Last Days in Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Entering the Soo Locks

Exiting the Locks 21 Ft. later

Lunch at West Pier Drive-In

I last left you in Ontanogan, MI. We were in the area for 3 nights and 2 days. We were able to see Lake of the Clouds in Porcupine Mtns., take a tour through Adventure Copper Mine, and and see great vistas of Lake Superior. The statistics of Lake Superior are staggering. It stretches 350 miles from east to west. Its average depth is 450 ft. and it is 1330 ft at its deepest. The temperature of the water is 38-42 degrees. We were told by one of our boat captains that if you took all the water out of the lake it would fill the Grand Canyon and cover the entire United States with 5 feet of water. IT IS HUGE! Recreation on the lake is mainly fishing and taking a ride in your boat if you own one. You may see a jet ski now and then but you do not see people skiing and tubing like you do in the mid-west, the water is just too cold.

We drove across the UP to Munising, MI and enjoyed taking a couple of boat tour to see 3 Shipwrecks in a glass bottom boat one day and Pictured Rocks another.

Then on up the lakeshore to Sault Ste. Marie. In the Soo, our campground Aune Borne was right on the St. Mary's River. We were able to watch the freighters come down the river. While there we took advantage of taking another boat tour which took us through the locks. What a great experience. We had watch ships go through the locks in other places but had not done it ourselves. Entering the locks you are on the lower St. Mary's River and while in the locks your vessel is raised by valves being opened at the bottom of the lock and water enters the lock raising the water level 21 feet. The gate opens and you are at the same level as the Upper St. Mary's River and you leave the locks. How Cool is that! We took in the site of a Steel Mill on the River and then proceeded through the locks on the Canadian Side back to the dock. That same day we walked the Historic Water Street, visiting some of the local shops and watching a freighter go through the locks. We took in some local restaurants that were highly recommended. One afternoon the West Pier Drive-in where we ate the BEST cheeseburger we have ever eaten. Later we were told to check out another Drive-in at the other end of town Clyde's, both were good but as for me West Pier WINS.
Here are more pictures of our adventure in the UP of Michigan.

Lake of the Clouds

Transportation to Adventure Copper Mine

View of Lake Superior

Vista of Superior

Bridal Veil Falls-Pictured Rocks, Munising, MI

Tahquamenon Falls

The Journey continues. Stay tuned.

TRIP TO THE UP OF MICHIGAN

It has been 10 days since we left Ozarks RV Resort on Table Rock Lake.  Our first day we took in our 33rd President, Harry S. Truman's  Museum in Independence, MO. 

The weekend we spent with family in De Soto, WI. Mike's cousin Vance Baker has 70 acres of Prairie in the area. We have been hearing about his place for years but this was the first opportunity for us to actually visit.  We had a great time!  Aunt Jane Baker, Ken and Marilyn Hufnagel, and Vance's son Jason, wife Kim and children Colin and Julia were there as well. We spent time catching up on family and of course eating, watching his turkeys and chickens, along with a walk or two in the prairie flowers. We stayed at Blackhawk Park a campground right along the Mississippi River. One morning we took a quiet walk beside the river.

Next Stop ~ Duluth, MN
We parked at the Lakehead Boat Basin, Waterfront RV Parking. We looked out our windshield (picture window) to see the St. Louis Bay which feeds into Lake Superior. We could see the Aerial Lift Bridge and here the freighters going through the Canal. Pretty Awesome bridge. We took in some local sights ~ Gooseberry Falls and the Split Rock Lighthouse, day two the Skyline Parkway a Scenic Byway above the city and a tour of the freighter William A. Irving.

Today we drove east to Ontonagan, MI. We are now in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We are parked in the River Road RV Park. This is a small park of 20 grass sites, with full hook-ups (for non-RVers thats electric, water and sewer), wide open sites and our site #13 has plenty of elbow room with a tree for shade. The reason we are here is to see the Porcupine Mtns. Tomorrow we will pack a lunch and take off for waterfalls, hikes, and maybe see a beach or two on Super Lake Superior.

Pictures of our adventure so far are below:

Morning walk by the Mississippi

Vance Baker

Vance's Log House

Raises 11 chickens

Vance's Tepee (His 1st home on his Prairie)

Raising turkeys this year not sure he will do it again!

Hot Tub (heated by wood fire) Colin & Julia Baker

"The Prairie"

Colin taking in the view

Gooseberry Falls

Lakehead Boat Basin

View from our Picture Window

Overlooking Duluth, MN

Aerial Lift Bridge

Enger Tower ~ Skyline Parkway

US Steels~William A. Irving Freighter

Ontonagon, MI~River Road RV

Lake Superior

Stepping Foot in Superior (84 degrees today)

MORE TO FOLLOW IN THE COMING WEEKS!

God's Roadside Beauties!

How many time does one drive or ride a familiar road 

and not see the sights along the way? 

Today as Mike drove the 11 miles to Ozark Mountain Community Church, I gazed out the window and took notice of the Arkansas Wildflowers along the road. The sides of the road were abundant with Cornflowers, Queen Anne's Lace, Purple Coneflowers and a splash of an orange flower now and again. What a beautiful sight of color swaying in the light breeze. Often times we consider what lines our road and highways as mere weeds and they should be cut to the ground. Take a serious look next time you're out on the road. 

What do you see, could there be an unsuspected surprise

 in the seemingly ordinary?

In this part of North/Northwest Arkansas, there are many fields of grasses that are grown, mowed and left on the ground to dry, and then baled into 5-6 foot round hay bales which can weigh from 900-2,000 pounds depending on the size. As we drive the roads, off in the distance are the hay fields of the Ozarks. A couple weeks ago the fields were freshly mowed and the hay is left lying on the ground to dry, not particularly a sight one would take special notice of.  But throughout the week, and once again today we have been privileged to view the labor of the farmers. From the car we gaze out and see these huge bales lying in the fields with no rime or reason, no pattern or design, there in all their beauty.  Our Heavenly Father has given us so much to see and enjoy as we travel within the places He has given us to live. Purpose to look for and see God's provision of beauty along your highways and byways.

Lunch in Savannah, GA

We had a great day in Savannah. We took the Spirit of Harbor Town Tour Ship from Hilton Head Island, SC to the city and spent our time in the city standing in line for lunch. Some may find that a waste of time but the restaurant came highly recommended. We arrived at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House about 11:30 and sat down at our table about 1:20. You may be saying WHAT! why wait that long? This small restaurant has been in business for 40 years, serving family style. There are 5 tables of 10. You enjoy the home cooked food with people from all around the country. One couple was from Russellville, AL, 2 women on there business were from Vancouver, Canada, and four women, friends since their college days at Bethany College in West Virginia. When we were seated the table was set with all we needed for a great southern lunch. Beef Stew, Fried Chicken, Barbecue, squash, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, lima beans, green beans, beets, cucumbers, greens, dressing, gravy, mixed vegetables, black-eyed peas, pork and beans, and others I have forgotten, Sweet Tea and even dessert, peach cobbler or banana pudding. Glad we had to walk back to the ship which gave us time to work off at least 20 calories.  Will be back soon with an update on our winter time in Florida.

Line for Lunch

Tables of 10