June 2 thru 6, 2024, Pontiac State Park, MI

From Petosky, MI, we headed south to Pontiac Lake State Park Campground in Pontiac, MI. The trip was 235 miles. It was a nice campground but, unfortunately, the mosquitos were now out in earnest and hungry. I tried to stay covered as much as possible while setting up camp but whenever I exposed skin they found it. 

This park was close to our friends Loren and Sharon who were going to Canada for the Fantasy Tour with us but, sadly, had to cancel. We visited them at their nice home on Sylvan Lake about 15 miles from our campsite (almost like we planned it). We love their cottage on the lake and completely understand why they return to Michigan every summer.

They were disappointed they were not visiting the Canadian Maritime Provinces with us but were happy to show us around for a few days before we headed into Canada.

One day they took us to Frankenmuth, MI, a nicely developed tourist destination. We enjoyed a wonderful all-you-could-eat fried chicken feast at the Bavarian Inn. It was served "family style" with so much variety - fried chicken, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, cranberries, beans, and more followed by ice cream for dessert.

After dining we crossed the Holz-Brucke covered bridge and walked some of our meal off at the Frankenmuth River Place Shops. It was a beautiful afternoon to just sit in the sunshine and people-watch.

As we were leaving, we stopped at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland. We arrived an hour before they closed or we might have spent much longer browsing the acres of Christmas decorations.

Another day they took us to the quaint small town of Holly, MI, for lunch at the Holly Cafe.  

Once again, after eating more than we should have we walked the downtown area exploring several shops. Traveling with limited space limits the temptation to load up on artsy knick-knacks. Joani was tempted but refrained.

Another day, I had cracked my head pretty good on our slide out and was concussed (according to Joani's Google research) but I fought the urge to sleep and pushed through the nausea. After a delicious bacon cheddar burger perfectly cooked at The Grill, I was on the way to recovery. 

We were pleased to spend time with our friends and sad they could not travel with us to Canada. We waved our sad goodbye's until we see them again in Arizona next Fall.

May 15 thru 19, 2024, Copper Harbor, MI and Isle Royal National Park

Our drive to Copper Harbor was 219 miles entirely on secondary highways. I don't think I ever reached 60 mph. As the roads became narrower, I drove even slower. I knew we were headed to the end of the Keweenaw peninsula but I was surprised that the last 30 miles of Highway 41 was so exciting. 

We set up in Fort Wilkins State Park. Joani reserved a site near the park internet. Without it, we would have been completely isolated. There was no cell phone service anywhere, even in Copper Harbor. Our first drive took us up Brockway Mountain Drive. Signs told us it was a rough road - they were not wrong but the views overlooking the town were worth the effort.

We continued another 10 miles west to Eagle Harbor, another nice small town on the shores of Lake Superior. Of course, they had their own lighthouse.

We took the ferry to Isle Royal National Park on Friday. The morning was overcast as we started our 3-hour 45-minute cruise across the inland sea known as Lake Superior. We were fortunate to have little wind and the smooth sailing meant there were no incidents of "seasickness."

We were greeted at the National Park dock by rangers who suggested, with our limited time, we should hike the Stoll trail.

The park certainly had a rustic appeal. Many fellow passengers planned on staying a week or more. I think backpacking around rugged backcountry is for younger folk although there was a couple about our age planning a 29-night stay. 

We stuck to the trail and took no chances that might lead to a twisted ankle. The boat was leaving on schedule whether everyone was there or not so we made sure we were back to the dock early. I finished my book on the way back and suspect I might have napped a bit. I did catch the Copper Harbor lighthouse as we headed back to the dock. This was as close as we could get - there was no driving or hiking option to this lighthouse this early in the season.

The staff at the Harbor Haus restaurant always stage a homecoming dance and wave as the Archipelago returns from the sea.

I had always wondered about Isle Royal, the least visited (but we were told it's the most revisited) National Park in the lower 48 states. Now I can say we hiked there, we have the stamp in our National Park passport and bragging rights.

The next day we stayed closer to home and walked next door to the Fort Wilkins State Historic Site. The fort was built in 1844 to provide an army presence to maintain order between miners and the Ojibwa during the copper rush in the area. It wasn't really needed since the miners were law abiding and the Ojibwa were welcoming, so two years later the soldiers left to fight in the Mexican-American war. It was re-occupied for a few years after the Civil War but was finally abandoned after 1870. It was restored by the state of Michigan and outfitted as well as any I have seen.

Attention to detail was evident everywhere - even the flag was correct for the period with 26 stars.

In the summer, the fort has more than 40 actors dressed in historic costumes to play the roles of real people who lived at the fort during the 1870s.

Inside the armory, displays of weapons and stores appeared very authentic. Displays inside every building gave a good idea of life in the fort long ago. Soldiers quarters, officers and enlisted, the kitchens and mess, the hospital, the quartermasters all were outfitted as they might have been originally.

We stayed busy on our last day. Up early and out to Horseshoe Bay for some rockhounding. I knew the road was unpaved and it started out well.

It quickly degraded to the point Joani was very concerned about getting stuck in the mud and said let's just turn around and forget it.

We made it to the parking lot where we then had to hike another quarter mile to the beach. Joani, of course, is in her hiking flip-flops.

We had the beach to ourselves, but alas, we did not find that elusive, museum-quality Lake Superior agate.

Next up, we explored the Delaware Copper Mine. The docent was very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. We were the only visitors when we arrived so he was happy to answer all our questions.

The tour was self-guided so we were on our own in the cold damp tunnels. It was a bit unnerving to think about the nine flooded levels below us. I don't mind saying, I was ready to get back to the surface.

I heard the docent say the nine levels below won't drain until the ice plug melts at the base of the hill.

According to the National Park Service: "The Delaware Mine was in operation for forty years but never turned a profit for its investors. Despite this, it stands today as a prime example of mining in the Keweenaw during the 1800s."

100 stairsteps down into mine.

It was cold in the mine, approximately 45 degrees, year-round, but this shimmering white stuff baffled us. It looked exactly like frost but it was not cold. We found out later it was a type of harmless fungus that grows in the tunnels. 

I had fun watching my breath swirl in the beam of my flashlight.

The remains of two rather large buildings top-side hinted at the true size of this operation. These buildings housed the air pumps for machinery. Lift engines to pull the ore up, and pumps to keep the mine shafts dry.

We headed back to the coach by way of Eagle Harbor again where we had a nice lunch at a place recommended by the docents. They told Joani about a shortcut that was unpaved but freshly graded. We rounded a corner and found a tree down across the road. Fortunately, someone with a chainsaw had cut away just enough that our car fit through with only a little bit of rubbing.

We had time to stop at one more beach to hunt agates again. Hunter's Point Park was just off Highway 26 so it was more popular. We were told we had arrived before the mosquitos and biting black flies but the itching red welts on my neck and arms say we were not so lucky after all.

So we wave a fond farewell to Copper Harbor and the Keweenaw peninsula.

April 3 thru 5, 2024, On the Way to Steve and Angie's in Texas

Before leaving Deming, we filled the coach at $3.30/gal. That felt pretty good since it was $3.90 anywhere around Phoenix. It was a long and boring drive, 337 miles, to our planned overnight stop at the Ward County Safety Rest Stop along I-20 in Monahans, Texas.

Texas Safety Rest Stops are the best. Police have an office on the premises.

Along the way, we saw a blimp floating above the desert (too far away for a picture) and we spotted our first Tesla truck (I didn't give Joani enough of a heads-up for a close shot). It certainly was different looking!

The next day we drove another 154 miles to Lake Colorado City State Park, in Colorado City, Texas. Our makeshift window repair seemed to be traveling well - it did not need any attention.

This park will probably not be on our "must see again" list. It was mostly low scrub and cacti. 

The lake level was low and not exactly picturesque. We decided access was limited enough that we would not try the kayak. We did a bit of walking as we circled the park and realized we need a lot more to get in shape for a summer of hiking.

I set up the telescope - found and viewed the sun in about 10 minutes. Practice, practice, practice. I think I might be ready for the eclipse. I left the scope up to view the beautifully dark Texas night sky. After alignment, the Nexstar 4SE performed flawlessly finding a variety of open clusters, globulars, galaxies and, of course, Jupiter.

On our second night, a group of, I think, 6 dads and, I'm guessing 15 boys who all appeared to be around 8 to 10 years old, set up tents. The cold wind made them play harder and poke in the fire more. I'm sure they all had a blast! 

June 1 thru August 13, 2020, Summer Travels

 

Our stay in Mesa, AZ, at Val Vista Villages, was now officially our longest in one place since we started full-time traveling in December of 2012. June was an unusually hot month but our A/C kept up with demand and we stayed cool or spent time in the pool (until it was closed in pandemic response). Friends Tina and Ron called it quits with their traveling and gave us a nice awning screen which made outdoor activities tolerable most mornings.

One day we kept hearing a tapping sound at the door. I finally spied this Gambel's Quail arguing with her reflection in the panel below our door. She and her babies finally ambled off across the road leaving us in peace.

We had agreed to terms on a Park Model in the Fiesta section. Penny and Jim already had their new house so I helped them with some odds and ends to hurry along their move. Joani, ever anxious to get started bought two new ceiling fans which Penny allowed me to install even before the sale had closed. Then Joani found the perfect sofa sleeper for the living room. Since the house was now empty we put it inside as well. I did worry just a bit about everything we were doing before the house was ours but, as long as I didn't do anything permanent or destructive, I rationalized it would be OK.

The process of buying a park model is very much like buying a used car - you simply sign the back of the title and register the exchange (technically it is a Recreational Vehicle). Since they could not find the original title they had to apply for a replacement - that delayed things a bit.

Our daughter, Kate, was finished with the school year and thought about driving out to Mesa. I suggested, as an alternative, she could fly out and then ride back with us in the coach. Everyone agreed and we had a plan. Kate could see the park model and maybe even help with some of the initial remodeling. She was able to stay in it while Joani and I stayed in the coach a few sites away. With a new place to store our treasures, we took everything out of the coach but the bare essentials so we could load up things from storage in Georgia and bring them back to Arizona. The coach was its lightest since we bought it.

That pesky replacement title stood in the way of starting any demolition and even threatened our reservations heading back to Georgia. When it finally arrived we had everything signed, notarized, and into the DMV the afternoon before we were scheduled to leave.

Kate really wanted to help with the removal of cabinets in the living room and once the place was officially ours, I consented even though we were driving the next morning, June 27th. That was a quick but satisfying demo as we moved the cabinets to the shed. I slept pretty well that night after the unexpected workout.

That was as much as we could do because we really wanted to travel back to Georgia. Between the pandemic and groups prone to shutting down highways, it was a little disconcerting to set out on a cross-country trip but it had already been much too long since we had seen our beautiful baby granddaughter, Alice. Of course, it would also be good to see the kids and family in Tennessee, too.

The straightest route east was along I-10 through Arizona and New Mexico then I-20 across Texas just south of Fort Worth and Dallas. The day started out hot, over 100 degrees F. We tried to drive with the generator running so we could use the rooftop A/C to keep us cool. Unfortunately, every time we hit a pothole the generator stopped. I was worried about using the dash air since the engine seemed to be running hot.

When we arrived in Deming, NM, we found the front roof air was no longer operational. It's always something when you have a house that moves down the road!

Our second night took us to Monahans Sandhills State Park in Monahans, TX. A surprising gem that we will visit again in the future.

We spotted several dung beetles rolling their prizes up the dunes. Just a little bit gross if you think about it too much.

There was some cloud drama and thunder and rain on the horizon. We stayed warm and dry and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. Kate thought she would sleep well with the windows open. Unfortunately, the breeze stopped when the sun set and I suspect she was not very comfortable.

Our third night was spent at my cousin Steve and Angie's place, south and a bit west of Fort Worth, TX. They have 17 acres and some nice level areas for the coach. It was a hot and humid night! The next morning Steve suggested we could take a look at the A/C. Disassembly was actually really straightforward. We quickly found the motor was seized up. Steve determined he could free the bearings with some oil and a little work. Sure enough, he had it spinning like new and reassembled in no time. We started the generator and, voila!, we had functioning A/C.

We spent two nights at the ranch and had a great time - Thank you, Steve and Angie!

Our next stay was at Ouachita Campground in Monroe, LA. Just a quick overnight where we discovered in our efforts to empty the coach we neglected to bring along a wine bottle opener. Luckily, our next-door neighbor came to our rescue. 

It was too far from Louisiana to Atlanta without one more stop this time at Jennings Ferry campground in Eutaw, AL. We had to stay a few nights in Alabama before our reservation in Georgia started. Finally, we reached Sawnee Campground in Cumming, GA, our old stomping grounds. Kate was happy to be home and said she enjoyed the trip even if it was 25 hours of driving instead of 4 hours of flying.

As quickly as we could we made our way to Jon and Sara's house. What can I say about this little angel - she was such a good-natured beauty. Always smiling and ready to melt our hearts.

Several days were spent going through everything in storage. We determined what we might want to have in Arizona and what we could fit in the RV with us. We carefully weighed everything as it was loaded so we did not exceed the coach weight limit. As it turned out, we were never close to the weight limit but we did pack until we ran out of space.

After a couple of weeks in Georgia, we said our goodbyes and drove to Lebanon, TN, where we put the coach in storage for a month while we stayed with my Mom. It was good to see family and friends. In the back of our minds, we were all the while refining plans for the park model waiting for us back in Arizona.

The pandemic hysteria seemed to escalate with each passing day making it difficult to ignore. Eventually, it made our decision to head back to Mesa seem more pressing. Joani plotted a return route along I-40 to I-30 to I-20 and finally I-10 to Phoenix. Our first night was at the Agricenter in Memphis, TN. We were familiar with this place having attended a rally there many years ago. I agreed to several long days of driving to return as quickly as possible. I was very concerned with states closing campgrounds or closing borders to travelers. We overnighted in Stinson RV Park in Campbell, TX, then a return stay at Monahans Sandhills SP in Texas and Dreamcatcher RV Park in Deming, NM, before getting back to Val Vista Villages in Mesa, AZ. That was a lot of miles in five days of driving but the peace of mind was worth the effort.

Joani and I were both excited at the prospect of a new project as a focus to keep our minds off the insanity that had its grip on the year 2020.