July 21 Wilderness State Park, Mackinow MI
Last night, we lay in bed and watch and amazing display of lightning and listened to the thunder…not much rain though. It was still drizzling a bit in the morning when we left, but it soon cleared.
Last night, we lay in bed and watch and amazing display of lightning and listened to the thunder…not much rain though. It was still drizzling a bit in the morning when we left, but it soon cleared.
Headed north and first stop of the day was at Cheboygan, where we waited as a bridge lifted up to let a boat through. We wandered around the town, which seemed to have quite a few empty shops, and seemed to be struggling to survive. When we went to Walmart for supplies, realized that the town centre had shifted about a mile south, and as is happening in many towns, the big chain stores are putting the death knell on traditional business.
Our next stop was an historic water saw mill…a tourist operation, but very well done. The demonstration of the mill operating was great, then wandered around the bush tracks, and past a very picturesque mill pond. They have introduced several other activities within the complex, such as rock climbing, and flying fox…but we didn’t bother!
Into Mackinaw which is a popular tourist centre, with a street full of hotels, the main attraction being the base for the ferries across to Mackinac Island. It is also the southern end of the Mackinac bridge, a 5 mile suspension bridge across the channel between lakes Huron and Michigan. The bridge looks amazing…looking forward to going over it tomorrow afternoon.
We found a car wash that could take RV’s, took a bit to work out what to do, but got it sorted, and it worked a treat….and Ruakiwi looks much cleaner.
Headed west to Wilderness State park, turned out to be a delightful spot on the shores of Michigan. Met two very friendly and welcoming couples who were camping near by…Ross and Kathy, and Al and Susie…all retired teachers. Ended up having a drink and chatting with them. They have been coming up to this park every summer for over 40 years from Fort Wayne in Indiana. This really makes our holiday…meeting locals and finding out about the best places and things to do.
Our next stop was an historic water saw mill…a tourist operation, but very well done. The demonstration of the mill operating was great, then wandered around the bush tracks, and past a very picturesque mill pond. They have introduced several other activities within the complex, such as rock climbing, and flying fox…but we didn’t bother!
Into Mackinaw which is a popular tourist centre, with a street full of hotels, the main attraction being the base for the ferries across to Mackinac Island. It is also the southern end of the Mackinac bridge, a 5 mile suspension bridge across the channel between lakes Huron and Michigan. The bridge looks amazing…looking forward to going over it tomorrow afternoon.
We found a car wash that could take RV’s, took a bit to work out what to do, but got it sorted, and it worked a treat….and Ruakiwi looks much cleaner.
Headed west to Wilderness State park, turned out to be a delightful spot on the shores of Michigan. Met two very friendly and welcoming couples who were camping near by…Ross and Kathy, and Al and Susie…all retired teachers. Ended up having a drink and chatting with them. They have been coming up to this park every summer for over 40 years from Fort Wayne in Indiana. This really makes our holiday…meeting locals and finding out about the best places and things to do.
A bit more light rain tonight, the weather had been pretty good, but not real clear summer days. Everyone is saying that it is a colder summer.
Comments