Canton Ohio& Lower Michigan

 As we make our way back to the Midwest, (we have 2 weddings to attend), we decided to go to Canton to visit the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Lynn has never been there.  So I found an RV park called Baylor Beach. Bonuses at this park were two ponds that had everything a water park would have and admission was included in our fee. It was also smack dab in the middle of Amish Country so there were just a few good restaurants.On our way to Canton we hit a milestone in fuel used since we started this lifestyle.

The next day we went to Canton and the Hall of Fame.  If you have never been there and you are in the least bit interested in football you need to go at least once in your lifetime. It’s hard to explain the feeling that you get looking at the busts of all the great players. Here are some pictures.

 

Jim Thorpe's Lettermans sweater.

Added this for Lynn

/THE Lombardi Trophy!

 Two of the greats. 

One of the walls of inductees. 

Lynn's ready for her tryout.

The next day we were going to Warther Wood Carving Museum. The place looked fantastic with 35 hand carved trains and various other things. Unfortunately I received a call from my cousin Bert.  He has been ill for many years and had decided that it was time. He wanted to see me before he passed so we dropped everything, loaded up the house and drove to Holland Michigan the next day.

We booked an RV park called Dutch Treat. I want to mention them here because it is a family owned park, and they are some of the nicest people we have met on the road. The plan was to go to Holland, drop off the trailer and then drive to Sheboygan WI.  We explained this to them, and asked for a site with electric so we could keep our refrigerator running while we were gone.  Not only did they supply a nice site with electric and water, but they only charged $5.00 a day while we were gone. When we got back we moved to a site with full hookup and stayed for 4 more days.  Rest in Peace Bert. You will be missed.

After spending 3 nights in Sheboygan, (Thanks Eric and Sandy for the hospitality), we drove back to Holland and went out to visit some of the old haunts of my youth. As a child my grandmother had a B & B in Spring Lake MI.  Growing up we spent many summers there fishing, skiing, and horseback riding. Remember a few blogs back when I said you can’t go home again. Well that was reconfirmed as there was very little that was the same.  But it was still nice to visit. Here are a few pictures.

Art work along the Grand River.

 Yep the fog was rolling in. That's lake Michigan out there.

The board walk.

It's for sale.

 The old theater was converted into apartments/condos. The entrance is a restaurant. 

Lynn likes her men tall and thin. 

While we were at Dutch Treat we met Ray and Arlene from Oklahoma.  No last names to protect the innocent.  We hit it off like we had known each other for years. While there we took a dune buggy ride. These dunes are the largest fresh water dunes in the world. They were created when the forest along the lake were clear cut. Why was it clear cut, you may ask? Well they needed the lumber to rebuild Chicago after the great Chicago fire.  In fact the dunes buried the town of Singapore which is still there somewhere beneath the sand.  Here are some pictures of our dune buggy ride and Ray and Arlene.

Ray and Arlene

Our ride

Our next stop was Traverse City MI. On the way Lynn finally drove the big rig. She did great. 

To show you how much we got along with Ray and Arlene, we were booked at the same park there. They were a day ahead of us so they were able to scout out the park for us before we got there. We joined up with them and did some hiking together and usually got together in the evening to talk about our days adventures. We didn't spend all of our time together but it was nice to get back to the park and see a friendly face. But we did go golfing together. 

A small river walk. 

On the day we went into Traverse City we had our anniversary dinner at one of the world’s smallest restaurants. It was a cross fusion menu of Mexican/Asian food. There were 16 tables and to get to the bathroom you had to go through the kitchen. The food was good and we chalked it up as another unique experience.  Here is a picture of the restaurant.

Another stop was the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Park. It is a top destination in the area and we could see why, absolutely gorgeous. Enormous dunes right along the lake that stretched for miles. The pictures do not do it justice.

 At one of the stops on the driving tour I called for a group photo of everyone there.  No, we didn't know any of them, but they did it!  In fact as I was lining up the picture someone asked if they could take it for me so I could get in the picture also. He thought I was part of the group! So I did, and then called even more people into the shot. We were all laughing about it and decided that this would be our “Framily”. Here they are. 

Part of the group was a family from St. Louis; Elli, Tim, Kate, Sarah, and Beth Anne. We became FB friends and exchanged pictures that we took. We then ran into them again at the next stop and then later on in the next town. A day later we got a message from them that they wanted to get together again before we left for Mackinac City. So we set it up for them to come to the RV Park so they could see our little home. It was a great visit and some day we expect to see Tim and Elli in their own RV and we can caravan together sometime.  It’s going to happen. Too bad Beth Anne is going to end up in boarding school. Lol.

Our next stop was Mackinac City. And yes we met up with Ray and Arlene again. They had never been there so we went to the island together even though Lynn and I have been the before. It was a great day, perfect weather. We took a horse drawn carriage tour then walked about 8 ½ miles up and down the hills. After fudge shops and trinket shopping, we ate at a great little burger joint called the Chuck Wagon. Good food at a great price. It’s right next door to the haunted house on the main drag. Plan to stand in line but it’s worth it. Oh and they close at 3. As usual, here are the pictures.

the view from our campground.

My new friend.

 Mackinac City.

Ray made a new friend.

The Boardwalk on Mackinac Island.

The Arch Rock.

Of course we have to visit the cemeteries. 

Downtown

Our ride for the day.

Up close and personal with the bridge.

Our ride out to the Island.

 Our final stop before we got to Lynn’s sisters cabin was Brimley MI. We stayed at the Bay Mills Casino and Resort. A nice place, and first time guests got $15.00 credit to play the slots and poker machines. We only went to the casino one night. Had two free drinks, Lynn won $15.00, I lost mine, and we had a nice dinner. We would stay there again.

The reason we went there was to see the locks at Sault Ste Marie and ask Canadian customs some questions about what we can and cannot bring into the country. As far as customs is concerned it may be a long time before we go into Canada with our trailer. You’re only allowed 2 bottles of alcohol each and no dirt. Well, like any house we have a liquor cabinet with a nice variety; from amaretto to vodka,. strictly for guests of course, plus about a case of wine. We would either have to leave it with someone or drink it all. That is not going to happen!  As for the dirt, we have 3 house plants, 2 are in dirt and would have to be left behind. Nope! So I guess we will cross that bridge when we get to it.

The locks on the other hand were nice. We went on the Canadian side which was busy with the tour boats. Lynn hadn't seen one before and it was educational for both of us. We walked across the lock and walked the trails on the island in between the lock and the rapids. It was great until we got to the part of the trail that was underwater. Well, being the adventurers that we are, we took off our shoes and socks and waded in. Lake Superior is cold. Very cold! And the trail at this point is gravel and stones, not a fun crossing, but we made it. The only problem was that up ahead the trail was flooded again, but this time it was knee deep and turned a corner. Not being able to see the end we didn't want to take the chance that it was too long so we turned back and had to cross the water again. This time Lynn sacrificed her socks. I braved it out… I should have sacrificed the socks. Here are a few pictures of the locks, island, and the board walk in town.

Flooded out pathway

We took another side trip to Tahquamenon Falls stopping at a lighthouse enroute. It is definitely not as impressive as Niagara Falls, but beautiful none the less. There is an upper and lower falls in this State Park. Both have a walkway that takes you right to the falls itself so that you are overlooking the edge. Here are the pictures of this side trip, I’ll let you decide if it’s worth a visit.

 We also stopped at a lighthouse along the way.

Point Iroquois Light House in Brimley MI

Well that’s it. Now we are boondocking in da U P at Lynn’s sisters which is another first for us. I’m sure it will be interesting to say the least. See you down the road.