Michigan . . . In the Rain:(

Sleeping Bear Dunes


Gene in front of the Leland house.


Sitting on the big deck out back.


The azaleas are in bloom.

Be careful for what you want. We headed north to escape hot and humid Ohio and ended up in misty and muddy Michigan. After parking the RV at Camp Grayling, we rested a day in the rain then drove west to Wendy country . . . the shore of Lake Michigan and Leland. We found the Leland house tucked in a secluded forest overlooking the lake. The house is gorgeous, with a big deck and steps leading down to the shore. And, the azaleas were in bloom! I can see why Jack and Wendy love this peaceful retreat and come here each summer.

After a lunch in Leland at the Bluebird restaurant overlooking a little river, we drove south to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Recreation Area. It features a scenic drive through the dunes and sugar maple forest with pullouts overlooking Lake Michigan. It was gorgeous! Though it wasn't raining, it was a very grey day.

After hitching the car to the RV, we drove north to Michigan's Upper Peninsula, or the UP as the locals call it. The closer we got to our destination on Lake Superior, the wetter it got . . . first just mist, then real rain. After three days, our eyes are strained from reading for hours and hours, and I've got a sore thumb from shuffling cards. Also a bit of cabin fever.

The weather forecast is for sun this afternoon and tomorrow for the 4th of July. We hope so. The town of Munising has plans for a parade, watermelon eating contest, pet parade, firemen's water fight, greased pole and 10:30 pm fireworks. The sun doesn't set here until 9:43 p.m.!