So we head home this morning, the very last day of our Alto Vacation. On the road by 9:00, shaping up to be a good driving day. Stopped for gas in Deep River, as it is always a good idea to head out on a full tank. As we were finishing up with the gas, a man walked over and tapped on my window. He saw the Alto and was very curious.
2011 Vacation Day 15 - Friday: Our last official vacation day...
Today we head in the direction of home, with an overnight stop about half way at Driftwood Provincial Park. Got packed up and were on the road by 9:00. We decided to stop briefly at Killarney Outfitters, where we rented the kayaks yesterday, and quickly grab some wi-fi.
2011 Vacation Day 14 - Thursday: Out for a paddle...
Overcast this morning, but at least it is not raining. The kayaks we rented should be on the beach by 8:30, so we are having breakfast, gathering up our paddling gear, then heading for the beach. Sure enough, the kayaks were there waiting. We got squared away then headed out.
2011 Vacation Day 13 - Wednesday: Killarney Provincial Park...granite everywhere
Rained most of last night, at times heavy. Up and out relatively early, stopped for gas and were on the road by 8:30. Light rain all the way, low heavy clouds make for a seriously dull day. Good for driving though. About an hour to Sudbury, then took the bypass to connect to Hwy 69, then Hwy 637. From the turn onto 637, it is still 60klm to Killarney, through a pretty knarly landscape.
2011 Vacation Day 12 - Tuesday: Great swimming hole, but a tad cool...
Leaving Pancake Bay this morning, heading towards Killarney. We are stopping at The Chutes provincial park in Massey, probably 2/3 of the way to Killarney. Don't know what to expect of this park, but it is on a river and has some nice looking falls. The winds were high on the lake last night, and the breakers were crashing loudly against the shore. It was really neat to listen to during the night.
2011 Vacation Day 11 - Monday: Total R & R
Got a little cool last night, but we were snug under our duvet and the heat pump did its job nicely. Serious relaxation planned today. Between driving and exploring, a day of doing nothing is in order. Coffee, easy breakfast, and lounging are the morning activities.
2011 Vacation Day 10 - Sunday: Pancake Bay on Lake Superior, a spectacular bay...
On the road by 8:30. Rain is just starting to fall, and the clouds in the direction we are heading look pretty black. Nice road, going through a number of little towns, just how we like to travel. Just this side of Petrosky, the skies opened up real heavy, really heavy. Traffic was light and we were able to slow down. It got so bad, that when I spotted a little auto garage, I swung right in and stopped. We sat there for a good 20 minutes while the rain just pounded.
2011 Vacation Day 9 - Saturday: Traversing Traverse City...
Today is an explore Traverse City day. So glad we tacked on another day here, as the dunes tour ate up most of yesterday. We do love exploring new places, all the different stuff to see.. people, shops, restaurants. Snagged a primo parking spot right downtown by the old cinema. A couple of guys were out putting up the new marquee letters, so we chatted with them a while. They are resisting the change to an electronic sign because they figure it would take away from the character of the old movie house... how right they are!
2011 Vacation Day 8 - Friday: Dunes & sand, more dunes and sand...
Another great day ahead. Weather calls for it to be a nice day, so we are heading to Sleepy Bear Dunes. Better to explore on a good day, rather than a rainy day. Took us about 1/2 hour to get there. Stopped at the National Park visitor centre, to pick up a pass and a map of the area.
2011 Vacation Day 7 - Thursday: Up the U.P.
Packed up and headed up the Upper Peninsula for Traverse City. We are booked there for 3 nights in the State Park. We had been booked for 2 nights, but we called and extended an extra night, as we figure between exploring Sleepy Bear Dunes and the city itself, we will need the extra night. Took Hwy 31 the whole way, about 165 miles north from Holland. Nice road, working its way mostly along the coast.
2011 Vacation Day 6 - Wednesday: Herman Miller day...
Up early, got the coffee going and a bite to eat for breakfast. Headed over to the comfort station to have a shower. As you are now well aware if you have been reading this blog, one of my ways to rate a campground is based on how they handle the comfort station. This one is just fine. What I refer to as indestructable. Very similar to how Ontario Parks has set theirs up.
2011 Vacation Day 5 - Tuesday: Such a pretty town... Holland
This morning we headed out for Holland State Park in Holland MI. Our main destination is Saugatuk, but there are no campgrounds around there to stay at. Holland is only a short distance above, so it will work out fine as a starting point. Holland is a Dutch town, found by immigrants from the Netherlands and their architecture and ambiance is Dutch. An easy drive, which took us about 3 1/2 hours.
2011 Trip 8 - Vacation: Michigan Royal Oak / Upper Penninsula / Lake Superior - Aug 2011
Day 1,2,3,4
Headed out on vacation Friday morning. We are driving to Toronto, actually Brampton, to attend the wedding of Dale's cousin's daughter. Took Hwy 7, then cut above the 401 to catch the 407. Smooth trip, not much traffic. Arrived at the hotel, got changed, then went to the wedding. It was held at a golf course in Brampton, and the ceremony was outside. It was a really nice setting for a lovely wedding. Great funny speeches, a great time for Dale to catch up with her cousins.
Saturday morning we headed to see my cousin in Burlington, before travelling to Michigan to visit my brother and family for a few days. As always, had a great visit there, lots of conversations, laughs and of course food and drink. Got caught up on all the news here.
Headed out on vacation Friday morning. We are driving to Toronto, actually Brampton, to attend the wedding of Dale's cousin's daughter. Took Hwy 7, then cut above the 401 to catch the 407. Smooth trip, not much traffic. Arrived at the hotel, got changed, then went to the wedding. It was held at a golf course in Brampton, and the ceremony was outside. It was a really nice setting for a lovely wedding. Great funny speeches, a great time for Dale to catch up with her cousins.
Saturday morning we headed to see my cousin in Burlington, before travelling to Michigan to visit my brother and family for a few days. As always, had a great visit there, lots of conversations, laughs and of course food and drink. Got caught up on all the news here.
2011 Trip 7: An amazing stretch of river...
Deep River - July 2011
Friday...
Another long weekend, gotta love em. Heading to Deep River this trip, as we will be seeing our friends Mark & Donna. They rent a cottage there every year, on a great stretch of the Ottawa River, boasting numerous huge tracks of white sandy beaches. Traffic really heavy, though not unexpected. We can see some storm clouds off in the direction we are heading, hopefully nothing too severe. Finally pulled into our campsite around 8:30, a slow trip.
Friday...
Another long weekend, gotta love em. Heading to Deep River this trip, as we will be seeing our friends Mark & Donna. They rent a cottage there every year, on a great stretch of the Ottawa River, boasting numerous huge tracks of white sandy beaches. Traffic really heavy, though not unexpected. We can see some storm clouds off in the direction we are heading, hopefully nothing too severe. Finally pulled into our campsite around 8:30, a slow trip.
