Mackinaw City, MI 2009 MOC Great Lakes Rally

Yesterday, when we left Hartland, it was sunny and warm. The rains came during our journey north and stopped at Mackinaw City, leaving dark clouds and cool. The rains came mid-way through the Meet and Greet but a tent saved the day. Seeing old friends and meeting new ones made this a great start for the rally. Must be 24 rigs here. Today we are heading out for Mackinaw Island. I have lived in Michigan for 69 years and have never been there. Carol, although much younger of course, had not been there either so we eagerly await the journey!

Hartland, MI Bring on the Grandkids!!!

We just got back with Brianna and Dan is coming tonight with Devin, Brandon and Meagon. Last night in this area and then tomorrow morning we head to Mackinaw City. We could really begin to like this retirement living!!!

Hartland, MI Finally Set Up!

We are set up at last at Waldenwoods Campground in Hartland, MI. This is the same campground that I workamped at last year as Ranger Jim. Got here later this afternoon and it was trying to rain with the sun still shining in spots. Our grandson, Devin, is coming over tomorrow for a couple of days and his sister, Brianna is coming over Wednesday. Just heard from another son-in-law and we may have a couple of other grandkids in a couple of days. Thursday we head to Mackinaw City for a MOC Rally until Sunday. Sounds like it is going to be a good one. The campground is supposed to be right on Lake Huron with views of the Mackinaw Bridge and Mackinac Island. Then we will roam the Upper Peninsula for a while. And you thought I had it easy. This is hard work.

Grand Blanc, MI Tomorrow we start again!!!

'tis finally here! We took some supplies to the Monty today and tomorrow we hook up and move it to a campground in Hartland, MI. We will spend three nights there and then leave Thursday for Mackinaw City. We will attend a regional Montana Owners' Club rally there for three days and then continue on and tromp around the Upper Peninsula for a while. We saw some beautiful waterfalls in the west this spring and are looking forward to seeing more of them in the UP. Sunsets, waterfalls and wildlife - what a beautiful combination we will have while "Up North."

Grand Blanc, MI Getting Ready!

One and a half weeks and we are off again. We will start in Hartland, MI for a few and then to a Montana Owners Rally in Mackinaw City, MI for the long weekend. From there, we are heading to the Upper Peninsula for a while. Hope to see lots of waterfalls.

July 4, 2009 Mid-Michigan Roadside America sites

On this holiday, our kids were busy so we took a tour of some more Roadside America sites of oddities. We started out at the Dort Mall in Flint. Here we found the Muffler Man Happy Half-wit and the clown pointing out where to find the Muffler Man/Happy Half-wit. Next we went to Flushing and found the water tower with the Smiley Face on it. The tower was not where the website had stated so we asked a couple of people that were loading groceries into their car at a grocery store. They not only gave directions, they then proceeded to lead us to the location. We found it at a park on the east side of Flushing. This couple really boosted our already high opinion of Flushing. Once again I showed Carol that I would rather ask directions than drive around aimlessly. Meet the most interesting people that way! We then went to what was advertised as the "Lawn Ornament Capital", Krepps in Lennon. Never saw so many concrete and wooden lawn ornaments in one place before. WOW!!! Lastly, but not leastly, we went to Okemos, near Lansing. Here we had lunch and the Travelers Restaurant and Tuba Museum. This was located in a neighborhood with some stores and many homes. Inside was a small bar/restaurant/Tuba Museum. Dozens of Tubas were attached to the walls and we were told that the owner sometimes walks around the restaurant playing his tuba, mostly at birthday parties or just whenever he feels like it and has the time. We had some delicious Nachos Grande that was advertised for 2 but could have easily fed more. Really good food on top of a very interesting decor. We WILL return! That was our Fourth, so far. How was yours?