Finally on our way

It’s been sixteen days since our last entry.  A very busy sixteen days. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it. It has nothing to do with discovering I was 3 books behind my favorite sci-fi series (Honor Harrington) and downloading them.  I have way more self-discipline than that!  By the way, they were delicious.

We didn’t end up in Hartland as we expected.  Turns out it was a come-on for a string of camping sites ranging up I-75. Not completely free as advertised. Might have been a good deal had we intended to spend the summer in Michigan. Instead we went back to Lansing and found a delightful campground on South Aurelius road. Old KOA place, very accommodating, secluded and not too expensive, not to mention the only campground within 30 miles or so.  A perfect place to practice set-up and living-in close to shopping and family. First hurdle passed, we successfully set up and slept for 3 nights without any problems.  Also a Lugnuts  game in downtown Lansing with my parents.  This is a jewel of a stadium and if you’re able to go, I strongly recommend  it.

Our new home



Liz showing off the basement



Lugnuts game
Of course they won

Now, knock down, hitch up and move on up (again without incident) to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Kay’s brother, Leigh Evans, had invited us up to his place right next to the park. While building his house he’d parked a trailer there for a few years and had kept the utility setup. Perfect. Leigh is a Vietnam Vet as I am and spent twenty some years with the National Park service. He knew the park like the back of his hand and he and his wife Monica were delighted to show us all the great parts of the park. Unparalleled hospitality. No way we can fully repay you, Leigh.



Liz, Monica and Leigh



Leigh's self built home



Sleeping Bear view

 

After a few days, it was time to drop the trailer at my brother Ted’s place near Mecosta and continue down in the truck to Lansing preparatory to the annual Father’s Day get-together. Liz borrowed a car from Fred and visited her friend Judy Hainaut in Pontiac while I picked up my old friend Dick Gingrich and my son-in-law Austin Ward and his youngest son and drove back to Mecosta. Oddly enough, I carried my camera all weekend and managed to take exactly one picture. Just too busy slinging the bull, playing with firearms, serving out my famous chili, slinging the bull, etc., I guess.

My only picture of this year's Father's Day in Mecosta
Did I mention slinging the bull?

Father’s Day and the also traditional family get-together at Fred’s.  I’d   hauled the trailer back down and installed it back on Aurelius Road. What can you say about family parties? A good time, but probably not that interesting in detail. Everyone there did get to get reacquainted   with my daughter Megan and her brood. It’s been too many years since she’s been in the area.

Austin, Nineveh, Dad and Megan



Genesis with a soccer ball looking like Mommy

No more excuses, it is now time to hit the road for real. Alright, two more days of hesitation, business with Megan at the credit union, set up a travelling address by way of Good Sam’s Club (highly recommended by many travelers we’d met), one more dinner with Dick and Ruth Gingrich. In the meantime, we actually attended a couple of political rallies. First, State Representatives Barbara Byrum and Lisa Brown hosted a performance of  “The Vagina Monologues” on the state capitol steps. Not often one gets to see a Broadway performance for free. Next day Mitt Romney made a whistle stop in Dewitt. We were in the crowd (rather a large one) outside the fence, expressing our opposition to his platform.

At "The Vagina Monologues" on state capitol steps

Disagreeing with Romney

This is it, Wednesday morning, fold up camp and head north. We’d planned on getting to Mackinac Bridge the first day but dawdled here and there and took a little too long admiring Hartwick Pines State Park. Hey, they have campsites! Pretty darn nice ones, too. Rented a spot, pulled in, didn’t even unhook the truck and settled in for the night.  I expect that won’t be the last time that happens. Damn nice to be retired and not have anything resembling a schedule!  To ice the cake, a local volunteer gave a little program on astronomy, complete with handouts of a constellation locator.

Big wheel at Hartwick Pines



One of the last original pines

Up not very bright or early for a leisurely drive to Mackinac. Liz had never been here before.  She had some idea it was a resort like Myrtle Beach. Well, maybe it is, but it’s also hip deep in history and that’s the part I like best. My favorite place around here is the sawmill, originally established about 1790 and lovingly restored by the Michigan DNR with a lot of help from various college’s archeology students and faculty. Almost across the road is the Mill Creek campground, a huge place right on the shore of the straits. With Good Sam membership the cost is just $25 a night. Consider this just another shameless plug for Good Sam Club, the RVer’s friend.

We finished off Thursday with a visit to the sawmill, which has grown up considerably since I was last here a dozen or so years ago. Not only is the millwright’s house completed but there is a canopy walk over the mill stream and a zip line down the length of the pond after an entertaining nature walk. There are also miles of nature trails offering an overview of a beaver lodge and a view tower high enough to allow a view of the Upper Peninsula. With the recent rains, the pond was full enough that the volunteer running the mill could give it a good run, really demonstrating what the old technology was capable of.


The sawmill



Inside sawmill



View of the millpond from the zipline tower

Friday was time for the ferry to the island. We could have probably left earlier but the 10a.m. ferry detoured under the bridge. We still had plenty of time to tour the island. Again, Liz had never been here before and expected some kind of a resort. Instead, we walked our legs off touring the fort, town, Skull Cave, the natural arch, cemeteries, and all that other historical and natural stuff. By 4:00 we were beat.  But I got my fudge!

Fort from below



View from fort



Mackinac Island Rock Arch

Today was easy. Just a lap around Fort Michilimackinac and a little laundry, followed by a lumberjack demonstration.  Oh, also catch up the blog. We also decided to stay Sunday and get in a little golf. Actually, the golf course south of here offers a pretty good discount to park residents that we just can’t turn down. Monday, off to the U.P.



Views at Fort Michilimackinac



Lumberjack