At the risk of making repetitive remarks, the Michigan State Parks are very nice! We worked our way down the Sunrise Coast, spending time on the beaches. In Bay City, we were almost the only people in the campground, and for the first time in several weeks, far enough from a railroad track to not hear a train at night.
The beaches on the lake are sandy and rocky. I was thrilled to find colorful rocks, and filled my bag with the most beautiful rocks. By the time we'd worked our way around to the 'Thumb' of Michigan, the rocks had disappeared to the sandy beaches. Ford Motor Company created a small bay on the northwest of the Thumb, Crescent Bay. In the 1930's, they dug the beautiful sand there to make windshields. By then, Henry Ford had created The Rouge plant in Dearborn, a modern manufacturing marvel, where the company manufactured many of the parts needed to assemble a car.
We loved all the small towns on the St. Claire River, and were fascinated with the tugs pushing barges up and down the river, much like the traffic we'd seen on the Mississippi River. At the recommendation of people we'd met at another State Park, we slipped into the Algonac State Park, and requested a site on the river. From that vantage, we could see the huge barges moving up and down.
Of course, there was one more Island to visit, and a bonus of two lighthouses on that island. I loved the sign at the ferry landing on the island, warning motorists to drive carefully!
Stuart discovered a campground a the Wayne County Fairgrounds, just west of Detroit. Or, DEEtroit as my daddy would have said. The campground was the closest to the city, and pretty cheap. Quiet, too. I had a need to see the Studio A and Berry Gordy's famous Motown Museum. Stuart had a need to see The Rouge. If you ever have the chance, do both!
Henry Ford was arguably one of the most brilliant men of the 20th Century. What he created in Dearborn to manufacture cars was the beginning of assembly line production. The ticket included a tour of the F-150 assembly line at The Rouge, and we could have stayed there all day, watching the parts move and a truck being built. They turn out a completely assembled F-150 every 90 minutes.
Motown was an emotional experience. To be in that studio, where the music of MY time was recorded, to see the albums lining the walls and to hear the stories...it was a perfect afternoon! We ended up in Studio A, where we sang and danced (part of the tour). We don't have to worry about being discovered.
Saturday night, after Motown and The Rouge, we drove over to Ann Arbor for dinner. The crowds along the streets told us we'd arrived in a college town on the evening of a home football game. But, a parking place appeared, and we joined the people on the pleasant street. Stuart had picked out an italian restaurant that was beautifully decorated and very busy, but they gave us a great table right away. The meal was about as perfect as any I've ever had. Afterwards, we walked down the street, and went into an art gallery to see a special show of hand-made books. I bought a box with three small books in it, a $25 splurge! We met Spooner, the crochet man www.the securityblanketco.com, on the street. He is a Character with talent!
Sunday, we spent the entire day at Greenfield Village, a part of The Henry Ford. Somewhat like Historic Williamsburg, it was totally assembled by Henry Ford. Entire houses were dismantled and moved here; demonstration farms and stores; turn-of-the-century artisans; all staffed with interpreters in costume and well-read about their 'lives'. Booker T. Washington's house, Robert Frost's house, Noah Webster's house; more...all, as if they had just stepped out for a minute. This rug is on the floor of Noah Webster's house, made entirely by hand with little pieces of wool. A real Penny Rug!
The trip is done. We're ready to head home, and we pack up in a pouring rain Monday morning, and head south on a perfectly awful road. It's as if everything unpleasant had waited for our fun trip to end. We laughed all the way to Lancaster, OH, where the rain stopped.
I just spent five days on my own boat on the Mississippi River, and then was blinded by the bright beauty of Lake Huron's sandy beaches. What a charmed life.
