Thanks for joining me!
Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton
Home to Port Huron, MI
May 11 – Sherburne, NY to Port Huron, MI – 360 miles
After spending the night in our camper in our driveway we were underway around 7:30 am. Our route meandered westward across New York State along Route 80 then Route 20 stopping in Canandaigua to see some relatives. Then it was west toward Niagara Falls and across southern Ontario. After reaching Port Huron we traveled north along the shore of Lake Huron for a few miles to Lakeport State Park. Here we are in the rain and forty degrees. Some nights it’s nice to be able to play cards and hold up in the camper.
We still have some sorting out of things determine where they will belong for the duration of our journey but we are making progress. While in our camper we could hear a woodcock only feet from us. He has yet to do his courtship call but the bug zapper sound is familiar.
We wanted to put on a few miles today so that we could go more slowly at times. Our next commitment is to meet our friends Frits and Lynette in West Glacier, MT on May 26.
Port Huron, MI to Sleeping Bear Dunes, MI
May 12 – Traveled from near Port Huron, MI to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore along many two lane roads. Sleeping Bear Dunes along Michigan’s left coast towards the top of the mitten is a special treat. The dunes are two hundred feet high or so. Plenty of wildflowers in the woods. Stayed at a campground in the National Lakeshore that was quite and relaxing. Across the road was a couple originally from MN until they became full time RV’ers two years ago. They had a huge rig that pulled their jeep. It was a bit of a surprise to see they were traveling with four border collies.
Sleeping Bear Dunes to Picture Rocks
May 13 – After a relaxing morning we set off for the Park Headquarters where Marsha needed her busman’s holiday fix. Then we headed through Traverse City then northward to the Upper Peninsular. wanted to go through Brimley, MI where 43 years ago I stopped for the night on my cross country bicycle trip. Back then Brimley was a four corners along Michigan Rt 25 where on one corner was a country store and another a corner a bar. I stopped at the store and asked if there was a place in the area to camp and the store owner invited me to set my tent up behind the store. He mentioned that at the bar was a country and western singer and I should check it out. I did and loved what I heard. As I was finishing my beer I wrote a note to the performer, a blind woman my age. I wrote that I was out exploring the beauty of America and she was part of it. I handed the note to the bartender as I continued towards finishing my beer. Done with the beer I headed for the door. On my way out a woman caught me and asked that I stay. Her sister, the performer, wanted to meet me at her next break. After talking with her during the break she invited me to stay with her family the following week when I was riding through her town. I met the whole family. The even celebrated my birthday with me! Thus I wanted to see Brimley once again. Nether the bar nor the store are there, but they are in my mind!
We continue west and a bit north to Picture Rocks National Lakeshore. There’s still patches of snow in the woods. Tomorrow we will head west ending up in Michigan, Wisconsin, or Minnesota.
Headwaters of the Mississippi River
May 15 – Headwaters of the Mississippi in MN to Grahams Island State Park, North Dakota. Walked about on the trails near the headwaters of the Mississippi River then headed west as the land flattened and tree became less abundant. Considered buying some wild rice but this is not the time to purchase wild rice. In the Spring wild rice gets very expensive. It’s better to wait until the fall where it can be gotten for a mere 5 to 10 dollars a pound. I loved seeing the wild open flat lands of North Dakota.
Grahams Island State Park, North Dakota
May 16 – Grahams Island State Park, North Dakota (near Devils Lake) to Lake Metigoshe State Park near the Manitoba border. Today was not one of great distance. In total it was a bit more than 250 miles yet it was more north then west. Started the morning visiting Sullys Lake National Game Refuge. Although they have Elk and Bison which did not show for us we did enjoy see prairie dogs in their town. Then it was on to Clark Sayler NWR were we observed laughing gulls, yellow headed blackbirds, shovelers, and America avocets along with many others. Now we are camped at another North Dakota State Park. There are not many campers here now but from what we hear the season really gets underway this coming weekend.
Seeing North America 