Day before big trip

We have been crossing off items on our Rochester bucket list before the departure.  We went out to dinner with daughter Alexis and her boyfriend Graham.  We went to Prescotts.  

Day 6....August 12

UWe hiked Tahquenon Falls in the AM, then headed south to lower MI.  We stopped at a fish shop and bought some smoked  whitefish, and ate it for picnic lunch.  We crossed Mackinac Bridge.  Scary as always.  Followed a lake road along  Little Traverse  Bay.  Now at  Petoskey Brewery.   Gorgeous town..... Hundreds of beautiful Victorians facing the bay.  Traverse City is a beachfront resort.  Seems like we are on a Caribbean island instead of MI.  This is also a beer geek Mecca.  There are 8 breweries/beerpubs in town so we are trying to hit most of them.  Campsite is a state park across from the beach.  Swimming, para-sailing.  For dinner we are eating arugula salad (that we bought at roadside stand) with the smoked whitefish left from lunch and sautéed zucchini over the campfire.

Day 5....August 10

We drove along Lake Superior.  We hiked in the Pictured Rocks area to Mosquito Falls.   It was a 

fairly difficult hike, about 2 hours.  Then we drove on to a small pioneer town called Grand Marais (like MN).  We to a Wild West brewpub there.  There is a snowmobilers'heaven.  Signs and trails all over.  We went to Tahquonen Falls where we stayed in a state park.  There is a brewpub in the state park!  We ran out of food, so sautéed some Spam, imported from MN in our back-up food box.  

I happily found our stash of hot sauces so now can use them.  We have been using our book "100 places before you die " and have crossed off several from MI.  

The weather has been perfect for camping and hiking .... In the 60s in the day and 40s at night.  The heater has kicked in a few nights.  It is on propane so no need for electricity.  

Day 4....August 9

We left the campsite and headed back to Lake Superior.  The region has about 20 waterfalls.  We hiked 4, and then went on a 3-hour boat ride on Lake Superior to view the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  It was beautiful.  We grilled whitefish for dinner over the campsite.  Bought it from a one-eyed crusty sea captain.  

The UP does not have good wi-fi so we have been out of communication with everyone.  

Day 3....August, 2013

HHeaded east, on a very scenic highway that hugged Lake Superior.  Stopped at a brew pub we found in our Michigan beer guide.  On to Munising where we planned to stay.  The campsites along the lake were all filled up, so we went inland.  Found another beautiful national forest with a campsite.  The camp host welcomed us, and helped us park.  These national forest campsites are real gems.  All so far are on pristine, untouched lakes with nice sites, grills, and even poles to hang garbage to keep bears away!  We took it easy, riding bikes, fishing, and reading.  

Food....we stopped at a roadside stand and bought Michigan blueberries, tomatoes and sweet corn.  We plan to eat a pasty.....an Upper Peninsula specialty.  They are a type of meat pie, filled with diced rutabaga, carrots, potatoes and meat or chicken.  We read that they were eaten by the miners as a cheap, easy-to-carry lunch.  We also hope to buy whitefish, also famous up here.

Day 2...August 8, 2013

Enjoyed nice breakfast at the campsite, then took a 2-mile hike around the lake.  It was beautiful, but the mosquitoes were terrible.  Packed up and drove to Upper Peninsula, MI.  George wanted to stop in Haughton where there is a brewery.  It rained on our way, so we were having second thoughts about setting up the camper, but the sun miraculously popped out right when we arrived.  Camped on a lake.  Cute town.  

A note about food.  I told folks that I would use this blog to write about culinary campfire delights.  I'm afraid I haven't done anything exciting yet.  We have leftovers from our hotel to use up first.  First night we had shrimp and sausage gumbo.  Last night leftover pork tenderloin, potatoes and sautéed zucchini.  We usually cook over a campfire.  Last night there was not a grate, so we use our tripod grill.   The smartest thing we bought for camping is small French press for coffee.  We heat the water in a teapot over the fire if that is our only option.  Next best is to use our propane heater.  Better is if we are at a campsite that has showers.  Usually, there is an outlet in the women's restroom where I can plug in our electric teakettle.  The very best  option is having a campsite with electrical hook-up, and then we can just plug in the teakettle in the camper.  In any case, great way to start the day!

Day 1. August 7, 2013

Life doesn't get much better than this.....drinking champagne around a campfire at a drop-dead gorgeous campsite on a lake with private access, listening to the loons, and even a nice-smelling pit toilet.  All for $9.00!  Let me back up......today was my last day of work.  George picked me up and we took off for the land of retirement.  We headed toward Madeline Island.  When we were near, we called and found that their campsites were full.  At the same time, we saw a sign for a campsite at a national forest.  George has a senior pass, so it is very inexpensive.  So, here we are.  George surprised me with a bottle of champagne.  Perfect evening and start of our new adventure.