I'll try not to bore you with details. So here are the highlights of my "getaway" to the U.P of Michigan. I figured I put 1600 miles on the truck and spent a total of over $400 in gas, overnights, food, and miscellaneous (bridge tolls, camera batteries, park fees, etc.). Money well spent.

It was well over 100 degrees when I left. My first day destination was a cemetery and library in Waterloo, IN to research the date of death and burial plot of my great, great grandfather (a "hero" of the civil war). No luck. It's a huge mystery to me (and the genealogist). Found his son and 2nd wife, but no William Henry.

Next, I visited Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve (in the NE corner of Indiana). However, because of the heat, they canceled the two o'clock tour. No big deal. I got the information I needed about buying buffalo--not meat, but live ones. I want 6 of them!!

I found a secluded place to sleep in the bed of my truck overnight. Warm and mosquito infested. Rough night.

I hiked two trails in Hartwick Pines St. Park (MI) north of Lansing. Then went on up to Mackinaw (and Mackinac) to survey some parks and general area. Neat bridge over the Straits. From there, it was a hop, skip and jump to Sault St. Marie where I toured the locks (interesting) and went to another state park nearby.

I booked a room in a motel (only $60) and ate steak and perch (with salad bar) at Studebaker's Restaurant. It was filled with car memorabilia, really neat! Wish my father, a former Studebaker dealer, could see it. Too bad it was virtually empty, even on a Saturday night. Great food, too.

Off to the West hugging the Lake Superior shoreline, where I took in a lighthouse (of course I climbed to the top!). Then to Tacquamenon St. Park (rhymes with phenomenon) with its upper and lower water falls. More trail hiking, too. Nice park.

I was told to see another "better" lighthouse (Crisp Point), but after driving on dirt washboard backroads for an hour, I turned around for another hour of jolting, bucking, dusty, 25 mph ride to "civilization". It's very remote up there, and I was happy to escape with no breakdown, truck or mentally!

Mid afternoon, I arrived at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, stretched out along Lake Superior. I camped out, with tent (more on camping--pros and cons--in my next post).
Before I hit the sack, I either drove to or hiked to several "points of interest", including, yes, another lighthouse (closed to tours--too late). I figured I walked 6 miles all day. (leftover perch for supper)

The following day (Mon), I hiked some more trails and visited other park scenic features. Then I departed South towards Lake Michigan's northern shore where I "moteled" it. Nice to shower. Had a pizza for supper. By the way, I never bought a lunch--no fast food. Had my own peanut butter, apples, and dried fruit.

Bored yet? Tuesday, I drove along the W Lake Mich. shore to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It cost $10 to take a "scenic road" tour, hardy worth the money. But I have a Golden Age Pass, good for free entrance to any national park. More hiking on sandy trails--very difficult. I have "issues" with this park, but I won't go into them.

I slept overnight in the back of my truck at a national forest (free). Then I drove along the coast to southern Michigan, found a blueberry farm, and picked 9 lbs @ $2/lb.
Ate a lot--yum yum--"lunch"! Took two hours because blueberries were rather sparse.

Last stop was the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Despite being only 100 miles from my house, I haven't been there since I was in high school! Huge dunes. Of course I hiked some more--again, difficult sandy trails.

I left the park at 3:45, arriving home at 6 PM. Exhausted. The weather was great all the time--sunny and warm (80's).
Overall, a good getaway to places I've never been to or will ever see again, most likely. But it's good to be home, drought notwithstanding.