HOLLAND, MI

From Ionia we went to Holland, MI which is known for it's Tulip Festival in the Sring. While there we toured a Dutch windmill and watched dancers perform a Dutch dance in their wooden shoes. I asked if the shoes were comfortable and was told they wear from 5 to 10 pairs of socks to make them tolerable. I only knew that they looked mighty uncomfortable.

We spent the night of Aug 21st in a delightful Corps of Engineers park at Coralville Lake, IA. Right on the water. Golden Age passport applied so it only cost us $8.

Tonight finds us at Offutt AFB Famcamp just outside Omaha, NE where we spent the next couple days.

Leaving NE we headed north towards South Dakota. Did not realize we were going to be in IA again. We traveled this part of out trip using our new GPS Microsoft Streets and Trips. Ia has been the most expensive of the states so far for diesel.

We are currently in Mitchell South Dakota. Diesel fuel here is (only ?) $3.19. The end of our truly great 2 month "vacation" is upon us At this time next week we will be working at the Custer State Park Vistor Center. One of the reasons we stay here at RonDees RV Park is that not only is it a Passport America park, it has good free wi-fi. In fact this year there are 5 unsecured networks available. Well, it keeps us busy and out of trouble.

ANOTHER RALLY

It must be catching because we soon found ourselves heading north agin into MI for yet another Chapter 6 rally. We really enjoy this group. Before going there however, we stopped in Van Wert, OH to visit long time friends and North Ranch neighbors, Joe & Jan Tenpenny. Spent a pleasant 3 days there. No pictures though.

The Chapter 6 rally was held in Ionia, MI about 20 miles from Grand Rapids. We "adopted" another daughter there which was great because she is also a friend of many years now-Donna Holcomb. We are becoming a big family now. Besides our 3 natural kids we have another 4 daughters and 3 sons.

The tour here was of the Frederic Meier's Gardens. I have added a couple pictures here of a beautiful flower & unusual tree.

MAKINAC ISLAND

Had a long way to travel today so we set out around 10 AM. After all, it was 54 miles from Sault St Marie to St. Ignace, MI. We were in the campground by noon. Knew it would be expensive in the area and then we stayed at a KOA. You know what that means-keep on adding. We had wi-fi though.

In the PM we took a boat ride over to Mackinac Island. No motorized vehicles allowed there. Once you hit the town there is only 3 ways to sightsee. Walk, bicycle or take a horse drawn buggy tour. We opted for the latter. After seeing a movie starring Christopher Reeves in the 80's I had always wanted to see the Grand Hotel. Well, the picture you see is the closest we got. They charge a $12 admission fee just to get on the grounds. There is no doubt that it is beautiful though. Had a great day and then left the next morning.

Dwayn has always wanted to cross the Mackinac Bridge. Such stories we had heard! Winds blowing cars off it into the waters below and that if your were afraid they would provide a driver to get you across. What a build-up. To us it was just another bridge although quite long.

From this point on we just headed direct to CT where we had a pleasent week long visit with family. Currently we are at Dwayn's cousin Winfield's house. The two were together a lot when boys and almost inseperable as teens. Winfield married (follow this) Dwayn's brother Dale's wife's sister. Have great hook-ups including wi-fi. We leave tomorrow starting our trek back west. The end is coming up but we have had a great couple months.

Next entry may not even be made until we get back to Custer State Park. Maybe earlier.

LONG TIME

It has been quite some time since we were last online. After leaving the Da Yoopers Toutist Trap we continued on to Sault St Marie, Mich. We stayed at the Kawadin casino there and with the player's card you get 2 nights free, electric only. Our buddy Dan was with us there. That afternoon we went to town and took a boat tour of the locks. Interesting going through them. You are going from Lake Huron into Lake Superior and the difference is 31 ft. The huge barges use this all the time. I knew they are big but never imagined how really big they are. Wow!

The following morning we took a ride to Sault St Marie, Ontario. Just to say we had been there. I had a pasta dish for lunch and when I took a bite,it was fishy. Those you you who know me know I do not eat fish or seafood. Got curious and tasted the small piece of meat (?). Not meat!! Dwayn said it was anchovies and they are to him about the strongest fish there is. The young waitress replaced my pasta with what I thought I had ordered and it was much better. Dwayn & Dan Clifton kept laughing at me and the faces I made.

In the early PM we said a farewell to Dan and got him on his way back to southern MI. We then decided to go back to the locks to watch one of the barges go through. At least there was some shade there as it was miserably hot. If I had thought a barge was big before, it was super apparent standing within 20 feet of one. After a refreshing ice cream we headed back to the rig.