Shipwreck Tour Munising, MI

On Monday Donnie and I took a shipwreck tour in Munising Bay (Michigan) on Lake Superior. We went out for a couple of hours on a really neat glass bottom boat. The tour took us out over three different shipwrecks. This first photo is of the bow of the Burmuda, a 150 ft wooden sailing schooner that sank in 1870. The top deck of the Bermuda is only 12 feet below the surface of the lake. The water is so clear that Donnie was able to take this photo leaning over the side of our tour boat.




As you can see these two pictures were taken looking down through the glass bottom of the boat. The captain of the boat, who was a lady, was amazing. She maneuvered the boat back and forth over each wreck, so you could see the decks, hatches, railings and even where the masts had been attached.


We also cruised along the southern shore of Grand Island. We were told there are all types of wildlife on the island including bear, coyotes, beaver and otters. We didn't see any of those animals but we did see a very large bald eagle perched in a pine tree on the edge of the water.


You all know how I am about lighthouses. Can't pass one by without taking a photo! This is East Channel Lighthouse on Grand Island. It was built in 1869-1870 to guide ships into Munising Harbor.
Donnie and I both really enjoyed the glass bottom boat tour. We had a great time. The lake was smooth as glass and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. A great day to be on the water.

Marquette, Michigan

Hello all! Hope you are enjoying the posts of our adventures. Feel free to write us back. Just click on comments at the bottom of each post. Would love to hear from you!


We are staying at an RV park in Ishpeming, MI in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We got here on Friday and have spent a few hours here and there touring the town. This afternoon we tried our first pasty (pronounced pass'-tee). We drove a few miles over to Negaunee and stopped at Grandma T's Pasty Shop. Bought the beef pasty that also has potatoes and carrots in it. It was surprisingly good, as we had been warned that a pasty is very bland. They are a local food here in the Michigan U.P. and originated as a portable meal for the miners.



Here are a few photos of Marquette, just a few miles to the east. Marquette is a beautiful old town on Lake Superior. Donnie and I drove over yesterday and walked around town. We stopped at a Farmers Market and checked out all the fresh produce and baked goods. I refrained from buying any bread, but it wasn't easy!


This is the County Courthouse. Marquette county was founded because of its vast deposits of iron ore. There are several mines in the area that feature museums and tours.


We walked down to the dock and enjoyed the fresh air off the lake.


This large structure is an iron ore dock. When it was operational, ore was brought in on the top rails by train, then dumped into the dock. Ships would dock under the long chutes on the sides, the chutes would be lowered to the ships' cargo hatches. Each chute would load about 20 tons. A local man gave us this information on how the ore dock worked. It would have been fascinating to be able to watch these ships being loaded.


When we walked around the dock we just had to take a photo of this yacht. Such a tiny little thing!

Lake Superior Area

Our "campsite" near the Bad River Casino about 10 east of Ashland, WI. We had all the conveniences within a few steps - a grocery store, post office, restaurant and gas station. We never got around to going into the casino as we were too busy checking out the area scenery, parks, lakes and waterfalls.



More views of Lake Superior. The water is so clear you can see rocks on the bottom. These photos were taken from an overlook while we were out exploring.


A marina in Ashland. Seeing this sure made us wish we had our boat with us.


This waterfall is called Superior Falls. We found it while out and about one day. On the drive out to the falls Donnie saw a young black bear on the side of the road munching away on something. It ran into the woods so fast that I missed it. Just my luck!

Wisconsin and Minnesota

We have been in northern Wisconsin two days now. We are staying at an RV park near Ashland, Wisconsin. This is a photo of the courthouse in Ashland. It is a very quaint little town right on Lake Superior. There are huge baskets of cascading dark pink petunias hanging from every light post and flowers in planters everywhere.


Many of the buildings have murals painted on them. I thought this one was neat because of the lighthouse keepers and lighthouses. We saw several artists painting new murals as we walked around town.


The Ashland Breakwater Lighthouse. Donnie took this picture from a city park on the shore of Lake Superior. The lighthouse was built in 1915 when Ashland was a busy port.


Another building, another mural. You may have to double click to get the full effect of the painting. It appealed to me because of its 1950s theme.


Donnie and Shelby in front of an old boat at the Lake Superior Marine Museum.


Another view of Lake Superior.

This was our first sighting of Lake Superior after we left Duluth, Minnesota. The lake is so large you almost feel like you are looking at the ocean.


Speaking of leaving Minnesota...We spent two nights there. The first night was just as we left South Dakota. It was pretty uneventful. The second night was another story. We wanted to experience "camping" in a Minnesota State Park. We stayed in one called Crow Wing that looked nice and "woodsy". We started to have second thoughts when the road to the camp sites turned into dirt. Then we found a campsite that we thought we'd fit into (most of the spaces were geared toward tenting). As we got out of the truck we were swarmed by gnats and deer flies. After setting up, it began to rain and that took care of the bugs, but not the mosquitoes! We headed out early the next morning. Donnie said Minnesota might be the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes but it was also the Land of Ten Billion Mosquitoes!!


Donnie in a Minnesota cornfield... or maybe it was a South Dakota cornfield. Needless to say most of eastern SD and southern MN are covered in corn. I was told that most of the corn is field corn used to feed stock and to make ethanol.

The Black Hills of South Dakota

The Corn Palace on main street in Mitchell, South Dakota. The palace is one of a kind decorated with thousands of bushels of corn, grain and grasses. Each year the murals on the exterior walls are changed. Locals call it the world's largest bird feeder!

We have really enjoyed the last few days in South Dakota but we're ready to move on and see new sights. Tomorrow we are heading east. Next stop - Minnesota and the Great Lakes.


This morning we went to Sturgis to check out all the motorcycles coming in for the rally next week. The town was already quite busy (and entertaining!). Then we drove over to the old gold mining town of Deadwood. There were almost as many bikes there as Sturgis. I had forgotten the camera so took the photo above with my cell phone.


Hey Rylee and Parker, here is a photo of a baby burro we saw in Custer State Park. It was so cute and fuzzy that Grandma wanted to take it home with her!


One of the buffalo herds in the state park. They were causing quite a traffic jam as everyone stopped to take photos.


The Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills. We toured the museum and welcome center then watched a film about the sculptor who began work on the mountain in 1949. When he passed away in 1982 his sons and daughters chose to continue the project. The monument of the Sioux chief is the world's largest carving in progress at 563 feet high. It will be several times larger than Mount Rushmore when completed.


We visited Mount Rushmore early yesterday morning. It is really an amazing sight. Donnie and I walked the Presidential trail that goes right along the base of the monument.


Donnie at the Mount Rushmore entrance. We went back to the monument last night for the evening program and lighting ceremony. There was a great patriotic film about the four presidents and our country's history. Then everything went dark and the monument was lighted. The program ended with a flag ceremony honoring current members of the military as well as veterans. It was an experience we will never forget.

The Boys in Artesia

We left Deer Springs RV Park in Mayhill last week. Headed to Artesia to visit with Casey, Angie, Rylee and Parker before we hit the road. Here is a photo of Rylee taking it easy at PaPa and Grandma's trailer.



Thought this was a neat picture of Parker just kicking back and relaxing.



Rylee and Parker taking Daytona for a ride. Looks like Parker wants to do the driving!

Rio Hondo TX

Hello All! We are into our second month at Twin Palms RV Park in Rio Hondo. We have been taking day trips occasionally, checking out the surrounding area. Everywhere we go we see palm trees and all sorts of beautiful flowers. This area seems to have just the right climate for growing tropical plants. It amazes me that I have been able to plant flowers in our little yard (in January!). The above photo was taken one day on our way back from South Padre Island.


One of the many orange groves near Rio Hondo. We sure are enjoying having access to such good fresh fruit. We haven't tired of having oranges and grapefruit every morning for breakfast.


Last week we drove over to South Padre Island and took a walk on the beach. There were several people there enjoying the sun and fishing.


A photo of Laguna Madre which separates South Padre Island from the mainland. It was a little hazy so the water didn't look as blue as usual.

South Texas Valley

We spent the day with our friends from NM, Glenn and Mary Spence, on South Padre Island today (12/1). We met them at Daddy's restaurant and had a great seafood lunch. Then we followed them out to their RV space at Isla Blanca County Park on the southern tip of the island. We had a great visit and they gave us a tour of their new fifth wheel, which is a very nice rig! It was so good to see friends from home.


We have settled in at our home for the next few months in Rio Hondo. So far we have had good weather with daytime temperatures in the 70s - 80s. Not bad for December, we could get used to this!!

On Thursday we headed out to Boca Chica which is the southernmost beach in Texas. We had heard of it for several years and finally got the chance to check it out. We drove 24 miles out of Brownsville on a little paved road seeing very few other vehicles. We knew we had arrived when the pavement ended in sand at the Gulf! It was just beautiful but very isolated, the only other people there were a few fishermen and border patrols. Boca Chica's shore is a shell collector's paradise, miles and miles of unspoiled beach covered in seashells.


Donnie and Shelby at Boca Chica. She really wanted to run on the beach but after overdoing it on Mustang Island (we had to take her to the vet for arthritis medicine!!), Donnie kept her on a short leash. We all still enjoyed strolling on the sand.



On our way to Rio Hondo, we spent a week near Corpus Christi at Mustang Island State Park. We always enjoy our time there, walking on the beach and sightseeing. This photo was taken from a fishing pier in Corpus Christi Bay.

Fall Colors

We are spending this week at Blanco State Park, about 40 miles north of San Antonio in the hill country. The fall colors are amazing this year, because it has been so dry and warm. This state park is one of our favorites. We always enjoy spending time outside and walking along the river.
We will be leaving on Sunday, going to Mustang Island State Park, near Corpus Christi for a week. After that our plans are to head south to our "winter home" in Rio Hondo. Donnie talked to Paul Marez today and learned Becky Jo's parents will be spending time again this winter on South Padre Island. We are looking forward to seeing Glenn and Mary, as S.P.I. is only a half hour's drive from Rio Hondo.

Tom & Mary Jo

Our friends Tom and Mary Jo Phillips at their home in Manchaca (near Austin). We were so glad we got to see them if only for a short time. They are a neat couple and make our summers at Mayhill a lot of fun.

Exotic Cars

On Monday we had lunch at one of our favorite BBQ joints, the Salt Lick in Driftwood, TX. Afterwards we walked out to the parking lot and were surrounded by 20 or more exotic cars. Casey, your Dad thought you might like to see these photos. The drivers, from all over the U.S., were participating in a long distance road race.

Happy Halloween!

We just had to share this photo of the grandsons in their Halloween costumes. Rylee and Parker playing cowboys and indians!