9 29 12 squirrels

Note to self...... In the future, don't park under Oak trees in the Fall.

We've been staying in Michigan State Parks so far, they not only have some of the best real estate, they do a great job of running the parks and also taking care of it. Traveling this time of year is the greatest. The parks aren't busy and we have our choice of sites. We've had water front sites in every park so far.

This part of the Huron shore is shallow inshore, so we are seeing waterfowl constantly moving South, down the shore, or stopping just off shore in the evenings to feed and rest. I saw a flock of Blue Jays yesterday that must have numbered better than 40...I didn't know they flocked...or went South...  Norman said we could check out ..anytime.... J

point aux barques light

 I lost the text file that goes with these.  we're closing in on Alpena and the weather is holding beautifuly
    I should be able to access the net again tomorrow...J

Huron sunset

tawas point light

9 25 12 top of the thumb

warmer and sunny. Lots of lighthouse and shipping history in this area of the state. . The whole thumb was burned by a wild fire in 1871 by what is called a topping fire. It tore through the forest , just burning the tree tops. It consumed the oxygen so rapidly that many of the victims died from lack of oxygen. 10 years later the same area was swept by fire again. This time it was the rubble left from clear cutting the timber. The burned tree pictures are left from that fire 131 years ago. Where we're staying today as the site of a large, steam powered saw mill. They shipped a plank of clear pine 16 feet long....49inches wide and 4 inches thick...They don't make trees like that anymore.

lakeport

9 24 12 Lakeport MI

Lake Huron coast.

A different Great Lake altogether. The sunsets here happen about 715 A and to constant on shore West wind, is in fact an off shore breeze. I didn't know that there were petoskys on this shore line, but they are all over the place. I found more in thirty minutes yesterday than I've found in the last five years at home. Mermaids tears (beach glass) are also present. I'm really surprised that beach combers haven't scoured this beach, as it is only about 20 minutes from Port Huron, which is a big city...The other interesting rock finding, is that there are large numbers of nice fossilized shells and interesting corals. Off shore from here, on the horizon, is a wind farm. I'm guessing that it is on the Canadian coast line....I'm still waiting for Indian Summer...40 degrees at sunrise today... As I write this I'm watching an ore boat headed up lake...((Port Huron is the exit point from Lake Huron leading into Lake Erie).

We're meeting all sorts of interesting people from all over the country and the world. It's great fun chatting and trading histories and travels.

These up dates will be posted rather sporadically. I'm not completely in the digital age and need an internet connection to post them. I'm writing them daily and then uploading them when I can.

9 23 12

9-21-12

Well, Retired Thursday and hit the road Friday. Off exploring the Michigan coastline. Starting on the Southeast corner of the state and taking three weeks and working our way back to Frankfort. Friday night is Otisville, MI. There is a Good Sam RV group here. I don't think that I'm a joiner, but we'll see. Almost wasn't able to leave today as the cat knew something was up and did a disappearing act. An open can of tuanfish trumps travel anxiety every time.

9 23 12

Off to Port Huron to start the actual coastal jaunt. The cold weather has abated and we're back into Indian Summer. 

2nd test post

Different size font and color?????   

  and this one...???

This is a test blog.  Testing to see how things work and how well pictures upload and how they appear.  I'm planing on doing a fair bit of traveling over the next year and would like to keep a record of it.  I don't feel that Crystalnews is the proper place to do so, hence Crystalnews 2...Walkabout