Ahhh... perfume to my nostrils

Okay, I really thought I was being helpful.  I mean I do have a lovely coat of fur.  And Dad has often said I should be a mop and help clean up a bit.  Now, I know I don't normally offer my assistance, but the smell was just sooooo enticing.  Diesel fuel.  Now there's a perfume I can really enjoy!! 

You see, Dad decided to change the fuel filter on the truck but.....it really didn't go as planned.  He had secured a filter from the local Autoparts store but alas, it was the wrong size.  By the time he got done monkeying around and trying to put the old one back on for the third time, it wasn't sealing and he had a mess.  That's when I appeared and decided to help mop up.
I turned my head slightly to the right, lowered it to the driveway and slithered along the cement right into the middle of the puddle.  Of course Dad was busy muttering bad words under his breath and didn't even notice my help so.....I trotted in the house to show Momma what a helpful gal I was.  
Well, to make a long story short.....I suddenly found myself on the wash rack out back with a thick coat of suds covering my gorgeous fur and eradicating that beautiful perfume I had worked so had to accumulate.  

That would have normally been fine...relaxing even.  I do enjoy a good body massage but.....about the time I was just beginning to enjoy my sudsy experience, a HUGE, LOUD, BOOMING clap of thunder undid me.  I  wanted off that wash stand and ....and....well, I just wasn't sure where I wanted to be. I mean Momma was still there and she protects me....but...Gosh that was loud!!  Hurry Momma, let's take cover before it happens again.......

Hickory

Now this is a RESORT

Well, we sailed....oops....poor word choice there.....it really wasn't too windy.....we crawled across the 5 mile suspension bridge...due to construction and only one lane open each direction and have left the UP (Upper Peninsula).  Dad paid our $8 to cross....that's $2 an axle.  Mom gave me cookie bones to assure I wouldn't bark at the ticket booth.  Now figure this one out.  I only got 4...four....cookie bones.  That's only $1 a leg.  Hmmmm.  I think I should at least qualify for 2 cookie bones a leg don't you?  Especially since I didn't bark at all.
We are in Hillman, Michigan with lush, green, soft, just meant for rolling in grass.  Yep, honest to goodness, marvelous thick grass.  Thunderbay Golf and RV Resort is really a resort.  I mean paved site with cable, wi-fi that really works, 50 amp full hook up and friendly neighbors. And the biggie....NO MOSQUITOES!!   Dad is smiling as we are staying at 50% off with our Passport America card. 
They also have an elk farm here and you can reserve an evening 5 course dinner at the lodge after taking a carriage ride to view the elk and take pictures.  Mom, Dad, Carolyn and Jerry tried out the club house for a late lunch upon arrival and they all said the neighbor who told them they should give it a try gave them a great recommendation.  They have a fantastic chef in the kitchen.   I guess that is why all the reviews for the Elk Viewing and Dinner Evening rave about the good food....no it's not elk....pork is served.  Maybe we'll have to come back one day when we want an expensive night out.  ($89 per person)
They even let us wash our rig here so we are sparkling once again.  With hard water, Momma had to go behind Dad with the squeegee and towel to avoid water spots.  I just rolled and rolled in the grass.  aaahhhh   Hey, I think you might have missed a spot Dad.....to your right.
Hickory

Anchors Away

So you thought I'd given up blogging.  Well, I had really begun to wonder if we'd ever return to a technology friendly area!!  The only thing plentiful were HUGE mosquitoes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  Cellular service was sporadic.  The wi-fi they claimed to offer was dial up plus slow and unreliable.  Now we are staying at Kewadin Casino in St. Ignace...just on the north side of the Mackinac Bridge....with water hookup, 50 amp electric and dump station for $15 a night.  Dad's wallet is lovin' it!!  Jerry was even lucky enough at the casino to 'earn' his stay.  Dad used his free set up money ( a whole 5 bucks) and lost it all.  He decided not to reach in his pocket and give away any additional $$.
I saw a sign yesterday that said, trucks and RV's crossing the Mackinac Bridge...20 mph due to the winds.  Well, today it is a tad windier.  Our schedule calls for bridge crossing tomorrow morning.  I wonder if we will fight the 'breeze' or sail across without the crosswind. Maybe we should attach a para-sail to the 5er.  Time will tell.

Mom and Dad enjoyed some time on the water during our stay at Munising, Michigan.  They took the Pictured Rock Tour Boat to view all the unique shapes and colored rocks that Mother Nature provided along the coastline of Lake Superior.  The white is limestone, green copper and tea coloring is tannins from the trees.

Now they could have opted for renting kayaks like the ones in the lower right corner in the picture above rather than sitting back and letting the captain and crew entertain them with facts, information and stories as they sped along at 14 knots up the coast line, stopping for pictures along the way.
The second boat had a glass bottom and focused on shipwrecks that were in shallow enough water to be seen thru the glass.  It was a great day to be on the water and with seats right up front on the bow of the boat, it was an enjoyable day ....without mosquitoes!!
The falls just north of Newberry, Michigan is another favorite sight for tourist. 

It is a State Park.  You might even see a moose.....head.... that is mounted for display.
Hickory

When we arrived at Buttersville Campground in Ludington, Michigan, we made our way to the office.  We had to fill our tank with water as there is no water at the site.

While Dad monitored the water fill..... Momma wandered to the waterfront....

Lake Michigan in all its glory.  Breath taking view!! She didn't take the time for the stairs until after we got set up and I could go along.

 Dad kept trying to get me into the water.  He would toss a stick into the water and think I was silly enough to follow it into that chilly, cold water. 

 I told him if he would go in first, I'd follow him in.  Well, we didn't get wet....well, just my paws.  That's how I found out how chilly Lake Michigan really is!!

It was a nice morning for a run on the beach.  Not a bit of salt water anywhere, but boy that's some ice cold water!
Hickory

Momma was sitting in her rocker, enjoying the glow from the electric fireplace that is taking the chill off the 60 degree morning when she happened to look out her window at 8:30 in the morning.  Low and behold.....what adventuresome neighbors.  
While Momma and Dad headed out to meet the Breitweiser's last night (they are at a different campground) at the House of Flavors....yep, that's ice cream by the bucketfuls...the neighbors arrived.  I watched them set up the pop-up trailer and the adjacent tent.  I missed seeing them hang the two hammocks.  Momma was sure surprised this morning when she looked out her window. 

I'm sure the warmth of all that sunshine feels good on a cool morning!!
Hickory

Red, white and blue streets

Talk about community spirit!  Ludington, Michigan streets are lined with red, white and blue petunias.  Just gorgeous!! Now here's the kicker.....it's a volunteer project that began in 1987 and has continued every year.  Impressive!!

Boy would I have enjoyed the day on the Bavarian Belle if I had only been invited to go along.  They even served fresh popped popcorn and huge, soft pretzels. 

The Bavarian Belle tours the Carr River from a port in downtown Frankenmuth, Michigan.  Even the ducks look forward to the boat on the river.  As soon as they see the boat coming, they run down the river banks, into the water and swim toward the boat to enjoy popcorn tossed to them by the passengers.
Now the snack was good, but not near as filling as the family style dinner served at the Bavarian Inn.  Lightly breaded chicken with loads of sides.  And of course Jerry enjoyed teasing with the waitress who was dressed in Bavarian costuming. 

Now who is the most handsome, the wooden soldiers or those two gentlemen in the middle?  They may not be as tall, but they sure have livelier personalities!!