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.
2011 Trip 6: Back to our favourite County...
Sandbanks PP - July 2011
Thursday...
The yearly trip to Sandbanks is one of our camping season highlights, not only for the beach but because it is our yearly trip with our long time friends, Helen & Paul, and also our yearly reunion with long time friends Geoff and Joey who live in the area. The plan is for the six of us to meet on Saturday night at a local gourmet restaurant for dinner. Turned this trip into a long weekend by taking the Thursday and Friday off work. Always a good plan as it is a bit of a drive and the extra time is nice as there is lots to do in the County.
Thursday...
The yearly trip to Sandbanks is one of our camping season highlights, not only for the beach but because it is our yearly trip with our long time friends, Helen & Paul, and also our yearly reunion with long time friends Geoff and Joey who live in the area. The plan is for the six of us to meet on Saturday night at a local gourmet restaurant for dinner. Turned this trip into a long weekend by taking the Thursday and Friday off work. Always a good plan as it is a bit of a drive and the extra time is nice as there is lots to do in the County.
2011 Trip 5: Boondocking ... well, sort of.
Rollins Pond SP, New York - July 2011
Thursday, heading out.
Going to Rollins Pond State Park, in the Adirondacks area of New York. We have heard lots about this park, and the one right beside it called Fish Creek Pond. We booked Rollins as we have been told it is quieter and less busy, with no larger motorboats allowed on the lake, perfect for us and our kayaks. Should be about a 3 1/2 hour drive, although we tend take our time and explore the towns along the way. Heading out on the Thursday, which combined with the July 1 holiday, gives us a nice 4 day break.
Thursday, heading out.
Going to Rollins Pond State Park, in the Adirondacks area of New York. We have heard lots about this park, and the one right beside it called Fish Creek Pond. We booked Rollins as we have been told it is quieter and less busy, with no larger motorboats allowed on the lake, perfect for us and our kayaks. Should be about a 3 1/2 hour drive, although we tend take our time and explore the towns along the way. Heading out on the Thursday, which combined with the July 1 holiday, gives us a nice 4 day break.
