De Smet, SD

Monday, July 30.  We were supposed to go to Fargo, ND today to visit Shelene (a woman I work with in Tucson) but she called to let us know they had a family thing and had to leave.  Hmm.  From Fargo we were going to go to Sioux Falls, SD to visit Marilyn & Miller Glanzer (they winter in Tucson at FHTV) and have dinner with them.  We were actually going to zig-zag from Coon Rapids, MN north to Fargo then straight south to Sioux Falls, then west to Custer, SD staying one night in each place.  Mike and I have already learned on this trip we do not like to set up and tear down for just a one night stand.  So we decided to skip Sioux Falls (sorry Marilyn!!) and head due west and find a place to stay for two nights before heading over to Custer, SD.  Mike found us a nice RV park on a pond in De Smet, SD, home of Laura Ingalls Wilder of "Little House on the Praire" fame.  It was also a Passport America park so we got two nights for $30 and it was full hookups!!  We set up and had our evening wine out by the pond, watching the turtle heads pop up and the cormorant feeding on fish.  It was a delightful evening followed by watching the Olympics.  Oh yes, I got my dish up and pointing in the right direction with no trees blocking the signal!!

This is where we had our wine, nice spot don't you agree?  Mike is busy with his new iPhone, I think he likes it, hey Mikey??

This is the view out the front window of the motor  home.  It's really a lovely spot.  Hmm, could that be why they call this RV Park, "Spot?"  Because it's the spot??

Coon Rapids, MN

Sunday, July 29 and Monday, July 30.  We left Oconto Sunday morning and headed for Coon Rapids, MN to see Lou Nash.  She had recommended a county park for us to stay in that was near her home.  The park was huge and very nice!  It also had a water park in it!  Lou's brother had passed away last week so she was busy with family today and invited us to breakfast on Monday morning.  We took the evening to just relax and walk around the park with Jenny who appreciated the exercise.  Monday morning Lou came by and picked us up to take us to her house for breakfast, and what a breakfast it was!!  She had prepared brat patty sausage, scrambled eggs, an assortment of bagels and rolls, a fruit bowl and sliced tomatoes.  Yummy! No wonder we are at our heaviest weight ever!  We had a great visit with Lou and then she took us back to our RV so we could prepare to leave.

Sorry about the blurry picture, still getting used to holding the iPhone steady.

It was such a pretty morning we had breakfast on her deck.

Oconto, WI

Wednesday, July 25.  We left Manistique, MI and drove to Oconto, WI today.  It was a good day for a drive since it was rainy and cloudy in Michigan but by the time we got to Joyce's house in Oconto the weather had cleared.  Oconto is a small town (Pop. 4,500ish) about 30 minutes north of Green Bay.  Joyces' place is on the Oconto river in the middle of town, a beautiful location!  Since she has two large lots there was room for us to park the motor home with a great view of the river.

This is our view out the front window of the motor home.  Not bad, eh?

Joyce's sister Janice flew in today from Deming, NM so we rode with Joyce and her mom, LaVonne, to pick Janice up at the airport in Green Bay.  On the way back to Oconto we stopped at Sam's Club where Mike and I bought iPhones, yep, we're hooked on iPhones now.  We also stopped at one of the many  cheese stores in Wisconsin.  Mike is now an official cheesehead, I have proof!

Thursday, July 26 & Friday, July 27.  We just hung out and relaxed and played several games of dominoes and prepared for the cookout on Saturday at Joyce's house.  We went to the store to pickup a few things and left Jenny in Joyce's house.  Jenny had become quite comfortable in Joyce's house by this time so we thought it would be fine.  When we got back Jenny was excited to see us and had only knocked over a plant in the front window, or so we thought.  I walked down the hall and noticed LaVonne's bed was messed up and I knew she had made it that morning.  I looked at Joyce's bed and Janice's bed and both of them were messed up as well.  We figured out that because of a storm that came through while we were gone Jenny had gone from bed to bed to try and find a "safe zone."  She started with Joyce's and didn't like it then moved to Janice's and liked it a little better then settled on LaVonne's bed which she liked a lot.  Notice the gradual increase of disarray from bed to bed from left to right:

Jenny's new nickname is "Goldilock's."

Another storm came through Thursday night after we had gone to bed.  It wasn't a bad storm but there was plenty of lightening which upset Jenny our dog.  She paced, whined and tried to get under anything she could in the motor home.  It was a rough night.  I finally had to put her collar and leash on and wrap the leash around my arm to keep her by the bed.  Needless to say, none of us got a lot of sleep that night.  On Friday we contacted our vet in Dolores and she called in a Rx to a pharmacy in Oconto for Jenny.  The Rx was for Xanax and a sedative (Acepromazine) for animals.  It was supposed to rain that evening so around 6:00 we gave Jenny the Xanax (2 @ 1mg each) and then when we went to bed we gave her the sedative (25mg), both were full doses.  Everyone slept well that night!  The next morning Jenny was slow to wake up and when she did she couldn't stand up very well, her legs kept sliding out from under her.  She was stoned out of her poor mind!  Mike had to help her down the steps of the motor home.  It was late afternoon before she recovered.  Now we know the meds work and to give her only half the dosage.

Saturday, July 28.  The weather could not have been any better today!  We woke to a cool morning with bright blue sky and a slight breeze, a perfect day for a cookout!  Janice prepared her famous brats on the grill then put them in a crock pot with onions.  She also grilled "natural cased" hot dogs which I had never heard of but they were yummy!  Joyce's other sister Nancy and their brother Frank came over for the cookout along with other family and friends.  That's me playing with my iPhone.

That's also me taking care of pests in the yard.  Ha!  That's Jacob, Joyce's great nephew.  He was having a great time playing in the yard and with Jenny.

That evening we had a fire so Joyce could get rid of a lot of brush that had been gathered on her property.  Joyce was happy to get rid of the brush as you can see...

We had a great day with lots of fun and food.  By the time we went to bed Jenny was back to her old self which made us feel much better.  We leave for Minnesota on Sunday, July 29.

Manistique, MI (Upper Peninsula)

Monday, July 23.  We left the Big Rapids area today and headed back to the U.P. to Manistique on Hwy 2.  Mike found us a campground on the lake about half way between Big Rapids, MI and Oconto, WI our next stop on our trip.  The campground is called Driftwood Shores and is about 10 miles west of Manistique.  It was another beautiful day in Michigan although the temperature had started to climb as well as the humidity.  It was supposed to be in the low 90's in Big Rapids and in the low 80's in the U.P.  This is the only time on this trip where we backtrack and travel on the same roads.  It also means we are heading home!  After driving north in I-75 we crossed the Mackinaw Bridge (another $14.00!) again and headed west on Hwy 2.

It was very windy and the waves were high.  There were a lot of people enjoying the beach today.

Both cats have gotten used to traveling in the motor home and have even been getting up on the dash on Jenny's bed when she is not there.  Here is Shadow checking things out, "yep, we're still moving..."

Tuesday, July 24.  Driftwood Shores RV Park is really right on the lake!  This was one of the best views we've had since Crescent City, CA when we stayed at Shoreline RV Park.  The only drawback is there is no beach access unless you bushwack through the bushes.

Our site is about 50 yards from the lake.  There is no one next to us and the only other rigs are several sites away, no crowding that's for sure.

We drove into Manistique today to go to the supermarket to buy pasties.  (pronounced like past-eze)  They are a flour and lard encased meat pie.  The owners of the RV Park suggested we go to the deli at the market because they make them fresh daily.  Today's choices included ham and cheese and beef and potatoes.  We  purchased on of each and shared them.  They are quite delicious, the crust reminded me of pie crusts my grandmother made.  The rest of the day was restful and quiet.  Even got a nap!

Big Rapids, MI

Wednesday, July 18.  The drive down from the Mackinac Bridge to Big Rapids was short and sweet.  The directions Harold gave us didn't agree with the GPS but we followed his anyway and ignored the GPS.  We found out later that the GPS route would've taken us down a gravel road even though we have it set to not go on gravel roads.  As we neared Harold's house the paved road disappeared around a curve and all I could see straight ahead of me was a dirt two-track.  Panic almost hit then we got to the curve and I could see that the paved road did end and became a wide gravel road that was nicely packed and not dusty.  Whew, that was a close one!

Unfortunately, we both forgot to take pictures of our set up at Harold's so you'll have to use your imagination.  We parked in his front yard and connected to water and electric from his garage.  The spot where we parked had an almost perfect shot of the southwestern sky which is what we needed to get our DirecTV signal.  This was VERY important because Big Brother was on for the summer and it is one of the reality shows we like.  The antenna dish whirled around and around and up and down and finally found a "happy" spot.  It wasn't happy with all of the trees but it did pick up the necessary signals.  Everyone was happy, especially me!

Thursday, July 19.  It's the Michigan Party!!  This was the 16th annual Michiganders party where folks from all over get together for food, fun and fellowship.  We were really surprised how many of them live in the  community of Big Rapids and surrounding areas.  The party started about 1ish but because of the rain it was moved to Pete & Janet Jordan's pole barn just down the road.  Harold prepared a large pork loin and everyone else brought a side dish.  Mike and I made our curried deviled eggs.  There was a LOT of food!  It was a good turnout in spite of the weather.  I would guess there were about 30-35 people in attendance.  Denny & Karen McConnell from Yakima, Wa, Marv Willy from MN, Gene & Marcene Smith from Iowa, Nancy Jebson from Iowa, and Mike and I made up some of the out of towners.  Needless to say, we had leftovers for dinner that evening and they were yummy!  Janet Jordan also made a spinach and meat sauce lasagna and it was delicious!

Friday, July 20.  This was our "free" day so we helped Harold clean out his gutters.  On Wednesday, the day we arrived, a storm came through that night that dumped a lot of rain.  His gutters were backed up with tree leaves and stuff so the water ran over the gutters and onto his window air conditioner and then poured into the house.  Poor Harold took the window a/c out of the window at 3:30 in the morning so he could shut the window then had to set up fans to dry the carpet.  We got his gutters cleaned and the a/c put back in the window which was a good thing because it was starting to get  hot and humid!

Tonight, several of us went to a newly opened restaurant in Hersey about 5 miles away.  It is the River Junction and they have all you can eat fish on Friday's for $9.95.  The fish was excellent, the french fries were tasty and cole slaw was just like I like it, sweet and creamy!  Here is a picture of the group.

Harold & Kathy, Gene & Marcene, Pete & Janet, Mike, and another Janet and her husband George.

Saturday, July 21.  Today started off with a kayak or canoe float down the Muskogen River.  This was the first time Mike and I have kayaked and I have to admit it was more fun than canoeing.  The river was perfect for first timers and the weather cooperated as well.  We put it at a bridge about 5 miles from Harold's house and floated for a couple of hours back down to his house.  The great thing about this trip is we get to do it again on Sunday, yay!

Today was also the day of the 16th annual Pig Roast hosted by Pete & Janet.  This is a fundraiser Janet puts on each year for the American Cancer Society.  She raised $1,000 this year with the expert help of her friend Janet ( referred to as the other Janet) and the generous donations from her friends.  The dinner was followed up by music and entertainment from Harold, Pete, Rob Kotecki, Gene Smith and several other local musicians who came by to jam.

This is the same pole barn we used for the Michigan Party.  There is another room at the back that is Pete's "man cave."  He has his exercise equipment and more animal trophies on the wall.  As you can see it was a good turnout for this event, too.  Lots of the neighbors stopped by to enjoy the music.

Sunday, July 22.  This is the day when Pete and Janet get to relax after their big shindig on Saturday.  The seven of us put in at Harold's place, the seventh person being Pete & Janet's neighbors' niece.  We floated down the river to the county park, about a 3 hour float.  Along the way we passed by Janee and Jack's place and happen to catch them outside.  We stopped for a chat then continued on our way.  Ahh, what a way to relax especially on a beautiful day like today!

Mackinaw Bridge, MI

Monday, July 16.  There was a lot of road construction on Hwy 2 before we got to the bridge.  Only delayed us about 30 minutes and we still arrived at the park by 4:30.  We are at the TeePee RV Park and Campground on the waters of Lake Huron.  (I think it's Lake Huron, will double check)  The weather is overcast, hot and humid... just like being in Florida!  We were drenched by the time we got the rig set up and tired sitting outside to have our evening glass of wine but gave up and went inside to the a/c!  It's a nice park, busy with lots of kids but at least it's on the water.

(insert picture of park here.  We later realized we didn't have any pics of the park!)

Tuesday, July 17.  We took the ferry over to Mackinaw Island today.  The ride took us under the Mackinac Bridge that we had driven over the day before.  It's a huge bridge, rivaling the size of the Sunshine Skyway bridge across the mouth of Tampa Bay.

There are no motor vehicles on the island, only bicycles and horse drawn rigs like carts and carriages.  The weather was perfect today, not too hot and not too humid.  After walking around the island for awhile we stopped at a bistro for lunch and a cool pitcher of beer.  Hey, we aren't driving today!  A shuttle picked us up at the campground and took us to the ferry launch and it will take us back to the campground when we return.  I had scallops and Mike had fish, both were delicious.  The beer was from a local brewery in Cheboygan.  

Of course you can't go to Mackinaw Island without purchasing fudge, that's how you become a "fudgie."  Our fudge purchase was made at Murdick's, they had a great selection and a great crew working in the shop.  The hardest part was picking which ones to buy, they all looked good!

By mid-afternoon we were ready to head back to the campground.  Another fun day of adventure under our belts.

Ontonagon, MI (Upper Peninsula)

Saturday, July 15.  We got an early start today since we knew it was going to be a long drive.  At first we thought about driving south along the coast to get to Duluth but decided against it because it would make the day even longer.  Our schedule is a little less flexible right now so we can get to the Michigan party by the 18th.  We don't want to miss any of the fun and festivities!!

There was road construction on the bridges in Duluth but we managed to get through without any problems.  It was nice to drive along the shore of Lake Superior, it really is a "great lake."  Mike had found us an RV park on the water in Ontonagon, MI about halfway between Int'l. Falls, MN and the Mackinaw Bridge where we wanted to stay before going to Big Rapids.  The park was in the Ontonagon River and we could see it from where we parked the rig.  The guy who checked us in gave us our option of any of the empty sites and there were a lot!  We picked one we thought would be the best for satellite strength and have some evening shade.  Usually, if we have a clear shot of the SE sky then we can get the satellites.  Now that we are so far east we need the SW sky.  Dang.  Didn't figure that out until the dish finally stopped spinning.  We had parked on the east side of a tree so we could have evening shade on the coach.  However, the dish pointed right through some of the outer branches but was able to pick up the satellites.  Whew!  Sunday is a big DVR night with shows like Weeds, True Blood, Episodes and Big Brother.  Got 'em all!!

Sunday, July 16.  I started doing laundry yesterday because our dirty sheets were piling up.  We bought  a new set of sheets when we were in Bottineau, ND at the Walmart.  The flannel sheets on the bed were beginning to be a little too warm at night so we bought some percale sheets and they needed to be washed before being put on the bed.  The dryer at the park took $1.25 to start and after about 35 minutes the sheets were dry and I took the sheets out.  The morning I changed the sheets on the bed and  decided to wash the other two sets of flannel sheets.  I can wash a set of sheets in the washer in the coach.  When the first set finished I took them out and started the second set with the idea of drying the two sets together in the dryer at the park.  It is a big dryer and should be able to handle the two sets of sheets easily enough.  I took both sets over to the laundry room, put them in the dryer I used yesterday and then pressed start.  Wow, the dryer started right up!  Cool beans!  I guess that means the dryer remembered I didn't use all the time up yesterday.  As I was leaving the laundry room I ran into the guy who checked us in yesterday.  I asked how much time we got for the $1.25 and he said about 45 minutes but the machines had a mind of their own sometimes and just keep running.  :)  I went back to the coach and started washing all of our dirty clothes plus towels!!  I had that dryer running for about 3 hours on my original investment of $1.25, yep, I was a happy guy!

After showers and lunch we drove into "town" to see what it was like.  Not much here, it is kind of off the beaten path.  There was a pretty large shoreline campground which we walked around and gave Jenny some exercise.  The sand on the "beach" is kind of brownish but not bad.

These were two separate pictures I had Mike put them together to give you an idea of the beach.