Day 50

Mio, Michigan

Jun 25, 2013, 5:07 PM

Steve's plan for the day was to go to the Huron National Forest area and do some hiking and hopefully see wildlife. When we woke up this morning it was raining, so we took our time getting out the door and by the time we were ready to leave the rain had stopped. Mio was about a 45 minute drive from the campground. We had no specific location in mind so we just set the GPS to the city itself. As we were making our way to the Mio area we saw an overlook and decided to stop and take a look. The overlook was looking over the Au Sable River. It was a nice path to a deck over the river. It was really nice and we were the only ones around. There was a breeze and it was overcast so it wasn't too warm and we saw a cute little chipmunk. He was filling his little cheeks and then running off. Little did we know that was going to be the extent of our wildlife viewing for the day. 

When we got into the city there was nothing to direct us to a tourist information center or anything. I actually don't think they get a whole lot of tourists. There were canoeing, kayaking, and tubing places, but they looked like it was more for locals. We found a fish and wildlife station and they had maps and information and a nice ranger lady gave us a suggestion for a good hiking trail. By this time it was getting to be lunch time so we stopped at a local diner and had a really nice lunch then on to our hike. We were just down the street from the trail head parking lot. We got there and it was also where they put in canoes, there was plenty of parking, so we were off for our hike. We did about a two mile loop. The path was easy to walk. The ground was hard packed and most of it was flat. There were sections of the path that I don't think anyone had been on for a long time. Ferns were covering the path almost completely in places. 

I thought for sure we would see wildlife. This place was so secluded and there was NO ONE else on the trail, and do you want to know what we saw, well I can't tell you what we saw cause we saw NOTHING!!!!!!! This path was so beautiful it didn't matter that we saw no animals. There was so much fern everywhere, it looked like a primeval forest. Even though we saw no wildlife it was a perfect hike. We didn't have to dodge yelling running kids, no bikes to watch out for, no hikers at all, just us. 

When we got back to the car we were both ready to get home. Tomorrow we are going to just lay low. Steve has a few odd jobs he wants to get done, then Thursday we are on our way to the Upper Peninsula till after the 4th. I can't wait!!!!!!

Day 49

Elk Hunting

Jun 24, 2013, 10:16 AM

This morning we are in our way to see some elk. There is a town about 40 miles north of us, Gaylord, Michigan, where they have an elk herd and viewing areas around the town. I have seen elk plenty of times in zoos but never just around. I'm looking forward to this. 

Jun 24, 2013, 1:28 PM

Well it isn't quite what they claim on the website, but we did see elk. There is a viewing area at the end of this one street. I was expecting a park, oh no, there was a chain link fence at the back of the Elk's Lodge. I couldn't make this stuff up if I tried. We drove down the street that the website shows for the elk viewing area and the road ends, there is a swatch of grass a fence and a large, huge really, field. That is where the elk are free to roam. The herd is supposed to be quite extensive. Well we stood there looking, looking, looking, and nothing. We saw nothing! I got back in the car and got on the hot spot to see if there was another place to go and there was another park that had trails and stuff. So we went there. We walked almost the whole place. I think it was about 2.5 miles all totaled, I think we walked two miles. There was supposed to be a wildflower meadow trail, we went down that trail, but we didn't see many wildflowers and there was no meadow. We walked the path that went along the elk viewing area, no elk. We were batting 1000 so far. When we were walking in there was a guy coming in with a mower and Steve asked him about the elk, so when we got back to the car we decided to give his place a try. He said sometimes they can be seen in the shade at the end of this road and through a gate, whatever. I wanted to see the elk!

So we went down this road and it seemed to come to an end except for going into the public works garage area. So we gave that a try, it could be the gate mower guy was talking about. Well we were able to get right up to the fence, but still no elk. Steve stopped, he saw an elk!! We walked down to get a better look. There were four elk. They were behind a ridge and only one could be seen because he was standing. He was not too afraid of us walking closer. I was able to get some good shots. 

After we were done pestering the wild life we went to see the little alpine village that is supposed to be Gaylord. That was a bit overrated. There was a two block stretch of shops and restaurants that were in buildings fashioned like an alpine village. Not really much, so we went back to a restaurant that Steve saw that boasted home cooked turkey. So we had lunch at Gobbler's. It was very good. We had open face hot turkey sandwiches. Then home again. 

After a little while we took a drive. I wanted to maybe walk around the lake a little. Well that didn't happen. We drove out toward the lake and then put a park into the GPS, I thought for sure there would be a park with maybe a beach or a little path or something we'd be able walk around. Well we went on a wild goose chase. The GPS said we were about five miles away from the park, but then when we turned onto the road it said we had to go seven miles, ok no biggie. Then we took another turn and we had another five miles to go and this happened several times. We did find the park but it was a playground and it wasn't on the water and we never did find anyplace along the water with a beach. Don't you know the GPS took us all the way around the lake before getting back to the campground. We did find a nice boat launch so we took a few pictures, or actually I took some photos. Then back for dinner. Steve has tomorrow all planned out. So stay tuned for that. Good night all!!

Day 48

Next Stop Houghton Lake

Jun 23, 2013, 11:13 AM

Last night it rained pretty darn hard on and off for most of the evening. So we watched some TV and argued about who the actor was in a TV show we were watching. Now I'm going to put this out there to everyone. We were watching the TV show Zero Hour. I'd seen the first few episodes but for some reason, I don't know maybe it conflicted with something else, but I never watched it after that. So Anthony Edwards and another actor were on the screen. The second actor was considerably older and I've seen him in a hundred things but I don't know who he is and I can't think of what he's been in even though he's been in lots of things. You know what I mean? He's one of those talented bit actors that is never a main character but of course he's an important character to the story, then he can walk into another story and not be type casted by the previous story. Anyway, Steve says to me "who's that guy". Now of course nobody doesn't know Anthony Edwards, so of course I think he's talking about the older guy. I tell him I don't know who he is, I've seen him in so many things before but I don't know who he is. So that's where it started. He won't let it go. He keeps badgering me, "you know who he is, didn't he used to play a doctor?" We'll for the life of me I can't think of the doctor this OLDER guy used to play, but will Steve leave it alone, NO!!!!!! Will he try to look this up himself, he has an Ipad sitting on his lap just like I do, but sadly the answer to that is also NO!!!!!!!! Now he is making me crazy!!!!! Trust me when I tell you that's not a good thing. We are in very tight quarters living in an RV, we have been traveling for going on two months and he's going to make me CRAZY!!!! You are playing with fire man, playing with fire. I can't figure out who this guy is, I give up, I'm done, then he goes on about the doctor thing again and I realize he's talking about Anthony Edwards. WHAT A WHACKADOODLE!!!! He is bat crap crazy!!!!!! Who doesn't know Anthony Edwards? I am a saint for putting up with this man. Oh and then, there is always more, we are watching an old episode of Star Trek and I mention that after Star Trek you just never saw DeForest Kelley in much. Here we go again. Now he's trying to tell me DeForest Kelley was Armtimus Gordon in Wild Wld West. That was all I could take I went to bed.

Anyway enough about my crazy life with my crazy husband. This morning we are getting ready and Steve had taken the trash  to the dumpster and there were something's he'd forgotten to take. I was pretty much done with things inside so I took the last few items just so we were totally done, when I was (just saw a hot pepto bismo pink car go by -- what fun) walking to the dumpster I realized that all around were these little fuzzy things flying around. I mean everywhere. It was as if an entire field of dandy lions gone to seed had been blown at once. It was so charming. I have no idea what they were, but it was really kind of sweet. So we are again on the road and going to Houghton Lake. I am excited. We should be able to go to Mackinac Island and God only knows what all else. It is so exciting and new with all these places. I have traveled so little that it is just wonderful and I feel so lucky. I am going to be seeing the Great Lakes. That in itself is cool!!!! I could just bust with excitement, but Steve hates it when I do that, and there'd be a mess to clean up so. . .

I just told Steve I already have two large paragraphs for my blog today and of course I get a "WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING YET, WHAT THE HELL!!!!" God I love this man!!

Jun 23, 2013, 1:13 PM

We are driving along and there are so many wind turbines. It is a cool sight to see even if they really aren't moving very much. I can't imagine they are producing much electricity. They are so huge, I'm sure they cost so much to erect and just to make. The return on your investment must be going on 15 years or more. Our fiscally responsible government at work. After getting off the highway we were on a smaller road for 18 miles. Pretty much the entire distance it was just tree lined, there was the occasional house, but no major development. The trees were so beautiful, there were lots of birch trees. I just love birch trees. Hopefully I'll be able to get some nice photos. 

Settled For The Night

Jun 23, 2013, 8:04 PM

We got to the campground about 3:30 PM, we got set up and one of the first things was to get the TV channels in and figure out what channel the race was on. Poor Steve hasn't been able to watch the race forever. Since the race was only just getting started we made a quick trip to Walmart. We needed a few things. We got home Steve put the TV on outside and he started the grill. He made me a wonderful steak dinner. After dinner we made a plan for seeing some sights tomorrow. Have a good night every one!

Day 47

Michigan Bound

Jun 22, 2013, 11:59 AM

This morning we are on the move from the Columbus, Ohio area to the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. This is just a stop over on our way to the northern part of Michigan and eventually on to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It wasn't going to be much of a drive to our stop for the night so we didn't hurry this morning. It was nice, we got a good night's sleep, we woke up and at a leisurely pace we got ready to go. We are driving down the road, not more than two miles from the campground we have just left, I'm talking to Kim on the phone and Steve asks me did you see where they were doing the car wash? Well of course I hadn't. I'm on the phone with Kim! So, Akio and Geo had just walked into the house at Kim's and Steve wants to know where the car wash is so I hung up with Kim. We made a right and came into the parking lot of the Tractor Supply and there is his car wash. It's KIDS doing a fundraiser for school or church or God only knows. Well Mr. Crazy here pulls up and asks them how much to do the RV and car. Oh my gosh!!!!! What fun!!!!! The kids were having a blast washing the RV, the parents were loving it, I didn't have to do it so I was in heaven, and it took maybe, MAYBE, 30 minutes. So we made a sizable donation to the Westland High School Band Boosters and our RV is CLEAN!!!!! Yeah!!!! 

Thanks Westland Cougars, we appreciate it.

Checking E-Mail

Jun 22, 2013, 12:51 PM

WOW!! I can see I'm going to have to be generic on my blog, if that's what you want I can do that. Lets see it might look like this. . .

Leaving Ohio

On our way to Michigan 

Don't know what we are going to do there

Got the RV and car washed

See, I can do generic. I thought you might want more than that, but we have one complaining they didn't get a picture with Spanky. Well I'm sorry, it wasn't my fault you couldn't handle a zoo for the full day. Spanky was there, I got his picture at the sign. I was there with not one but two cameras, I've got the pictures to prove it. I wanted to take pictures but I wasn't going to force anybody to stay past their comfort. Then we have another one telling the poor child she is going to be thrown under the bus. I get heart breaking pleas to spare mommy. Oh my gosh, poor Geo, don't you worry sweet thing, I was kidding. 

Yeah right like I'm going to change how I do the blog. Steve is loving this, instead of me cluttering up his world with all of my crazy ramblings, saying any old thing that pops into my head, now I write them all down and send them out into the world to pester everyone else. God, my life is good!!!!! So HA HA, like it or not, the blog will continue to be my ramblings. Naa na naa na naa naa!!!!!!

Riding Along

Jun 22, 2013, 1:07 PM

So far things have been pretty uneventful. We are taking pretty much the same route we did yesterday. So all is well. I guess I should share the photos I got from Kim and Catherine of their projects. The skirt came out adorable and the wind chimes that Catherine made look so cool. Good job both of you. 

At The Campground Just In Time

Jun 22, 2013, 4:00 PM

We got to the campground and got setup just as the thunder started and the rain was soon to follow. So this is going to be a nice quiet night and I figured I'd get the next installment of the Zoos Across America Retirement Trip, starring Steve & Ruth anne Baker, out on the early side so I can be done for the night. 

Day 46

Toledo Zoo Here We Come

Jun 21, 2013, 8:55 AM

Well we are up and out early this morning. We decided to meet Scott and Debby at the Toledo Zoo.  Debby was going to try to find something we could do together that was half way between Toledo and Columbus, but no luck there so we are going to the zoo. It isn't like we mind that. I get another pin, Spanky is in the back seat, we ate breakfast at Waffle House and we are cruising down the road. The GPS is saying we should get there at around 11AM. So that's not bad. I get to just sit back and relax. I may take a few minutes and call that crazy sister of mine. She called all excited to tell me she was 98% done making her skirt yesterday and I got no pictures, no FaceTime, nothing. Then to add insult to injury, Catherine sends an e-mail saying she is done making the wind chimes. Again no photo. I gave those two girls a thrashing by e-mail, I mean come on, each night I put together a blog of pithy thoughts and a running commentary on my day and they can't send a PHOTO!!!! Whatever!!!!

Jun 21, 2013, 9:06 AM

Ooooops!!!!!!! I guess Kim tried to FaceTime me last night and I must not have gotten it. Probably not a good enough connection on the campground wifi. Sorry Kim, love ya!!!! Catherine I'm still throwing you under the bus girl!! No picture from you. I'm wound up this morning, if I was a nice person I would amend my blog, it isn't like it has been posted or anything yet, but hell no, I'm wound up this morning, SOMEBODY IS GOING DOWN!!

Jun 21, 2013, 9:21 AM

Well I have to mention a nice little story, the other day driving along we were following a truck just as he was shredding a tire. Of course there was no way to avoid all of it and we knew one chunk had come up and hit something on the RV. When we stopped at the campground Steve never did see any damage to the RV, and we never thought about the car. When we went to Walmart and we were walking back to the car Steve noticed something hanging down on the front end. So he reached up and it was some sort of a wheel well covering. It had broken and was just hanging. So he tucked it back up and we hoped that would be the end of it. NO, now you and I both know it's never that easy, am I right or am I right?! Anyway this morning when we took off, there was a dragging sound. Of course we heard it best when he was putting on the brakes.  Right away Steve realized it was that piece hanging again cause we heard it even if he wasn't applying the brakes. So we pull into Waffle Hose and damn if that thing isn't hanging. Well since it didn't stay up the last time there was no sense in trying to get it to stay this time. So we thought we'd just ignore it. Yeah, OK that didn't work well. Going down the highway we can just hear this thing just flapping. (Oh my gosh we just drove past a barn raising. How cool is that?) Back to the story, so Steve just can't take it anymore. We get off the highway and there is a Monroe service shop. So we pull in there and a really nice guy comes out to take a look. He gets under there, cuts the piece that is just hanging and send us on our way. Won't take any money, just a thank you. What a sweetie!!!!! Thanks Monroe guy, you're a doll!!

So we are back on the road, and our time is only off by ten minutes. Yippie. 

Jun 21, 2013, 10:18 AM

Mea culpa, mea culpa!!!! It seems I owe Catherine an apology too. She says she sent a photo, but I didn't get one till now. I am thinking the blames lies with the campground wifi not me, so maybe on their behalf I should apologize. Yeah, that's it!! It wasn't me, I would NEVER needlessly or callously throw someone under the bus. Boy am I glad we got that straightened out.  I'll have you know, I still haven't seen the skirt, I'm just saying!!

Toledo Zoo & Friends

Jun 21, 2013, 5:26 PM

It has been a great couple days for seeing friends. Yesterday we got to see Robert and Celeste and today we spent with Scott,  Debby, and Scott's sister Ruth Anne. Ruth Anne is a doll and Steve and I instantly liked her. We have been hearing about Scott's sister for years now. Scott and Debby always look forward to her trips to Florida. Now we understand why. She was lots of fun. We went to the Toledo Zoo. This was a nice zoo. I got the perfect pin, it just has the name of the zoo and Spanky is proudly wearing it. We saw twin baby polar bear cubs, they were young enough that they were still nursing. After an afternoon snack they rub up against the glass and we got such a good look at them. Then they ran around chasing each other, went into the water for a swim, and then they were chasing each other some more. There was a huge silverback gorilla that was sitting right up against the glass just staring at the people as much as we were staring at him. The kids there were loving that. We saw a sloth bear actually up and walking around. I have never seen a sloth bear do anything but sleep, but this one was very active! We saw monkeys and giraffes and this zoo even had a Kori Bustard bird. We like the zoo, but just like yesterday the company is what made the day special. It was so good to see Scott and Debby and it was a real pleasure to meet Ruth Anne. We did almost the entire zoo and after we went out to Outback for dinner. Poor Debby, the day had been a bit much for her and she ended up with a headache, but dinner was very good and we were able to sit and talk and catch up and it was so good to see them. 

So now we have the drive back to Columbus but that's OK cause it gives me a chance to get my blog written. When I get home I can download my pictures, which are many, pick out a few, and then post this baby.