A rainy day, then a blue sky biking day...

Raining on our way to Bemidji State Park, what to do?  Let's stop at Judy Garland's birthplace!  Next to the Grand Rapids Home Depot (how come Morey never got to work a project here?), we checked out her 1920s era home and in the adjacent museum, a replica of her ruby slippers from Oz.


Spent two nights at Bemidji, on a lake made by Paul Bunyon's footprint.  Then went on a 35 mile bike ride on the Paul Bunyon Bike Trail (of course) and stopped  in town for an incredible fried Walleye fish dinner.  {David, you would have loved it.}

Which Native American statue do you think is the most magnificent?

Ok, here's your chance to vote....Which of these two fine statues do you feel is the largest and best?  First is our native american from Skowhegan, NH or our Hiawatha from Ironwood, MI.

From Lake Superior to 10,000 lakes of Minnesota

In Ironwood we stop to see the world famous Hiawatha, and then  we're back on US-2, after a long absense.  Camped at a municipal park in Washburn, Wisconsin--right on the lake for a sunset view.

The following morning we took two scenic drives. The first along the "northern" coast of Wisconsin including driving through the most northern town of Cornocopia.  Next we drove through Duluth and took scenic Rt61 along the Minnesota coast of Lake Superior.  A beautiful sunny day!!


Ended our day at Jay Cooke State Park, near Carlton Minnesota.  Biked 25 miles of the 132 mile Williard Mungar paved trail.  Some great water falls and ominous rocks.

From Mackinac Island to the shores of Gitchegumee

This has been a very busy couple of days.....

Took the boat to Mackinac Island with our bikes.  Rode the 8mile island road, then to the Grand Hotel.  Before heading back, Morey had chocolate fudge icecream, YUM !!

Next set off for Tahquamenon Falls, and camped at a lovely campsite.  In the rain, we rowed to the island between the two lower falls.  The next morning we hiked six miles to the upper falls with the intent of returning by foot.  With the mud, and our desire to move on, we befriended a couple who both turned out to be social work grads from U-M; and they drove us back.

Pictured Rocks this evening on the 6pm boat tour.  Absolutely spectacular in the late afternoon sunshine.

Back at Michigan....What a great 2 days!

WOW...We arrived at the home of our dear "old" friends, Ronnie & Stu, near Ann Arbor.  This followed  parking our RV by Michigan Stadium and walking the campus and KerryTown.  Then to an Erev Rosh Hashona dinner with many of our couples club members from college days!  All doing great.  So good to see all!

Ruthie, "These were two wonderful days of exploring old roots and rich enduring friendships."

Then today, we said good by to Ann Arbor and stopped at Ruthie's home town, Saginaw and saw our Maid of Honor from our wedding, Linda, and her husband.

Again, how wonderful.

And finally up to and across the Mackinaw Bridge.  Now camping in the U.P. with a 50 ft walk to the beach where we can see the Bridge.  Tomorrow we bike from Straits State Park to the ferry to Mackinaw Island.

Blowing in the wind !!

We arrived at Maumee Bay State Park (Ohio) with the wind blowing at over 40 mph, {and we were worried about the hurricane!).  Being used to high winds from the Jersey Shore, we removed our bikes from storage at the back of the RV, and  rode the nicely paved bike trail to Lake Erie.  Nice!    Ruthie put her toes in Lake Erie and will test other Great Lakes in the coming days. Her reaction was, “it’s not the Jersey Shore!”

On the way here, we found a great farm stand set in the middle of a peach orchard.  The best peaches ever...and truly great midwest tomatoes (unlike the alleged Jersey Fresh which just don't stack up). 

Camping near Jersey Shore (PA)

We just set out this afternoon on our journey, and couldn't quite cut the cord!  So we're camping tonight in middle of nowhere Pennsylvania, near Jersey Shore. 

Bald Eagle campground is a nice place to spend our first night on the road.