Lapeer MI - 2020

Hey,

So, after Shipshewana, we headed to Terry's parent's house to do some mooch docking (yes, that is a term).  While we hung out, we ordered stuff.  We also put the new awning corner cap on and this time, I taped it on.  Hopefully it will stay on now.  Since we just upgraded the fridge, this was going to be a great test on whether or not our solar can keep the batteries charged.  Or so we thought.  The day after we arrived, it got cloudy and rainy for the next 4 or 5 days.  We ended up plugging into their house to charge the batteries. I guess we'll have to wait until Jefferson for the next test.  We also ordered a new battery for our Sprint hot spot.  It kept overheating and powering off.  I hope the new battery will be better.  One of the main reasons we were here was because Terry's dad was getting a new knee and wanted to be there to help out if needed.  As of this writing (October), he is doing great, in fact he has gone on a couple mile plus hikes since the surgery.  He did have one issue after the surgery, he got an infection soon after he got home and had to go back to get that taken care of.  But like I said that's all fixed and he's ready for another hike.  Not bad for a 80+ year old.  Oh, while the parents were at the hospital (because of the infection) all the kids of the family partied like 12-year-olds, even though they were way older than that.  I guess some things never change.  I on the other hand was an angel and kept everyone safe.  😊🙂😊

Terry's parents finally got tired of me and said to get out.  Just kidding, it was time to move on.  Our next stop was the Aune-Osborn Campground in Sault Ste. Marie, MI.  This place was at the top of Michigan.  In fact we could see Russia...I mean Canada from our front door.  On the way to the campground, we found out we cannot make it from Lapeer to the top of Michigan on a single tank of gas, I have to use fuel from the auxiliary tank too.  Good thing I caught that before running out. It was only 305 miles, but we were bucking a head wind. 

While we were there, we did a tour of both the American and Canadian locks with the Soo Locks Boat Tours company.  They are called the Soo Locks (no relationship to the Indian tribe).  What was funny was when we went through the American side, no one was around the locks and by no one, I mean tourists.  On the Canadian side, people were walking across the lock doors having a good old time.  I guess security is way stricter on the American side.  The locks connect Lake Superior with Lake Huron via the St. Mary’s River. There is a 21-foot drop between the lakes so that is while they built it.  I ask as to why they built it and not just trench the river out, but the captain didn't really understand the question I guess because all I got was history of the locks instead.  The boat ride wasn't bad though.  It was a nice day for it.  Here are the pictures we took of that.

Later that day, we hit the Museum Ship Valley Camp.  It's the largest great lakes Maritime Museum. It's a freighter.  It was cool, I don't think it talked a lot about itself, but had a lot of maritime info in it. The whole inside was a museum. 

From here we packed our bags and headed to the Forgotten Fire Winery in Marinette WI. This time I paid attention to the gas gauge. This was a Harvest Host spot.  I guess Terry was getting thirsty.  The wine here was OK I guess, but what do I know, it's not like I drink the stuff anyway.  One cool thing was on one of our walks here, we saw a deer laying down next to a tree in the woods.  I say it was about 30 yards in.  He didn't run when we walked by, but did keep an eye on us.  Well after our night here, we headed to the Wisconsin Dells. Meet ya there!