great day we had!

Portland, Maine Visit

October 15, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, TravelTagged history, travelLeave a comment

Been awhile since I had been in Maine, but a quick visit with a Portland friend prompted a stop. Of course, it also included a check of a few breweries, eating lobster rolls and learning some history. So we headed to Portland Head Light. It was commissioned by George Washington in 1790; rededicated at Greater Portland’s 350th anniversary by VP George Bush in 1982. I loved looking out on the ocean … something I cannot do in Arizona! Rain was on and off, but we weathered it!

A short hike from the lighthouse took us to Goddard Mansion. The land between the lighthouse and mansion was acquired by the US Army and becomes Fort Williams in 1899. In 1902 Goddard Mansion is acquired. Officers live here during the world wars. Fort Williams was closed in 1962 and fell into disrepair. The Town of Cape Elizabeth bought the entire property of Fort Williams. It is now the park where we are visiting the lighthouse, fort and mansion.

Goddard Mansion built in 1858, now being worked on.

I also learned about the USS Eagle – 56, a US Navy sub-chaser. A German U-boat torpedoed and sunk it on April 23, 1945 nine miles off the Maine coast. Forty-nine officers and crewmen died, 13 survived. This was the greatest loss of Navy men in New England waters during WWII.

Of course, we stopped at LL Bean Store; don’t recall buying anything. Then a visit to a 65 acre sanctuary, Gilsland Farm, a Maine Audubon property. A few osprey and woodpeckers, otherwise quiet walk in misty rain. We are off to Canada next!

Quick sketch and should take time to do more!

The King’s “Embrace” in Boston

October 8, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, history, travelLeave a comment

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther king and Coretta Scott King met in Boston in 1952. This statue, “The Embrace”, is a memorial to their love and leadership. It is positioned at the 1965 Freedom Plaza where King led 22,000 people calling on Boston to confront racism and economic injustice.

This statue reflects the power of collective action, the role of women in the freedom movement, and the forging of solidarity out of mutual empathy and vulnerability.

The “Paper House” in Massachusetts

October 1, 2026October 5, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, education, environment, history, Nature, travelLeave a comment

The “Paper House” in Rockport, Massachusetts was an interesting quick visit. This 1924 house with paper walls and furniture has survived a century! It was a summer camp to live in; only roof, floor and house frame wooden when originally built, the rest from paper.

The Stenman family read 3 newspapers per day. With additional newspapers from others, they built this house and made various furniture pieces, such as the grandfather clock. It was built in 1933 from the capital city papers from 48 states at that time:

Walls were newspaper pages pasted … with mixture of flour, water and apple peels…. with lacquer then applied. Walls were layered 215 sheets thick and were for insulation; now covered to hold the walls in shape.

Visitors to the property can step into the house and see all the created pieces. Some are tightly rolled or folded paper structures, but the piano is real and covered with paper. When you visit, look closely at some furniture and you’ll see historical headlines from the 1920’s.

Need a place to stay for the night? Check out the Blue Shutters in Gloucester

Wish to eat a lobster roll? Check out Charlie’s Place. Take a short hike at Halibut Point… plenty to visit along the coast; enjoy!

Eleanor Roosevelt’s Val-Kill

September 27, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, history, travel, USA2 Comments

Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt had another property, Val-Kill, a short distance from the home Franklin grew up in. While Eleanor and Franklin lived with his parents and at the White House, Val-Kill was a place Eleanor started Val-Kill Industries. Here rural youth and underemployed workers learned woodworking. Creating handicrafts allowed farmers to also keep afloat during tough times. She closed the industry down in 1936 and moved in after Franklin’s death in 1945. Eleanor certainly contributed to her husband’s work during his presidency and was called upon by others even after his death. Plenty of history regarding her!

I toured this property and museum and viewed an informative 20 minute film. There are well groomed trails to walk here. It’s a beautiful place!

Plenty of conversation around this table!

Beautiful grounds with water and trails.

FDR’s Home, Museum and Library

September 24, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, history, Travel, writingTagged blogging, history, travel, USALeave a comment

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was our President for many years (March 4, 1933-April 12, 1945) and lived in Hyde Park, New York where we now find his home and Presidential Museum and Library. Years ago, when at the Walkway over the Hudson River with my friend, we only drove past these places. This trip I toured his home:

His father encouraged him to know birds in the area, so Franklin did learn 300 birds and did taxidermy work too.

Many rooms as he and Eleanor lived in this home with his parents.

The family owned many acres of land which overlooked the Hudson River. Due to numerous trees planted by his family, a river view is no longer as the trees grew nicely through the decades.

Once upon a time one could see the Hudson River.

The Presidential Library is available to researchers and the museum is open to all. Many hours and even days are needed if one was to read all in the museum! It is well done! Videos also available to break up the reading and displays. So many initiatives from Franklin D. Roosevelt during his years as President.

By the way, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Presidential Library is the first presidential library ever built.

Did you hear? July 4 of this year the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library just opened in North Dakota. Looks great, I’ll have to visit it someday!

A Memory & Learning Something New on a Bridge

September 20, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in Bike paths, blogging, environment, history, Travel, writingTagged bicycling, history, insects, science, travel1 Comment

The bridge is the only pedestrian-bridge across NY’s Hudson River, known as “Walkway over the Hudson”. In 1979, this Poughkeepsie Railroad Bridge was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places; 2016, inducted into the Rail Trail Hall of Fame. Great re-purposing of the railroad bridge as many people now walk or bicycle across.

Four years ago my best friend and I visited this bridge as I had written about in previous posts. Since her death 3 years ago, I have walked the bridge each time I travel to the east coast. While I walk from gate to gate, just over a mile each way, I remind myself of good times we had during the 40 years we were friends. Wonderful memories! I am continually grateful for that friendship.

I love learning new things everyday. This time I discovered an elevator from Upper Landing Park area to the bridge! I rode it and had a nice chat with its operator. I learned locals use the bridge to get from home to work on opposite sides of the river. Saved time and no gasoline as they walked or cycled over the walkway.

While walking the bridge I saw a young boy stepping on an insect, and then another and another. Sometimes the insect would jump before the boy could step on it, but in the next second, the boy got it. Not recognizing the insect, I used iNaturalist app to identify the insect. A spotted lanternfly!! I read about these invasive planthoppers and the destruction they can cause fruit trees and trees for our lumber industry. No doubt this young boy was doing a great removal service!

Quite a walk on the bridge …

Walkway over the Hudson. Some people use the bridge as part of their commute to work!

Spotted lanternfly. Wings spread… then red color can be seen

Fillmore Glen State Park in upstate NY

September 10, 2026September 2, 2026Posted in blogging, environment, history, Travel, wildlife, writingTagged environment, history, Nature, travel, wildlife3 Comments

Fillmore Glen became a state park thanks to the efforts of Charles Atwood. He recognized the beauty and importance of maintaining a place like this for years to come. His efforts began in 1919; finally in June 1925 the 941 acres was recognized as a state park. It is named Fillmore Glen State Park in honor of US President Fillmore.

I appreciate his interest in protecting this land!

Visitors can hike the north, south or gorge trail and easily make a 3 mile loop as we did. On the south rim trail we observed many mushrooms … so different from my home desert environment… and completed our loop on the gorge trail.

Wow! Gorge trail is spectacular with waterfalls. Plenty of water was running and falling! We walked in a narrow, steep-walled gorge under trees and protected from the summer heat. It was wonderful and not muddy or buggy.

People can hike, camp, swim in the designated area and fish at the Owasco Lake inlet. Nature Conservancy is also involved in protecting this watershed.

If you are near Moravia, New York, this is definitely a park to visit!

Next blog post I photographed different types of fungi!!! Will share.