Friday, June 19t h - it had rained all night and the rain gauge out in the flowerbed read an inch and a half of precipitation. More rain was to follow, but we pulled out of the drive at 9am anyway and headed north in the Jeep with the 2 kayaks on top and the mobile motel following closely behind us. We figured we’d let the rain stay in SE Michigan and we would find some sun up in the northern half of the state! Flint is still home to the historic Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad and it had been a long time ago and there was a lot of snow on the ground when we visited last. Most of the restored buildings are from Michigan or Ohio and from the late 1800’s. Each building has a period costumed guardian who shares his/her knowledge about that home or business they are in charge of. We attended a mock wedding, the reception that followed, enjoyed a fresh piece of apple pie that was just baked in a wood burning stove by Margaret who has been a docent in the Eldridge farmhouse for 31 years. We even sat thru a play being performed in the opera house, which is “downtown”! In the picture of the downtown buildings, you can see the steps leading up to the theater! In Frankenmuth it rained some while we were traipsing thru a craft show in the park across from Zenders Restaurant but we quickly headed to the bakery in Zender’s basement to escape the brief downpour. When our blueberry turnovers were devoured, the rain was gone and we walked across the covered bridge to see if the Bavarian Inn Hotel had changed any since our last stay there.
Birch Run Outlet Mall is just down the road from Frankenmuth and H had heard that folks could park over night for free so we found the security office and found our level spot to park for the night. H got his shopping in - Black & Decker, Coleman, a Hardware Surplus Store and a Tools Unlimited where he found a drill press at a good price. He fought the urge to purchase this better brand and chose to settle for the lesser quality one he already has at home. What determination! I also got in some shopping and was able to visit several stores – without H. He either sat on a bench and waited for me or when he tuckered out – went back to the trailer and let me shop in peace. I came back with a few trinkets for Christmas! There was more thunder, lightening and rain that night.
Saturday’s destination was Rose City and a campground across the highway from the Rifle River Recreation Area. Rose City/Lupton area has some great off roading trails that on the map are listed as roads or even “avenues” but are little more than 2 tracks or oversized ATV trails. Sometimes deep squishy sand, sometimes big rocks, sometimes overhung with branches and limbs – more than once 4-wheel drive, low range was needed and the Jeep complied! H likes to play with the downhill, go slow gear! The forest and hills are beautiful and always supply us with pleasant surprises. This time it was a hawk, a turkey, some deer and a brilliant red bird with black wings – a Scarlet Tanager!
Sunday morning –Happy Fathers Day! We pulled out and headed west, across the state to Manistee on Lake Michigan. The seasons are way behind up here – there are iris and lilac in bloom! We found the beautiful yellow sandy beach and the gentle waves on the magnificent Lake Michigan at last. There is a long cement jetty that guards the entrance to the river with a tall aging white lighthouse at the end. Tomorrow there will be more places to explore!
