I know this thread isn't going to be terribly interesting to you guys. I want to log our vacation activities on a web site that's not seen by burglars and Dave agreed it would be OK to do it here. Thanks, Dave. We can delete the thread some time after we're home.
Lois and I plan to leave next week with an overnight stop in Findlay, OH. We like to stop there on our drives to Michigan and have dinner at Bistro on Main. Then, on to Port Huron, MI where we'll attend my 63nd high school reunion (planners didn't want to wait for 65 due to ..., well, you know.) We'll connect with my Aunt Lois and cousin Joan and Lois' cousins. We have a late lunch scheduled with 15 or so of our old ( ) friends. Leaving PH, we'll stay in Grand Blanc with sis-in-law Kathy. Sis-in-law Becky will be there too. Then on to East Lansing staying with niece Mandy and Matt. On to Grand Rapids to see Lois' very close junior high friend Peggy, whom we haven't seen since about 1970. We'll take the car ferry over Lake Michigan and stay overnight in Duluth, MN. Then up to Northern MN to visit Cousin Keni and Warren. We'll make our way to the MI UP for a couple of stops incl a visit with junior high and high school buddy George. Then down to Saginaw, MI with a stay with niece Meredith and Tom. Heading home, we'll overnight somewhere. Planned duration is 20 days but we're flexible.
I'll post as we make progress on our plan for anyone that's interested and for our perusing pleasure later on.
Last edited by Maverick on Thu Oct 03, 2019 11:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
We left home yesterday at 6:30 AM. Left early to avoid rush hour at Columbus, OH. Got into a mess there last year. Arrived at the hotel in Findlay, OH about 4 PM and found a bunch of Studebakers in the parking lot. Took some pictures but couldn't post them last night because the USB cable I brought to download pics to my computer is a power-only cable, no data capability. Picked up a cable today so can now post pics.
We had a lunch stop at our usual park in Ravenswood, WV on the bank of the Ohio River. Disappointed to find the restrooms locked and Port-a-Pottys in front.
But the park was very nice (except for the flys).
Check out this beauty.
This one reminds me of 1941 Lincoln
And three more but limit on attachment lets me include just one here. Continued on next post.
Today we drove to Port Huron, Michigan where we grew up. We're staying in the DoubleTree Inn, previously Thomas Edison Inn, a block and a half from where I grew up. When I was young there was a cement plant on this site. GREAT improvement!!! This is the view from our balcony of the St Clair River.
When the cement plant was there freighters would tie up here to unload coal. This area is what the workers saw from the plant but they'd be looking at huge piles of coal.
The river is only 1/4 mile wide here. Blue Water Bridge to Ontario is just to the left. Current is very swift since it drains Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, and Lake Huron. It was an exciting place to swim. Don't see kids enjoying it now.
This morning we drove 40 miles South to meet Lois' cousin Nancy and her son Richard. We met them at the Kitley farm house that had been in the Kitley family for over 100 years. We had visited the cemetery where several of Lois' mom's Foss family are buried. The cemetery was started in 1837 by the Crawford family.
John Crawford, Revolutionary War vet, has a headstone there but since he died in 1811, maybe he was moved here, he was buried here before the cemetery was created, or only his headstone is here.
Several of Lois' mom's Foss family are buried here. A large truck lost control, demolished a house and rolled over the Foss graves. The headstones have been repaired and replaced but not the house.
The 63rd year reunion of the Port Huron High School class of 1956 had a cruise on the big river and then gathered for pizza and drinks at The Eagle club. We skipped the cruise (been there, done that) but did socialize with the reunioners. Lots of OLD folks there.
Tomorrow night is the dinner/dance at the Port Huron Golf Club.
Had lunch with Lois' cousin Alan and Kathy and did the Class of 1956 63rd year reunion dinner/dance this evening. Lots of OLD people and some healthy, vibrant 80/81 year olds too. Lois knew enough of them to have a good time too.
23 have died in the last three years. That's why the reunion was scheduled at 63 years rather than waiting for 65.
Tomorrow we'll have lunch with my 99-year old Aunt Lois and cousin Joan. Not sure what else but we'll think of something.
Spent a very quiet day today. Lunch with Aunt Lois and Joan was very good. Aunt Lois, at 99, still sees just fine with no glasses for reading or distance. Never has needed glasses. We did some shopping and little else. Tomorrow we'll do a late lunch with a dozen or so old (!) friends. If the weather is nice maybe we'll do a trolley tour or the Thomas Edison Museum.
Then on to our OLD friends gathering for pizza and beer at Casey's Pizza in downtown Port Huron. We've lost some women and some more men. Guy's table were only four (I'm taking the pic); girl's table had nine. We look a lot different but we're still the same and even sound the same.
We checked out of the Port Huron Hotel and drove to Grand Blanc and sis-in-law Kathy's new Del Web digs. Sis-in-law Becky came and we all went out to dinner at Little Joe's. We're settled in for the evening. Tomorrow it's off to Niece Mandy and Matt's in East Lansing.
Drove thru a torrential rain near Flint and arrived at Matt & Mandy's at 4:15. They were both still at work so we got our wine out of the car and made ourselves at home in the recliners on the front porch of their beautiful, old home built 190X in Grand Ledge outside of Lansing. They and the two boys arrived about 5 PM. Holden was excited to help unload the bag of toys Lois brought. He and coach Dad went off to soccer practice while Mandy, Lois, Logan and I walked around the corner to a very busy and good Italian restaurant for dinner. Everyone home, and back on the recliners on the front porch, the tornado siren alerted to us a warning nearby. Haven't heard much news so don't know what, if anything, happened. In the comfort of our recliners on the covered porch, we enjoyed the cooling downpour and breezes.
This morning, with everyone gone and the coffee pot ready to turn on, I walked to the little bakery and got some large, delicious creations. Coffee and goodies consumed, we'll get ready, load the car, and drive 30-40 minutes to our hotel in Grand Rapids, check in, and then off to Peggy's.
Took this pic of Matt & Mandy's beautiful old house as we left.
Checked into the hotel in Grand Rapids and made our way to Peggy and Vic's house, spent a fun evening in dinner and conversation, and now back in the hotel. Tomorrow we drive to Ludington, MI and Thursday we catch the car ferry to Wisconsin and drive to Duluth, MN for an overnight stay on the way to Keni and Warren's in northern MN.
Had a leisurely morning as we waited for the rain to slow before we left for Ludington about 11 AM. We arrived at our B&B about 12:30, way before 3 PM check in. The lady was accommodating and quickly finished preparing the room. They were busy, seven rooms vacated yesterday and seven rooms occupied today.
House was built in 1890s.
Interesting antiques everywhere. Our room is small but has everything we could need incl fridge and microwave. We have our own little bathroom too.
Took a walk by the big marina.
We had a good dinner at PM Steamers then back "home".
Tomorrow we need to be in line for the ferry to Wisconsin at 8 AM. It's about a mile from the B&B. Guess we won't be in a mood for the Breakfast part of B&B.
Last edited by Maverick on Sat Sep 14, 2019 1:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
In Ludington, we also looked for the spot where my great grandfather's brother had a bakery in the late 1800s. We had seen the location about 25 years ago when it was a gift shop or something. The building is gone now, being replaced by a big apartment bldg now under construction.
) friends. Leaving PH, we'll stay in Grand Blanc with sis-in-law Kathy. Sis-in-law Becky will be there too. Then on to East Lansing staying with niece Mandy and Matt. On to Grand Rapids to see Lois' very close junior high friend Peggy, whom we haven't seen since about 1970. We'll take the car ferry over Lake Michigan and stay overnight in Duluth, MN. Then up to Northern MN to visit Cousin Keni and Warren. We'll make our way to the MI UP for a couple of stops incl a visit with junior high and high school buddy George. Then down to Saginaw, MI with a stay with niece Meredith and Tom. Heading home, we'll overnight somewhere. Planned duration is 20 days but we're flexible.
At least the suit cases are not too big. 
Bistro on Main Street in Findlay. Took a picture of the wine & liquor supply behind the bar.
