Summer - 2021 NP Wanderlodge Trip - North to Whitefish

Our Bird nest is about a mile from our home, as our property is on a hill without reasonable access for Ms Ellen, so my sister allowed us to pour a pad and build a pole barn for her storage. Mr. D has mastered the backing into and pulling out, so after we spent most of the past 2 days with provisions, clothes and outfitting Ms Ellen, we only had to bring ourselves and Jojo this morning.

I am the navigator and outside director for backing and tight turns, so after we navigate out of the driveway, I hop in the Jeep and follow that beautiful back-end to the Petro to start our trip with a full tank.

That beautiful backside

Jojo loves the road and our blue interior

We use the TSD Card to purchase our fuel which gives us discounts on diesel fuel, with prices at this particular period of American History, we need all the help we can get. Part of the information I will be blogging is 1) fuel prices, 2) our miles traveled per leg, 3) cost ad reviews of campgrounds and 4) places / food enjoyed.

After fueling we hook up our TOAD - a silver 2019 Wrangler Jeep and pulled onto HWY 77 north bound. Our route planning is done on RV Trip Wizard to ensure our routes are big rig friendly.

Mr. D chose Jeep after researching tow bars, ease of hookup, 4 wheel down towing and toad braking. We have a Roadmaster Nighthawk Towbar, and M&G Engineering braking system for the Jeep. Happy to answer any further details if requested. (bdoster5042@gmail dot com)

Mammoth Cave - Diamond Caves CG

1) So our miles traveled today is 292, as our sweet spot is around 300 miles on travel days. Our "fuel up" in Attalla was $418.35 - we paid $338.40 - saving $89.49

2) Running conservatively at 60-65mph we arrive to Park City, KY around 1:30 CST to our campground - "Diamond caverns" a Thousand Trails property, so our 2 nights here are no charge, as a part of our membership. We had a nice corner site with full hook-ups, had a fire ring and nice pool. Lots of families enjoying the CG.

3) We visited Mammoth Cave on 6.17.2021, with our Senor NP Pass the cost to visit was $0.00

4) Found a good Mexican Restaurant - El Mazatlan in Horse Cave about 5 miles north I-65 and enjoyed the beautiful beautiful Kentucky rolling hills.

Shipshewana, ID - Shipshewana Trade Day CG

Today we pushed north on I-65 through Louisville, KY, went left in Indianapolis on I-74 to I-69 as far as Angola, IN where we took State 20 to State 5. Both of the state HWYs are nice roads with wide shoulders that the Amish use in the Horse and buggy transports. Shipshewana is a favorite destination for us; I love the clip clop sound on the roads made by the horse & buggies, Yoder's Meats is a favorite place to buy provisions, we are getting warranty work done on our Dometic Air conditioners placed in September 2020. Always like to get pictures crossing bridges, this on is in Louisville, KY, crossing into Indiana. Danny loves his Bird!

Weather moving through while we were at National Refrigeration getting 2 air conditioners exchanged

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1) No fuel purchased, we have an 1,800 mile range. We do maintain half a tank, so will buy in in Michigan. Another factor is TDS locations determine when we buy as well.

2) Miles traveled today was 379, 671 miles traveled so far from home; a bit outside our comfort zone, but to see Mammoth NP we pushed to get to our appointment at National Refrigeration and be able to shop at Yoder's.

3) Shipshewana Trade Day CG - $100.58 for 2 nights, full hookups and great WiFi provided, can stream YouTube easily. Located directly behind the Shipshewana Trade Day on HWY 5

4) Enjoyed B'fast at Dutchmann Essenhaus in Middlebury and supper at the Blue Plate in Shipshewana. Amish can definitely cook!

Benton Harbor, MI - Eden Springs Park

With two new Dometic AC's on the roof now, we head north to Benton Harbor Michigan, via I-90 West and then Hwy 31 North at South Bend. Located on the eastern banks of Lake Michigan, Eden Springs Park, We stopped at Piggot's Farm for strawberries and fresh fruit pies. Once settled into our CG we headed into Benton Harbor to the historic district for some wine tasting, Lazy Ballerina did not disappoint with tasty wines, fun names and a cute tasting room. Our second day we went out to Lake Michigan at Tiscornia Park - St. Joseph. The red and white Lighthouse is open to the public as a museum and actually has several workers in there to teach you the history about the lighthouse and the canal. The lake front is windy and brisk, Supper is fresh veggies and smoked sausage on the BBQ tonight.

Added a new state to our map

1) We will buy fuel just south of Benton Harbor on Tuesday and then head north.

2) Our miles traveled today is 79 miles; 750 miles traveled so far from home. I wanted to visit a harbor town on Lake Michigan to see the lights of Chicago.

3) Total for 2 nights at Eden Springs was $95.00, the campground was clean, sold firewood and located near food and markets. According to news reports the highest crime rate in MI is found in Benton Harbor. We did not feel unsafe, yet like many towns with declining population we saw many blighted shopping centers in the area around the CG. Eden Springs Park was formerly owned and operated by the House of David from 1908 to 1973, Is adjacent to an historical park which offers miniature train rides on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

4) Other than wine tastings, we cooked our meals in the Wanderlodge.

Macelonia, MI - Starlight CG

After fueling up, for our drive to Macelonia we drove I-94 north/east until it met HWY 131 north to Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids . We followed HWY 131 into Macelonia, Small town with beautiful churches and historical homes. Our CG is on the outskirts of town up on the side of a mountain. Beautiful peaceful location.

We visited Vista Ridge Tasting room in the small town of Alden, MI. On the shore of Torch Lake .

1) As we left Benton Harbor we went south 20 miles to fill our tank at a TSD station on I-94. Our Pump purchase was $484.24 - we paid $407.58 with a saving $85.90.

2) We traveled 239 miles today, 981 miles traveled so far from home. Beautiful changes in fauna as evergreen trees and birch trees are replacing the oaks and maples.

3) Starlight CG is a jewel in the mountains above Macedonia, MI. Beautiful Blue Spruce and Hemlock trees. The cool nights in middle of June is so refreshing! The have fire rings at all campsites. an olympic size pool and nicely stocked camp store. They also have vintage campers to rent. Nice CG for $43 a night.

4) Within 30 minute drive the "finger-lakes area of upper Lake Michigan" with multiple Vineyards and tasting rooms,. We visited Vista Ridge Tasting room which also had charcuterie and smoked salmon. Would like to spend more time in this area.

St Ignace, MI - St Ignace KOA

Only 91 miles today, so we take or time breaking camp and mosey off to St Ignace, UP MI. We are officially enter the Upper Peninsula after crossing the 5 mile Mackinac Bridge today. the bridge is built where lake Heron and Lake Michigan meet, just up the Garden River to Lake Superior. A unique forested region in Michigan bordering 3 of the Great Lakes and extending outward from Wisconsin. It’s connected to Michigan’s Lower Peninsula by the roughly 5-miles-long Mackinac Bridge, which spans the Straits of Mackinac. The Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere. The bridge opened to traffic on November 1, 1957 according to schedule, despite the many hazards of marine construction over the turbulent Straits of Mackinac. The last of the Mackinac Bridge bonds were retired July 1, 1986. Fare revenues are now used to operate and maintain the Bridge and repay the State of Michigan for monies advanced to the Authority since the facility opened to traffic in 1957.

The toll to cross the bridge is $20 and does not participate with any of the Toll road passes in the US.

After crossing the bridge our KOA campground is just 2.5 miles on HWY 5 East.

I have wanted to visit Mackinac Island as long as I can remember, and tomorrow we catch the ferry and spend the day suspended in time, No cars, horse drawn transport and bicycles. I pre-purchased ferry tickets from Sheplers Ferry online [tickets here ] for $27 per adult round trip, from 7:30 to 9:00PM. Noticed this years - 2022 tickets are $30 per round trip.

Our last day in St Ignace brought calm waters in the Harbor, so love water reflection pictures.

1) No fuel purchased

2) 91 miles driven today; 1,072 miles traveled so far from home

3) Four nights at St Ignace KOA was $190,80, they have a pool, kids play ground, Tee Pee Tent sights and small cabins. Large CG, 50 / 30 amp full hookups with fair WiFi.

4) We ate at the Gangplank Pub & Grill; High Tea at the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island; supper at Kingston Kitchen on Mackinac Island; St Ignace BC Pizza and Smoked fish dip and a pasties at Lehto's Pasties. Other than the Pasties, all food was delish. Not a fan of the rutabaga and meat pies.

Bay Mills, MI - Sunrise Park at Bay Mills

We arrived around 12:00 noon, picked our spot (the checking clerk offered us 3 to choose from) as the CG was pretty much empty. After setting up, went looking for lunch. The Casino's Back Bay Grill was open and pretty much the only thing around for several miles. Food was good, only two other patrons in the grill, one was playing slots. My grandson's maternal uncle lives in the area, so gave him a call and he came to visit for a while. Advised us on area sights to checkout and told us snow starts in November/December and lasts through March, winter of 2021 brought them 12 feet of snow. Oh my!

Most of this area is Indian Reservation - Objiwe Tribe.

"The Ojibwe, Ojibwa, Chippewa, or Saulteaux are an Anishinaabe people in what is currently southern Canada, the northern Midwestern United States, and Northern Plains. According to the US census, in the United States Ojibwe people are one of the largest tribal populations among Native American peoples. In Canada, they are the second-largest First Nations population, surpassed only by the Cree." [ 1 ]

1) No fuel purchased

2) 57 miles driven today; 1,129 miles traveled so far from home

3) Sunrise View CG @ Bay Mills was $21.75 a night with Hubby's military discount, Full hookups 30/50 amps, fabulous Bay views and right at the Bay Mills Casino. Playground and Farmers Market right at the CG open on Thursdays weekly.

4) Lunch at Back Bay Grill, Fried White Fish and Smoked fish dip and snacks from Dancing Crane Coffee shop where the Huckleberry Ice cream is delicious.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park, MI - Tahquamenon Lower Falls State Park CG

We Left about 10 AM heading north along M-123 that runs along side Tahquamenon Bay and Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior. The views were stunning, nothing like the passenger seat of a Wanderlodge!

Once in Paradise, MI we turn left on M- 128. Tahquamenon Falls SP is about 25 miles from Paradise, which is the last town with grocery stores or restaurants. ( I say this with a snicker, as there is a Family Dollar Store and two restaurants) We check in to the state park, buy our Recreation Passport which is required to come & go in the SP. $17 that is good for the duration of our stay.

We camped at Lower Falls CG, lots of families with kiddos. Some large groups set up on side by side sites and enjoyed them selves daily. Hiking and kayaking/swimming in the river.

Whitefish, MI

After we get setup, we head out to Whitefish Point Museum. Remember Norman Lightfoot's Song; Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Museum here focuses on shipwrecks and most notable the Edmund Fitzgerald. Well done displays

The most northern part our north leg, as Tahquamenon Falls SP is west on M-128. The museum was a set of eight buildings that admission gave you access to all but one, the crews quarters. Lots of information on Lighthouse Keepers and the wrecks of Lake Superior. $14 Admission pp.

1) No fuel purchased

2) 59 miles driven today; 1,188 miles traveled so far from home. So this will conclude the North leg.

3) Tahquamenon Lower Falls State Park CG booked online at Michigan State Parks website. $34 per night; we are here 2 nights, additional $17 for Recreation Pass(required for access to all MI state parks).

4) Ate twice at the The Inn Gastropub & Smokehouse as their smoked fish dip was yummo !