Date: 8 August 2001 (Wednesday)
Start: Lakeshore Park CG, St Ignace MI
End: Lake Park Trailer Resort, Fennville MI (299 miles)
The temperature was 73f when we got up; it was less humid but still sticky.
We knew this would be a long day; the previous day, record high temperatures were set along our route and the forecast called for no substantial changes.
So we rose early, did our underway preparations quickly, hooked up, and left by 7:30am.
We were soon on the Big Mac bridge, enjoying the view. We took a new route down the lower peninsula this year – I-75, US-27, M-55, US-131, I-196. This took us more inland and somewhat less direct, but avoided all the time lost in the smaller towns along the Lake Michigan coast. It was certainly less scenic than the coast route.
The upper part of the lower peninsula was extremely dry. Every plant was brown – even the ferns. The trees still had some green in them. The early hour left the temperatures reasonable in this area.
Below Reed City, the grasses were greener and dry spots were localized. It looked as though showers had gone through some areas, but left others dry. The temperatures warmed up considerably.
We refueled at Big Rapids and headed on, now with the air conditioning on. Near and around Grand Rapids, the traffic became insane, as usual. But we made the turn we needed without mishap and continued to the Lake Michigan shore. The temperature was flat out hot – the heat index was well over 100f.
The truck ran reasonably through all this. The engine ran warmer than suited me, but it was within normal limits. I think I need to check the flow rate generated by the coolant pump.
The transmission temperature was about 170f most of the day, as high as I want it to go. If it gets any higher than that, I plan on changing the fluid earlier than normal.
We pulled into the same campground we stayed in last May when we were in this area. They’ve made some nice upgrades since we were last here. The place looks really nice.
We set up the trailer in a site directly across (inland) from the office on the lake; there’s only one row of RV’s between the trailer and the lake. One path down to the lake starts at the office, we’ll have to use it in the morning to do some hiking. The beach looks nice this year; the water is higher than last year but not too high.
Then we started the family part of this stop. We stopped at my brother John’s and his wife Nancy’s place and chatted for a while. Then over to Mom’s place and talked with her; I did a few things she wanted done. In the running around, we saw a wild turkey along the road.
Then to the store for some items for us and some potato salad for the picnic dinner at John & Nancy’s (outdoors overlooking the pool, grilled chicken, corn-on-the-cob from the garden, the potato salad and beer for the guys, wine for the girls). It was so peaceful and quiet, even if it was still a little warm.
John gave us the packages we’d sent from Alaska and some things for Dolores from Agnes’ estate.
Then we went back to the little house by the lake. We went through all the various gift items and decided which goes where, and made up packages for tomorrow. Those things going home with us were re-stored.
Now we’re laid back with a glass of something, reflecting on the trip. It was wonderful, everything we hoped it would be. We certainly left reasons to do it again – we didn’t come close to doing everything we could have done.
We’ve traveled 16,400 miles since we left Manassas on the 5th of May, and have 600 remaining to get home. We set foot in sixteen states and four Canadian provinces. We’ve enjoyed seeing relatives we haven’t seen in a while, and those we see fairly regularly. We made a few new friends and learned an awful lot about our northern states and Canada.
The next few days will be hectic, filled with events leading to and including the wedding. Then we’ll have to bolt for home so D can return to NVCC when required.
Thus, we’ve come to the end of these notes. Best wishes to all.
Owen & Dolores Carlson
