Spring Western Trip 2017: Amherst to Home

Saturday, 5/13:  201 miles and parked at Gladstone Bay Campground, Gladstone Bay, Michigan

Well. we are finally back in the Eastern Time Zone.  Almost feels like home.  The drive today was very pleasant with nice sunny weather.  This is a municipal campground that was nearly empty, and located on the shore of Gladstone Bay and Lake Michigan.  There is an amazing trail/boardwalk along the lakeshore for hiking and biking.  We would definitely stay here again.

Sunday, 5/14:  275 miles and located at Indigo Bluff’s, Empire, Michigan

It was a beautiful drive along northern Lake Michigan, mostly on two lane roads today.  Some of views of Lake Michigan are absolutely gorgeous.  Then we crossed over the spectacular Mackinac Bridge that connects the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with the lower portion of the state.  From the bridge, it was on to Empire, a small town located near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan

Since our wedding anniversary was tomorrow, we decided to “splurge” on a two night stay at a resort campground.  What a lucky find.  We still qualified for the off season rate of $40, which is half price, and on top of that, we were the only RV there.  It was a beautiful site with a pond view, paved sites with stone patios.

Monday, 5/15:  Indigo Bluff’s Rv Resort

The small town of Empire is the gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.  The park encompasses an area along the northeastern shore of Lake Michigan that include massive sand dunes, some over 300 feet high.  We  took the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive through the park.  It was a warm and sunny day, and the drive was beautiful.  At one of the overlooks, we met a couple who RV also, and we were comparing notes about our travel.  They commented that they now have a new rule called “3 or 300”.  Come to find out, it means they quit driving for the day whatever comes first, 3:00 PM or 300 miles.   I thought that was amusing.  On a not so amusing side note, I talked with a couple of park rangers, and we got on the topic of ash trees.  They said every ash tree in the park is either dead or dying from Emerald Ash Borer.  It looks like someday the ash tree might follow the path of the American Chestnut and be a memory from the past.

After the drive, we had lunch at Joe’s Friendly Tavern in downtown Empire.  Using the term downtown is a bit misleading.  There is only one stop light in the whole town.

Today was our anniversary, so we celebrated dinner with grilled filet mignon steak, a 60 dollar bottle wine we bought in California (I know, I know, way too much, but you only live once) and a campfire.

We thoroughly enjoyed this RV Park and our stop in Empire and Sleeping Bear Dunes.

Tuesday, 5/16: 194 miles and parked in East Lansing, Michigan.

Actually, we parked in my sister Mary Ann and husband Eric’s driveway in East Lansing.  They weren’t home, but we parked and plugged into their water and electric.  But we did have permission.  :-)  My sister Amy, who lives down the street, stopped down for a very pleasant half hour visit.  We went to my niece Jen Gilmore’s house, who lives nearby, for dinner.  They grilled burgers for dinner.  Jen’s partner, Dave, is a beer aficionado and served us some really cool beer.  Jen and Dad have a new baby, Anikka, who is a cutie.  We ended the evening with a visit to a nearby brew pub called Ellison Brewing.  In fact it was so nearby, that we walked there and back. 

Wednesday, 5/17: 136 miles and parked at Johnny Appleseed Park, Fort Wayne, Indianna

This campground is part of the Johnny Appleseed Municipal Park in Fort Wayne.  There was a beautiful green area along the river front for walking the dogs.  The campground was nearly full.  Good thing we called ahead for reservations.  The reason for our stop is that Judy has a granddaughter, Christa, who lives here.  Shortly after we arrived, Christa and her mom came over to visit, and then we all went downtown for lunch.  We ate at a new brew pub called the Hoppy Gnome.  They served an EXCELLENT lunch.  The food was mildly spicy but really, really good and the presentation was beautiful.  After lunch, and back at the campground, we visited the gravesite of John Chapman, aka Johnny Appleseed, located in the park and next to the campground.

Not the Teddy Bear and cup of applesauce someone left.

Thursday, 5/18:  330 miles and parked at the KOA in Westfield, NY

We’re making the final run for home.  Remember the old adage, “A horse runs fastest on its way back to the barn.”  It was Interstate driving most of the way today.  We have stayed at the Westfield KOA before.  It is a nice park, and is very convenient just off Interstate 90.  There is lots of room to walk the dogs, and if you want, there is public access to Lake Erie right across the road.

Tonight is our last night on the road.  Bitter - sweet.  We will miss the road and the adventures, but it will be great to see friends and family again.

Friday, 5/19:  303 miles and HOME!!!!!!

We got an early start at about 8:00 in the morning and we were home by 2:30.  

So, with 9,500 miles, 26 different campgrounds, parking in the 3 driveways of relative’s, traveling through 20 different states, and dealing with 2 RV flat tires, we made it.

Now for the aftermath of 7 weeks away from home.  Camper to clean out.  Laundry to do.  Mail to sort through.  Lawn to catch up on.  Garden to plant.  Friends to connect with.  However..... we wouldn’t trade those 7 weeks for anything.  On to planning for our next trip.  Stay tuned!!

Spring Western Trip 2017: New Ulm to Amherst, Wisconsin

Tuesday, 5/9:  315 miles and parked at Lake Emily County Park, Amherst, Wisconsin

It was a pleasant non Interstate drive most of the way today.  We arrived at Lake Emily about 3:30.  We have stayed here before and know the park.  We drove around the loops and picked out a site.  It was self registration.  We set up, and then took the 10 minute drive to Dave and Ann Wright’s home in Amherst.   Amherst is a small, population about 1,000, rural town located in central Wisconsin, not far from the college town of Stevens Point.  My friendship with Dave and Ann goes back almost 50 years.  Judy and I visited here in 2015.  We ended up grilling brats over an outdoor fire, along with a few brews.  It is always a hoot catching up with Dave and Ann, and there is never ever a dull moment.

Wednesday 5/10:  Amherst

We met Dave and Ann at their house for breakfast.  Dave cooked some pancakes and served them with maple syrup that we brought from New York.

We made a plan for the day, which included a road trip to Appleton and Oshkosh, about 2 hours away.  We visited a gallery, The Trout Museum of Art, in Appleton where Ann and Dave have some art work exhibited.  After a lunch at the Copper Rock Coffee Company, we drove to Oshkosh to visit the EAA (Experimental Aviation Association) museum.  There was so much to see there that it was almost overwhelming.

Back in Amherst, we went out for dinner at the local Amherst downtown bar/diner, the Ambrosia.

Thursday, 5/11:  Amherst

It was breakfast at the Wright homestead again this morning.  Later, we met Dave’s brother, who's nickname is “Crow” at a park in nearby Scandinavia where he was letting his dog have a run.  We took a short hike, and then it was back to Dave and Ann’s for lunch.  

After lunch, we went back to the camper for a wonderful long nap.  Dave and Ann came to the camper for a crock pot dinner Judy had put together, and then we sat around a campfire.  It was a nice relaxing day.

Friday, 5/12:  Amherst 

We had breakfast at the Wright household again.  Then it was time for another local road trip.  This time Dave and Ann took us to visit the Rudolph Grotto, located in of all places, Rudolph, Wisconsin.  The grotto is a religious site where there are 26 religious shrines built over many years.  It is definitely a different and unique place.  

After the grotto visit, with took about an hour, we stopped at the Wisconsin Dairy State Cheese Company, a huge and very popular cheese store in Rudolf.  We stocked up on some very nice Wisconsin cheeses.  We had lunch at the Hilltop Pub and Grill in Stevens Pointe.  After stuffing ourselves at lunch, visited a small small gallery in Nelsonville where Ann  has some work displayed. 

That evening we went to Central Waters Brewery in Amherst.  Central Waters is a local craft brewery that is making a name for itself.  Their bar is open on weekends and draws huge crowds.  It is kinda of the local hangout where everyone knows everyone else.  Dave’s brothers Crow and Dick were there.  We also connected with friends Wayne and Patti, who we have met before on previous trips to Amherst.  We had several brews, and laughed until it hurt.  Tonight is our last night in Amherst on this trip, so we said our good byes, and were back to camper by 10:00  The campground is rapidly filling up for weekend.

Tomorrow it on to Michigan, and then home.

Spring Western Trip 2017: Sundance, Wyoming to New Ulm, Minnosota

Saturday, 5/6: 233 miles, parked at North Park Campground, Dickinson, ND

It was warm, but extremely windy on our travel today. However, the drive was really beautiful on a very rural North Dakota Rt. 85. North Park is a huge campground, but it was nearly empty at this time of the year.

It was only a four hour drive today, so we had time after we set up, to quickly visit the South Unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. After a short drive through part of the park, we spent some time walking around and shopping in the historic town of Medora at the entrance to the park.

Back at the RV park, the couple parked next to us came over to visit. Come to find out, Eliem and Joanne are full timers. They summer in the Dickinson area where they have family. They are retired, but Eliem drives gravel trucks for part time work during the summer months. During the colder season they park their motorhome in the Quartzite, Arizona area. They were very friendly and we had a couple great visits.

Sunday, 5/7: 339 miles and parked at Governor’s RV Park (Days Inn) in Casselton, ND

This campground is actually a part of the Casselton Days Inn. Park users are allowed to use the pool and Continental Breakfast at the Inn.

First thing this morning before we left Dickinson, grocery shopping was a necessary chore. However, North Dakota has a blue law that prevents certain stores from opening on Sunday mornings. Walmart was closed until noon, so we found a backup grocery store. Apparently, this store was able to be open because they only sold groceries, where as Walmart sells everything.

Shopping completed, we headed out. However, a short detour was in the works. Near Dickinson there is a road called "The Enchanted Highway." I found it on Trip Advisor for the Dickinson area. Apparently some guy decided to build several HUGE (I mean 60 to 80 feet tall) metal sculptures along the highway to attract visitors. It meant a 2 hour diversion, but we decided to check it out. It was totally worth it!!!  What a pleasant drive it turned out to be.

After the Enchanted Highway detour, we had Interstate highway the rest of the way. We ended the day in Casselton, and Judy cooked a phenomenal tuna recipe for dinner tonight.

Monday, 5/8: 267 miles: parked at Flandrau State Park, New Ulm, MN

It was another windy drive today, but It was sunny and 80 when we arrived at Flandrau. We have stayed  at this park before, and like it. Later that evening, we were greeted with rain showers. The campground was nearly empty with only three other campers there, all members of the same group.

At least half of the drive today was on rural roads through Minnesota farm land. We need to take more rural roads. The scenery is so much more interesting. The farmers were out in droves tilling and planting. The farm work has been delayed this year because of so much rain.

We had planned to grill outside, but rain showers cancelled that idea. We still managed to salvage a great chicken dinner in the camper.

Tomorrow it is on to Amherst, Wisconsin to spend a few days with great friends Dave and Ann Wright.