Sept 26 - Marquette and Pictured Rocks Boat Ride

We decided to drive about 44 miles west  to Marquette, MI to ride their Iron Heritage bike trail. Was worth the drive. We ride about 16 miles along Lake Superior. 

Our first stop was at the recreated iron furnace. 

Rode to Presque Isle where we turned around. 


A stop at a brewery in town before packing up the bikes to drive back to Otter Lake Campground. 




After our bike ride, we dropped the boys off at the RV to take naps and we drove back into town for our Pictured Rocks boat ride to see the colorful sandstone cliffs. The name Pictured Rocks comes from the streaks of mineral stain decorating the face of the cliffs. 

September 25-Otter Lake Campground, Munising

Drove across Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula. 

The drive was scenic with mostly trees, which are beginning to change color. 

Once we got to Otter Lake Campground and setup, we drove to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. We hiked to Miners Falls and Miners Castle. 

Tomorrow we are driving to Marquette to ride bikes and then a boat ride to view Pictured Rocks from the Lake Superior. 

September 24 - Mackinac Island

Although it’s a gray day with the possibility of rain, we still decided to take the ferry across to Mackinac Island. Since there are no cars allowed on the island, we had hoped to take our e-bikes but at this time no bikes with a throttle are allowed so we just planned to walk around the island. 

The ferry boat was a little rocky over the water but no one got sick 😁. Water would splash up on the side of the boat from time to time. It’s about a 20-minute ride to the Shepler Docks. 

Once we arrived, we got our bearings and decided to see the fort first, following Ashley Cummings’ recommendations. 

Once we climbed to the top of the fort, the view of Lake Huron and Mackinac was impressive. 

The fort is an 18th-century fort and fur trading village, reconstructed based on historic maps. We walked around the fort and through the buildings, reading about the history. 

From the fort, we hiked to Arch Rock, another recommendation from Ashley. It was a nice walk through woods and the botanical garden. 

Arch Rock was formed over thousands of years by wind and water. It rises 146’ above the water and spans 50’ at its widest. 

Walking back towards town, it started to rain a little. We passed beautiful large houses, hotels and bed and breakfasts. 

We decided to eat at Michigan’s most historic  tavern, the Mustang Lounge. We ate soup on the porch and had a few beers. We met a young couple from Chicago and enjoyed talking about where we and they have traveled. 

Since it was still raining, we decided to take the ferry back to our RV. 

Tomorrow we drive to the Upper Peninsula. 

September 23 - Anniversary and Biking

The drive north toward Mackinaw City was sparsely populated and very little traffic. We were lucky to get a  campsite at Wilderness State Park right along Lake Michigan. The park is well maintained and about 11 miles from Mackinaw City where we need to catch the ferry to Mackinac Island. 

We drove into Mackinaw City to check out the ferry and to stop at a brewery. There is only one ferry running now because tourist season is over and the ferry stops around October 30. 

A stop at Rusted Spoke Brewery before going back to the campsite. 

Our campground has lots of hike opportunities so we took the bikes on a 12-mile ride along Lake Michigan. 

Yes Lenny and Banjo were with us. 

Sunset over the lake was beautiful. 

It gets chilly here at night plus there isn’t much ambient light so this spot is one of the dark sky areas to see the stars shining brightly.   

We are on the west end of the eastern time zone so it’s dark in the mornings till about 7:15. Good sleeping. 

September 21-22 — Fan Tail Farm

Fan Tail Farm in Bezonia, MI, was our next stop. They give wagon rides and sleigh rides. Another peaceful stop about 30 minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. 

First day here we took a scenic drive around and through the park. Stopped at Lake Michigan so Lenny could play in the sand. 

Stopped at the dunes. High hill of sand. No

Our second day here we got the bikes out and rode about 28 miles on the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail. This was our first ride with Lennyband Banjo in their baskets. Lenny kept his head out watching where we were going the whole time. Banjo slept. We were glad they liked to ride because we really enjoy our new e-bikes. 

It rained a little on us as we were getting back to the truck. But it was still a good ride. 

Tomorrow we are going to Wilderness State Park to stay for a few days so we can explore Mackinac Island. 

September 20 - National Park and Ceresco, MI

We left the Ohio and drove west and a little north to stop at River Raisin National Battlefield Park in Monroe MI. River Raisin interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath. This was the greatest defeat for the US. 

Unfortunately when we arrived they were doing work around the buildings so we couldn’t walk around. I was able to get my stamp though. Even though it was a quick stop, the website left me wanting to stop back to learn more … maybe on the way back. 

On to our next stay at a Boondockers Welcome site - River Getaway. 

we crossed the bridge over the Kalamazoo River. 

When we stopped for gas close to our destination, we noticed the truck battery had died. Still not sure why but we jumped the truck with Ida’s battery. Made it to River Getaway. It so happened that the owner, Dave was a retired mechanic. He hooked the truck’s battery to his charger. 

River Getaway is exactly that…a get place to getaway to rest and relax along the Kalamazoo River. 

A very peaceful spot to read, too Lenny and Banjo could wander around. Everyone was happy. 

September 19 - Medina, OH

First day on the road was a little rocky. We couldn’t find the Boondockers Welcome place we thought we were going to stay. BUT serendipitously we found a wonderful spot. We turned into this farm where we thought was the correct place. The owner came out and told us we weren’t where we were supposed to be but she would be happy to host us for the night. Theresa runs a horse farm in Medina, Ohio , plus she sells flowers to a florist. What a great find. 

After setting up, we drove to the Cuyahoga National Park. This park is a short distance away from urban areas but you feel loke world away. There are lots of biking and hiking trails along the Cuyahoga River and the Ohio Erie Canal with lots of native plants. 

When we found our way back to where we parked the RV, our host invited us to sit around her spacious campfire and watch the moonrise. Beautiful evening. 

Theresa’s dahlias are blooming and smiling. 

Next stop on our Michigan exploration is near Battle Creek.