Upper Peninsula, Soo Locks and Tahquamenon Falls (July 29)

What a day we had.  I was so exited to finally travel across the Mackinaw Bridge into the UP.

Our first stop was at Sault Ste. Marie (pronounced soo saint mure').  It is the oldest city in the Midwest. First visited in 1668.

T @ Sault Ste Marie

Soo Locks

T enjoying the view of the Soo Locks

The Soo Locks raise and lower the water level to allow ships to go between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.  To see the largest lake in the world Lake Superior was thrilling.  Having grown up on the ocean I was amazed at the Great Lakes.  They look like oceans, however they contain fresh water, not salt water.  I have now seen all but Lake Ontario.

It takes approximately 10 million gallons of water to raise a boat in the MacArthur Lock 21 feet, it takes about 22 million gallons to raise the level of the Poe Lock by 21 feet.

 After spending several hours on the boat going through the locks, we headed to the Tahquamenon Falls (pronounced like phenomenon).  The upper falls are the largest falls in Michigan.

Lower Tahquemenon Falls

Glo & T @ Upper Tahquemenon Falls

Glo & T having fun

Mackinac Island July 28

We arrived in Cheboygan MI on the 27th excited to be so near the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.  I had wanted to go there for several years and this was the year we set it as a destination.

We took a ferry to Mackinac Island.  We learned that wether it is spelled Mackinaw or Mackinac it is pronounce Mackinaw.  What a magnificent place.  In 1898 the automobile was banned.  Bicycles, horses and feet are the only mode of transportation on the island.

Angie with Lady Liberty
Replica donated by Boy Scouts of America 1952

The movie Somewhere In Time was filmed here and it was like going back in time.   We spent the entire day there and I would love to go back and spend an evening.  Maybe someday.

T & Glo

Streets of Mackinac Island

Arch Rock

Fort Mackinaw (1780 - 1895)

Garbage Truck

Round Island Lighthouse (1895)
It was in operation for 52 years.

Sainte Anne Church
The parish is the nation's oldest dedicated to Saint Anne, and maintains baptismal records dating from April 1695.

Mackinaw Bridge
A suspension bridge spanning the straights of Mackinac
to connect the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan.
It opened in 1957 and is the world's 16th longest total suspension(approximately 4.5 miles)

Round Island Lighthouse

Yale & Frankenmuth MI (July 24-25)

We headed to Frankenmuth on the 24th.  Our friends, Dave & Thelma, who were traveling with us told us about this place so we had to go see what it was all about.  Frankemuth is known as "Little Bavaria".  It was settled in 1845 by Lutheran immigrants from Germany.  When you walk through the historic section of Frankenmuth, you feel as though you are in Bavaria.  Beautiful flowers everywhere.  AND the Bronner's Christmas Wonderland is there.  It claims to be the world's largest Christmas Store.  It is larger than several football fields.

Broker's Christmas Wonderland

Glo,Angie & Thelma enjoying the German music @ the Bavarian Inn

The day we arrived we were lucky enough to happen upon an antique fire engine parade and we were in the perfect spot to view it all.

Antique Fire Engine

Silent Night Memorial @ Bronner's

T having fun at the Cheese Haus

On the way to Frankenmuth, we stopped in Yale to take in the Bologna Festival.  When T heard there was a bologna festival he was all about going.  The bologna is made at C. Roy's and all the beef is grown locally.  According to T it is like nothing he has had before.  They even had pickled bologna. Since I wasn't eating the bologna I got involved in a different way.  I got to bash a car.  Call me crazy,  It was fun!

Apparently the Bologna Festival is a big deal in Michigan

Glo bashing a car.

T enjoying bologna on a stick.

Detroit MI and surrounding area. (July 21-23)

We arrived in Michigan on the 21st of July and stayed at Algonac State Park on the St Claire River, where we could watch freighters go by and look across to Ontairio Canada.  It was amazing how blue the water and the sky were.

Looking across St. Claire River at Canada

World's largest "living roof".

We were outside of Detroit and felt compelled to visit the Ford Rouge Factory, where we learned about the design and manufacture of the Ford F-150 and got to watch the assembly of an F-150.  One very unique thing about the plant is that it has the "world's largest living roof".  Now when I first heard "living roof" I didn't have a clue as to what that meant.

At 454,000 square feet, it is one of the largest living roofs in the world, effectively turning the roof into a 10.4-acre garden. It's size isn't the only amazing thing about the Green Roof

• Natural Rainwater Management - The Green Roof can absorb up to 4 million gallons of water resulting in significant storm water management savings.
• Natural Insulation -  The Green Roof saves millions of dollars in energy costs
• UV Protection -  The Green Roof absorbs sunlight, preventing many roof leaks and cracks.
• Longer roof life - The Green Roof will last twice as long as a traditional roof

After visiting the factory, we went to where Motown was born.  Angie and I hadn't a clue as to where we were going, we just headed out.  We were driving through a section of Detroit that gave us cause for pause, but we arrived at "Hitsville USA" without incident.  "Hitsville USA was the nickname given to Motown's first headquarters.  It was a fun tour and we got to sing and dance in Studio A. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed inside.

We drove to Port Huron and view the magnificence of Lake Huron and the oldest lighthouse in Michigan. 

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse (1829)

Glo, Thelma,Dave & Angie at Lake Huron

Amazing veggies are found in Michigan

Dayton OH - July 20th

We left Cincinnati on July 19th and stopped a couple of days in Dayton OH to see the National Air Museum of the Air Force.  What a magnificent display of airplanes and equipment.  Ohio is where it all began.  Orville and Wilbur Wright were from Ohio. In fact I went to their grave site at Woodland Cemetery.   Our stay in Dayton was brief.

B-17 - Glo's dad was a bombadier on this plane in WWII

Those of you who remember Erma Bombeck will appreciate her grave.  She is buried under a rock brought in from Phoenix.  There is no marker at her grave, just one on the side of the street near where she is buried.

Glo @ Erma Bombeck's grave.

Wilbur & Orville Wright are buried here.