Day 28, Friday, September 30: Michigan City Park, ND to Old Settlers Park in Burlington, ND

We left by 8am as we had errands to run: post office and wait for pick up on the jack replacement that was getting shipped to an rv dealership in Minot.  David installed it because the dealership said they didn’t have time and were already overbooked.  He installed it in the parking lot of Home Depot in Minot.  We thought about asking to park overnight there but in the end decided a small rv park (Old settlers park in Burlington, ND) would be better…although near rr tracks which follow route 2 up here.

 

Linner at Qdoba and drove the half hour to Old Settlers Park arriving around 6pm and booked in a no electric site (just didn’t plug in) for $15.  The frost proof spigots were on but the shower/bathroom was locked (not a problem for us)…glad I only did the $15.  We are the only one here and its perfectly fine little park.  Sites are spaced well enough and there are 12 rv sites/lots of tent sites and 3 pull through sites.  We did nab one of those.  I really did want free but there were none to be had closer to Minot but even west more towards Williston…just nothing.

 

I know some train will come by tonight just because!

Day 27, Thursday, Sept 29:  Michigan City Campground

 

We decided to hang out one more day/night in this small town campground.  Windy weather was a small factor but we will have tomorrow. Also the replacement hydraulic jack is not due until tomorrow in Minot; we will pick it up at an rv dealer who does not have time to install it…

The other camper that was here last night left.  We had the place to ourselves until 5pm.  A nice crisp autumn day. We relaxed and enjoyed the sunny day.

 

Did I mention that the width on these sites is narrow…as in no slides and still close.  So slides make it tricky.  We have site #2 and Mali is using site#1 as her play area.  Someone came in set up in site #3 and 4…not sure if they have slides yet but they are in two sites.  If someone else comes in they will most likely have to move or the newbie will go in Mali’s play area if not too large.  Our 30 footer fit just fine in all with room for jeep in front.  We will leave a donation of course!

Day 26, Weds, Sept 28:  Winnie Dam Campground/MN to Michigan City Park, ND

 

We didn’t leave until around 9:30 after dumping tanks at Winnie dam and tying up the malfunctioning hydraulic jack with a dog leash/bungie. Stop for gas, quick walmart.  OH, and Home Depot because the dog leash set up for the hydraulic jack is still letting the jack down a bit.  Rachet strap to the rescue but at $10 for a 4 pack, this girl doesn’t have a lot of faith in that!  Hopefully Friday we will have the replacement jack in Minot ND.

 

Our actual drive today was about 4 hours but with stops, it took us until 4:30pm to arrive in Michigan City, ND.

 

Rachet strap was letting down the hydraulic jack a bit…

 

Been travelling on route 2 since western UP of Michigan…a road less travelling than say route 80!  Not bad.  It had been WINDY periodically so David is having to fight the blowing around.

 

Michigan City (north Dakota) campground is a small 4 site campground pretty much surrounded by a gold course.  There are camping spots for tents as well.

Day 25, Tues, Sept 27: Winnie Dam COE Campground

Quiet campground in habited by fisherfolk and other strays like us and annoying squirrels driving Mali nuts.

 

Make a fire to get rid of some wood and clean out back of jeep.  High 30’s this morning at wake up.

 

Went to check out and use the showers here.  NOPE…for a cold morning the squirty/airy nozzle doesn’t work for me.  Took them in rv instead

 

Campfire afternoon.

 

David was chatting with a fellow camper that told him about winter fishing!  Apparently they make better-insulated motorhomes that the avid fisherfolk drive out onto the lakes (lots of them in MN) with 20+ inches of ice.  They have a special ports (fishing hole) in the bottom and you can get a sleeve so that there is the ice hole/sleeve to protect and keep your rv toasty while you fish from your rv.  There are often MANY rv’s out on the ice during the winter season.  Also saw at walmart cars with plugs to keep them from freezing up…the great soon-to-be white freezing north.

Day 24, Mon, Sept 26:  Floodwood Campground to Winnie Dam COE campground

A quiet night was had by all.  The meowing cat could have been drowned out by the fan beside my head…wasn’t having it wake me up.  It did arrive and begin singing again in the morning and proceeded to drive Mali crazy.

 

Stop today at walmart to see if they have the steak I like ....NO!  Maybe not going to find it out here.

 

Having an issure with our hydraulics on one jack.  When we travel one of the jacks is slowly going down but not to the ground.  Phone calls to the manufacturer, Entegra, etc.  Trying to find out where to have part shipped to as we travel west AND stop for pick up at Amazon hubs AND general post office with both of those wanting to pick up items by a weeks time…looking like Minot. Amazon hubs used to be a month but I get why no store wants to hold onto that for any length of time.  Hopefully we have it figured out AND the part is shipped promptly AND the warranty paperwork is done correctly…relying on too many people that might drop the ball. David can tie up the jack when we move next to prevent it from actually deciding to hit the ground while driving…cannot imagine that noise!

 

Took time to get cans/jars out of basement so that when COLDER below freezing temps arrive (31 degrees tonight)…nothing freezes. Now in house cabinets and under bed.  Toiletries are on their own in the basement.

 

Walk around Winnie Dam Campground.

Day 23, Sunday,Sept 25:  Walmart Ironwood Michigan to Ashland Wisconsin Walmart

A quiet night was had by all….the store was closed.  Not sure if any of them are 24 hour anymore? 

 

Our drive today was to be a short one but we did laundry in Ashland, WI.  We were going to ask and hopefully stay at that walmart but we decided to press onward.  It was WINDY driving…getting pushed to and fro.  We ended up in Floodwood MN in a 9 site town campground.  Okay for an overnight stay but a bit tight for a class A.  We did find a site to fit us and wriggle into.  Did not  use the bathhouse just the electric/30amp.  Was glad to get off the road because it was so windy.

There is annoying, meowing cat here. SURELY HOPE it doesn’t intend to meow all night…

Day 22, Saturday, Sept 24:  Twelve Mile beach Campground in Pictured Lakes National Lakeshore to Walmart Ironwood, Michigan

Left Twelve Mile beach around 7:45am.

First stop was Munising Tourist Park to dump tanks and get water $8.  Tractor Supply in Marquette to fill 20 lb. propane and top off our inboard propane tank.

 

After AuTrain (heading west) there are a couple of well treed “Scenic Areas” where we could MAYBE get away with a “go in/go dark” just before sunset.

 Day 22, Saturday, Sept 24:  Twelve Mile beach Campground in Pictured Lakes National Lakeshore to Walmart Ironwood, Michigan

Left Twelve Mile beach around 7:45am.

First stop was Munising Tourist Park to dump tanks and get water $8.  Tractor Supply in Marquette to fill 20 lb. propane and top off our inboard propane tank.

 

After AuTrain (heading west) there are a couple of well treed “Scenic Areas” where we could MAYBE get away with a “go in/go dark” just before sunset.

 

Walgreens in Marquette to pick up rx.

 

GAS!  $$$$$

 

Walmart in Ironwood Michigan is our overnight parking spot for the night.  A rainy gray day…arrived at Walmart around 3pm with a time zone change…losing 1 hour.  We did some shopping…twice!Walgreens in Marquette to pick up rx.

 

Day 21, Fri, Sept 23:  Twelve Mile beach Campground in Pictured Lakes National Lakeshore.

Last full day as bugging out one day early. 

 

Went to town of Grand Marais to get cell service to get prescription goof up by walgreens fixed (their goof) so I could pick up tomorrow. Fingers crossed.  Talk to family.

 

Its make a fire day…to use up SOME of the wood we have and because it is not windy today.  Spend day outside because it is sunny and reasonably cool…49!

Day 20, Thurs, Sept 22:  Twelve Mile beach Campground in Pictured Lakes National Lakeshore.

 

The wind kept coming last night and is still raging this morning…but calming slightly.

Went to town again this morning…about 20 minutes away/never clocked it…Grand Marais.  WIFI time.

 

Walking those 10,000 steps…or at least aim for it.

Day 19, Weds, Sept 21: Twelve Mile beach Campground in Pictured Lakes National Lakeshore.

 

A very windy day…white caps on Lake Superior…a slight shake in the Entegra.

 

We wondered weather we saw northern lights last night (2am) but in the end we think it was more lightening off in the distance because we later heard thunder very far away.  Other than a strip of clouds on horizon it was a clear, starry night.

 

Each days brings as many as 20 backpackers that go through the campground.  They are hiking the north country trail which extends over 4000 miles from Vermont to North Dakota? (it follows lakes to some degree thus the mileage).  These are mostly not hardened hard core hikers travelling 10 or 20 miles per day.  There is a reservation system that you must participate in to stay at one of the backpacking campsites. The beauty of those sites is that they are close together… from POINT .9 miles to 4.4 miles to the next backcountry campsite (primitive).  THIS makes it accessible to MANY people.  We saw all shapes, sizes, ages of people walking this trail.  I saw an elderly but fit lady by herself…which greatly impressed me.  A safe trail with lots of people on it throughout the day…go girl!  With Michigans MANY MANY national forest campgrounds, its easy to get outside here.  DUNES? Yep they have them too to play in with your OHV.   WHO KNEW?  Michigan!

 

Walked the two mile White Birch Trail that started and finished in the campground.  David lied and told me it was 1 mile…it was the longest 1 mile I’ve ever done until I got to the end and it was 2 miles….pretty though.  Collected some birch bark from down trees for fire starting.  Skinny trails here/single file and LOTS of ferns covering trail so that you can only see about 20 feet ahead of you.  The clue that tells you where to go is the trampled down path…with waist high ferns.  MANY mushrooms that I wish I knew if they were edible or not.

 

Siesta.

 

It was really windy today so we took a ride to Grand Marais (our go to place because it’s the closest town and rather charming in its own way).  We caught up on emails, phone chats, etc.  Decided last minute to try the food truck in town Iron Fox?.  David got chicken ranch sandwich and I got Whitefish dinner.  $41 ouch but okay I didn’t want to cook.  It was a good meal.  We rarely eat out….

Day 18, Tues, Sept 20:  Twelve Mile beach Campground in Pictured Lakes National Lakeshore.

 

Took a ride to Grand Marais again today…David forgot to download some streaming entertainment…so he nabbed 4 movies…good or bad.  I made lists of Laundromats near our destinations and sanidumps.com listings for dumping our tanks.  Found an Amazon hub (LOVE THEM) for getting parcels delivered and held for me.  Chatting with family. Some more driving tours. 

 

I took nap in afternoon and David went off to walk the lighthouse trail…no dogs…boo!

 

Bad afternoon/evening of Sable flies so I did a short walk in campground and short beach time with Mali…although they seemed to not be bad at beach…a bit more wind down there.

Day 17, Monday Sept 19: Twelve Mile Beach Campground at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

 

Drive to Grand Marais for $1 long showers!  Whoopie and get cell service!  Food shopping in the little store attached to hardware store. If I had to, I could make that little store work for a week.  Chilly day today…which I appreciated!

 

Since we have so much firewood and today was windy enough, we made and afternoon fire to chat by. David also ran around and got some left over firewood in the morning.

 

Beach time after dinner with Mali.

Day 16, Sunday, Sept 18: Twelve Mile Beach Campground at Pictured Lakes National Lakeshore

 

Before we travelled through the Upper Peninsula and parts of the mainland last year, I thought Michigan was mostly just “Detroit”…says this New York girl.  In reality it is an outdoorsmens paradise…many state and national forests, dunes for playing in.  The north country gets like 200 inches of snow between December and April 1…snowmobile haven!

 

Walking this morning.  Drive to Grand Marais to get cell service and catch up with Family (Grandkids).

 

Some beach time for Mali and us…until she went a little too far away.

 

Stable flies still a bit annoying today…so no hanging around ouside but walking.  They bother Mali girl also.

Day 15, Saturday, Sept 17: Picture Rocks National Lakeshore/Twelve mile beach campground

 

We are finding turnover at this campground is abundant.  Most people only stay a couple of days (? No showers or drive 20 minutes for one?, no electric?, no dump?)  The host has no full hook up or even electric!, no golf cart but not many duties either and only 20 hours of “work”. 

 

We continue to be the only Class A here and no fifth wheels either!

 

Weather still not conducive for northern lights….

 

Drove to check out the Hurricane campground (not for us…we are too big) but saw that the day use part of it would be great for Mali swimming.  We later went back and threw sticks for her.  The grassy area just above the beach was perfect for her post swim rollings.  The water got too deep for her fast so we could not throw sticks far but she had a great time and got some of her jiggles out. Brought her back to campground to dry out well.

 

We learned about Stable flies…when the breeze is from inland as opposed to the water, they arrive and bite…bug repellents do not work well or at all.  This was learned when we went down, down, down to the beach after dinner to run Mali…even she was bothered by them.  Our trip to the water was brief…darn flies.  I MAY think about going in tomorrow….but it is much colder than I would normally tolerate.  Air Temps are in mid 70’s during day and low 60’s when it cools down at 3am.  Venturing guess at water temp…60?

 

The people next to us and us are the only ones staying longer than a few days…two weeks both of us. Each day brings a crop of one day campers…they disappear for the day and reappear at night only to leave the next morning.

Day 14, Friday, Sept 16:

Some rain last night and more today.

David took off early to do errands in Munising and Marquette, Michigan…general delivery at Munising, walgreens in Marquette, firewood/surprise, 20 gal propane refill as we are feeding off that, a bit of food shopping and an exploration in the National lakeshore, and more petrol.  I did some clean up, reading, Mali walking, made diy chocolate mug cakes.

 

More walking and Mali to the beach for running…except that it was RIGHT before dinnertime for her and that is her favorite activity along with breakfast so she only did some running because she didn’t want to miss that!

 

The water in Lake Superior is very clear but I checked temp and as expected it is too cool for this girl.

Day 13, Thurs, Sept 15: Twelve Mile Beach Campground at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

Low of 49 last night so had to have some heating in coach (55).  Our solar bank is not doing much for us here at all due to the shade from tall trees so we are running generator a couple of hours per day when most people are out. We were looking forward to a good solar test but that is yet to come. Having no wifi or cell service is a blessing and a curse…getting stuff done that I might ignore otherwise but out of touch with loved ones. David tried the cell booster and NOPE.

 

Woodland Campground in Grand Marais provided us with wonderful $1 showers, a hardware store trip, and cell service/wifi to catch up on family, phone calls, emails. We have also used rv for showers but we have decided to NOT go out to dump so are being really frugal with what goes in grey tank.

 

Something that I have not found and answer to is this?  Why are there so many wild apple trees in spotty locations throughout parts of Picture Rocks National Lakeshore (really near Grand Marais, Sable Falls area)…like roadsides along with dense forest.

 

Chili for dinner and a nice walk on the beach with Mali dog...she enjoyed running free on the beach immensely as there were no people around. Chasing the birds when they are around is her best game.  She did manage to catch a squirrel that was somehow down at the beach (water?) and he was really close to her when she nabbed him…no long run (she is FAST)…guessing she caught him unawares…yikes.

Day 12, Weds, Sept 14:  Twelve Mile Beach Campground

A chilly morning and windy.

 

Drive to check out the forest service campground down the road (Kingston)…$20 plus $10 daily entrance fee or $40 annually for water/trash/pit toilet…and really we are a bit big for this campground…not lake superior water front either.  Walking on twelve mile beach…not the long flat beach I envisioned…hard packed sand near water is somewhat steep for comfortable walk…took steps for david’s knees.

 

Walking, campfire with last of the wood.  Sky not good for northern lights…Not much luck with that so far…too many clouds or hazy.

 

We checked the list of incoming people and most are staying just one night with some a couple. Not sure what we were thinking in doing two weeks.  Actually I know what I was thinking…long walks on that 12 mile FLAT beach (not all of it is flat) and saving money by not moving.

Day 11, Tues, Sept 13: Twelve Mile Beach Campground

After two cloudy days and some rain, today looks to be clear…MAYBE NORTHERN lights?  Campfire?

 

The sites at Twelve Mile Beach Campground are for the most part a decent size and the beach although down, down, down there are three spots where you can use steps (easier) to get down instead of sand.  It is quiet here even though we are in generator area (and do use our generator to charge when most people are gone for the day).  David’s knees are barking so we have not yet gone down to the beach and we WILL use the steps. Somewhat dog friendly (can go on the beach here) and really no one is policing anybody for anything although there is a camp host.  Rangers appear randomly.  Pit toilets stink even if you don’t go inside….glad I am not close to one.

 

Took a ride into Munising (about 45 minutes) to pick up a general post office package and look around. Better grocery store than Grand Marais so will have to go back to shop there.

 

Campfire after dinner.  David set up hammock and stood watch for Northern lights in it…nope.  Temps are dropping….

Day 10, Mon, Sept 12: Twelve Mile Beach Campground @ Picture Rocks National Lakeshore

Raining when I woke up.  We are the biggest rig here at 30 feet (surprisingly)…a couple of class C’s and small trailers and tents (camping in a tent is not fun in the rain!).  Never realized just how much I use my phone/computer in morning when david is still sleeping for entertainment.  

Made brownie mug cakes for us.

We decided this morning to see if we can avoid having to go out WITH RV after 7 days (of our two week stay) to refill water (use 1 gallon jugs to suck water into tank/not very efficient but will work), dump (we know black tank can make it 2 weeks/a few antistink tablets and gray tank is mostly showers so limit).  We can take jeep to grocery shop in Munising or Grand Marais (not sure what they have yet in grocery stores), grab a shower in Grand Marais.  Grand Marais is 14 miles away according to sign.

 

This morning we went to town of Grand Marais.  Bought a water jug/ 5 gallon hoping to fill from tap at campground.  Asked about showers in Grand Marais…$1 what a deal and if we want to dump $10.  They had two small grocery stores or really little bit of everything stores. We also bought 4 bundles of firewood $20 (which is cheaper than most around here…saw as much as $8 per bundle).  A stop at Sable Falls to take a walk. We discovered that we could get 4 bars of Verizon at Grand Sable Lake Overlook but still 9ish miles away versus zero anywhere near Twelve Mile Beach Campground.

More walking after dinner.

Day 9, Sunday, Sept 11:  Lake Michigan National Forest to Twelve Mile beach campground in Picture Rocks national Lakeshore (where we will be for a full two weeks…scored a waterfront campsite, oh yeah!)

Early departure even though we can get into Twelve Mile beach after 11am. 

First stop is dump at Brevort Lake.

Next stop was Friborn Karst Preserve…old quarry which operated 1905 to 1939…mining limestone.  There were also some caves which we did not go in. Interesting.

Lastly we stopped at Kitchitikipi (Big Springs)…a state park $10 to see lovely blue spring that you took a hand wheeled raft out to see crystal clear water and lots of fish.  Not exactly on the way to Picture Rocks National Lakeshore but technically we had a short drive…made a lot longer with our stops.   But we have two full weeks at Twelve Mile Beach campground.

 

We arrived at Twelve Mile beach campground…hungry…so getting dinner made and coach set up for “glamping” were the most important.  Some grilling and eating and then walking.

 

This is a big experiment for us…hoping to easily go a week without water fill up, tank dump, electric and all that involves because it is a long ride out (hour) to get to Munising to dump/water fill, grocery shop, etc.

Day 8, Saturday, Sept 10:  Lake Michigan National Forest campground (near st. Ignace).

The winds from yesterday died down but there are still waves on the BIG lake.  Took a beach walk with Mali dog in the morning…hardly anyone on the beach and it was not early.  Did let her chase some seagulls.  She was not off leash long (6 foot leash law) because she likes to smell out decomposing items and she ALWAYS find something.  I lovely walk was had by all.  Took a ride west/north on route 2 to see what there was to see and stopped at a farm stand, checked out Brevort Lake for tomorrows dump station use.  Their campground was also pretty nice.  I like Lake Michigan better; Brevort had a lot of lake access but not the same.  Another walk on beach and watch sunset (never gets old).

Day 7, Fri, Sept 9:  Gaylord, MI to Lake Michigan Campground in Hiawatha National Forest.

Our drive today was just a little more than an hour long.  We had two days in the Lake Michigan Campground prereserved.  It’s a small strip of a park beside route 2 in the UP…so road noise but also pounding wave sounds.  It was too early to get our site so we hung out in the day use area and walked to see what our site looked like. Widthwise it was not spacious but doable/barely…with automatic jacks and some levelers. BUT IT HAS A sandy PATH TO THE BEACH!!!  $11 with old guy pass! It is a cool low 70’s here so very pleasant. 2pm check in time so they can mow and clean site……  Ice $2 and firewood $7.  Pit toilets that I have no intention of entering and trash/always appreciated and water at spigot.  Walk on the beach with Mali trying to find something to eat…always on her agenda.  Watched sunset.

 

Day 6, Thurs, Sept 8:  Middlebury, IN to Gaylord MI

Destination was Walmart Gaylord Michigan to shop and stay the night.  We arrived mid afternoon to make sure we had a spot on the side to put slide out (bed) and scored one.  Walmart pick up and we also went in store to shop…so many dollars later we were all filled up.  Gas there also.

Propane was procured at the Ace Hardware (martins) with no price checking $75 later (20 lb. plus a fully empty on board tank).

It was pretty hot when we arrived at Gaylord Walmart and the open windows were not cutting it for us.  Cranked up generator and turned AC on for a couple of hours…it needed a work out anyway.  With the motorhome cooled down and the outside also cooling, were then able to shortly run fans to make it cool enough.

Day 5, Wednesday Sept 7: Entegra Service Center, Middlebury, IN

Woke him up at 5am so he would get moving and help me out a bit. In service from 6:30 until 3pm.  The lounge area was very comfy and quiet…most people either went off shopping, eating, exploring.  Even though the sign outside door said that 30lbs and under for customer enjoyment on dog size, I brought Mali in because I know I can rely on her to be quiet, calm despite her 49 lbs.  David was surprised how good she was. I was NOT as I am the trainer.  I expected her good behavior, paid attention to her cues/needs and she went out when she needed to.  Some dog walks in p.m./pizza for dinner and watching a movie.

When I tried to turn on oven for pizza cooking, no gas…pffft, empty…David pulls out 20 lb. bbq tank.  He said there was about ½ tank in when we left days before. Later  Off to DQ for a treat and we begin attaching tow vehicle for tomorrows travel…I smell GAS! We poked around, hubby went under rv…yup smell it.  It was a fitting on the inboard tank that was loose but it had made it here with days of travel.  Wrenched it tight and tomorrow we get tank filled.

Day 4, Tues, Sept 6:  East Harbor State Park to On-site parking Entegra Service Center, Middlebury, IN 

We traveled from East Harbor State Park in Ohio to Entegra Service department in Middlebury, IN.

We had to be ready: cleaned and sanitized by 6:30am the next morning…not a problem for me but oh, yeah for david. 

Day 3, Mon, Sept 5:  East Harbor State Park, OHIO

No driving day… took a drive around all loops to see what sites were potentially available and had unoccupied spaces around them.  Went to office and switched sites…no charge.  Had nice chat with couple from Cincinnati.  Relax some more.  Dump/water fill for an early start tomorrow to get to the Entegra Service center in Middlebury, IN.

Day 2, Sun, Sept 4: Drove from Crackerbarrel/Bloomsburg pa to East Harbor State Park in Ohio.  We have stayed at the park previously…a convenient stop since warmer weather is still here and I want AC!  With a stop for gas we arrived mid afternoon….to relax in full campground…235 sites in just our loop.  We tried to move site but full so not possible/labor day weekend so not surprising at least for 30 feet.