Our trip to Michigan

Day 1. Aug. 1, 2014    We met at Kroger in Marysville and took off close to 8:00

We rode 400 miles I lead most of the way.  We stop near Baldwin, MI at Whispering Oaks campsite, very nice.  Had some guys next to us that were a bit noisy but no big deal.  We ate at restaurant next to campsite.  All u can eat fish and chips we both got Pollock, was a cute place with the daughter being the only waitress and the small place was packed.   Pictures of our first camp sight.

Day 2.    Next morning walked back to same restaurant  for breakfast.  Come back, loaded up camp  and leave by 9:20. Cathy leads today, we travel about 244 miles and stay at Wilderness State Park, cost us each 22$.  

We went through the tunnel of trees, awesome, on Rt. 119, and then we ate at Legs Inn, at Cross Village, in the garden, beautiful. Right on the coast of lake Michigan.

We were talking to some people and they thought we would have a hard time finding a place to camp and we could not get any signal on our phones, so I go to the host desk and they help me call WSP.  This guy that answered acted like he only had 2 openings for tent camping and we better get over there fast if we want a spot. So we had to hurry out of the restaurant rather then slowly leaving and getting pictures, I got two of the garden where we ate. 

Our second camp sight was a very busy place with a family surrounding us having their family reunion.   A very friendly bunch with much advice. 

We had a system when we get to a gas station one would go in right away and use the facilities and the other would pump, that way our bike were not left alone. 

Day3  I lead this morning, we leave early from the Wilderness State Park  sight and go to Mackinaw city for breakfast.  Then back on the bike to do Mackinaw bridge, wow I was nervous.  It didn't help that I almost got ran into when i pulled out of my parking spot with a van blocking my view.  I almost dropped my bike but held on tight.  So the nerves were really bad,  I had heard stories of how scary it is with the bridge being grated and wind coming up through.  Well that is only the fast lane, so we were good.  Great experience!

 Then took Rt. 2 around the coast  in the Upper Peninsula and did a loop.  We stopped at the Tahquamenon Falls  and walked around viewed the falls and got a drink. 

 We stopped at a few light houses, this was the first one and was free to go up into the tower.  

 Cathy eating some wild blue berries.

 We had lunch in Paradise and had a pasty for the first time in my life at a cute little restaurant that was so busy they had a hard time handling all the people. We ended up driving to Sault Saint Marie along the coast,  Advised by our waitress,  then to Walmart to get some supplies. It is clouding up. We travel the S. Mackinac Trails to get to St Ignace.  The Reddman sleepy Hollow campground was on a dirt road so we turned around and found hotel,stayed at the Pine motel due to the fact we rode thru rain. We ate next door at a gas station for supper. 

Day 4  Our hotel supplied breakfast ( a sandwich next door at the gas station).  Cathy leading, we take off around 8:00 cross back over the bridge in very foggy weather and got on23 south and traveled along the coast seeing a couple of light houses.  This one was a ghost light house because the light comes on once in a while even though there is no electricity connected to it.  We met a very nice lady that told us the whole story about it.

We come inland to get gas. We came in to Lincoln got gas and then for lunch we did Backwoods Bristo very good food even though it took a long time to get it.  

We were told that there is road work on 23, byanice talkative lady,( who was there with another lady that 102 yrs. old) in the restaurant advised us to take 72 over to 65 but another older man said we could take 30.  The lady said it was gravel and the man said no that has been paved for years, and it was curvy. So we took his advise.  Well we travel along and then all of a sudden the road is gravel.  Cathy stopped and asked should we turn around I thought we could drive through. Wish we had turned around, but we took off and then next thing I see Cathy fishtailing big time and then down.  I get there and two men behind me get there before I can get off the bike.  Cathy is up but has a bloody knee and pain.  The guys pickup the bike and move it up on to the other side of the road. The road has a huge curve and is slanted way up with a lot of loose gravel.  Cathy climbs back on after turning the engine a few times we head into town.  Glenna, they have no medical places but thought there was one in Hale, was closed so we went to Tawas hospital and she got 5 stitches.   After she picked up a script at pharmacy we ride for an hour or so.  End up at an econo lodge in Midland, MI.

Day 5  Woke up to rain, loaded up as it lightened up and left around 8:30.  Road the slab all the way to Findley to make it home at a descent time.  Good to be home, was a great trip !!