Michigan In Review

One of our favorite past road-trips was to Michigan. Because of this and our dear friends we'd be visiting there, we were excited for this stop.  On our last visit a couple of years ago we drove up the west side of the state.  So many towns that were just darn, stinkin cute!  Grand Haven, Ludington, Charlevoix, Petoskey and our very favorite, Traverse City..."Cherry Capital of the World".  The cherry picking here was divine!  And beautiful views of Lake Michigan all along this coastline... did you know it actually looks like an ocean?!? We also loved our time at Mackinac Island~ the most perfect place to bike.  So we'd definitely recommend that this destination makes your list of must-sees.  

Though we could have repeated our previous route and been completely happy, we decided to check out some new areas.  From Wisconsin, we drove the northern side of Lake Michigan to the U.P. (Upper Peninsula) and stayed at a campground overlooking the beautiful Michigamee Lake in Champion, MI.  The U.P. is not the most "happening" destination, but there is something wonderful about being surrounded only by nature.  And I love the occasional chance to have to slow down so we can catch up on the business and school work.  Along with the catch-up work, we rented kayaks from our campsite,  

swam,

played some camping games,

and of course went fishing.

Getting an inside look at Jim's Pike

Fishing buddies at it again!

...I should say Jim & Alayna fished while Natalie...

...kicked back with a good book.  Jim isn't giving up hope yet!!

And as we've sadly realized that she'll be entering high school upon our return, we decided to give her some driving lessons!

Moving on, we drove across the Mackinac Bridge to Lower Michigan and stayed just south of Cheboygan in Aloha State Park.  Another on-the-water site right on Mullet Lake.  We love the cooler weather (80's, no humidity!) & scenery in these northern states, but the water temps are freezing!  So no swimming at this one-night stop.

We'd never been to Detroit so thought we'd lock our doors and give it a try:)  On our long drive down we nearly experienced our first major mishap.  Funny how extra caution is taken when you first get a new vehicle.  On our first week of the adventure I distinctly remember Jim saying, "I'll be sure to fill up any time the fuel tank gets below 1/2... wouldn't it stink to run out of fuel in this thing??"  I know he runs his cars on fumes... just for the thrill of it, but I actually believed him.  And he did for the first month.  But his old nature kicked in and he kept driving, thinking he'd find cheaper diesel around the next corner.  Next thing I knew I was looking at this...

"FUEL: LOW LEVEL!"

Fortunately, with only about 30 miles left on the tank we found a place to fill up... and Jim had his typical calm smirk on his face.

While in Detroit we visited the Henry Ford Museum, which is another must-see.  We spent 5 hours here and wished we had more time.  There were room displays from different eras- from the 1700's to present, exhibits on different movements throughout history... American Independence, women's rights, slavery & equality & a special exhibit on the Civil War.

So hard to believe these existed as late as the 50's.

The infamous Rosa Parks bus

Rosa Parks worked as a seamstress, but spent time with local civil rights groups and had training in community action from a school in Tennessee.  When she was on the Montgomery Alambama bus in 1955 and was asked to move out of her seat to make room for a white man, she gently refused and was arrested.  This led to the Montgomery bus boycott which lasted over a year and was the spark to start the Civil Rights Movement.
We also viewed the car that President Kennedy was riding in when assassinated in 1963.  The Secret Service had it rebuilt so it would better protect future presidents.

And the actual chair in which Lincoln was assassinated in 1865.

There was a train exhibit and of course lots of cars including the 1901 Ford "Sweepstakes".  Built by Henry Ford, it carried Ford to victory in the first and only race he ever drove.  That victory was a turning point for Ford because it brought him fame and financial backing for future business ventures.  It was a key step toward the founding of Ford Motor Company in June 1903.

"Sweepstakes"

And of course the Model T, a car built in 1908 and the first reliable mass-produced automobile.  Henry Ford's brilliant concept of the assembly line reduced the car's price by nearly 60% while improving its quality. Workers were required to perform 7,882 distinct tasks to assemble this car!
We only wish we'd had an extra day to also visit the adjoining Greenfield Village.

The Ford Model T

I really am on this trip, Jenny:)

Before leaving Detroit, we had to try an area rivalry for dinner.  Lafayette Coney Island & American Coney Island are hot dog joints right next to each other in the heart of downtown.  They are owned by brothers and have been in friendly competition for over 70 years.  Funny thing is, their menu & taste is practically the same!  We had to get the original (hot dog with chili, raw onions & mustard on a steamed bun) at each location & could hardly taste a difference.  We dined inside of the Lafayette and loved the atmosphere.  An old-style diner with seating at the bar so as to watch all the cooking action.  The waiters/cooks were super friendly, coming by to share riddles and tricks with the girls.

The American Coney vs. Lafayette's Coney

We ordered an even yummier combo... ground hamburger meat, chili & cheese.

Our last stop in Michigan was to our friend's cottage on a small lake in Plainwell.  We met them about 5 years ago in Cancun and have made it a point to visit each other a couple times a year ever since!
Katy & Natalie loved their sleepovers in the RV, playing games & tubing.

Lily adores Alayna & the two were inseparable... lots of nail painting, swimming & fishing.

Max & Christian

Our time here was relaxing and fun... and with two great babysitters, the four of us adults even got a date night to our favorite Indian restaurant in Michigan!
So we've now seen 3 of the 5 Great Lakes & have passed our 1 month mark... and still like each other!  On to Illinois...

Wisconsin in Review

From Minnesota we drove straight to Bayfield, Wisconsin... gateway to the Apostle Islands which sounded intriguing.  We remembered a few years ago when we visited Mackinac Island, biking around it with the most spectacular views of Lake Huron and envisioned the same experience here.  So we hopped on the 30 minute ferry with our bikes but found ourselves on a 7 mile, inland trail.  The only views of Lake Superior were as we left the ferry.  

We found a small beach and a few rocks to climb on, but probably wouldn't return to this area.  We did love the exercise, though... Alayna couldn't believe she made it 16 miles!  

We had a long stretch to our next destination (Bayfield...the northern tip of WI to Baraboo... just south of Wisconsin Dells) and it's times like this that we're reminded of the joys of traveling in your house!  As it was approaching evening we were hungry for dinner so on our way through a small town we found a vacant parking lot, pulled over, fixed tacos  & watched an I Love Lucy episode while having dinner... so cool!  Still a ways to go, we found a Walmart parking lot to sleep for the night.  Not the best view, but with the generator running & plenty of water in the tanks we are fully function-able!

Our campground near Wisconsin Dells was a fun one for the girls... they especially loved the beach area full of water activities.  

We caught the Baraboo fireworks display & while waiting for them to start, skyped Amber, Andrew & sweet little Emery.  

So did you know Wisconsin Dells is the water park capitol of the world?!?  Because water parks are one of my LEAST favorite places in the world, Jim and the girls spent a day together at Noah's Ark... "Largest Water Park in the Country".  Of course we have no photos of this since I wasn't there:)  And because the girls have been BEGGING to start school (they are SO Jim's children!) I spent the much needed day homeschool prepping.

Before moving on, we spent a morning at Devil's Lake State Park.  We chose a trail that brought us on a 45 minute steep, rocky hike that led us to a gorgeous bluff trail overlooking the lake.  

Our last destination in Wisconsin was a stark difference... from the touristy, bustling Branson-style town to a quaint, picturesque harbor town.  We stayed in Egg Harbor, about an hour northeast of Green Bay.  Occasionally we get a site without full hook-ups.  Like our campsite here, we have electricity and water, but no dump station to get rid of all the water we use on board.  This is when it ALMOST feels like camping as we have to limit our shower time (or use the on-site showers) & wash dishes in a tub outside!  But sometimes the location makes it worth it...  

One thing people told us we HAD to try while here was a "fish boil".  Apparently it's Door County's "thing".  

It's a cooking tradition that began a century ago.  Fishermen and farmers needed to provide sustenance for large groups of hungry lumbermen and settlers... and thus, the Fish Boil was born.

When you show up for dinner you place your order then are sent out-back where you watch the cooking process.

Logs were propped up the sides to help regulate the cooking temperature.

There are huge kettles of boiling water with baskets of red potatoes, onions & Lake Michigan Whitefish cooking inside.  During the cooking process, the fish oils naturally rise to the surface of the water.

  Immediately before removing the fish, potatoes and onions from the kettle, the Master Boiler carefully tosses #1 of fuel oil into the fire beneath the kettle.  The result is an intense burst of flames that forces the water and floating fish oils to "boil over" the rim of the kettle.    

Everyone claps and heads inside to enjoy their share of the yumminess.  An experience we probably wouldn't try again, but always fun to join in on the local traditions.  

Yes, it IS smothered in butter!

Only about 30 minutes to the tip of Door County, we drove out to take the ferry (with our topless jeep) to Washington Island.  We visited a beautiful Norwegian stave (church) with a wooded, peaceful prayer trail leading to it.  

We walked over 200 steps up to a lookout tower,  

And played at the Schoolhouse Beach.  The water was chilly, but the beach was unique... smooth, rounded white stones that from a distance looked like white sand.  Incredibly uncomfortable to lay out, but fun for rock skipping & building things... like Alayna's chair at the water's edge.

The girls and I couldn't leave the area without time in Egg Harbor's downtown so we spent a morning browsing through the eclectic, artsy shops & enjoying Italian sodas, gourmet popcorn & Wisconsin cheese (Alayna's favorite!). 

Our week in Wisconsin also held go-carting, the start of home school & lots of s'mores-making campfires, but all good things must come to an end & again it's time to roll...