Summer - 2021 NP Wanderlodge Trip - Tahquamenon Falls West to South Dakota

Oswald’s Bear Ranch 6.28.2021

Welcome to the United State's largest Bear Ranch boasting 40 roaming bears, just north of Newberry, MI. Your hosts, Dean and Jewel Oswald founded the ranch on May 26th, 1997. Met Dean out front under an umbrella as it was misting. Very engaging fella, proud of their work conserving a home for the Bears.

Entrance was $10 a car load, $10 to get your picture made with a bear cub and $10/bag cut up apples to feed the Bears. A fun afternoon.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - 7.1.2021

Sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, inland lakes, deep forest, and wild shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The power of Lake Superior shapes the park's coastal features and affects every ecosystem, creating a unique landscape to explore. Hiking, . . camping . . . sightseeing

Point Crisp Lighthouse - 6.30.2021

Driving on M-28 we passed a sign that indicated a lighthouse was 10 miles on the right. On a network of dirt roads, about 30 minutes later we arrived.

Crisp Point was one of five U.S. Life-Saving Service Stations along the coast of Lake Superior between Munising and Whitefish Point in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The lighthouse is within McMillan Township in Luce County.

The Crisps Point Lighthouse was built on the edge on what was and still largely is primeval forest. The road is well marked and seems to go on forever but it's well worth the trip. You drive on and on through the forest until you make that final turn and the spectacular tower comes into view above the trees.

Germask, MI - Big Cedar CG 6.30.2021 - 7.3.2021

Camp Germfask is a forgotten Civilian Conservation Corps camp located in Germfask, Michigan. During World War II, the camp was used to house conscientious objectors. It was a small camp, with cabins situated along a stream. Today, the buildings are all removed from the area and are currently being used as buildings in Manistque, Michigan by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) [7]. The location is now known as the Big Cedar Campground.

Visitors and campers alike can enjoy a relaxing trip on the Manistique River with our canoe, kayak, or river tube rentals. Enjoy a trip through the southern portions of the Seney Wildlife Refuge or the 10 Curves Rd. drop off river run. Tubing trips are about 1 hour, with canoe and kayak trips starting at 3 to 4 hours or longer.

In Search of Lighthouses . .

The Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers maintain a list of all the Great Lakes lighthouses. According to their numbers, Lake Michigan has 102 lighthouses along the shores of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan.

Was fun finding and learning about these bacons of safety. List found here

Manistique East Breakwater

Seul Choix

Sand Point Lighthouse

1) No fuel purchased

2) 61 miles driven today; 1,249 miles traveled so far from home. We have started heading west, actually Southwest until we reach Wisconsin.

3) Big Cedar CG booked online CG website. $35 per night; we are here 3 nights, This campground is a put in spot to kayak the River.

4) Not a lot to declare food wise from restaurants. . . most days we ate at the Wanderlodge. Italian burgers, BLT's, Bloody Mary's, sausage gravy & eggs, and Pot pies from Yoder's. We did visit the Pictured Rocks National Seashore, chased Crisp Point Lighthouse down a long dirt road and enjoyed campfires and s'mores. One restaurant meal was in Munising , MI where our Pictured Rocks Cruise departed. Was talking in line at "OhBurger" to other folks in line; one of the men stated, you have got to be a southern girl. They were from Huntsville, Alabama. Small world. Burgers were pretty good too!

Chippewa Falls, WI - Eagle Ridge CG - 7.3.2021 - 7.5.2021

We departed Big Cedar after breakfast, turning south on M-77 heading toward Lake Michigan. We pretty much hug the lake with state roads to Marinette, WI. Lots of beautiful lake front cities, we cross into Wisconsin at Marinette, leaving beautiful Michigan behind. We turn away from the lake here and head into the heart of Cheese country.

From Shawano to Wausau is proud farming land, as noted in their beautiful farms, Unique Barn Quilts adorning every large farm.

Eagle Ridge is a large CG with easy access, wide access roads and wide open full hook up 30/50 Amp sites. They sell firewood and deliver to your site, nice. A small branch of the Chippewa River runs behind the CG.

We drove into the town famous for the Leinenkugel Brewing Company, we visited the Brewery and enjoyed a flight of their beer. My favorite is "Pink Lemonaide" the mixture of Summer Shanty and Berry Weiss.

Riverbend Winery is just over the river from the CG, but a bit more difficult to get to, Lovely vineyards and delicious wines await! Pink Flamingo is my favorite!

1) We filled up with fuel at Kwick Trip Fuel in Wausau, WI. Pump registered $428.63, TDS price paid $416.96, savings of $13.69. Not as much savings as we were accustomed to save, but savings is savings. $1,163.21 spent so far for fuel with 1,624 miles traveled. Averaging 4-5 miles per gallon, as our tag holder says "There's more to life than fuel economy!"

2) 379 miles driven today; 1,624 miles traveled so far from home. We added another state to our US map, first time in Wisconsin.

3) Eagle Ridge CG in Chippewa Falls, WI for 2 nights we paid $84.00. I had to send a picture of our RV to be approved before I was granted a reservation. This is the 3rd time, as some CG's have an age restriction on RV rigs. We are a 1990, so I submit my picture and was approved.

4) Chippewa Falls, home of Leinenkugel Brewing Company, a fabulous river for kayaking and wineries!

Magnolia City, MN - Magnolia City Park CG - 7.5.2021

Tonight the manager at the city park knocked at our door around 8 PM to let us know a storm would be moving through in 30 minutes with high winds and possibility of hail. Danny went out and disconnected the sewer hose and water, put up all lose items we had our (Chairs & mat) I pulled the Jeep in between the Bird and the fifth-wheel next to us. True to the warning the storm blew through and lasted about 30 -40 minutes. Luckily the only damage we received was a popped windshield, which grew from a starburst to a crack by the end of our trip.

1) No fuel purchased

2) 325 miles driven today; 1,948 miles traveled so far from home. Heading True west now, and a second state in 2 days added to the map.

3) Magnolia City Park CG, $15 a night, honor system. You put cash in an envelope with the camp site you chose. First Come First Serve. There are 12 sites

4) Supper at the Wanderlodge and some YouTube, great Wifi here!

Wall, SD - Boondocking 7.6.2021 - 7.8.2021

Crossing the Missouri River brought to the end of the Plains landscape, a distinct rolling landscape as we climbed the hill out of the Missouri Valley.

Before we landed in Wall, we stopped in Mitchell, SD to get a prescription filled at Walgreens. (Is great to get your medications anywhere in the US there is a Walgreens, just saying) Just happened to be the home of the Worlds only Corn Palace, so I must give it a visit. Fabulous use of a basketball arena when not playing hoops, Beautiful detailed building dedicated to the delicious vegetable corn. A short pitstop, but well worth the stop. Danny hung out at the Truck stop with the Bird and Jojo.

Home of the famous Wall Drugs, we parked and then walked the 6 square blocks that is Wall Drugs. Bought T-shirts, stickers and donuts. Danny rode the Jackalope, and we picked up snacks for Danny, as I am headed to the Dispersed camping area on HWY 249 AKA Badlands. Wanted to scout the area to see if the Bluebird would tolerate navigating the roads to go there tomorrow. The Badlands are 7 miles from Wall, and the camping area is 6 miles. Located in the National Grasslands the Badlands dispersed camping area is stunning, I stayed until sunset and was not disappointed. Another thing we are now in Mountain Standard Time.

The sunset was toward Wall, so sunrise will be over the the eroded landscape that is the Badlands, but the changes in the lighting at dusk made for beautiful photos.

I will return for sunrise, the dirt roads are pretty rutted, so a no to moving here, will be another night at Wall.

The next morning I got was at the rim waiting for sunrise with a pretty good fog cover, as the day dawned, a Big Horn Sheep and his mate came over the rim. Was magical! They wandered about 20 feet around the Jeep and then moved on over the hill behind me. I did not get Sunrise pictures, but did get an experience I will never forget.

I was looking forward to seeing this area, I can only say it has exceeded my expectations! Added another state!

1) We bought fuel at Kadoka, $419.27 was the pump total, we paid $408.12 and saved $13.11.

2) 321 miles driven today; 2,269 miles traveled so far from home. We crossed the Missouri River which flows east from her until it joins the Mississippi in St Louis. It is the longest river on the continent. It drains more than 500,000 square miles, including all or parts of 10 states and 2 provinces — about one-sixth of the United States. North of where we crossed is Chamberlin, SD where you will find the Dignity sculpture, a stunning combination of art and history. Located on a bluff between exits 263 and 265 on Interstate 90 near Chamberlain, the stainless steel, 50-foot-tall statue was specifically designed by sculptor Dale Lamphere to honor the cultures of the Lakota and Dakota people.

3) Tonight we boondocked in the back parking lot at famous Wall Drugs. We did purchase t-shits and let the manager know we were staying overnight.

4) Supper was at Red Rock Restaurant, I got carryout and we ate with a fabulous South Dakota breeze through the Wanderlodge. B'fast at Cactus Café, great Bloody Marys. Met two young ladies from Jamaica. Work study over the summer to earn money and get college credit, inspiring how people from other countries value the American experience.