On Saturday we were all on our own, so we to Port Austin to the Farmers Market. It was pretty typical and we didn't find anything we couldn't live without! We then took a drive around town and stopped at a little public beach. Of course I had to go wade in Lake Huron! The water was really warm and clear. After dinner we went all sat outside and we started getting to know a few more people!
Sunday morning we toured the Point Aux Barques Lighthouse. It was a good climb to the top but because it is still in operation you can't go all the way to the top! In the afternoon all 50 of us were invited to one of our "hosts" home for dinner. This rally had 4 host couples. Joe and Ardis have 10 acres of which about half are landscaped beautifully! We had a great dinner, tons of food, sat with and met some more of the group! It was a fun evening.
On Monday morning we toured the Point Harbor Beach Lighthouse with Jerry and Hessie Smith, Louisiana chapter members. You have to take a boat out to it, about a mile. It is a much shorter lighthouse and bigger around with several floors of rooms. It was a hardship back when it was built because the keeper had to row out to it and also row over to a buoy which he had to keep lit. In the lighthouse they used an interesting pulley system to keep it going! One of the volunteers had been tricked as a kid into shining the brass rail, got paid to do it while 20 years Coast Guard and now for free again as a volunteer! We decided to have lunch at the Port Hope Hotel, home of the famous Leroy Burger. We had singles which weren't too big but the double was one huge patty! They were good and we didnt have to think about dinner!
Tuesday was a pancake breakfast with the group. After eating we went back up to Port Austin to the hardware store and gift shop. Dinner was at a restaurant with the whole group. The restaurant had not had such a large group before so it was interesting, but got to know a few more Michigan people!
Wednesday morning was egg taco breakfast. For lunch all the ladies toured an Octagon barn and the 1920's Purdy House. They are also in the process of making a village! We had tea in the house and everything was delightful. Instead of the normal tea sandwiches they used a banana split dish with yellow squash for bananas, scoops of crab, macaroni and chicken salads for ice cream topped with cherry tomatoes! We had strawberry soup and Swedish cream with raspberries for dessert! One lady showed the aprons her grandmother made and a couple of ladies did some skits! It was great fun!
Today we had to go to a laundromat. We need a sewer line to do from our coach. Most of our campgrounds will not have those so thought we should do that. We tried to visit a museum in Harbor Beach but it was closed so we went to lunch!
Tomorrow we will drive up to Sault (pronounced soo) Saint Marie to begin the rolling rally!
Hoping to have better Internet soon..."Ain't Life Grand!"
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Made it to Michigan!
We made it to Port Huron, Michigan on Thursday afternoon! We were camped just a couple of miles from the bridge to Canada! We had to get some errands done and then we met up with two other "Travel Supreme" couples. One from Louisiana chapter and one from the Michigan chapter! We knew one couple already.
Friday morning our caravan of three RV's headed north on the Lake Huron coastal highway. You only get a view of the lake every once in awhile, but there are also beautiful homes to see! We stopped for a picnic lunch and had a beautiful view of the lake. It looks more like an ocean because you can't see the other side! Where we had lunch, it is approximately 65 miles across to the other side! It's huge!
We are in the "thumb of Michigan near Port Hope. We have the best campsite in the Lighthouse County Park Campground. We are one of the few with 50 amp service and the best view of the lake! By Sunday there will be 25 RV's. Most are The brand Travel Supreme while a few are SOB's (some other brand)! We will be here a week and have a lot of activities planned.
The lighthouse is the Point Aux Barques Lighthouse, one of the oldest and most powerful on Lake Huron's shores. Originally built in 1847 it had to be rebuilt in 1857. It was electrified in 1932 and automated in 1934. It is an important navigatioal aid and it's white light shines 18 miles out over the lake. The lake is low and even more hazardous than usual with the shallow waters.
We went to dinner with a group of 20 last night and then to the 122 year old Grindstone General Store for ice cream. If you got the cone they were gigantic! Today we went in to Port Austin to the Farmers Market and then drove around the small town. They had a small beach area that was practically deserted and so I went down and put my feet in Lake Huron! The water was warm and very clear. It was in the high 80's today but felt a bit muggy. Tonight we are having a bonfire, it will probably still be in the low 80's lol!
We are mostly roaming here so don't have data capability so no pictures, but I'll post some when I can!
Enjoying the lake..."Ain't Life Grand!"
Friday morning our caravan of three RV's headed north on the Lake Huron coastal highway. You only get a view of the lake every once in awhile, but there are also beautiful homes to see! We stopped for a picnic lunch and had a beautiful view of the lake. It looks more like an ocean because you can't see the other side! Where we had lunch, it is approximately 65 miles across to the other side! It's huge!
We are in the "thumb of Michigan near Port Hope. We have the best campsite in the Lighthouse County Park Campground. We are one of the few with 50 amp service and the best view of the lake! By Sunday there will be 25 RV's. Most are The brand Travel Supreme while a few are SOB's (some other brand)! We will be here a week and have a lot of activities planned.
The lighthouse is the Point Aux Barques Lighthouse, one of the oldest and most powerful on Lake Huron's shores. Originally built in 1847 it had to be rebuilt in 1857. It was electrified in 1932 and automated in 1934. It is an important navigatioal aid and it's white light shines 18 miles out over the lake. The lake is low and even more hazardous than usual with the shallow waters.
We went to dinner with a group of 20 last night and then to the 122 year old Grindstone General Store for ice cream. If you got the cone they were gigantic! Today we went in to Port Austin to the Farmers Market and then drove around the small town. They had a small beach area that was practically deserted and so I went down and put my feet in Lake Huron! The water was warm and very clear. It was in the high 80's today but felt a bit muggy. Tonight we are having a bonfire, it will probably still be in the low 80's lol!
We are mostly roaming here so don't have data capability so no pictures, but I'll post some when I can!
Enjoying the lake..."Ain't Life Grand!"
Thursday, July 12, 2012
We are all fixed up and rolling again!
When we arrived at Camping World our shocks had arrived but not the air conditioner parts. They finally came in the afternoon and they got to us at 2:30 p.m. One of the Camping World employees even asked if we needed time cards! It's pretty bad when they start to recognize you! Meanwhile we went to lunch and then I went and got a pedicure, and boy did that feel nice!
They finished with us at 5:00 and we got on the road. We headed north and made up to a small town of Garrett which is about 10 miles north of Ft. Wayne. We made it about 8 p.m. It still staying light out until almost 10:00!
We woke up to 65 degrees this mining...nice! We are only about 30 miles from Michigan which we hope to make this morning. We should get to Port Huron tonight!
Getting on the road again..."Ain't Life Grand!"
They finished with us at 5:00 and we got on the road. We headed north and made up to a small town of Garrett which is about 10 miles north of Ft. Wayne. We made it about 8 p.m. It still staying light out until almost 10:00!
We woke up to 65 degrees this mining...nice! We are only about 30 miles from Michigan which we hope to make this morning. We should get to Port Huron tonight!
Getting on the road again..."Ain't Life Grand!"
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
RV service update!
On Monday we pulled into Camping World early. They got us right in so they could work on the air conditioner. Our main air conditioner has a heat pump in it and the part that makes it go from heat pump to air conditioner was "broken" and it was stuck on heat pump! Of course, THAT part would have to be ordered! In addition, we had ordered six shocks and the factory sent us their last four and had a distributor send the other two. Of course, ONLY four showed up!
So they changed the air conditioner so at least it was stuck on air conditioning and not heat pump and they put on the new bearing and three shocks on one side. This means we go back on Wednesday because as we have found out when you order RV parts...overnight means two days! Of course we have to pay for the overnight shipping price! They also found another bracket that was broken underneath and welded it together for us. We will probably need to keep an eye on that one and maybe get it replaced down the road.
We went back to the campground. The temperature on Tuesday was mid 90's but at least we have the two airs running since we really don't need a heat pump right now! We decided to go to the movies and went to see Men in Black 3. We were both entertained by the movie which is very much like 1 and 2! These guys also decided to go to the movies and were hanging out in the parking lot:
On Sunday night I took this picture from the campground, it was an amazing sunset:
We have to get going and get ready to head over to Camping World now, wish us luck!
Hoping to get everything fixed today..."Ain't Life Grand!"
So they changed the air conditioner so at least it was stuck on air conditioning and not heat pump and they put on the new bearing and three shocks on one side. This means we go back on Wednesday because as we have found out when you order RV parts...overnight means two days! Of course we have to pay for the overnight shipping price! They also found another bracket that was broken underneath and welded it together for us. We will probably need to keep an eye on that one and maybe get it replaced down the road.
We went back to the campground. The temperature on Tuesday was mid 90's but at least we have the two airs running since we really don't need a heat pump right now! We decided to go to the movies and went to see Men in Black 3. We were both entertained by the movie which is very much like 1 and 2! These guys also decided to go to the movies and were hanging out in the parking lot:
On Sunday night I took this picture from the campground, it was an amazing sunset:
We have to get going and get ready to head over to Camping World now, wish us luck!
Hoping to get everything fixed today..."Ain't Life Grand!"
Sunday, July 8, 2012
Is it really starting to cool down????
On Saturday we went to the movies and saw Prometheus. The movie kept us entertained and I think they will be making another movie the way it ended! After the movie we took a ride through downtown Indianapolis. Its a pretty big city and lots of tall buildings. It was too hot to get out and look at any thing (mid 100's) so we drove around. We saw the Hall of Champions, Victory Field, Lucus Oil Stadium (home of the Colts and the XLVI Super Bowl), White River and the Canal and more.
After our strenuous sightseeing, we stopped in a Famous Dave's for dinner. I remembered the ribs were good when I had them in Fresno but last night they were just okay!
It was really hot yesterday and was still over 90 degrees at 11 p.m. Today started off warm but got very cloudy this afternoon and stayed in the mid 80's, a relief from the 100's! We have heard thunder and are watching the weather. There are storms north and south of us, but no rain yet! It is 9:00 p.m. and is 83 degrees outside. At least our air conditioner is able to keep up with these temperatures and I actually was able to cook dinner!
Tomorrow we will go back to Camping World early and hope they will fix/replace the air conditioner, put on new shocks and a new bearing. We have plans to be up in Michigan on July 13th so we still have a few days to make sure everything gets done!
Hoping it continues to cool down..."Ain't Life Grand!"
After our strenuous sightseeing, we stopped in a Famous Dave's for dinner. I remembered the ribs were good when I had them in Fresno but last night they were just okay!
It was really hot yesterday and was still over 90 degrees at 11 p.m. Today started off warm but got very cloudy this afternoon and stayed in the mid 80's, a relief from the 100's! We have heard thunder and are watching the weather. There are storms north and south of us, but no rain yet! It is 9:00 p.m. and is 83 degrees outside. At least our air conditioner is able to keep up with these temperatures and I actually was able to cook dinner!
Tomorrow we will go back to Camping World early and hope they will fix/replace the air conditioner, put on new shocks and a new bearing. We have plans to be up in Michigan on July 13th so we still have a few days to make sure everything gets done!
Hoping it continues to cool down..."Ain't Life Grand!"
Friday, July 6, 2012
Sizzling in Indianapolis
On Tuesday morning we left Illinois and headed for Indianapolis, Indiana. We were going to Camping World to see about one of our sealed bearings and new shocks for the RV. We made it over without any trouble. I called my contact at Camping World and he gave us the name of a campground that wasn't too far from them. He said they wouldn't have time to look at the rig that afternoon afterall so we should come in Thursday morning after the 4th.
I had not been able to do laundry for awhile so got that caught up and then we starting having trouble with the 50 amp electrical connection. It was really hot out so we finally changed outlets with the space next to us since it was empty! It's hard to run two air conditioners on less than 50 amps but that worked and we were okay the rest of the evening.
On Thursday we got over to Camping World early. They took the RV in to see what needed to be ordered. We took off for breakfast at Cracker Barrel! We got back and started the waiting game. Late in the day they had ordered the new bearing and six new shocks! Yikes everything was a lot more than we expected but what can you do????
They pulled us out back to the parking area where they have installed 50 amp electric outlets on the light poles! We got the last available space at the very end of the lot. It was over 100 degrees out so we plugged in and started the air conditioners. The main circuit breaker popped so I put the refrigerator on gas. Tried again and popped the main circuit breaker again. Next I turned off one of the air conditioners (kept on the one that cools our living room). It's circuit popped so I switched to the kitchen air conditioner and tried again. This time it stayed on but I noticed it smelled like the furnace was on and it was over 90 degrees inside. I tried the front air conditioner again but couldn't keep the circuit breaker from popping. Camping World was closed (it's like 8:00 p.m.) so I called the campground. At first we thought we were only going to be able to stay until Saturday but when we checked in this morning they moved things around and said we could stay until Monday morning. We only have one air conditioner going and it took awhile but we cooled down and calmed down about 10 p.m. last night.
First thing this morning I called Camping World and they should have a compressor, thermostat or new air conditioner in stock so he said Monday was still good for us to come over. Our extended warranty insurance should cover all but our $200 deductible.
It got a little warm inside this afternoon, about 86 but since it was over 100 outside, you just step out and come back in and it seems cool. We pretty much just sat so we'd stay cool! We finally decided to go to see a movie. We were going to see Prometheus but they changed the time so we saw Brave instead! It was a cute movie. Tonight was dinner at Bob Evans. Didn't want to heat up the place by using the oven!
Making it through the hot weather..."Ain't Life Grand!" (I probably wouldn't have said that yesterday!)
I had not been able to do laundry for awhile so got that caught up and then we starting having trouble with the 50 amp electrical connection. It was really hot out so we finally changed outlets with the space next to us since it was empty! It's hard to run two air conditioners on less than 50 amps but that worked and we were okay the rest of the evening.
On Thursday we got over to Camping World early. They took the RV in to see what needed to be ordered. We took off for breakfast at Cracker Barrel! We got back and started the waiting game. Late in the day they had ordered the new bearing and six new shocks! Yikes everything was a lot more than we expected but what can you do????
They pulled us out back to the parking area where they have installed 50 amp electric outlets on the light poles! We got the last available space at the very end of the lot. It was over 100 degrees out so we plugged in and started the air conditioners. The main circuit breaker popped so I put the refrigerator on gas. Tried again and popped the main circuit breaker again. Next I turned off one of the air conditioners (kept on the one that cools our living room). It's circuit popped so I switched to the kitchen air conditioner and tried again. This time it stayed on but I noticed it smelled like the furnace was on and it was over 90 degrees inside. I tried the front air conditioner again but couldn't keep the circuit breaker from popping. Camping World was closed (it's like 8:00 p.m.) so I called the campground. At first we thought we were only going to be able to stay until Saturday but when we checked in this morning they moved things around and said we could stay until Monday morning. We only have one air conditioner going and it took awhile but we cooled down and calmed down about 10 p.m. last night.
First thing this morning I called Camping World and they should have a compressor, thermostat or new air conditioner in stock so he said Monday was still good for us to come over. Our extended warranty insurance should cover all but our $200 deductible.
It got a little warm inside this afternoon, about 86 but since it was over 100 outside, you just step out and come back in and it seems cool. We pretty much just sat so we'd stay cool! We finally decided to go to see a movie. We were going to see Prometheus but they changed the time so we saw Brave instead! It was a cute movie. Tonight was dinner at Bob Evans. Didn't want to heat up the place by using the oven!
Making it through the hot weather..."Ain't Life Grand!" (I probably wouldn't have said that yesterday!)
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Visiting the Bosch/Bean families!
We arrived in Pesotum, Illinois last Thursday. Driving down the road to Todd and Shawna's house we see a big tall guy walking down the road. It's about 100 but there was a little breeze! It was Todd! Crazy guy. He had walked four miles for exercise! Guess they get used to this weather...not me!
Shawna is Ted's second cousin. They have a lovely big old farmhouse with a couple of barns, surrounded by corn fields belonging to Todd's family. Todd has 30 amp power out next to the driveway so we just pulled on in and made ourselves at home!
Ted noticed as we set up that the middle axle didn't look right so he got underneath and found a broken bracket that holds the leaf spring. We got set up, talked to Todd awhile and then I started calling and we finally found a place close by. The guy actually came by on his way home to make sure they could fix it for us and said they could take us on Friday!
So Friday morning we packed up and got over to the shop and I must add that poor Ted is doing all of this in 90 degrees (at 8:00 a.m.) and probably 90% humidity! But we did it and it got fixed. They did tell us that we needed to replace the shocks and that we have oil leaking from a sealed bearing...obviously not good!
After we dropped off the RV went over to Shawna's Dad and Mom's (Bill and Suzy) and they took us to Cracker Barrel in Champaign for breakfast. We had a good visit with them before going over to pick up the RV.
Friday night we had dinner with Todd, Shawna, Stephen (their youngest son), his wife Kara and baby Sophia at the Mexican Restaurant! The baby is only 4 months old and so sweet and pretty!
Saturday Ted and I did some shopping at Coldwater Creek and then took a drive to Arcola, a small town close by. Shawna had mentioned that the "Wall Dogs" had painted murals on the walls in the town. I looked them up on line and they are a group of artists that go to towns, primarily in Illinois and the surrounding areas. They will paint murals based on the towns history and the type of business. They were really good but I forgot to take any pictures! We went on to Arthur, a small Amish town to have lunch but they were having their 4th of July parade down Main Street and we decided it was too crowded! Finally went home and had a sandwich!
The Friday night group met again for dinner on Saturday night at a local bar and grill. They have hamburgers and steaks and we had another good dinner. We took a drive after dinner around the area.
We met Shawna and Todd for breakfast after church on Sunday and then visited Bill and Suzy again. We went with Shawn and Todd to his parents house for fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and jello cake. Their family is really large so it was a small group of 20!!!! We had a nice afternoon visiting with Todd's family!
Yesterday we made plans to travel to Indianapolis to get the RV shocks and the sealed bearing repaired. Its a little over 100 miles and we hope the bearing holds! We did a little more shopping at the outlet and then went for pizza at Monicle's (an Illinois favorite) with Todd, Shawna, their two sons and wives and Bill and Suzy Bean. We had a nice dinner and said our good byes!
Watching the family grow..."Ain't Life Grand!"
Shawna is Ted's second cousin. They have a lovely big old farmhouse with a couple of barns, surrounded by corn fields belonging to Todd's family. Todd has 30 amp power out next to the driveway so we just pulled on in and made ourselves at home!
Ted noticed as we set up that the middle axle didn't look right so he got underneath and found a broken bracket that holds the leaf spring. We got set up, talked to Todd awhile and then I started calling and we finally found a place close by. The guy actually came by on his way home to make sure they could fix it for us and said they could take us on Friday!
So Friday morning we packed up and got over to the shop and I must add that poor Ted is doing all of this in 90 degrees (at 8:00 a.m.) and probably 90% humidity! But we did it and it got fixed. They did tell us that we needed to replace the shocks and that we have oil leaking from a sealed bearing...obviously not good!
After we dropped off the RV went over to Shawna's Dad and Mom's (Bill and Suzy) and they took us to Cracker Barrel in Champaign for breakfast. We had a good visit with them before going over to pick up the RV.
Friday night we had dinner with Todd, Shawna, Stephen (their youngest son), his wife Kara and baby Sophia at the Mexican Restaurant! The baby is only 4 months old and so sweet and pretty!
Saturday Ted and I did some shopping at Coldwater Creek and then took a drive to Arcola, a small town close by. Shawna had mentioned that the "Wall Dogs" had painted murals on the walls in the town. I looked them up on line and they are a group of artists that go to towns, primarily in Illinois and the surrounding areas. They will paint murals based on the towns history and the type of business. They were really good but I forgot to take any pictures! We went on to Arthur, a small Amish town to have lunch but they were having their 4th of July parade down Main Street and we decided it was too crowded! Finally went home and had a sandwich!
The Friday night group met again for dinner on Saturday night at a local bar and grill. They have hamburgers and steaks and we had another good dinner. We took a drive after dinner around the area.
We met Shawna and Todd for breakfast after church on Sunday and then visited Bill and Suzy again. We went with Shawn and Todd to his parents house for fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and jello cake. Their family is really large so it was a small group of 20!!!! We had a nice afternoon visiting with Todd's family!
Yesterday we made plans to travel to Indianapolis to get the RV shocks and the sealed bearing repaired. Its a little over 100 miles and we hope the bearing holds! We did a little more shopping at the outlet and then went for pizza at Monicle's (an Illinois favorite) with Todd, Shawna, their two sons and wives and Bill and Suzy Bean. We had a nice dinner and said our good byes!
Watching the family grow..."Ain't Life Grand!"
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