Summer trip, 2022, from Michigan to Montana and return. June 6 until July 23.

Entry one, June 6 to 13th, travel from Grand Rapids Michigan to Ludington and continuing to Wisconsin.
 

In order to save time in the morning when entering the Badger ferry  (Leaves at 9:00 AM) at Ludington we stayed overnight at Ponchos Pond RV in Ludington. (A very neat and well cared for park).  It was raining on the way  coming in the afternoon, but by the time we set up the rain had diminished. That campground is only eight minutes from the ferry so that saved us a lot of time in the morning. We arrived about an hour before loading time and that was still at the end of the line of about 20 cars and trailers. We parked the trailer where they told us to as they do the loading. Actually we received a $150.00 rebate as we had entered too many feet for the trailer. There is a lift to get up to the main deck so that made walking a little easier.

The trip across the lake was smooth as there were no waves of any consequence.  It takes about 4 hours.  We spent our time reading, watching for birds, sharing with others and walking about.

 

Karla one of three sniffing dogs (ammo, etc)

Loading the SS Badger at Ludington

Our first night at Poncho's Pond  (Ludington, MI)

 After  embarking in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, we stopped at a grocery store, picked up a few things, and headed toward Waupaca, and  S’more Fun Campground. Two great gals were very helpful. It was very spacious and accommodating and we set up easily.
It is probably good to mention that with the gas prices a bit  over $5 our first thing full tank right around $95.  The second Night for supper we had burgers on the grill, Ruth style. We did see a Bald Eagle and a few other birds all although we weren’t really looking for  many.

The third Day was another short trip to Woodruff, Wisconsin driving on Route 51 almost all the way to up near the Michigan border. We stopped at Walgreen’s  on the way for some items. Traffic was light, and moved along well as it was Friday with people heading for cottages and lakes. This campground had some pretty tight sites so we had to be extra careful backing in.  (Trees, roots, loose cement) That evening we had a taco salad for supper and we made our favorite traveling companion …marshmallow krispy bars. We keep them in the truck, handy at all times.
 

Ruth cooks burgers the first stop in WI

The crew secures the Badger in Manitowac WI

 

 

 

Ruth gets a out the window shot of a 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                       Bald Eagle exiting.

 On Day four we headed for Superior Wisconsin where we will stay three nights. This was all on Route US #2, This was a campground we stayed in before called Northland just out side of Superior.  It is run by Cindy and Mike.  Most Campgrounds use a credit card but this one is all cash and the owners are selling and  retiring after this year. (Cindy has non treatable cancer.) There’re lots of birds in the campground and in the evening I saw nine birds. We made a couple of stops in town, looking for a bolt that we needed to hang things and in the evening for supper it  was “Eddie's World Famous Ribs” that was nearby and we stopped there for Whitefish and a dessert of  Creme Brulé. During this time Ruth's grandnephew Caleb, and his team won enough games to be in the semi finals of the state championship of Division II, Michigan high school baseball. They play Goodrich next weekend.

Sunday, June 12 was the fifth Day of our trip still at Superior Wisconsin.. We spent today traveling to Wisconsin Point  via Moccasin Mike’s Rd.  The day was windy and cool especially near the water it was. Not many people about even though it was Sunday. When the wind blows off the Lake (Superior) from the northeast and it is in the 50’s, it is bitter. It was a good day for Bald Eagles as we saw 15 Bald Eagles that day. It was very windy on Wisconsin  Point and we did not stay very long. Later we found two waterfall sites nearby one named Omnicom State Park with the waterfalls of the same name and the other was at Pattison State Park the falls are called Big and Little Manitou Falls. There were many up and downhill paths. We tried putting that bolt in at the trailer , but found out it ended up being just a little bit short. We'll try again tomorrow
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Campsite in Bemidji MN

Omnicon Falls near Superior WI

Wisconsn Point Lighhouse  near Superior WI

 On Day six we awoke in the morning with a very very heavy rain for about a half an hour to 45 minutes after which it stopped and even though it's still windy it's drier. It was a good time to get some things at the store stop it a hardware to get another bolt (which worked well), fill up with gasoline at $4.79, Attempted to fill up propane king but the worker wasn't there so we'll do it later in the day. It seemed strange being in the trailer most f the day, but we did get some things done.I got nt blog started, and Ruth did the bookkeeping.

On the home front two our friends and family volunteered to pick and freeze Strawberries for us as we will miss them next week when they start to pick. Deb and Steve May will buy two lugs for me , and  Margaret will pick two lugs for me, and freeze them for later. That will be enough for the strawberry combinations we make. Strawberry, Cherry/Berry, Rhubarb/ Strawberry, and perhaps some more “Strawberry Amaretto”?

Tomorrow we head for Bemidji MN.  It is still suppose to be cool, but if it is decent we will get some birding in at Big Bog, Bemidji State Park and even Itaska State Park  (The headwaters of the Mississippi River). I will get a few photos posted when we get some Wi Fi.

Final entry in this post.

We left Superior WI  on day 7, with the temp still at 43F, and as we cross the St Louis Estuary and River the fog rolled in off Lake Superior.  Because the Lake angles toward the towns of Duluth and Superior,  any NE wind lowers the temperature greatly.  Last evening the surrounding 20-30 miles away from the lake had temps in the 60’s (F). As we moved away from the Lake, and away from the fog, the temps increased and of course the fog finally lifted.  Passing through Grand Rapids MN, was interesting and there is also two other towns named as in Michigan… Saginaw and Sand Lake. This is definitely a fishing, hunting, vacationing area of the north. (More on the lakes and aboriginal tribes tomorrow.)

We arrived,  and after setting up, decided after 7 days it was time to do a washing of the clothes. We did so, as the three washer  laundry was unoccupied.  A brief rain shower fell before supper, but we have wi-fi, hence this post will be posted!

Tomorrow we willl aim for “Big Bog” Recreation and Wildlife area