Another tip we've learned -- if you see a sign on the highway that says "Event Parking next exit" or "Next Exit for (Event)" -- and you don't have reservations to stay -- keep driving! Usually for about another 30-50 miles! The only time they put signs on the highway is when it is a really big deal! After visiting our Rite Aid just over the Michigan border, we decided to drive a little further up the coast. Bad decision. We had to drive clear to Holland (felt like we drove to the country of Holland, not the town!) The Tall Ships were in town in South Haven--would have been interesting to see them, but knew it was getting late and we had to find a hotel somewhere -- at one point the Wal-Mart parking lot was becoming an option -- even with my foot! Once again, Phil's gift of gab paid off. We were about to head for Grand Rapids, but decided to stop for gas. The gal in the mini-mart heard Phil's plight and she said "how much do you want to pay for a motel?" Phil told her $50-$70. She picked up the phone, and had us a room! A decent place that we would never have seen just driving around. Bless her -- and it was nice! Not in the AAA book.
Spent Sunday just lolligagging up the coast. The little town of Manistee was really cute - the whole length of their downtown, about 10-12 blocks, was lined with petunias along both curbs -- filled the parking strips -- really pretty. Went through part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore -- never saw a Dune! Did, however, see the prettiest, bluest, lake we have seen since Tahoe -- Crystal Lake. Found out that the real Dunes are up a little further - may try to go there tomorrow. Now in Traverse City, and time to get the car serviced again. Will visit with some people on Tuesday that we met in the Bahamas last January. Was to be golfing outing -- I'll be driving the beer cart! Got to call and make my Dr. appt. tomorrow - then we can plan our return to Wisconsin and what we can fit in between now and then.
Traverse City is another picture perfect Great Lake town. Every time we think we've seen "the most perfect town" -- we find another that also fits the description. Traverse City sits on sparkling Lake Michigan. There is a peninsula that divides Traverse Bay into East and West. Our friends, Leon and Monica live on the peninsula overlooking E Traverse Bay. What a treat to see them again. Leon's schedule was such that we decided to ditch the golf idea -- and got right into barhopping -- and dinner. Monica was a real sweetheart -- and a trooper , the next day. We had a real adventure trying to get our handicapped sticker for the car, and she ran us all around town getting the job done. Thanks to her, we can now park in the handicapped zones -- it really helps!
The real laugh is that we had to have a Michigan Dr. sign a form saying we could have one. We finally went to an Urgent Care Clinic, and got the required signature. I asked the lady at the Sec. of State (our DMV) why it had to be a Michigan Dr. as the stickers are good in any state -- she had no good explanation for that!
After our hard work, we needed a break -- and wanted to see their house. Monica ushered us to their lovely location, and gorgeous home -- and whipped open one of Leon's bottles of Scotch from his 50th birthday last weekend. Another nice evening was shared with the bottle of Scotch and good conversation. We hope to link up with them again in Florida in January -- hopefully I'll be back in fine shape by then!
After a great time, we again were on the road -- off to Mackinac (pronounced Mack-i-naw) Island. Another pretty drive up the edge of the Lake (we have done almost the entire Lake Michigan Circle tour now!). We particularly enjoyed Bar Harbor, Petoskey and Charlevoix. Mackinaw City (they changed the spelling to match the pronunciation!) is quite touristy, but clean and nicely done. Drove along the Lakefront (per Leon's directions's!) and found a delightful room with a balcony overlooking the Lake, the town, and the Mackinac bridge -- a five mile long suspension bridge - the longest in the world, I think I heard.
The next day we were off for Mackinac Island. Another adventure on crutches! Parked right up front at the ferry terminal, and they loaded me onto a cargo cart to get on and off the Ferry (steep ramp)! Did I feel silly--but it worked great! Leon was right, if you like the smell of horse manure mixed with fudge -- you'll love Mackinac Island! Mackinac has no motorized vehicles (except a fire truck, an ambulance, and a utility truck for power, phones, etc). It was very quiet the day we were there. Summer has ended, and Labor Day hadn't arrived. We found it quite pleasant to walk (hobble) around and look at things. We had to take a private carriage to see the island, as the group tours required too many on/off and change of vehicle. We had a nice old gent, who has been working on the Island forever, and knew all the history of the houses/mansions. It was a very enjoyable tour. If we come back, we would like to stay at the Grand Hotel. The grounds are beautiful, and the ambiance from another era. Coats and ties are still required after 6 PM.
We got back from the Island mid afternoon, and had seen an ad for a live performance called "Lost in the Fifties". It was the new show of the year in Branson last year -- so thought it would be a fun way to spend the rest of the afternoon -- and they had a wheelchair for me! The show was great -- 2 hours of high energy, non stop tunes from the fifties. It was interesting, the audience was all the way from pre-teens, to those in their 70's. Everyone had a good time.
Friday brought our second longest travel day of the trip -- 302 miles from Mackinaw City to Ann Arbor. Phil is like a little kid. He is so excited about seeing a U of Michigan game in "The Big House" -- 110,000 people. We have secured a wheelchair and handicapped seating for the game. We make the drive in about 4 1/2 hours, including lunch! We arrived in a muggy hot Ann Arbor. The locals are complaining about how hot it has been!
Game day dawned overcast and muggy. Took city bus service right from the hotel -- the handicapped loading was fast and efficient -- put the ramp out, wheeled me in, strapped me down, and away we went. People were at the stadium to help direct handicapped (they had a lot of seats!). All seats in the end zone, but roomy. WAS IT HOT!! I think half of the 110,000 people were outside the stadium in the shade at any given time! It was a fun time anyway. And Phil got to see a game in the Big House -- to him, THAT was priceless!!
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PHIL-OSOPHIES
"West coast sports fans have a HUGE advantage over their East coast counterparts!" Phil declares. The Sunday papers here don't have the scores and blow by blow from late games on the West Coast, and, if there is a later afternoon/evening game you want to watch from the West Coast -- you'll be up at Midnight still seeing the end of it!! Poor babies.....
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You know you are in Car Country when all the names around you are things like Pontiac, Mi, Cadillac, Mi, Plymouth, Mi, Edsel Bv., Packard Parkway, and on and on.... So we have to see at least a token sample of this heritage. We're off for Dearborn to see the Ford Museum and Henry Ford's Estate - Fair Lane -- what else! We would like to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Detroit, but neither of us is willing to brave the traffic and culture of Detroit to see it. The newspapers here are enough to scare anyone!