Day 14

All good things do come to an end unfortunately. It has been a great 2 weeks but it is time to go home. We decided not to use the mini-van approach to off loading all the "gear" . This time we drove the two RV's back home to Uplands Camp and unloaded them there. Two RV's in Uplands Camp ! We could feel the eyes of Helen the neighborhood watchdog on us from behind the curtains. We picked up the Beemer with Colleen driving and headed for the rental company in Richmond Indiana.

After returning the RV's it was BMW mode again. "Move over you slowpoke."

 

Day 13

Today was essentially a travel day as we pointed the RV's down I-75 and drove 240 miles to Wapakoneta camp ground, about 60 miles north of Dayton. As private camp grounds go, this is one of the best. Over some great wine It was time to reflect back over the two weeks. Great food, great locations and great company made for a great time. We agreed we should do it again. The North East beckons

Day12

Today we headed south, a long leg to Bay City and the state park that bear it's name.  We have cut the trip short by one day due to the weather. We had intended to spend a day on Mackinaw Island but the forecast was for rain and cold so we decided to move on. The weather man was right and we woke to heavy rain.  Good call.
This state park is probably the poorest we have encountered. The park is small with  corresponding sites. Our feeling is that it is used mainly by the local community and certainly does not have the allure of some of the big name parks we have visited on this trip. The ladies have done a marvelous grocery buying job and we are down to the last of many things, except of course beer where we have enough for another trip.
We will have an early morning tomorrow as we have the longest leg of trip.

Day 11

Today we travelled from Indian Lake to St Ignace, close to the Mackinaw Bridge that connects lower Michigan with the Upper Peninsular. After following the shores of Lake Michigan for most of the trip, this will be the last look before heading south to Ohio.

 Last night we compromised our meal quality by having a meal at nearby ...gasp!...Big Boy. We should have stuck to Pizza on the grill. That kid with the fancy hair does not quite cut it.

Day 10

This our second day at Indian Lake. Same place , different temperature. Yesterday we had 75 degree weather and today it is in the 50's. It was still a nice day for a long walk on the hiking trail and a good day for coffee from Colleen's Coffee Shop and reading that book that you have not had time for. Other than Peninsular over the weekend, this may be the busiest we have seen a park. Still plenty of space with large sites with your neighbors literally out of stone throwing range. I know. I tried.  

Day 9

Yesterday Faye was feeling Weak so We decided to go for a Walk and While on the Walk I  Wondered if I was Whistling Dixie about the camp site name that was actually Wandering Wheels. Oh Well, it was close.....and what were they Wandering about anyway?
Today we really extended ourselves by driving 50 miles to the next stop. It would have been less had I not  missed a sign for the park. My fellow travelers are Wondering about my Wandering!
Maybe not quite as nice ( our standards are very  high at this stage ) as the other State Parks we have visited but Indian Lake is still a really nice park. Late in the afternoon a cold front came through changing our walk to a run but not lasting long enough to spoil the barbeque.
 On the menu:
Grilled Tilapia, Wild Rice , Corn and Peas followed by Ice Creme and Coffee.
Wow!

Day 8

Just over the half way mark and still having fun. Today we headed north to the great town of Munising and then on to a private campground called Whistling Wheels. Where do these names come from ?. A wheel does not whistle. It squeaks, rumbles, wobbles. It does no whistle. After the State Park quality, the Whistle could not quite cut it. Perhaps it was its occupants. We had the thought that all the mosquitos in Michigan had come to welcome us to the Whistle. Instead of us whistling outside on our chairs, we cowered  inside the RV's
Later Faye and I unhooked the RV and took a trip into Munising to do some laundry, We walked into the laundromat with the outside temperature of about 75-80 degrees . We loaded up the washer, put the mandatory two thousand quarters in and headed to the nearby supermarket. As we exited the Laundromat we were blasted by cold air. The temperature had dropped 15-20 degrees in the short time we were inside.  Even the locals were amazed. The theory was a change in the wind direction over nearby Lake Superior or a sudden cold front. I of course had my own conspiracy. The wind caused by the flapping of 10 zillion  small wings.

Day 7

Time to hit the road again. We were off to Michigan again by traveling  south down the peninsular and then north to a state park called TW Wells. First though a stop in Green Bay  to satisfy a long time wish to see Lambeau Field. I have always considered the Packers to be unique and admired their fans. The team is owned not by a for-profit owner but by the town and the residents. It is an impressive stadium and you could almost feel the excitement that must exist on game day.
Cross that one off the list.
Before continuing on we stopped to pick up some important provisions  such as , well, beer. Oh yes, and a few others. Once again Dirk and I were treated to the fine art of shopping as practiced by Faye and Colleen. No required item must be left untouched to check expiration dates. No potential item must be left unexamined  
for a potential bargain. We have much to learn us men.
Once again the state park was great. Right on the shores of Lake Michigan, it is really well manicured and family friendly. Another great meal and a walk after dinner.

Day 6

We woke up to a glorious day - indeed this was the day the Lord had made. Cloudless, calm and 75 degrees. This was a day for a long walk along one of the many  bike paths. We are giving Dirks bionic knee a good test and so far he can walk with the best of them. This is truly a nice state park and it will be difficult to top this and Ludington. The park is very family oriented and their were countless family groups out for a bike ride together. It did help once we went from a chinese fire drill to an orderly "move to the right" to let the riders through. Thank goodness for helmets!
In the evening we took a short walk to the lake side to see the sun set. It was a contest between the sun going down first and the mosquito's draining our blood but it was worth it. An end to a great day.

Day 5

It was an early morning for us as we had to get to the Ferry by 8:00 am The Ferry was the SS Badger which took us across Lake Michigan from Ludington to Manitowoc Wisconsin. The SS Badger is of some size as we saw motorcycles, cars, RV's and even a semi or two disappear into the bowels of the boat. It was built in 1952 with the original mission of hauling freight cars across Lake Michigan. As other transportation developed, the high cost of running the Badger resulted in it being mothballed. A business man from Ludington who was  a long supporter of the operation bought  the Badger and two sister ships. The Badger was converted to a passenger friendly vessel while the other  two were rather ignominiously used to supply spare parts. Service was started up again in 1992. The Ferry operation brings $35 million a year to the Ludington economy. Being coal fired probably puts it on the target list of the  environmental nut cases but for now it very successfully provides jobs and tax revenue for Mr Obama.

After a really pleasant voyage we headed for Peninsular State Park, another gem with camp sites buried in the forest. This park is very popular and we were unable to get any service hookups for the RV. So now we are in conservation mode, saving water and battery power. No 20 minute showers unless you want to use the park facility's. "Faye, turn off those lights"!

Day 4

Today is a rest day, no traveling. The highlight of the day was our hike to the Big Sable lighthouse. Their are two ways there, one through the woods, the other along a dirt access road. I took the woods which was a little further but really nice. The tough part was the last mile or so that had me ankle deep in beach sand.
I met up with Dirk and Colleen and Faye at the lighthouse. The place is staffed by volunteers who spend the summer manning the shop and doing maintenance. Built in 1865, it was decommissioned in the 60's and today serves no purpose other than as great destination for a walk.
After lunch it was time to catch up on that book we always wanted to read but could never find the time.  Then a little more exploring of a state park that is quite exceptional .
We finished  the day with another great meal and a good SA wine.

Henry

Day 3

Today we travelled to Ludington, about 100 miles north of Holland  This is the home town of the Bryant brothers, identical twins who are and have been for many years the world tennis doubles champions. Our home for the next two days is Ludington State Park. arguably the nicest state park in Michigan Not having visited the other 87 state parks I cannot pass judgment but it is without doubt a great facility.  The park happens to be celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. A  significant feature of the park is the many hiking trails. Tomorrow we plan to hike to a very picturesque light house called  Big Sable Point. Its a 4 mile round trip mostly through woods The last half mile or so is on beach sand, a little more challenging.

Henry

Day 2

After yesterday's heat and humidity, we woke up to a cooler morning, just a wonderful day. We were off to Holland Michigan, home to significant numbers of Dutch ancestry. That means the inevitable Tulip festival  which we missed this year but saw the last time we were up here.  There are many old lighthouses up the east coast of Lake Michigan and each probably has its story. The lighthouse at Holland went from the traditional hand lit lamp to modernization that finally made it redundant . The US Corps of Engineers wanted to demolish it (this is what the army is good at) but the people of Holland stepped in, raised the money to keep and maintain it. There is an active group of "lighthouse keepers" that spend their summers staying and working in many of these old lighthouses.

Henry

Day 1

Finally after all the loading and unloading, we were  headed north. My BMW mode requires that I spend most of my time in the left lane trying to get "those slow pokes" to move over.My RV mode keeps me purring at 55 mph in the right  lane with the goal of not having to pass anyone.
We arrived at Harrison State Park at about 5:00pm. From all the downed trees you can see that they were really hammered by the recent bad weather.  Hope those trees stay vertical!!   

After the mandatory ales, Dirk assembled the Weber and we enjoyed the first of many anticipated cookouts. Oh how good is this.

Henry

D-Day -1 Packing

The pickup point  for the RV's is Richmond Indiana, 56 miles away. This is the plan.

On D-Day -1 We pick up a rental Dodge Caravan at the airport and load it with all and everything we need to change house from 5000 square feet 652 Uplands Camp to 30 foot RV.  On D-Day we drive the Rental to Richmond, pickup the RV's, drive all three back to the airport and drop off the Rental.Simple. Except getting everything into the Rental. After a masterful bout of packing by Dirk, we get it all in. Passengers cannot see or communicate with each other due to ceiling high barriers of suitcases and Kellogg's Special K. We are savoring the moment when Colleen informs us that we have left out the beach chairs, Oh well,  there is always Home Depot. Sophie is having a holiday with Oliver....

Michigan 2011