Old Folks Home

8/24/2023 to 8/31/2023         The main reason for choosing Prophetstown State Park was its proximity to Purdue University, where Scott spent 5 years in a co-op program (combination work/study) ending with a degree in industrial engineering. We visited 525 Dodge Street, home of the Dodge Street Boys for 4 1/2 of those years. I saw the street where they played four square continuously with loud music and somewhat frequent police intervention. They only went to jail once, and that record was erased with the help of a good lawyer. I learned a lot about Scott's college years as we walked around campus. It was the time of the Vietnam War and lottery system for the draft. He spent a lot of time protesting.  I           Prophetstown is a unique park with a focus on history. There is a Farm at Prophetstown, a small-scale working farm depicting life in the 1920s. There are several Sears Robuck prefab houses on site, furnished from that ...

 8/22/2023 to 8/24/2023          We had just two days at Warren Dunes, instead of the planned seven days. Was a great finale to our trek through Michigan.           Warren Dunes certainly had lots of very high dunes. On one hike we stuggled up the sand to have a wonderful view of both the trail and Lake Michigan.      We had a large, level, shaded site nestled in the woods. The only negative was swarming mosquitos and biting black flies. It wasn't quite as bad as our insect experience at Copper Falls, WI, but a close second. 

 8/17/2023 to 8/21/2023  Petoskey Jellystone Park          We gladly made the drive back up to Petoskey, where Rick the RoVing Tech is based. We were very relieved to get our electricity problem fixed - replacement of the RV surge protector.           Jellystone Park  was  very interesting - 3x more expensive, and tiny compared with state park sites. But also full hook-up, which we haven't had in a long time.  Lots of activities for little kids, but not a place we would choose to go again. No trails. We were lucky to have a small patch of trees near our site. 8/21/2023 to 8/22/2023 Steamboat Park Campground, Jenison, Michigan          To get back on our planned route we needed to get to Warren Dunes State Park. But that was a 5 hour drive or more so we booked one night in a private RV Park. We stayed one night at Steamboat Park, about halfway between Petoskey and Warren Dunes. It was...

 8/10/2023 to 8/17/2023          We thoroughly enjoyed having Maudie and Walt with us at three state parks - Young, Wilson, and Holland. They headed back to Alexandria on 8/14/2023. This is a picture of them at the Grand Rapids Airport.           Holland State Park is a very popular destination spot. The surrounding area is swarming with people and the campground itself was very crowded. The temperature was very pleasant. It didn't rain at all until Maudie and Walt left - then it really poured. Walt explored the park and surroundings extensively - both on foot and on one of the electric bikes (sans power). He directed us anywhere we wanted to go. Here is a picture of him on the bike.           Maudie was the expert at finding hikes for us every afternoon. We really enjoyed the Riley Trails, a few miles from the park.  One day Scott and Walt fished and Maudie and I did one of the Riley hikes. T...

 8/8/2023 to 8/10/2023         Maudie and Walt are staying with us until August 14th, when they fly back to DC from Grand Rapids. They both are thriving and have adjusted to RV life very well. We had two nights with them in the RV at Young State Park. We had two nights at Wilson State Park.            Wilson is the smallest park we've seen in our journey so far. It is essentially a small campground sandwiched between two highways.  Our site was spacious and grassy. There is a small lake and nice beach area. We didn't appreciate the advantages until we got to Holland, our next state park, which had the crowded feel of a refugee camp.            The highlight of the stay was a 6 mile hike at South Higgins State Park, about 30 miles away, since there were NO hikes at Wilson.  Maudie is great at finding trails. Here is a picture along the trail.        ...

 7/30/2023 to 8/8/2023         We had a great time visiting Sam, Kara, their kids, Pam and Steve Lloyd, and Katy Gustafson at Steve and Pam's lake house on Lake Charlevoix this week. We got to share in the traditions they have at the lake each summer - annual trip to Avalanche Bay Water Park, hike up Avalance Trail, Bear River hike, playing on the lake, family movie night, relaxing on the porch, and Maudie birthday. We added quilting and sewing, and cookouts at the RV. Here are some pictures.  View along Bear Creek Waterfall at Bear Creek Cookout at the RV Walt embracing RV chores     Paddleboarding Sisters paddling Relaxing by the lake Steve teaching us euchre by the lake Margaret quilting in the RV Pin basting Peggy's quilt at Steve and Pam's house Maudie's chocolate caramel birthday cake that only took us  four hours to make.  The birthday girl between hands of euchre after a long day.