February 15, 2009 Potterville, MI Joe's Gizzard City

What an experience! Today we went to Potterville, MI, south of Lansing, and had lunch at Joe's Gizzard City. This was featured on Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" on The Food Channel. They feature chicken gizzards, boiled and dipped in a "secret batter" that is suprisingly good. They also have chicken, boiled and dipped in the batter, that is so tender that it melts in the mouth. They also have a burger that is also dipped in the batter and then deep fat fried. People rave about it. Deserts are dipped in the batter and deep fat fried, including Oreo's cookies. If you are ever in the area, it is along I-69 south of Lansing, MI, stop by and be amazed. They even have a web site, http://www.gizzardcity.com/ Watch the video from The Food Channel from this site.

February 11, 2009 Grand Blanc, MI - It just gets better!

The planning just gets better. We posted an item on the Montana Owners Forum asking for suggestions for our trip and have gotten so many that we will maybe have to extend our journey. Not only are we getting suggestions for the Rapid City and Mt. Rushmore area, but also travels to and from there from Michigan. Every trip that we make seems like it will be the "Trip of the century" and this one is no different. How great is that? We will be traveling mid-April from Michigan, through Indianapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, Omaha to Casper, WY. From there to Rapid City for the last two weeks or so in May and then finding another way back to mid-Michigan. We are accepting gratefully any and all suggestions for this time. Also, if any of you are going to be in any of these areas when we are, we would love to see you and share a cup of coffee.

February 8, 2009 Serious planning is on

We are in the midst of planning to finally "blowing this popsicle stand." Carol's recovery from her total knee replacement is coming along well and she will be able to travel in the 5th wheel soon. We are leaving mid-April or so for an extended trip to the Mt. Rushmore area. We will travel south from Michigan through Indianapolis, IN, on to St. Louis and Kansas City, up to Omaha, then to Casper, WY and then to Rapid City, SD. That should take a couple of weeks or so. We have heard about a zoo in Omaha that has "the world's largest indoor rainforest" and a large indoor desert area, both under "bubbles". We are looking for do other things to see and do along this path. Also, interesting places to eat. Since we have no timetable for travel, we will stay a night or a week as we travel to different locations. We will probably stay two weeks in Rapid City because of so many things to see there. We just hope that there are no late spring snowstorms as we get out into the foothills of the Rockies. If so, we will just have to improve our Yahtzee game, I guess. After South Dakota, we are not sure how we will travel back to Michigan. We probably won't know until we actually do it.

January 31, 2009 Grand Blanc, MI

We have had a thief in our bird feeder. Finally caught her in the act today. You folks thought that it was easy living here, didn't you? Can't even trust that one's bird feeder could stay safe. We at least have photographic proof to show to the authorities now, eh? When we are not traveling, there is no better place to be than here!

January 28, 2009 Frankenmuth, MI

We took a very cold but sunny day and drove to Frankenmuth to see the ice and snow sculptures that were made last week at Snowfest. It has been cold enough that we believed that they would still all be standing - and they were. Thinking of our beloved Disney World and Orlando, we were pleased to see a snow sculpture of a palm tree. The creations were great and made for a very pleasant afternoon.

January 18, 2009 Grand Blanc to Manistee and Chubby Checker

WOW!!! What a day! We left home this morning after a couple of weeks of sub zero temperatures and much snow. It snowed heavy yesterday again and the roads were snow and ice covered all over. We were heading for Manistee to see Chubby Checker perform at the Little River Indian Casino tonight. The sun came out halfway through our trip, stopping the falling snow, but the temperatures stayed at about 13 through the afternoon. The ice pack is quite a way out into Lake Michigan, as is seen in the photo. The one lonely, cold gull in the pic is all that would dare be out along the beach. Chubby is only one year younger than I am but seems to have so much energy. Besides putting on a very entertaining show, he took Carol and me back to the 1950s and 60s for an hour and a half singing, not only his songs, but also songs of other singers of our era. Thank you, Chubby Checker, for the great memories. I even went onto the stage and was allowed to Twist with Chubby. I am in the center with the dark sweater. After the show, he came out into the lobby and signed autographs. Carol is standing near him in one photo. The day started out with horrible weather, the drive was long and tiring, and it all ended on a song - All in all, a wonderful day. We are so blessed!

January 10, 2009 Grand Blanc, MI "Let's do the twist!"

Next weekend we are going to Manistee, MI, the Little River Indian Casino, and seeing Chubby Checker. The show is Sunday night and we are staying at the Casino hotel Sunday and Monday nights. We have had a lot of snow (it is still snowing at this time) with more on the way. We are also looking forward to two Alberta Clippers bringing ultra cold weather this next week. ORLANDO, WE MISS YOU! It also looks like we will not be heading to Florida this winter. We are now into planning our spring trip to Mt. Rushmore and area and also to Casper, WY to see my son. There is always the possibility that we may sneak a quick trip to Orlando so that I can work one shift and be able to keep my Disney benefits for another year but who knows? Our thoughts now are into going to Manistee and seeing how Carol's knee will hold up doing the Twist (NOT).