Muskegon, MI

I first heard about Muskegon from Mary, a lady that lived in our neighborhood in Texas.  She in turn introduced us to her hometown friends Truman & Iva that winter in Texas and to Andy & Becky and daughters who came to spend Spring break with her a few years.  So when I decided to explore Michigan more, I knew Muskegon was a stop I would make.

Today dawned beautiful and bright as we drove from Traverse City to Luddington.  

In Luddington, we toured the White Pine Village; a town built to replicate a lumber town of the early 1900's.  Since my grandpa did some work with a logging company, I wanted to see this.  We had some very informative volunteers that talked about several of the displays in the buildings.  

Of course there was a barn to photograph.  :)

The buildings were originals relocated to this site.  Not only did they have lumber museum, there was a museum of music and clocks

Below is an old portable EKG machine in the "doctor's office."

A chapel in the "village."

It was an enjoyable walk around the exhibits.  Then we went to Muskegon and spent the afternoon and evening with Mary, Al (her friend), Truman & Iva.  Tomorrow, more festivities as we celebrate Fourth of July!

Mackinac Island

Started the day with a ferry boat ride to Mackinac Island from Saint Ignace, Michigan which is the third oldest city in the USA.  I didn't know that, did you?  The oldest is Saint Augustine settled by the Spaniards.  

The time of our ferry ride included a detour to go under the Mackinac Bridge.  This bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the world at five miles long.  As you can see by photo, the winds were strong today and a lot of sea spray on windows.  The people sitting on open top deck came down to the enclosed section quite quickly when they got soaked.

Mackinac Island, if you did not know,  does not allow any motorized vehicles on the island.  So you hike, bike or hitch a ride in a horse-drawn carriage.   We opted for two out of three...ride in carriage and hike.  The ferry docks right at downtown.  

We got to the island early so it doesn't look very busy.  But by time we left, if I would have taken a photo, you wouldn't be able to see the street pavement.

The carriage took us past The Grand Hotel, a historic and picturesque icon on the island. 

I will get more up close and personal photos later in the day.  

Our first official get-off point was the The Butterfly Conservatory.  Here are some photos of the elusive butterflies.  

This one decided to attach itself to my purse.

There was even a Butterfly Whisperer in the crowd.  This young girl had numerous butterflies on her hands walking around.  We were fascinated as the rest of us couldn't seem to get very close to them!

The following photo is a favorite of mine due to the contrasting colors. 

I really liked this blue one and "chased" all around the conservatory and finally got this long-distance shot of it with wings open.

After the butterfly place we boarded another carriage and went through the State Park (beautiful and peaceful) to the Arch.  

Next stop was the Fort Mackinac.  This fort high on the hills offered some spectacular views of the island and lake.  The first battle of the War of 1812 was fought here.  Below is a blockhouse in the fort.

Here's a photo of part of the town looking over the fort fence.

How about lunch with a view?  Delicious lunch served on the grounds of the fort overlooking the town and lake.  Ummm!  Life is good!

We hitched another carriage ride and then walked down to The Grand Hotel.  If you want to walk in front of the hotel or on the porch, you must pay $10 per person.  Since it's been on my Bucket List to see this hotel, I gladly forked out the $20 for both of us to experience the 200 yards long porch on this Grand Hotel.  We got to roam around inside  too.  Here's some photos.

A view from our rocking chairs on the porch.

Of course we had to have a drink here, so "when in Rome, do as the Romans do"..... have an ale created for The Grand Hotel!

That's all for today folks!  Cheers!  

P.S.  Mackinac Island has some lilac trees (several varieties) that were planted over 150 years ago.

Yupper, we were Yoopers Today!

First stop was Menominee, Michigan on the lower edge of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where all the Yoopers live!    This is the furthest I had previously been in Michigan....a couple of miles to say I was in Michigan.  It's been a long-time dream to explore this state further and now we're doing it.  My sister, Robyn worked in this city many years ago and one of her favorite spots was in view of the lighthouse.

Found another old barn right by Green Bay to take a photo of and I did not break any laws or cause any near accidents.

Escanaba is a beautiful city with a huge waterfront park.  The Sand Point lighthouse was basking in the sunshine.  It was fun to walk to the top.

The next stop was Fayette State Park about 16 miles south of Hwy 2.  It's an old company town that was built to support the smelting furnace for iron ore from 1867 - 1891.  Many buildings are still standing and it was a great town to walk around and into several of the buildings along the Snail Shell Harbor. 

As we were touring a storm system blew in and shut out our sunshine.

The temperature dropped about 15 degrees and a wall of fog and mist surrounded us so as we were driving and saw a sign for the Seul Choix Point lighthouse, supposedly the most haunted lighthouse on the Great Lakes, we took another side trip to this lighthouse.  The dark clouds and fog highlighted the need for these lighthouses for mankind's safety.

Now, that my photos are done uploading (took forever!) and I have had my jacuzzi bath after twelve hours of travel.....it's time for me to get to bed.  Tomorrow, Mackinac Island!

The Next Adventure Begins!

Picked up hubby at airport last night and after a slight delay locating his luggage (it came in on earlier flight), we had a brief visit with our long-time friends, Gary & Carole from Georgia.  They had just gotten into town (Minnetonka) for a two month visit and our paths crossed again!  They are looking so good and so is Gary's 97 years old mother.

Slept in Onalaska, WI, near LaCrosse and met up with sister, Robyn & family this morning.  It was her birthday and she started the celebration on Grandad Bluff overlooking LaCrosse.   Robyn & hubby, Jim.

Then we headed to their son, Carter's baseball tournament. On the way we passed a cemetery that had potted flowers at almost every grave site.  What a spectacular view. 

We also saw a unique grave marker shaped to look like a tree, first time we have seen that!

Got to the baseball field for a two games marathon that lasted five hours. Here are some action shots of Carter in action. 

Oops!  The last frame he got caught out at the slide into third base!  

Then we had dinner at The Lure Bar & Grill on Lake Petenwell.  

One last stop for ice cream for birthday girl and I, now it's "home" in Wisconsin Rapids!

SOS Club annual outing # 1 Day 2

Sister # 2 (Romey) who just turned 60 this month, and I continued our outing on North Shore of Lake Superior

today.  We had a room with lake view so that I could take photo of sunrise over the lake this morning.  Upon waking up at 5 a.m., the sky was overcast and right at the horizon was a dark red line separating the sky and sea!  

First stop - Gooseberry Falls, here are the upper falls.

Lower falls 

Split Rock Lighthouse from the highway overlook.

Next we found a pull-over (non state official) with a path going down to water.  Romey had to take a photo so that I wouldn't get in anymore trouble for "trespassing."

The trail did not generate any worthwhile photos, but a bridge overlook gave some good shots of Beaver Creek

Then it was back to Duluth for a late lunch at Grandma's and now back in Wisconsin.  Looking forward to next years SOS Club outing when we get to take another sister, Renell.  

I will resume daily blogging (I hope) on  Monday, June 30 when my hubby and I begin our five weeks trip in Northeast.  

SOS Club

My sister, Romey, recently joined me in the newly created club - SOS Club.  SOS - Sisters Over Sixty!  We are having our first annual SOS Club outing.  We left Grantsburg, Wisconsin and drove up to the North Shore of Lake Superior (Minnesota).  Lake Superior has a magical, mystical pull on so many souls.  Some souls that can't get to the ocean can get fulfilled at the large lakes of our country.  They can be equally fulfilling.  

When we left at noon, the temperatures was 81 and by the time we got two hours Up North, it was 50 degrees.  Another hour later at check-in to resort, we could see our breath when we talked outside!  Uffda! That's too cold.  

It's cold, windy and foggy...but we are snug as bug in a rug right now.  We bought identical hooded sweatshirts and T-shirts today (as I neglected to pack warm enough for this weather).  I know that everyone in my family seems to love the colors turquoise and aqua, but I didn't know we liked same patterns and styles so much too!  I am writing this sitting in my hoodie and waiting for room to warm up.  We have had our night caps (liquor) and have taken our medications for the night.  It's nine o'clock, so it's time for these two sisters over sixty to get to bed.  Sleep well, y'all!