Traveling home from Hinkley

On the way back from Hinkley we take highway 70 through Wisconsin . It is a nice 2 lane scenic road. A few small towns and when we get to St Germaine we stop at the Pier of d'nort factory. They make a unique docking system that one person can put in and out of the water without getting wet. Check out the web site, there is humor involved. We meet the owners/salesman/workers [total of about 5] They are very friendly and show us all around. We are definitely interested..


In Manistique there is a pretty lighthouse.

We drive around for more vantage points and see many boats coming into the harbor at a fast clip and decided that a fast moving storm is over Lake Michigan moving towards us.


I spy this patriotic Moose and make Bob pull over. This will be the only Moose we see on this trip.
Following the Lake Michigan Shoreline , We just can't get enough of the "Mighty Mac" which was 50 years old in 2007. Taking advantage of all the places to stop and we snap even more pictures.

At one of the rest areas there was this sign along with many " DO NOT DRINK THE WATER" signs that were posted all over all the buildings and fountains. No explanation , just warnings.
This group was playing music ,talking, drinking and just hanging about... They were not drinking the water.

Come and walk the beach..
This could be South Padre Island but it is really Lake Michigan just a few miles west of the photo of the Bridge.
--There is a long stretch where you can pull over and just enjoy a day on the beach.


After crossing The Straits of Mackinac into the lower Peninsula of Michigan, we go west on county road 66 and before long we see something crossing the road in front of us. Bob and Mary both shout "Oh My, Look at that"... It is a BIG Black Bear lumbering across the road into the woods. Now, I know it is hard to believe there are no pictures of it but I was driving and did not want to take my eyes off of this very unusual sight.. We have never seen a bear on or near a road like that before.. I will never forget the way it was loping along.


When we get to Cross Village we go south on 119 which is called the Tunnel of Trees. Nineteen miles of narrow twisting road all the way to Harbor Springs. Somehow it seemed a lot farther to the Driver..me!!

Yes, I confess the driver again took the pictures!!
There is more of Michigan for us to explore..

Late note: After getting home and a few phone calls back and forth, we bought one of the Pier d nort docking systems.

Hinkley , MN.-

Finally we arrive...................

Check into the Grand Hinkley Inn, a beautiful 2 story hotel, we are greeted by many friends who have arrived before us. the Hospitality room is right next to the front desk and a fun place to hang out and see who has showed up. . The shuttle bus runs to the casino every 15 minutes 24/7 so you are good to go any time you get the itch. It is a short distance and many people are seen taking the scenic walk.Bob, Corkey, Jimmy, Bud, Evelyn are some of the friends hanging out in our gathering room. Eating at 4 Pm , cards and games and lots of talk, talk, talk follow. Then it is back to the Casino.


This is the patio outside of the Hospitality Room that is ours to use for the 2 day stay.


This seems like a good thing..


In a parking lot of a small shopping area ,Bob found his 'Cabin in the Woods".. It was very much the size of a Park Model [400 sq ft] with a loft. Nothing on the inside just log walls.
Yes, I could live here. [by myself] I wonder if he means in the parking lot or intends to move it to the woods.

See the Expressway signs in the background? No chance of getting "lost " in this area.



All too soon it is time to say Good by until next fall in Texas. Don Ringblom and George Wallin have only about an hour drive to get home. We all meet in the morning for the breakfast, coffee and saying goodbye's. Then out of our rooms by 11 AM.


Lavonne and Bea are settled in and ready to go. See you all soon...

The BIG MAC

July 14th , 2008, We head out to Hinkley, MN, for the Paradise Park Reunion and get to do one of our favourite things, cross the Mackinac Bridge. There are so many impressive sights and I always take too many pictures. Come with me as I share the Beautiful Big Mac with you.

This is the first view as you get close.
Look off to the left and there are two of these large wind turbines usually turning slowly.

This is so much fun for me, not so much for driver Bob. It is a long way down to the water.




My cousin Janet and Husband Neil are some of the few people who have had the opportunity to enter inside the tower and climb to the view from "up top". Hers is a interesting and funny story about how the wind is so strong it sucks your hair out through the opening and she had a skirt on that day!!!!
Compare this photo with the others , it was taken on the way home on a very foggy day. No blue sky and clouds. I was driving so Bob could look but I could not resist picking up the camera while driving. I told Bob he has to be come the photographer sometimes as it is too dangerous with me doing double duty.

I even like the photo op from the rear view mirror.


Some one even trimmed the trees at the rest area so you can see the Bridge from their deck.
If you have not yet "crossed over the bridge" I invite you to make the trip and see for yourself.


There are many places along Highway 2 to take another look.
Oh yes,, we live aprox 247 miles straight south.
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