AN & JFP – U.P. 2014 – Preamble & Day #1

Since Annie, for various good reasons, had not enjoyed a “proper” vacation for some considerable time we elected to make an extended trip together to see how we would manage 24/7 togetherness.  Wishes and reasons on both of our parts pretty much dictated a very late May timeframe, although when planning and making all of our arrangements months ahead we did not anticipate that winter would extend almost to the end of what is normally considered spring!

Subsequently we elected to try the 24/7 togetherness much sooner, but on a no-burned-bridges basis.  Nevertheless we continued to look forward to a real vacation together.  Annie’s “bucket list” included a wish to see Mackinac Island, and John is always up for some Northern Exposure, so a slow loop of the eastern half of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was planned and arranged departing immediately following the annual conclusion of John’s Garland Brook Cemetery veterans’ grave locations volunteer activity.

On May 21^st, with me still a bit stiff from the previous day’s Flag planting at Garland Brook, we beat our desired departure time of 8:00 AM by two whole minutes!  Like any trip on land starting in south central Indiana the first day was simply a case of “miles and miles of miles and miles”.  We had an excellent run, with just brief slow periods near Greenwood for the aftermath of a wreck and a few miles of single lane road works near the Indiana Toll Road, and very few pit stops for relief, gas, driver changes, etc.

I drove to the first Michigan Rest Area/Welcome Center, Annie drove a whole lot of “lower” Michigan & I brought us on in so Annie could enjoy her first look at and crossing of Big Mac.  Sadly the weather crossed us up.  30 miles out at a rest area/overlook it was just under 80 degrees, by Big Mac and St. Ignace it was in the low fifties with minimal visibility – a definite shock.  However, a few hours later it is both warmer and clearer so we have hopes for a nice day tomorrow.

In St. Ignace we are in the same shorefront motel overlooking Lake Huron as formerly used with Marissa & Zoe before they became “pet Unfriendly”!  After settling in we went out to check for restaurants and get some information on ferries to Mackinac Island prior to going to eat a delicious dinner at a restaurant at which I had eaten before.  Back at the motel we were the sole users of the hot-tub/whirlpool in which we “got out the kinks” of a 555 mile day.

We took few pictures but what we selected as memories may be seen here.