Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Day 33 Summer 2012 Road Trip

Slept in a bit this morning and had a late breakfast.  Today we are going to visit the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart Indiana.   Karen and I thought this would be a good place to visit.  We can learn about and see various styles of rv’s and this will help us in our search for a unit for ourselves.

We arrived at 11am and wandered around the outside of the building.  Everything is nicely cared for and there is a very large parking area so that there is plenty of room if you bring your motorhome and wish to park.  I am not sure, but you may even be able to stay overnight here.

3547 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3549 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3553 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum

We took several photos around the outside.  Karen and I were looking at the patio bricks and all the names of people and corporations that have donated to the Hall of Fame and found a name we actually recognized.  We follow many blogs written by rv’ers, but one blog in particular that we read faithfully is a blog written by Nick Russell.  Nick often mentions his friend Al Hesselbart and there right in front of us was a brick with Al’s name on it.  We didn’t see any other names that we recognized.

3560 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3556 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum - ElkArt On Parade - 'Made In The USA - RV Capital of The World' 3558 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum - ElkArt On Parade - 'Made In The USA - RV Capital of The World'

We paid the $9.00 each admission fee and entered the building.

3565 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3567 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3568 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum

Ok, well the first thing we ‘discovered’ was this beautiful RV… so, lets just buy this one and we can get on the road.  I guess I was so excited that I blurred the photo, but you get the idea.. brand spanking new and ready to roll out onto the scenic by-ways of America.

3569 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3570 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum

Not in our budget though so we had to leave it behind and enter the museum part of the facility.  The Airstream reminds us of our vacation on South Padre Island TX where we rented and stayed in one very similar.

3571 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3572 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3580 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum

If we were to get a travel trailer, I am positive that we would get an Airstream, but we have come to the decision that a Class A is what we are looking for.

Continuing on with our tour, there are rigs of all ages and sizes.  This tiny airstream also caught our eye.

3578 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 

Karen liked this 1954 Shasta travel trailer but it is a bit to small for the two of us.  I liked this 1964 Coachmen Cadet travel trailer, but again too small and not a Class A.

3586 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3593 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum

It was very interesting seeing all the old styles of rv’s and we enjoyed our visit to the museum.

3582 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3595 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3590 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum

On the second floor of the building is a very large library.  Just full of every book, manual and brochure ever published about any make, model or style of RV.  This is a valuable resource to the rv’ers.

3599 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3600 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3601 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum

From the second floor balcony, y0u can look down into the museum.

3602 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum 3603 Indiana Elkhart RVMH Museum

That concluded our visit to the RV/MH Hall of Fame.  We made a donation towards keeping the museum out of financial debt and we bought some t-shirts and other souvenirs.  Now it was time for a late lunch.

For the rest of the afternoon we drove around to a few RV dealerships, but we weren't finding anything that we were interested in.  We did learn that since the recession, more than a dozen dealerships in and around Elkhart had gone out of business.  Those that were still in business were concentrating on selling travel trailers and fifth wheels.  We want a Class A so our search continues.

Back at the hotel, we relaxed, watched TV, worked on editing and naming photos and writing this blog.

To see all of the photos from today, you can find them by clicking on the link to our FLICKR site.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Day 32 Summer 2012 Road Trip

We got up this morning and packed up the car.  We are going to head South today.  Our destination is South Bend Indiana.  Our plan is to spend the next few days RV shopping and there is no where better to look than in the South Bend / Elkhart Indiana area.

We start out by heading South on I-75.  This Interstate would take us all the way to Florida if we stay on it.

3502 Michigan I-75 South - sign 3503 Michigan I-75 South

But we exit and take US-127

3504 Michigan US-127 South - sign 3505 Michigan US-127 South - sign

Then we leave US-127 and get on Michigan State Hwy 55

3507 Michigan State Hwy 55 West - sign 3508 Michigan State Hwy 55 West

We drive along the shores of Lake Missaukee in Michigan.

3512 Michigan State Hwy 55 West & Hwy 66 South  Lake City - Lake Missaukee 3516 Michigan State Hwy 55 West & Hwy 66 South  Lake City - Lake Missaukee 3517 Michigan State Hwy 55 West & Hwy 66 South  Lake City - Lake Missaukee

We stopped in Cedar Springs Michigan at a Big Boy Restaurant.  I didn’t even know that these restaurants even existed.  It was new and modern and the burger and shake was delicious.

3520 Michigan Cedar Springs - Big Boy restaurant & bakery 3522 Michigan Cedar Springs - Big Boy

Shortly after our lunch, we drove through Grand Rapids Michigan.

3525 Michigan US- 131 South & State Hwy 55 West  - Grand Rapids 3526 Michigan US- 131 South & State Hwy 55 West  - Grand Rapids

In Grand Rapids we went in search of another roadside attraction.  This is a 100 ft Loch Ness Monster.  Unfortunately because of the severe drought happening this summer, the lake has receded and left the monster high and dry.

3529 Michigan Grand Rapids - John Ball Park - 100-ft-long Loch Ness Monster

Shortly after 3pm we enter the State of Indiana.

3541 Indiana US-31 - state line Welcome sign

We get checked into our hotel for the evening and start our search online for RV’s that are for sale in this area.

If you want to see all of the photos today, they are published here on our FLICKR site.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Day 31 Summer 2012 Road Trip

Last summer when we were in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we ran out of time to visit Mackinac Island, so that is todays priority.

We had a nice breakfast at the hotel and then walked the short distance to the ferry dock.  There are several ferry companies that shuttle passengers between the Island and the Mainland.  We chose Shepler’s Ferry.  There was a lineup, but we did not have to wait long and soon we were aboard.

3258 Michigan Mackinaw City - Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island 3259 Michigan Mackinaw City - Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island Lake Huron 3260 Michigan Mackinaw City - Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island Lake Huron

As we headed across the channel to Mackinac Island we passed the lake freighter “Edgar B Speer” and the “Round Island Lighthouse”.

3270 Michigan - Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island Lake Huron - lake freighter Edgar B. Speer 3273 Michigan - Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island Lake Huron - Round Island Lighthouse 3276 Michigan - Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island Lake Huron - Round Island Lighthouse

Here are a couple of shots of Mackinac Island as we approach the dock.

3281 Michigan - Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island Lake Huron - Mackinac Island 3283 Michigan - Shepler's Ferry to Mackinac Island Lake Huron - Mackinac Island

Cars are not allowed on the Island, you get around by walking, bicycle or horse and buggy.  The driver from the Grand Hotel is waiting near the dock for hotel guests.

3291 Michigan Mackinac Island

The streets near the dock are very busy and we walk along taking in the sights (and the smells)  You really have to pay attention to your surroundings or you will get run over or step in something you don’t want to step in.

3292 Michigan Mackinac Island 3295 Michigan Mackinac Island 3296 Michigan Mackinac Island

We have tickets for the Carriage Tour, so we went to their location to hand in our tickets and to get into the carriage.

3300 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours 3297 Michigan Mackinac Island

This is a great way to see the Island.  Our driver is also a tour guide and he talks about the history of the Island and points out different things and places as the tour winds its way through the streets.

3303 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours 3306 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours 3309 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours

If you want, you can rent your own horse and do a self guided tour.

3312 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours 3313 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours

Probably the most popular sight on the Island is the Grand Hotel.  Here we are on our tour passing by the hotel.  We will get off here later in the day and tour the hotel.

3321 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Grand Hotel 3322 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Grand Hotel 3324 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Grand Hotel

We got off our tour carriage at the Surrey Hills Carriage Museum.  We looked at the carriages on display and had a light lunch before resuming our tour of the island.

3334 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Surrey Hills Carriage Museum 3335 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Surrey Hills Carriage Museum

We transferred onto a larger carriage at this point and continued on with the tour of the island.  This carriage is pulled by 3 horses instead of 2.

3337 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - three-horse hitch carriage behind Surrey Hills Carriage Museum 3338 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - time to switch to three-horse hitch carriage for second part of tour

From here we went to the far side of the island through heavily wooded riding trails.

3342 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours 3356 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Fort Mackinac Avenue of Flags3362 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours

We stopped at Arch Rock to give the team of horses a rest break and to allow us to see Arch Rock and the view.

3365 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Arch Rock 3368 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Arch Rock 3369 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Arch Rock

3371 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - view from the lookout at Arch Rock 3372 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - view from the lookout at Arch Rock 3376 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - view from the lookout at Arch Rock

We had the opportunity to visit Fort Mackinac, but we passed since it was another added expense and we have seen similar Forts on past vacations.  A Fort is a Fort, basically on the highest ground, surrounded by walls, with barracks and other buildings inside the walls, with cannons spread around to fire upon the enemy. 

3388 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Fort Mackinac 3391 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Fort Mackinac 3393 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Fort Mackinac Avenue of Flags

We went past the Grand Hotel Horse Stables, a fine structure and it is air conditioned.  Those horses live in luxury.  It was cool enough today that the doors were open.

3401 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours 3406 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours 3408 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours

At this point along the tour we got off to visit the Grand Hotel.  So you might think after me poo pooing the fort, because a fort is a fort, that we would bypass the hotel, because a hotel is a hotel.  Well let me tell you that this is not just any hotel.  Rooms start at $1000.00 per night and if you are not a guest, there is a $10.00 admission charge per person to even get onto the property.  The hotel was fully booked, not a room to be had.

3320 Michigan Mackinac Island - Carriage Tours - Grand Hotel

In keeping with us seeking out the weird and whacky, the largest and the tallest, this hotel has one feature that entitles it to be among that elite group.  It boasts the “World’s Largest” front porch.  The porch measures in at 660 feet long.

3423 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3426 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3428 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel

There is a lovely refreshing breeze here on the porch and the scenery and the property is beautiful.

3415 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3438 Michigan Mackinac Island -  view from Grand Hotel 3439 Michigan Mackinac Island -  view of Mackinac Bridge from Grand Hotel

We can see another lake freighter passing under the Mackinac Bridge.

3432 Michigan Mackinac Island -  view of Mackinac Bridge and freighter from Grand Hotel 3433 Michigan Mackinac Island -  view of Mackinac Bridge and freighter from Grand Hotel

Inside the hotel.

3417 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3418 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3420 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel

3421 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3422 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel
Horse and buggies pick up and deliver hotel guests and their luggage to the front entrance.

3430 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3449 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3451 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel

The view from the bar on the top floor of the hotel.

3454 Michigan Mackinac Island -view from Grand Hotel Cupola Bar 3455 Michigan Mackinac Island -view from Grand Hotel Cupola Bar

It truly is a Grand Hotel.  There is even a dress code.

3477 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3480 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel

Some parting shots of the hotel.

3462 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3471 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel 3474 Michigan Mackinac Island - Grand Hotel

It is time to head back to the ferry so we walk the short distance from the hotel to the ferry dock.

3484 Michigan Mackinac Island 3486 Michigan Mackinac Island 3487 Michigan Mackinac Island

It was a choppy ride back to the mainland, we were smart and stayed inside where it was dry, but anyone on the top deck got soaked by the wind driven spray.  This guy on his “Sunfish” was enjoying an afternoon of sailing.

3489 Michigan - Shepler's Ferry return trip Lake Huron 3490 Michigan - Shepler's Ferry return trip Lake Huron 3493 Michigan - Shepler's Ferry return trip Lake Huron & Round Island Lighthouse

We enjoyed our visit to Mackinac Island.  Do we need to go back, perhaps not, but if we are in the area again I wouldn't rule it out, maybe we could go back and rent a couple of horses for ourselves.

To see all of our photos from today, click on the link to our FLICKR site.