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From Michigan to Washington

The saga continues - after a small break.....

We left Phil and Jennifer's on July 1. We spent the night in Snow Lake, Michigan. July 2 we made it to Traverse City, MI. We ended up staying in a motel because of rain. July 3 we stayed in Elk Rapids and July 4 we camped out at the TeePee Campground in Mackinaw City, where we watched some awesome fireworks. We met a couple at the campground who have been traveling in their RV for the last 14 years - and still enjoy every day of it. Everything they own is in their RV. We also met another guy who sold most of his property and is traveling in his RV with his two dogs for the summer.

July 5th we stayed in Gould City where we stayed in a small, older cabin that cost us $35/night. It was old, but clean, and the owners live next door and were really nice people. We ate dinner at the Elks Lodge, a short walk from the cabin. It was one of those moments where everyone stops what they're doing to see who the strangers are who just walked in the door. Dinner and a couple of beers cost us an entire $12 ;-) and we were stuffed when we left. Once the locals decided we were fairly normal they became more friendly and starting talking to us. We had a nice visit with them and hit the hay for the night.

July 6 we stayed in Winter, WI. We rode up and down the road looking for a motel or campground. We opted for a motel, but it was one of the strangest check-in experiences we ever had. On the office door there was a note with a phone number to call to check in. Jim called the number and the guy (who was in Illinois) told Jim once he gave him his credit card number he'd give Jim the combo to the lock box to get a room key. There were 9 rooms and 9 lock boxes. Jim didn't feel comfortable doing this, but we'd been all over looking for a place to stay and I talked him into it. The room was clean, but needed a little TLC. The water didn't turn on right, but it worked once we figured it out. While there we met the only other patron of the motel, Ace. We sat outside our rooms and chatted with Ace until bedtime. Ace is a contractor and has stayed in this motel numerous times and said that's the way he's always had to check in.

On the 7th we rode around the area to find the town where my Mom was born - Lemington, WI. It's not on the map, but one of the locals told us where to find it. We found the sign where Lemington was and took several pictures for my Mom. We rode up and down the road, taking more pictures, and then headed out.

We spent the night of the 7th in Siren, WI. We watched their local parade which took two hours to complete. Whew - that was a long parade. It included all the small towns in the area - floats, marching bands, horses, clowns, firetrucks, politicians, you name it, they had it.

On the 8th we stayed in Brookings, SD, hit the edges of the Badlands and on the 9th we stayed in Keystone, SD. We visited Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monument. We stayed several hours at the Crazy Horse monument, which is still being built. It's not as commercialized as Mt. Rushmore, so we both actually enjoyed it more.

On the 10th we stayed in Buffalo, WY. We had tried to get a room in Gillette, but there were no rooms available in a price range we were willing to pay. The only room we were able to find in Gillette was a Motel 6, and they wanted over $100. We've had to splurge like that a few times, but I was unwilling to pay that much for a Motel 6 room. On the way to Gillette we rode through Sturgis to see what it looked like without all the bikes. I always thought it was a really small town, but it's a pretty good sized one. There were tons of "get your official Sturgis tee-shirt" shops along the way.

We stayed in Cody, WY on the 11th. We visited the Buffalo Bill museum which was interesting. We didn't have enough time to see it all. It's one of those places - if you're interested in museums - that you need to allocate an entire day to see. We got there mid-afternoon after riding in the hot weather so were to tired to spend enough time to see it all.

On the 12th we stayed in Pocatello, ID and returned to Baker City, OR on the 13th. On the 14th we went to a retirement party in John Day and spent the night there. On the 15th we went back to Baker City and the next day Jim changed the oil/filter and chain and sprockets on my bike, and put new tires on. It was like a new bike!

We were planning on heading up to Sunnyside, WA but ended up having to go to Omak, WA because we got a phone call that Jim's Mom was ill and had to be put into the hospital. Our pickup was still in La Grande on the lot to be sold so we rode to La Grande and picked it up. We loaded my bike into the back of it and Jim left his bike in the service managers garage. We took turns driving up to Omak, getting there at 2 AM. Jim's Mom was asleep so we went to her house for the night. They released her from the hospital the next morning with more tests to follow later. They're not sure yet what was going on.

I left Omak Thursday morning to go to Sunnyside where my Uncle and Aunt and cousins from Missouri were visiting my parents, and to attend my 20th class reunion on Friday. Jim decided to drive back to Sunnyside on Friday to go with me, then drove back up to Omak to attend his 21st class reunion.

On Monday (I've lost track of dates) we met back up in La Grande where he got his bike so he could ride to California to visit family and to get his bike seat readjusted. I stayed in Baker City and Ontario to visit friends, then came back to Sunnyside, where I'm still at. Jim will be back about the 1st or 2nd of August.

Once he gets back, we'll plan where we're heading next and take off. We're ready to go again. It's nice to relax and see family, but we're anxious to hit the road again.

Omak & Sunnyside

The latest news from the front line (July 18th) is that the Ninks (no income, no kids) were in Omak. Penny headed back to Sunnyside (Thursday July 19th) for her High school class reunion which is tonight the 20th.

Jim was staying in Omak this past week as his mother was in the hospital but she is out and seems to be OK. He'll be come down to Sunnyside in the TRUCK today for Penny's reunion then zip back to Omak Saturday for his reunion. (Clear as mud?)

Monday Jim will leave Omak in the TRUCK and Penny will leave Sunnyside on her MOTORCYCLE to meet up in LeGrand where they'll put the truck back up on the "For Sale" lot. Jim will pick up his bike and then they'll head to Baker City for a few days. After that Jim will leave for California to visit family and have his motorcycle seat adjusted while Penny will be working on her tan ;-) .

Baker City

Arrived in Baker City on the 13th. Keith and Paulette had a few
friends over and we had a great time. We're in John Day right now
where we went to a retirement party. Planning on heading to
Sunnyside, WA on Wednesday. Hopefully my tires come in before then.

The area around us is on fire. It's close enough that we can see ash
falling out of the sky.

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Pocatello, ID

We're in Pocatello, Id. We were hoping to get further today but road
construction in Yellowstone held us up for a while. Should hit Baker
City tomorrow afternoon. Supposed to be 97 tomorrow. HOT.

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Cody, WY

In Cody, Wy. Went to the Buffalo Bill Museum. Heading through
Yellowstone tomorrow. It's nice to be back where there are mountains
in the horizon. Should be in Baker on Friday.

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Brookings, SD

We're in Brookings, SD. Heading for the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore.
Jim's never been there. Rode in the rain for a bit today, but it was
so hot the rain felt good. Planning to be in Baker City, OR on
Friday.

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Siren, WI

Survived the Fourth of July at Macinaw City and are now in Siren, WI.
Were ableto find the town my Mom was born in - Lemington, WI. Not
even on the map but a local knew where we could find it. Heading West
tomorrow.

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Elk Rapids, MI

Camping at Elk Rapids, MI. Only tent in an RV park. Right on the
lake. Hope it doesn't rain. Trying to find a 4th of July parade and
fireworks tomorrow morning and evening.

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Traverse City, Michigan

We're in Traverse City, MI. Planned to camp but are hiding out from the rain in a motel instead. All is going great.

We camped out last night at Snow Lake. It was a popular campground. Between Snow Lake and Traverse City we had lunch at the Oasis in Branch, MI. The food was excellant and the owner shared traveling stories with us.

Before leaving Phil and Jennifer's, they gave us some spare gear they had. I left with a brand new leather jacket and Jim got some nice summer gloves. Thanks again, Phil and Jennifer. We appreciate your hospitality and your generousity.

I forgot to mention that when we were at Phil and Jennifer's, they took us into Detroit to a free concert (Grand Funk RR) along the river. They also took us to an Ethiopian restaurant for dinner. That was a new experience, for sure. The food was good. Not totally sure what we had, but it's eaten with fingers - no silverware. Instead a flat bread, tortilla like bread is used.

Detroit was an experience. We passed numerous buildings that were empty - huge buildings, including skyscrapers and the original Tigers Stadium. Yet they continue to build new buildings and sky scrapers. It seemed like a huge waste. The river walk area was in a nicer part of town with newer buildings. Along with Phil and Jennifer we met up with Eric and Laura and Erik's son to watch the concert.

We're taking our time and taking back roads to get to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. After crossing the Mackinaw Bridge we'll catch Hwy. 2 to come across the northern states back home. We're going to make a stop in Wisconsin to take some pictures for my Mom then make our way to Idaho, where we'll start going south to John Day, OR where we need to be for a retirement party on July 14. Then up to Washington for class reunions. Then back to Baker City for another appointment on the 24th. From there, Jim is going to go to California to spend some time with his grandparents. I'll visit some friends in Eastern Oregon for a few days and then go back to Washington.