2018 Mackinaw City Rally

Mary, we were going to try St. Ignace the last day there but ran out of time since Walmart took 4 hrs to install a battery in the truck. The short version, they broke the bolt that holds it down, covered it up, said they cannot fix it so sent us to a "friend" who was able to fix it but the day was shot since we were meeting everyone at 4:30 for dinner. I was so hoping to get in another bike ride also since that bike trail was so nice. The week went waaay to fast and we all have sore ribs from the laughing. It was nice that Sharon and Norm joined us since they had seen all the places before. So sorry you could not make it but we now life gets busy and 4 hrs is a long drive. We still have opportunities in the future. Hoping to meet more people in the future also.

I have really been enjoying the pics! Thinking of you all so much!

You should think about going over the bridge and spend some time in St Ignace. Not sure how much time you have..but...Whitefish point is wonderful with the Ship Wreck museum I know you don't have the time for all the UP...but...that truly is....a sight to behold!

Here’s the gang, from left:
Heather, Eileen, Sharon, Marianne, TC, Brenda

So happy to have met Sharon, Brenda, Marianne, Eileen again and ... Heather for the first time ! Everyone is just like they are on paper here. Mike makes fun of Heather's use of "eh" but he loves her as much as I. We are having busy but fun days and loads of steps. The island was so much fun and the fort mackinaw was informative. The horse buggy guides were funny and informative and the pics turned out well. So far, have only had time to post to FB and i apologize.

Today is THE day! I see where TC has already arrived and the rest of us will be straggling in.

We are headed north about a couple hours out. We should be arriving by noon or shortly after.

Safe travels everybody! See you soon!

Heather, you are closer than we are. We have a 2.5 hr. drive tomorrow but once on the road, it will be an easy one (without rain!!) See you all tomorrow.

Last 's till we meet!
Tonight we are here....



Edited by: HOLDINGMYOWN at: 8/11/2018 (22:50)

Safe travels everyone. Wish we could be there with you. Don't forget pictures and do you anti rain dance.

Safe travels everyone. I am so sad that we can't be there. But it is a bit stressful around here right now. Jenny is doing a beautiful job getting things ready for the open house. I'll be traveling with you all on here.

Arlene

We are leaving and it is 10:45! Earlier than we expected but I got everything ready yesterday so it was just a matter of loading it this morning.

Everyone please travel safe and see all of you tomorrow!

getting ready to leave safe travels everyone see you soon

Eileen - I'm glad you found a campground. At this time of year most of the campgrounds are full. That's why we are stopping in Manistee at the casino. We won't have a problem.

Heather - we quit with our KOA membership as we found many of them are not up to par. Too many are very old parks and don't handle our big rig. You have really had some wonderful campgrounds as you make your way to us. See you soon!

I am busy loading this morning so cutting it short.

Tonight we are in Reed City, MI which is just south of Cadillac. I called 3-4 campgrounds on our route and all were full. Called on this one and got City Hall. The gal that answered didn't know what was available. I wonder why they put city hall in trailerlife when she had a phone number for the campground. I didn't have anything to write with so just said we would give it a try. 1 site left and difficult to get into but really a very nice city campground. Lots of trees, nice level sites, only 13, and we have been treated to a Jazz concert in the park. it is a city park with a playground etc. Have TV but no WiFi. No sewer but not a problem for us. Staying 2 nights here due to the difficulty in getting a site. Sill be down the road on Sun.

Oh yes, the song "The Old Rugger Cross" was written here in a little church that has a big wooden cross by it. It's on the first curve upon entering the park. The man who wrote it lived here and this was his church. Never know what you find as you travel unknown roads. Love the roving and roaming we do.

Wednesday night we camped at the worse KOA I have ever seen! The main gate started with the nicest sign....but it all went downhill from there. This KOA seems to cater to their seasonal people ( who get wifi but travellers are not given the password....because they said it was not strong enough to accommadate everyone BUT they were in the process of getting an update...yeah right....heard that before...lol ) The sites were small and crowded and their firepits were sunk into the ground so you could not even see them when you were trying to park up or when leaving...could have caused a lot of damage if any of the truck or trailer tires had dropped in them. Plus the firepits were full of garbage and cigarette butts. The seasonal campers trailers reminded me of gypsy caravan sites....
So we were happy to leave there Thursday morning....only pic I took was at the front gate


Last night was a completely different story.....we found a gem in the middle of North Bay city....the park itself is not visable from the road....it has a motel in front! That flummoxed us at first....



You go round the motel rooms on the left into a lovely campground....

And they have a pool....

But we did not go swimming because we went to visit with a nurse classmate of mine who lives in North Bay along with her brother the shifty lawyer....




Tonight we are in Spragge, Ontario in a campground that use to be a KOA....but was sold about 11 years ago....

Sites are nice and large.....they have a pool....wifi only at the front store though....
Good job we have data to spare eh?


As you can see ...I brought my clothesline.....

Just 2 more and we will see you all!

Edited by: HOLDINGMYOWN at: 8/10/2018 (21:11)

Oh, Sharon! Now they say rain on Weds. is possible? Oh dear, not a good sign if we are coming in!!

Mary we are sending a prayer that you can make it for a little while. Take care!

Mary - I know you are trying hard so I'll say a little prayer it all works out. We are all looking forward to meeting you.

Poor Eileen and her rain. I hope it doesn't follow her to the rally. I checked WeatherBug and now they are saying Wednesday is 40% chance of rain. No mention of rain the rest of the week. It changes on a daily basis but one can hope we are rain free!

Awww...Mary~~ I do hope you find a way to see us all~~

Sharon...not sure.

We close at 2...on Saturday.

I have a friend that has a place in Houghton...if she doesn't do Metamora Days...she will take me to Houghton...then...up to Mackinaw City for the rest of Saturday...and then...spend the night back in Houghton...then home. She is going to try. She is suppose to help a friend sell crafts..but seeing if someone else will help her.

Mary - we sure hope you can come up for a day. However, this Sunday (8/12) is the day of arrival so we are all arriving at different times. Next Sunday (8/19) is the day we are all leaving. I believe we have to leave by noon. Bottom line, Sunday doesn't work well. I hope that doesn't ruin your chance to come and meet everyone as we all want to meet you!

Would love to met you Mary .

Love seeing the pics!

Still not sure about next weekend...if we do...it would be for one day...Sunday. Trying....the summer was not kind to us in the dry cleaning business!

Thinking...just one day...Sunday...next Sunday!

looks great enjoying your travels posts I hope it don't get windy and the acorns start to hit bad LOL safe travels Good Night

SO~~here we are at Parc National D' Oka in Quebec....


This park sits along the Ottawa River and has sandy beaches ( we did not go for a swim today though )


It also has a brand new boardwalk that winds in the trees along the side facing the river....( we did go for a 40 minute walk~~)


And we had a cute visitor this evening~~


The Park is covered with Oak trees and as I started this entry an acorn hit the trailer roof and scared the living daylights out of me~~
Alex is still laughing~~

No pics here as they seem to be eaten when uploading to the PC. We are in Shipshewana and got in before a torrential downpour! As with Heather, we have lots of pools and lakes around the campground! Seem to have seem the last of it today but still chances for the next 6 days.

Ate dinner at the Flea Market Auction restaurant. Down home dinner of fish, green beans, mashed potato and coleslaw. Delicious! Sat by the window and watched many many horse and carriage going through the heavy rains.

Tomorrow will be looking around and also going on a dog food run which we forgot to pick up yesterday when shopping. Also will go to the Essenhaus in Middlebury for late lunch. It's only 7 miles back. Flea Market here we come tomorrow if not raining.

This was our Campground last night.....

And to our nice surprise they had a beach area~~




We had fun cooling off~~ LOL


Then just after we got back to the trailer we had the biggest thunderstorm with a huge downpour~~




Today we are headed to a Quebec National Park....will get pics later~~

Good News!

I just checked my WeatherBug app for Macinaw City. It only goes out to Thurs of next week but there is no rain forecasted Sun thru Thurs. I realize this too could change but it looked good to me!

I think we are heading to the south campground. Haven't look any up yet. If this one isn't by the flea marker, we will check that one out! Thanks.

Eileen - will you be staying at the new campground right at the flea market? We haven't stayed there yet. We always have stayed at the Shipshwana South Campground. If it RAINS tomorrow you can always wait and go to the flea market on Wedn

We are going to be moving from here tomorrow between storms (ya, you read it right) to Shipshewana. And yes, we have 23 miles to go with the move!! Kind of a very short drive between Elkhart and Shipshewana!

Has rained hard this late afternoon/evening. Missed the winds and hail. Should stopped for the morning tomorrow and then restart. Hope to be settled in for a couple days.

Nice campground, Heather!

We are leaving Saturday spending a night some where and head in on Sunday

Brenda - when do you head north?

nice campsite safe travels Heather & Alex

May the rest of your campsites be as nice as this one. It's nice and shady in all this heat! We actually prefer to travel 250-300 miles a day. We are not pushers.

Will be leaving here today to head out to our next booked campground. Taking our time and not driving far from stop to stop.....only have about 265 miles to drive today.

Heather - Safe travels!

What a beautiful day to begin our travels to Mackinaw City....

We arrived in Elkhart this evening and will be here for at least a week. Chris and Matt are here and finally got their rig back. Haven' talked since we arrived but will be meeting up with them tomorrow. They are extending some for the Amish arts and craft festival and threshing bee from Thurs. to Sun.

We have lots of things to cook with so if someone needs something, just ask! We are currently well equipped as we have yet to get to our MN. home to unload things we don't need in the RGV. AND paper plates with disposable utensils are stocked as well.

We are probably with in a couple day's drive.

I don't know of any grocery store locally, but there is in Cheboygan which is about 10 miles away. Perhaps some of us can make a run some evening or morning if necessary.

Don't worry about anything too fancy for a potluck. We just want to have the time together as a group as I feel some of us will go separate ways throughout the week. I don't want it to be a hardship for anyone. No worries for the week!

cole slaw, fruit salad, fresh veggies dip. Lots of options as long as grocery store is near !!

Heather last time I used my crock pot and cooked the cheesy potato casserole in it most of the day just a thought

Yes the excitement is building up here too been hanging around here to much getting boring .

Heather, since Pete and I are staying at a hotel, we’ll also be creative with the potluck. Don’t worry about it, lots of options.

Not sure what I could do as pot luck in our trailer....the oven is really small...and we don't carry casserole dishes with us ( we mostly use paper plates etc... )
So will need to do a think on that day....

We are leaving on Saturday and slowly working our way north. It's getting close and the excitement is building!

Yes, I am sure we will have a potluck one of our evenings in the campground. Again, I want to wait until we know what the weather is going to be. Wouldn't want to plan a potluck on a rainy day. Duh.....what am I saying! There will be no rain, right?

Heather - you have quite the trek to get there but I'm happy you are coming! Good thing you are retired and can take the time to get there, spend the time with us and then make the trek back home. It will be worth it, I promise!

Have all our campgrounds booked for our 7 day trek from NB to Sault St Marie Ontario, Canada.....then on the 12th we just need to get from there to Tee Pee Campground.
We plan not to unhook....and just the one night each place till we get there.

getting excited!

That sounds fun. Mike is looking forward to the island also. Will there be a potluck that week ?

Our daughter took the carriage ride when she was there and thoroughly enjoyed it. We have friends that are there and she keeps posting pics of their time there. She worked there herself when they lived back there so she knows what to go see again. It's funny because he is the minister from our church back home and is going to join the family this coming week and she keeps teasing him about what he's missing.

I'm sure you are all going to have a great time.

Arlene

Good to know, Brenda and Sharon, thanks.

I had already checked out the carriage ride it runs $29.00 a person well worth it in our opinion

Marianne - I plan on having a nice meeting Monday morning after everyone arrives to make plans as to who wants to do what. We will also have a better idea of the weather for the week.

There is a huge parking lot so if you drive your rental car to the ferry, you should have no problem parking. Being as our whole group are camping at TeePee, I will check with the mgr when we arrive. He knows us and may waive it and let you go with the group.

The island has one main street of souvenirs, fudge shops and that kind of stuff which hopefully you can walk. The rest of the stuff that would interest you would be a lot of walking. You could rent bikes but it would be a lot of uphill biking. I think you should relax and take one of the carriage rides. They also tell you a lot about the island that would be of interest to you and Pete. So I would recommend either of the carriage rides. You can take a private small carriage or one of the larger ones that hold a group of people.

Our time is fast approaching and looking forward to spending time with everyone!

Sharon, I’ve been doing some reading about TeePee Campground and the Mackinaw area. Pete and I won’t be able to take the free shuttle from the campground to the ferry since we’re not staying there. Should we rent bikes to visit Mackinaw Island? I see there are walking tours and horse carriage rides, also possibilities. It looks like we’ll be visiting while there are lots of tourists.

Our flight gets in late afternoon on Sunday and we have to pick up our rental car and drive from Traverse City, so we probably won’t be at the campground until Monday. I’ll be taking my collapsible cane. While my ability to walk has improved I don’t want to have to rely only on my feet to see the island.

Even though I understand~~I hope nobody else cancels for Mackinaw city~~I was looking forward to meeting as many RV'ers as possible since this is the closest east the rally has ever been~~
Really going to miss not meeting Arlene and Joyce...

Arlene, sorry we’ll miss you but certainly understand.

I’m getting excited about our trip! My son is lined up to take the dog since we’re flying.

I think I posted on the other thread that mom cancelled also. Mike and I will be there and I think he is willing to let me bring my camper even though it is not as well stocked as his...LOL ! I was informed I need something to turn the logs with...LOL !! We are looking forward to seeing the bay and the islands.

Heather I was looking forward to meeting you after all our chats. And I will miss everyone else too, it makes me want to change my mind but it just isn't possible. Jenny was looking forward to us getting to see Mackiinaw since she was there and had been telling us all about it. She has been working hard at making our Open house a special day and I'm so thankful for that.

Well I best get busy here. I popped in here early today which is unusual for me. Jenny gets ready shortly to head to Music Camp so I need to get breakfast done.

Arlene

We totally understand Arlene we will miss seeing you . take care of yourself from your fall

Sorry to hear this Arlene! We certainly will miss you guys but can also understand. We are still trying to figure out where we are heading tomorrow. We are still at a turning point to head home with the truck issue or bite the bullet and keep heading towards the rally. Roger was told to get new tired when the mechanic was working with the AC so he did that this AM so we are much safer that way. And we hope to drive out of this heat soon.

Awwwww....Arlene~~ I do understand but so sad to not being able to finally meet you and Darrell.....
I hope you recover quickly from that fall~~

Arlene - I am truly sorry you have decided not to come. I can understand why but we will miss both of you.

Hi everyone,
I hate to say this but we are cancelling out MI trip. I was really looking forward to it but I started thinking and looking at all that we want to get done before our anniversary open house and I realized there was no way we could take another week away. We already have a week coming up for our Good Sam Samboree which we have to go to because Darrell is giving classes for Defensive Driving and he the State Musician and he and one of the other members have committed to being the Saturday night entertainment/band. They did it last year because the Eagles Club that we were at ended up in a bind and it went so well they were asked to do it again. Neither of these things he's doing are paid jobs but it's something you do for the Good Sam group. It was my idea to cancel the trip because I know Darrell has been really pushing to try and get these things done here and I had to take some of the stress off.

Jenny's here for the day (she's on her way to teach and the International Music Camp for a week) so we spent some time at the North Dakota State Fair. It's not as big as some states have but I got lots of steps in. That wasn't easy after the tumble I took yesterday. I went to step up on a bit of a high side walk and lost my balance and fell, actually part way under a parked car, bruised my elbow only a bit but my body's a bit sore from it all. We go watch the parade and check out some of the exhibits and that's our trip to the Fair each year.

I will try to keep up with what you all are doing but like I said these are some busy days. I even forgot to do my daily spin on Thursday so now I'm starting all over again.

Well I best get busy. I have a list of things I want to get done yet today.

Arlene

Eileen - we have reservations at the Soo Locks Campground on Site #39 which is right on the locks. We would love to have you join us for a day or whatever.

Sharon, if we don't go as a group, we will probably do the same. We can take hwy 2, if I recall, and get into MN. on the north side. And we don't have to go through Chicago either.

We did the same this week, Brenda. And we made the decision that after our rally instead of heading home, we are going up to the Soo Locks from Sunday to Wednesday. We usually go for a few days in Sept but since we will be so close, we decided to combine the two trips into one.

It is now less than a month away and really getting excited!

Hi we are just going over our plans for the trip the count down has arrived LOL

Yikes~~!! IT IS~~ getting closer and we still have things to do to be ready to go~~LIKE buy our health insurance...and plan our stops to and from Mackinaw~~ and then book a campground in those areas~~
Better get moving eh?

Edited by: HOLDINGMYOWN at: 7/8/2018 (07:24)

Ready, willing and able to take off and come that direction!!

We are also looking forward to our annual stay at Tee Pee Campground. We decided this week that instead of coming home on Sunday, we are going up to the Soo Locks Campground for a few days and then come home!

Here are a couple pics from previous stays to whet your whistle!

And I can’t wait!

it is getting closer

Eileen, you are so funny ! Lol !! Also right as rain. HIs fires do get big. PJ, sorry if you can not make it this year but we get it. Not everyone can come every year.

Love the shirt, TC! Great buy and so fitting.



(Just in case. Been around his fires)

aww....PJ....I wish you were coming to the rally with us....I was SO looking forward ro meeting someone shorter than me~~

PJ - you can join our conversations any time. Maybe it will get you to change your mind and join us!

I'm keeping up with you all and the rally through this thread TC I love the shirt for Mike.

Love it LOL

very fitting shirt for Mike!

oh....me thinks Mike will love that T-Shirt TC

Love the shirt, TC!

Tell Ruthann to keep checking flights. She may find it gets cheaper the closer we get and maybe she will be able to come after all. We will be coming in the 11th and leaving the 19th since we both work Monday the 20th. Mike loves setting up the fires. Shhhh, don't tell him, but I bought him a t shirt. I bought him a shirt similar to this one. I think he will like it.

www.amazon.com/Master-campfi
re-Camping
-shirts-camper-Black/dp/B06X
9GYHPN
?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAJ2
F6
RDUSIYCWQMFQ&tag=sa-sym-new-20&aR>mp;linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&cr
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tive=165953&creativeASIN=B06X9GYHPN

Yes, it is exciting now that we are all getting our reservations. Matt is a lot of fun and we have been going to his campground for years so it would not surprise me if he stopped in to one of our campfires.

I did get an email from Ruthann and it isn't looking like she is going to make it after all. It is too far and too expensive for the flight. She said may be next year. I am veey disappointed but I do understand.

We are getting excited Aug can't come fast enough

I got registered this evening. Matt didn't give me a site number but assured me we are all together a couple back to back so that we could party. He said he would be down to enjoy the party with us!. He's happy to have the group come in. We are coming in on the 12th (Sun) and leaving on the 19th (Sun). Looking forward to seeing the sites again!!

We have been booked into TeePee Campground in site 56. Matt says that is back to back with Sharon....
I looked at the map of the Campground and it does not look exactly back to back but I am sure we will all be close enough eh?

The only people I have met in person on the RV team are Sharon & Norm and Mary and Pat ( in Maine Pat )

Getting excited to meet all those going to Mackinaw City....it will be so nice to see actual *real* faces other than those I see in photos~~




Edited by: HOLDINGMYOWN at: 3/14/2018 (16:24)

Arlene, we’re staying at that same Days Inn.
Now that I have the hotel and plane reservations, I’m really excited about catching up with the group too. I’m also hoping Ruthann can join us.

I made our reservations tonight for Mackinaw at the Days Inn on S. Huron, hopefully I got the same one as Marianne and Pete.

Now I have a trip planned for Florida for the 1st week in June and then we head to MI in Aug. Sounds like a good summer to me. Then if all goes as planned Jenny (and my little sister I'm sure) are planning an open house for our 50th anniversary.

It will be so much fun to see those that we've met before and to meet the new people. Ruthann we all know so much about you, it will be fun to meet you.

Arlene

Arlene - We will take however much time you can fit in for us! I look very forward to seeing everyone again since we have had to miss a couple of the get togethers.

TC - I just want you to tell Mike we are excited he will be joining us. He made a great impression on all of us and we are looking forward to spending time together again. Plus, we may just have to call on his fire starting skills once again! I am also glad Joyce is coming so we can catch up again. My first question will be, do you miss AZ as much as I do?