July 19, 2011 (Tuesday night)
There is so much to think about. We left North Carolina on June 13, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. Undoubtedly we left some things behind. We had a schedule we had to meet for Mary’s youngest daughter’s wedding on June 18. Special occasions always seem to set time in fast-forward mode. Then, just like Christmas, by noon the anticipation of the event has passed and you wonder what you will do with the rest of the time.
Our first day out was a boondock at Cracker Barrel in Wytheville, Virginia. It seemed we couldn’t get enough miles behind us fast enough. We had hoped Cracker Barrel had Wi-Fi, but not so. Dinner there is still pretty good though.
We made it through the mountains on I-77 in one piece and had a late lunch that second day in Dover, Ohio at the Shoney’s. A GREAT buffet. Wonderful folks there in Dover. They are seriously lacking a decent fueling station for big rigs. Winesburg, Ohio was our destination for our second night. The Amish Country Camp Ground is a very nice place. $25 for water and electric (20 / 30 amp) makes it a great lay over.
Upon leaving the next morning, our trailer brakes were not working. We drove a bit down the road to a larger parking lot and figured out the brake light switch was malfunctioning. After some fiddling, it was once again working and we were heading to Michigan.
The wedding was great and we spent the next two weeks remodeling the 5er before starting our circle tour of Lake Michigan and Lake Superior via Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula.
We have been keeping a me3ntallist of what we need to include or improve upon for our next extended trip before full timing in 2013.
We must have a quality air compressor. Preferably a 12-volt model.
A nice set of wheel chocks.
Extra fuel in 5 gallon cans.
Jumper cables.
Some vital replacement parts like a fuel pump, shut off solenoid, and various nuts and bolts.
Should also have a jack and lug wrench I suppose.
Extra antifreeze, brake fluid, and oil—just in case.
Oil filter.
Things we need to address in the 5er include securing items in the cupboards. The dishes and glasses are being tossed everywhere.
Reducing the number of utensils like forks and knives
A USEABLE manual can opener.
21st century American Nomads
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Returning to the real world
So we are preparing to return. We will be adding a transmission cooler to the Dodge Wednesday morning. It may be like closing the barn after the horses are out, but it may still be enough to help the trans on those long climbs. Before 2013 we will have the trans upgraded with better clutches, torque converter and a valve body set up for towing. The 3.73 gearing seems to be adequate for towing the 12K pound 5er. On level roads, the dodge slips into overdrive and wants to cruise at 65-70 MPH.
We also need to see if we can squeeze another 1-3 MPG out of the cummins. It will get 17-18 mpg empty on the backroads of NC. We appreciate the fact it does get 11-12 mpg now. The old Silverado was getting 7-8 mpg towing a travel trailer and barely 15 mpg on the roads of NC.
We will also be replacing the dash. Dodge did not use quality material in their dash boards for the Ram truck. While we are replacing the shattered dash, we will also replace the wiring harness under the dash. The original owner had some electrical difficulties and left the wiring a spliced mess of wires and melted connections.
The cab is also uncomfortably HOT. We will be adding a sound deadener and a heat shield to the floor under the vinyl floor covering. This should give us some quiet and cool the inside considerably.
As soon as we get our pictures web ready we will have our MADIEN VOYAGE page up on our WEBSITE.
We also need to see if we can squeeze another 1-3 MPG out of the cummins. It will get 17-18 mpg empty on the backroads of NC. We appreciate the fact it does get 11-12 mpg now. The old Silverado was getting 7-8 mpg towing a travel trailer and barely 15 mpg on the roads of NC.
We will also be replacing the dash. Dodge did not use quality material in their dash boards for the Ram truck. While we are replacing the shattered dash, we will also replace the wiring harness under the dash. The original owner had some electrical difficulties and left the wiring a spliced mess of wires and melted connections.
The cab is also uncomfortably HOT. We will be adding a sound deadener and a heat shield to the floor under the vinyl floor covering. This should give us some quiet and cool the inside considerably.
As soon as we get our pictures web ready we will have our MADIEN VOYAGE page up on our WEBSITE.
The Kids and I
Post contributed by Josue Durham
It’s tough living in this tiny house with three kids but until our budget goes up I just don’t think we’re going to be able to until my husband gets that promotion they’ve been promising him forever. I can’t believe we’ve got all 5 of us living in this tiny 1000 square foot place! We’re actually saving a lot of money by being here and although it’s tight it’s worth it in the long run. Our utility bills aren’t that bad, especially since going to and even our lawn maintenance is nothing because we don’t really have a lawn! It’s a really responsible thing for us to stay here for now but I swear if we don’t move sometime soon I’m going to lose my mind. I love my family to death but there’s nothing worse than being on top of each other when all we really want is more space to move around. Bonding is one thing but I think this has gotten a bit ridiculous at this point!
It’s tough living in this tiny house with three kids but until our budget goes up I just don’t think we’re going to be able to until my husband gets that promotion they’ve been promising him forever. I can’t believe we’ve got all 5 of us living in this tiny 1000 square foot place! We’re actually saving a lot of money by being here and although it’s tight it’s worth it in the long run. Our utility bills aren’t that bad, especially since going to and even our lawn maintenance is nothing because we don’t really have a lawn! It’s a really responsible thing for us to stay here for now but I swear if we don’t move sometime soon I’m going to lose my mind. I love my family to death but there’s nothing worse than being on top of each other when all we really want is more space to move around. Bonding is one thing but I think this has gotten a bit ridiculous at this point!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Mackinac Bridge and Otsego Lake State Park
We crossed over the Big Mac around 2:30 yesterday afternoon. Traffic was light and the temperature was noticeably warmer. We couldn't get into Soaring Eagle's RV Park so Mary found Otsego Lake State Park. We are going to use our $29 passport as much as we can. The Trailer Life book listed laundry as an available feature alongt with showers, grocery, and a few others. Turns out all they have is showers--on site. Laundry and grocery are 7 miles back in the town of Otsego Lake. If we could find an efficient washer / dryer combo we would pick one up. Most of the units designed for RVs only wash a few items at a time, and we really don't want an apartment size stacker unit--besides many state parks here in Michigan do not have water connections--though we can fill the holding tanks.
We passed on several major attractions as we came into Otsego Lake. Just before you come to the bridge from the north, there is the "World Famous" Castle Rock. A tpourist stop for trinkets and the chance to climb a rock tower for the price of admission.
We also passed Call Of The Wild Museum that houses various animals found past and present in Michigan. The museum also has a Bavarian Falls Park that offers mini-golf, go carts and bumper car...We might stop next time we come through?
Otsego Lake State Park is probably the final frontier for suburban folks. Many of the people here are from the Detroit Metro area and seem to stay a week or two. This is not a transient park. It is a place where 3-4 families come out to enjoy the summer. Otsego Lake is an all sports lake meaning all forms of watercraft are allowed. Like most of Michigan's state parks, people here sit up late into the night around the campfire enjoying the company and surroundings.
Tim and Mary
On the road in Otsego Lake State Park
We passed on several major attractions as we came into Otsego Lake. Just before you come to the bridge from the north, there is the "World Famous" Castle Rock. A tpourist stop for trinkets and the chance to climb a rock tower for the price of admission.
We also passed Call Of The Wild Museum that houses various animals found past and present in Michigan. The museum also has a Bavarian Falls Park that offers mini-golf, go carts and bumper car...We might stop next time we come through?
Otsego Lake State Park is probably the final frontier for suburban folks. Many of the people here are from the Detroit Metro area and seem to stay a week or two. This is not a transient park. It is a place where 3-4 families come out to enjoy the summer. Otsego Lake is an all sports lake meaning all forms of watercraft are allowed. Like most of Michigan's state parks, people here sit up late into the night around the campfire enjoying the company and surroundings.
Tim and Mary
On the road in Otsego Lake State Park
Friday, July 15, 2011
Sault Ste Marie and the Soo Locks
We headed out to Sault Ste Marie (Rapids of the St. Mary's river I am told) to see the Locks. If you have never seen a lock in operation, it is something else. To see a 800 foot freighter raised 21 feet in a matter of 2-4 minutes is unbelievable. That 21 feet is the difference in height between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
Of course the Portage Street in front of the Locks is tourist central. We had a great lunch at the LockView Restaurant and Motel. When in the UP you either have pasty (PASS-TEE) or Whitefish. And like Bubba Gump's shrimp, you can do whitefish a million and one ways---and it is all good. I had the fillets and Mary had some wonderful whitefish chowder and a whitefish sandwhich.
This afternoon we also stopped by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The museum is located at Whitefish Point. There you can see the bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald and other artifacts raised from Lake Superior.
Again we have a million pictures. These digital cameras are just great. We can take hundreds of pictures and not worry about running out of film.
Tomorrow we cross over the Big Mac--Mackinaw Bridge--and re-enter the land of the trolls (folks who live under the bridge, also known as FUDGIES).
We will be staying at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant. We are going to try and get into the RV park if it is possible. Monday we will be back in Brighton--coming full-circle--from where we started on July 05, 2011. We will leave Brighton Wednesday for North Carolina...
WOW, is summer really almost over? This has been an excellent madien voyage for the Coachmen and the Dodge. I believe that when we pull into the driveway in Bunnlevel, NC we will have traveled nearly 2800 miles. We have traveled more often than we plan to as full-timers,but we wanted to see how the equipment and ourselves, would stand up to rigorous use. We have learned so much from our voyage.
Of course the Portage Street in front of the Locks is tourist central. We had a great lunch at the LockView Restaurant and Motel. When in the UP you either have pasty (PASS-TEE) or Whitefish. And like Bubba Gump's shrimp, you can do whitefish a million and one ways---and it is all good. I had the fillets and Mary had some wonderful whitefish chowder and a whitefish sandwhich.
This afternoon we also stopped by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. The museum is located at Whitefish Point. There you can see the bell from the Edmund Fitzgerald and other artifacts raised from Lake Superior.
Again we have a million pictures. These digital cameras are just great. We can take hundreds of pictures and not worry about running out of film.
Tomorrow we cross over the Big Mac--Mackinaw Bridge--and re-enter the land of the trolls (folks who live under the bridge, also known as FUDGIES).
We will be staying at the Soaring Eagle Casino in Mt. Pleasant. We are going to try and get into the RV park if it is possible. Monday we will be back in Brighton--coming full-circle--from where we started on July 05, 2011. We will leave Brighton Wednesday for North Carolina...
WOW, is summer really almost over? This has been an excellent madien voyage for the Coachmen and the Dodge. I believe that when we pull into the driveway in Bunnlevel, NC we will have traveled nearly 2800 miles. We have traveled more often than we plan to as full-timers,but we wanted to see how the equipment and ourselves, would stand up to rigorous use. We have learned so much from our voyage.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Tahquemenon Falls State Park
July 13 & 14
We rested for awhile at Van Riper State Park in Champion,Michigan--about 14 miles west of Ispheming. It is a great park, but we had trouble locating water? Most Michigan State Parks do not have on site water and you need a 2-5 gallon container if you holding tanks are not filled.
We left Van Riper at 10:30 A.M. and headed for Pictured Rocks. We wanted to stay at the Munising Community Park but they were booked. So rather than staying at a private park, we opted to head for Tahquemenon Falls State Park between Newberry and Paradise, Michigan. We are glad we did. Munising is a nice park, but more open than we like. The state park is nicely wooded and generally more entertaining.
We are going to Sault Ste. Marie in the morning. There are cruise boats that take you through the locks for $21 per person.
We are going off to make dinner and then showers before we review the pictures we took today. Being on the road 24/7 definitely requires a new mind set from touring.
Tim and Mary
On the road in Tahquemenon Falls State Park
We rested for awhile at Van Riper State Park in Champion,Michigan--about 14 miles west of Ispheming. It is a great park, but we had trouble locating water? Most Michigan State Parks do not have on site water and you need a 2-5 gallon container if you holding tanks are not filled.
We left Van Riper at 10:30 A.M. and headed for Pictured Rocks. We wanted to stay at the Munising Community Park but they were booked. So rather than staying at a private park, we opted to head for Tahquemenon Falls State Park between Newberry and Paradise, Michigan. We are glad we did. Munising is a nice park, but more open than we like. The state park is nicely wooded and generally more entertaining.
We are going to Sault Ste. Marie in the morning. There are cruise boats that take you through the locks for $21 per person.
We are going off to make dinner and then showers before we review the pictures we took today. Being on the road 24/7 definitely requires a new mind set from touring.
Tim and Mary
On the road in Tahquemenon Falls State Park
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
There no such thing as a bad Pasty...
Mary
We are finally in the Keweenaw, or the Wolf’s Mouth as native Yoopers call it. We Michiganders like to name the different parts of our state. There has been summer heat in North Carolina since early April. I know that is nothing to cry about, but I was craving some cooler weather. We had to drive above the 48th parallel to find it.
Our maiden voyage is going pretty good. So far no major arguments and the only major problem was the starter going out. That was not fun, but we fixed it and all is good. Today did feel like we were on a dream vacation. It was a beautiful day. The temps were about 60 degrees and great for walking.
We started out in the town of Copper Harbor. Its just about a mile from Fort Wilkins State Part where we are staying. We had a great lunch, fresh white fish for me and a pasty for Tim. A patsy is like a pot pie but not. Most Yoopers drink about a six pack of beer with their pasty, it’s a local seven course meal. After lunch we walked down to the shore line of Lake Superior. There really is something about this lake. I almost feel like I could look up and see one of the characters from Last Of The Mohicans canoeing across the water. It is very pristine.
From there we drove back to Fort Wilkins State Park. We visited the fort. It is on Lake Fanny Hooe. I am not sure if Hooe is pronounced like “hoe” or “who.” Either way the name is just to much fun to care. The fort had been restored to museum condition. 19 of the original 24 buildings are still standing. 12 of those are original to the fort.
When we left the fort Tim decided to drive to the END of the Keweenaw. About three miles from the state park, hwy 41 ends after about 2000 miles. The other end of hwy 41 is in Miami Florida. Someday we are going to have to get a snap shot there too.
From there on its dirt road. About 7 miles of jaw crunching, kidney popping dirt road. I do not think there is a way to get there in a car. The dodge 2500 was in 4 wheel drive most of the way and that was with the roads in good condition.
Going in we didn’t know if we were going to even get to see what we hoped was a once in a life time view.
The drive was worth it.
There is something absolutely magical about this place at the end of nowhere.
We are finally in the Keweenaw, or the Wolf’s Mouth as native Yoopers call it. We Michiganders like to name the different parts of our state. There has been summer heat in North Carolina since early April. I know that is nothing to cry about, but I was craving some cooler weather. We had to drive above the 48th parallel to find it.
Our maiden voyage is going pretty good. So far no major arguments and the only major problem was the starter going out. That was not fun, but we fixed it and all is good. Today did feel like we were on a dream vacation. It was a beautiful day. The temps were about 60 degrees and great for walking.
We started out in the town of Copper Harbor. Its just about a mile from Fort Wilkins State Part where we are staying. We had a great lunch, fresh white fish for me and a pasty for Tim. A patsy is like a pot pie but not. Most Yoopers drink about a six pack of beer with their pasty, it’s a local seven course meal. After lunch we walked down to the shore line of Lake Superior. There really is something about this lake. I almost feel like I could look up and see one of the characters from Last Of The Mohicans canoeing across the water. It is very pristine.
From there we drove back to Fort Wilkins State Park. We visited the fort. It is on Lake Fanny Hooe. I am not sure if Hooe is pronounced like “hoe” or “who.” Either way the name is just to much fun to care. The fort had been restored to museum condition. 19 of the original 24 buildings are still standing. 12 of those are original to the fort.
When we left the fort Tim decided to drive to the END of the Keweenaw. About three miles from the state park, hwy 41 ends after about 2000 miles. The other end of hwy 41 is in Miami Florida. Someday we are going to have to get a snap shot there too.
From there on its dirt road. About 7 miles of jaw crunching, kidney popping dirt road. I do not think there is a way to get there in a car. The dodge 2500 was in 4 wheel drive most of the way and that was with the roads in good condition.
Going in we didn’t know if we were going to even get to see what we hoped was a once in a life time view.
The drive was worth it.
There is something absolutely magical about this place at the end of nowhere.
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