Port Huron, Michigan

This was the view out our dining room window at the Port Huron KOA when we arrived Thursday afternoon.  This is a very large resort type campground and an outstanding one in the KOA system.  Amenities include: large swimming pool, basketball court, tennis courts, volleyball and tether ball sand pits, roller blade hocky rink, inside fitness center.  There are lots of cabins and lodges and I would guess around 200 RV & tents sites. By late afternoon the sites around us were filling and by Friday evening this was a very full park.  (No picture included of the full park - you would only see our immediate neighbors!)  The families were all having such fun.  The campground rents golf carts for $52 for 7 hours and you cannot believe the people taking leisurely trips around the park in them and loaded with people or people and dogs. Sometimes driving two side by side and all visiting.

For the past several years we have refined our traveling schedule to 2-2-2.  That was 200 miles, stop by 2 p.m., and stay 2 days.  We have improved that schedule - it is now 2-2-4! Much better! Still 200 miles max and stop by 2 p.m., but stay 4 days!  We like it!

We chose this route via Port Huron to Niagara because we did not want to go thru Detroit and because it is shorter.  However, Susan didn't realize until after some information gathering yesterday that the Blue Water Bridge is the second-busiest crossing between the United States and Canada.  We may very likely have a 30-60 minute crossing over the bridge to Ontario tomorrow.

Yesterday we walked around the dock area of the Black River and the St. Clair River.  Boating activity is centered around this area of Port Huron.  Beaches are to the north of downtown on both the St. Clair River and Lake Huron and they were sandy and nice. (The Black River flows iuto the St. Clair River as does Lake Huron. This water then flows into Lake St. Clair above Detroit, thence to Lake Erie, then the Niagara River to Lake Ontario which then flows into the St. Lawrence River and into the Atlantic Ocean.)  

The Great Lakes Marine Center had displays of ships/boats/yachts built by members of the local Model Ship Builders Club.  There are nice walkways and seating areas all around this area, even a "Little Free Library" along the walk by the St. Clair River.

We stopped for lunch at a brewery on the banks of the Black River looking out toward the St. Clair River.  Dave had a wonderful burger with carmelized onions made with Porter Beer.  We will try this when we are in Centennial with our Cowboy Ambassador RV friends!

Malia, our waitress

The picture at  the start of this entry is how the campground looked today by 11 a.m.!  Amazing.  We have the park to ourselves again!

South Haven, Michigan

On June 6 we left Elgin, Illinois and traveled to South Haven, Michigan.  Although it was only 166 miles, we probably spent 3 hours getting around the Chicago suburbs to Michigan.  It was a delight to arrive at our lovely home for the next 3 days - the Sunnybrook Resort. The resort occupies a site which in the past was one of many Jewish Resorts in Michigan.  It is a top class facility with lots of room and beautifully landscaped owner sites.  Price for a lake-front lot with 1 gazebo, paved parking pad and patio, grass lawn and a few shrubs - only $119,000.00!!  At that price it is easy to justify spending $30,000+ for an outside kitchen with firepit and deck over the lake.  

Our neighbor - full kitchen and covered area on other side of their MH.

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We observed that dining establishments in Michigan seem to feature root beer. A favorite listing was at Maria's where we had excellent pizza.

Next to Maria's was The Asylum Inn.  We did not check it out!

It's hard to find BBQ in Michigan, 

but we were persistent and Yelp

led us to Larks's Bar-BBQ in 

Benton Harbor 

(original home of "Sinbad" the actor). 

Mr. Lark is a local pastor. 

Very friendly staff and good food! 

Susan drove the North Shore Drive to Saugatuck, a touristy little town on Kalamazoo Lake. It is a nice drive with views of the lake to the west of the homes on the road.  Clever painting on the building in the little park.

AJ's Graduation

The Graduate with Nate & Mom

AJ and  his girl, Natalia

Nathan & Abby

What great young people!  These kids are a great example of what we want our future to be.  It was an honor to spend time with them!  

Dave and Susan usually crashed by evening, but the kids got in lots of games and fun.  

Mel & Maureen ventured into Chicago via train to shop, sightsee and see a play.  The day was gone before they knew it and they enjoyed a night at the Palmer House. 

 AJ was very busy working, but managed to squeeze in some family time and end of year socializing with classmates.  Abby and Nathan were a great addition to the fun, although they could only be there for the weekend.

Susan, Ali, Mel and Maureen spent a day in Geneva browsing, eating and laughing.