I honestly thought that September would be a relaxing month for us since Ty and I were in so much motion in June, July and August. As I look back, didn’t happen although we were basically in one spot the entire month, we had a lot going on. And you know what? There is always October to relax!!
We fly back to Michigan from Colorado and make quick visit to my sister Sue and niece Colleen in Windsor Ontario Canada – just in time to celebrate Sue’s birthday. Happy Birthday Sue.
Canada was still having wonderful weather!
Then we spent a night with Tom and Leslie Welbourn – good friends from the Cranville hood (in Clarkston). Also got to spend afternoon with their friends, Jane and Mike on Dixie Lake and Cecilia and Brad joined us. Weather is still wonderful. Then we were ready to pick up Wanda from Rush RV and head to Pioneer Park.
Repairs are a way of RV travel life and quite truthfully, we take them in stride, however, this last one was trying our patience. And it wasn’t the repairs, it was trying to get out of the RV repair lot! First, the truck kept signaling, “warning trailer brakes not connected”. Well, we know that, we are not connected. So, we ask the repair owners what they thought – they thought it best to take it to a Chevy dealer to have it checked out. Okay, we drive up to dealer (20 minute ride one way) and yes, they could take us today, but not till 4pm (it is 9am now) and repair, if any, wouldn’t happen till tomorrow. We decide to chance it and go back to pick up Wanda (another 20-minute ride one way). You would think we never attached Wanda before, because we backed in too lightly and it only partially attached. The RV repair guy comes out with a hammer and bangs away on it till “the claw” attachment gives way and we can back in again. This time Ty really wallops it and we attach fine. Hook up the electrical and check lights. Wait a minute, left brake or signal light not working. RV repair guy comes back out and checks the fuses in the truck, which is blown and replaces it. NOW we are ready to move on – and the charge for all the extra? “No charge, you people have spent enough and are having enough trouble getting out of here. No go!” We went, we need to get the party started in Michigan.
Pioneer County Park
We like this park, have been coming here for the last 4 years. It is quiet, clean, right on the lake, a real family place. Draw backs is no sewer, and the lots are dirt which requires me to be sweeping out all the time and watching water usage. Not a big deal, really. And it is quite.
Lynn Wilton
Very good friend, Lynn, came up for a few days of relaxing, good conversation, eats, drinks and nightly campfires. Took a short hike around Lost Lake, and since no dogs allowed on beach not able to enjoy that. I really didn’t think having a dog through.
Annual Ty Sailing
Ty goes on his 32? 35? 40? Sailing trip with Jerry. Said he had a nice sail both days.
Fouchey Family Campout or Boys Weekend?
David, Sandy, Mark, Paul all came up for a 3-4 day stay. Lots of funny conversation, Chet reunites with his sister Maggie – who thought he was a brute when they were litter mates and still thinks so; food was so yummy and of course, the night campfires. Miracle of miracles – NO RAIN on the Fouchey parade! Most unusual. So, with the boys all united and lack of family members who usually come up, Sandy and I thought we were really part of “boys’ weekend”.
Thanks for the pickles and sauce, Mark. Already gone thru 1 jar of pickles and tomatoe juice. Yummy
Flies and fruit flies were everywhere when at Pioneer Park. I tried the cups with vinegar in them to no avail. Must have killed 100 flies with the trusty flyswatter. Then I went overboard and got that old fashion fly strip. Yuck
Kathy Fulgenzi joined me for the day! It is nice to get together with our friends from the college and first married days. Sadly, Jim, her husband, passed away on New Years Eve, but I am glad to see Kathy is powering through this very tough times. She is a very independent woman anyway. Enjoyed our time together – see you in Florida!
Peg and Mary Ellen come up for the Harvest Fest Weekend
Girl Time
Mary Ellen and Peg come again with their entourage of food, booze and stuff. This time I was prepared as I had very little food in the refrigerator and booted Ty out (he went back to Jerry’s for more sailing and hiking with Michele!). Meanwhile, we drank our share, ate, had campfires, found a trail to beach where we could take Chet. AND the last weekend is the Harvest Fest which is just surreal. The campground fills up with happy families; we carved pumpkins and got ready for the festivities, the Haunted Forest Trail that the park creates is awesome, and we gave out over 1,000 pieces of candy! Watch a bike parade. What could be better than that?
Go for the Color!
Pioneer Park closed Sept 24th and we really have no plans, we decide to stay in Michigan to watch the colors. Having no plans
Problems continue but this time self-inflicted
We pull into Holland State Park, acting like rookies we initiate a rig disconnect from the truck (means we pull the level but don’t actually leave the hitch) THEN we looked to see if level, we are not, and decide to put a board down to level Wanda off. That process requires Ty to move the rig forward and RIGHT OFF THE HITCH (because it was disengaged!). Can you hear the shouting and cursing – a guy about 10 sites down did! Luckily (if there is such a thing) Ty stops just before the hitch hits the tailgate and lands on a Tupperware box full of weights – which saved us but not before Wanda gauged out her front-end cap on the truck rails. Hello, Geico? We liked to submit another claim for repairs…
Holland State Park
I am sure if it is summertime being on an asphalt parking lot right on the beach would be awesome! Downtown Holland is very charming and being on Lake Michigan it is a Jimmy Buffet paradise. Chet is just a charmer and while we were are a pub for a drink another couple walks by with their pup and of course the two dogs need to say hi. Lou and John accept our invitation to have drinks with us and we had a great conversation. These types of conversations with random people are the best! There are times that makes me sad that these people just come in to our space and then leave just as quietly. But we made the most of our time together exchanging experiences and just having fun. L&J are out of Phoenix – but recently moved to Tulsa, sort of retired and traveling around Michigan for fall colors. Fun to meet you two – may our paths cross again!
And more problems
Listen folks, we are now admitting this is a bit much…maybe it is time to call it.
Wanda is groaning, maybe wishing for retirement as she continually gave us problems. The water pump is still a problem as the water pressure is low and water leaks from intake (back fill problem whatever that means). We leave Holland State Park – and drive 3 hours back to Holly Michigan back to the repair shop that repaired the water heater in August. We wait around and they “fix” it and then we drive north for 3 hours to Higgins Lake State Parkin the middle of the state. Good thing we have nothing to do but listen to books on tapes.
Higgins Lake State Park
Many moons ago we were at this park and what I remembered was the bathrooms were in much need of repair. That was then and now is WOW! Have to say one of the best for a state park! Unfortunately, we did not take advantage of our 2 days here as we both got the Covid booster and flu shot and it took us down for a full 24 hours! For me it was like being in the twilight zone – achy all over, feverish, weird dreams and we both slept most of the day. Poor Chet – he was very patient with us but the day we left he was a wild puppy!!
Otsego Lake State Park
We got here on September 30th – end of month. The saving grace is the colors are specular and we now have some time to ourselves to debrief Nova Scotia and Newfoundland (we still talk about it as this was THE trip) and figure out what to do about the front-end cap. And the water pump is broken again. Ah, but today is the last day of September, will worry about the water pump and cap in October.
Happy Anniversary
How could I forget that we celebrated 53 years of marital bliss on September 25. Got to be as we are still together after 4 1/2 years on the road and still talking to each other. Love ya Ty!
Random pictures
Love, love, love this blog! Especially liked the last video- looks like some kind of indigenous “something”. Travel safe!
Happy anniversary guys. Enjoy reading about you adventures.
Loved your pictures and adventures….
Jane I like your hair cut..
Love your stories, Jane Helen. And your amazing pictures.
Much love,
Gina xoxoxo
Thanks!
Fun blog! Am glad to hear you two are still younger and more energetic than Wanda acts. I always enjoy your blogs. Stay safe.! See you next time ‘round.