Well, we're at least off to Indiana.
We got all the way to Shipshawana, IN in day one. It's about an hour and half from the Lantz's. But we found that we really liked the place. So we stayed for two nights.
Wednesday we went to the Flea Market, which is a really big deal here. It is supposedly the largest Flea Market East of the Mississippi.
We found the Amish people to be friendly. A good portion of them still ride the horse drawn carriages. Every road has a wide lane on both sides for the horses and buggies. It was interesting to observe that the track that the horse are in is actually worn through the asphalt and is several inches lower.
Every store you go to has a place reserved for the horses and carriages, with a hitching post. The first night, we stayed at an RV Park South of Town and then we moved about 5 miles North to another RV Park. Not a lot of distance made today.
Thursday, June 3
Today we traveled into Michigan. We're not interested in making distance, but just enjoying where ever we go. On the ride, we decided to spend the night in a Michigan State Park, and after looking at the road map, picked a park near Holland, MI. It turns out to be a great choice.
Holland Beach State Park is literally on the beach.
There are beautiful white sand beaches - something I did not expect. 
It appears that the "campground" is an old parking lot. Kind of unusual to be parked with a bunch of other campers in a parking lot like this.
Friday, June 4
We casually traveled further up the Western coast of Michigan to Holland Michigan. Here, again, we found a very nice state park - Holland Beach - and settled in.
We had a beautiful campsite overlooking Lake Michigan.
That afternoon, we went to a downtown Laundromat - the first time we've done that in a long, long time. While the clothes were washing, I took the bike off the rack and went downtown to find a barber. Then took the RV to a park on the river where there is a walk-through of a Great Lakes Freighter that used to carry rail cars to and from Wisconsin across Lake Michigan. The Freighter was built in 1932 and served into the 1980's. It was an interesting tour.
That afternoon, we went to a downtown Laundromat - the first time we've done that in a long, long time. While the clothes were washing, I took the bike off the rack and went downtown to find a barber. Then took the RV to a park on the river where there is a walk-through of a Great Lakes Freighter that used to carry rail cars to and from Wisconsin across Lake Michigan. The Freighter was built in 1932 and served into the 1980's. It was an interesting tour.
Saturday, June 5
We had a casual morning leaving Orchard State Park near Ministee, MI. Again, no destination except driving up the scenic route that had been recommended to us (MI 22). It was a beautiful two lane highway going through some rolling hills and past lakes, hugging the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Www.m22colortour.com. By noon, we were in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore and we set a destination of the D. H. Day Campground in the Seashore.
We had a casual morning leaving Orchard State Park near Ministee, MI. Again, no destination except driving up the scenic route that had been recommended to us (MI 22). It was a beautiful two lane highway going through some rolling hills and past lakes, hugging the shoreline of Lake Michigan. Www.m22colortour.com. By noon, we were in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore and we set a destination of the D. H. Day Campground in the Seashore.
The campground is considered “primative” because the sites don't have water or electricity. The roads aren't paved, but we really like it. The ranger on duty put us on the only site that has an electric hookup – it's normally a volunteers site, but they don't arrive until later in the summer. So we have all we need – and water close by.
Before setting up camp, we decided to do some touring and went into the village of Glen Arbor, MI. It is located between Big Glen Lake and the shore of Lake Michigan. It started as a lumber town, but is now a quaint little resort town. www.visitglenharbor,com. We got our bikes off the back of the RV and rode around. Clara bought some hiking shoes because we've decided to spend an extra day here and she had only one of her hiking shoes - no idea where the other one is.
The campground is only $6 / night and we really like it.
After spending some time in Glen Arbor, we toured the Maritime Museum – which is a old Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station.
It reminds us in some ways of the Cape Lookout Station.
It is well preserved and has some great exhibits. Near the same location is a “General Store” and a blacksmith. We spent some time in both meeting some nice people who were volunteers and enjoying the conversation.
It appears it's going to be a nice rainy night tonight. We don't have any cell phone coverage, so no Internet tonight. Not a great loss.
Sunday, June 6
Last night it rained most of the night. We could hear it beating on the roof of the RV. It certainly made us sleep well – almost 10 hours. The morning was cool and damp, but after we got going, we drove into the small village of Leland about 10 – 12 miles North. As all the towns are along M-22, it was quaint, with shops (for Clara) and a marina. This is where the boat goes over to the two islands that are part of the the national park. We had lunch and Clara enjoyed shopping. I went back to the RV to read the newspaper (on-line) because it was the only place we could get Internet service. Clara had driven today and she parked in the middle of town in a beautiful row of trees.
By mid afternoon, Clara had shopped out, so we headed through the Oneida Historic Farm. We stopped and hiked about a mile to a beautiful bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. If it weren't cold and we didn't realize it, you would think you're in the Caribbean. The waters are clear and blue.
Took some pictures, and we again had phone service so talked to Slade and sent him a couple of pictures.
Then we went a few miles down the road to one of the most scenic drives in Michigan - the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. It is a one-way drive through forest with overlooks. We stopped and hiked to another scenic overlook.
At one overlook you could see a series of footsteps down the dunes to the lake. As you can see in this picture of a guy (black dot in the picture) going down the dune, it is a long way down (and back up)
There is a recently (2006) decommissioned ice breaker Coast Guard Boat on display at the waterfront, the Mackinaw. Clara wasn't interested, so I went on the tour. It was somewhat reminiscent of my trip last year on the one-week expedition on the NOAA Research Vessel from Mass. to S. C.
After spending some time in Glen Arbor, we toured the Maritime Museum – which is a old Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station.
It reminds us in some ways of the Cape Lookout Station. It is well preserved and has some great exhibits. Near the same location is a “General Store” and a blacksmith. We spent some time in both meeting some nice people who were volunteers and enjoying the conversation.
It appears it's going to be a nice rainy night tonight. We don't have any cell phone coverage, so no Internet tonight. Not a great loss.
Sunday, June 6
Last night it rained most of the night. We could hear it beating on the roof of the RV. It certainly made us sleep well – almost 10 hours. The morning was cool and damp, but after we got going, we drove into the small village of Leland about 10 – 12 miles North. As all the towns are along M-22, it was quaint, with shops (for Clara) and a marina. This is where the boat goes over to the two islands that are part of the the national park. We had lunch and Clara enjoyed shopping. I went back to the RV to read the newspaper (on-line) because it was the only place we could get Internet service. Clara had driven today and she parked in the middle of town in a beautiful row of trees.
By mid afternoon, Clara had shopped out, so we headed through the Oneida Historic Farm. We stopped and hiked about a mile to a beautiful bluff overlooking Lake Michigan. If it weren't cold and we didn't realize it, you would think you're in the Caribbean. The waters are clear and blue.
Took some pictures, and we again had phone service so talked to Slade and sent him a couple of pictures. Then we went a few miles down the road to one of the most scenic drives in Michigan - the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. It is a one-way drive through forest with overlooks. We stopped and hiked to another scenic overlook.
At one overlook you could see a series of footsteps down the dunes to the lake. As you can see in this picture of a guy (black dot in the picture) going down the dune, it is a long way down (and back up)
Tomorrow, I guess we'll make it to Mackinac – and then again, maybe we won't. I think an appropriate theme for this trip is “We're not sure where we're going, and we're don't care when we get there.
The campground fit us perfectly. It was probably only about 10% occupied, very secluded and wooded. And the nights were perfectly dark. Cool, but not cold. Absolutely perfect.
Monday, June 7
As has become normal now, we didn't have a place to go today, and we got there. We made decisions en route and ended up going through Traverse City and then decided to follow the coast up the Eastern Side of Traverse Bay along another beautiful drive. We stopped at a road side fruit stand, bought some fresh asparagus and a just-out-of-the-oven cherry pie (which we ate part of for lunch). Apples, cherries, peaches and other fruits are grown in abundance in the area.
As we got toward the Northern limits of the bay, we started looking for another campground and again ended up in a Michigan State Park. The parks are all in great locations and, because it is early in the season, almost empty. Tonight it's Petoskey State Park. Our site is about 100 feet from the water.
The campground fit us perfectly. It was probably only about 10% occupied, very secluded and wooded. And the nights were perfectly dark. Cool, but not cold. Absolutely perfect.
Monday, June 7
As has become normal now, we didn't have a place to go today, and we got there. We made decisions en route and ended up going through Traverse City and then decided to follow the coast up the Eastern Side of Traverse Bay along another beautiful drive. We stopped at a road side fruit stand, bought some fresh asparagus and a just-out-of-the-oven cherry pie (which we ate part of for lunch). Apples, cherries, peaches and other fruits are grown in abundance in the area.
As we got toward the Northern limits of the bay, we started looking for another campground and again ended up in a Michigan State Park. The parks are all in great locations and, because it is early in the season, almost empty. Tonight it's Petoskey State Park. Our site is about 100 feet from the water.
We went into the town of Petoskey for a while, but it was rather tough to get the RV around some of the streets. We finally stopped at a waterfront park and got the bikes out for a while. Then I decided to ride the bike back to the park and Clara drove the RV back. It was a very nice 5-6 mile bike ride along a dedicated bike path. I've noticed for the past 10 to 15 miles while driving here that there is a continuous bike path between the road and the lake and there are lots of people walking and biking. This is something we don't see in NC.
Tuesday, June 7
We have finally made to more or less or destination - or at least one part of it. We are in Mackanaw City. We are staying in a commercial campground for the first time in Michigan - KOA.
It is only a one mile bike ride to the center of the village. We settled in to the campsite and got the bikes out and rode to town.
Tuesday, June 7
We have finally made to more or less or destination - or at least one part of it. We are in Mackanaw City. We are staying in a commercial campground for the first time in Michigan - KOA.
It is only a one mile bike ride to the center of the village. We settled in to the campsite and got the bikes out and rode to town. A typical tourist town. We rode to the old lighthouse where we could see the Mackinac Bridge. Supposedly it is the world's longest suspension bridge at around 5 miles long. We'll probably go over it in a couple of days and spend a couple of days in the UP (Upper Peninsula)
There is a recently (2006) decommissioned ice breaker Coast Guard Boat on display at the waterfront, the Mackinaw. Clara wasn't interested, so I went on the tour. It was somewhat reminiscent of my trip last year on the one-week expedition on the NOAA Research Vessel from Mass. to S. C.
