Travel to Petoskey

 August 31, 2025

Magnus Park CG site 31

Petoskey, Michigan

Today we bid good bye to Soo Locks Campground in Sault Ste Marie.

The campground filled up for Labor Day weekend with both tents and campers.  Here's a question for you.  Which is larger: the picnic table, the awning or the camper?

From the outside, the camper looked just big enough to hold a bed.

As we began our travel, Momma was just getting ready to make a comment, when she had to swallow her words.  We were traveling on I-75 with a nice smooth ride for the first 20+ miles when all of a sudden the expansion joints began giving us a bump bump, bump bump ride that was a tad unsettling.  Thankfully, that only lasted for about ten miles as we drove on to discover smooth, recently repaved highway.  Whew!!  

We have left what they refer to as the Upper Peninsula and we are now located in what is referred to as 'the mitten'.

The weather was perfect for crossing the five mile Mackinaw Suspension Bridge.  Crosswinds can make the crossing challenging, but we had no wind and blue skies.

Momma had read somewhere something about the $4 toll to cross the bridge for cars and $5 an axle for others.  As we approached the toll booth, Dad was prepared to hand over a twenty dollar bill for our four axles.  

As it turned out, Dad got change back from his twenty as they have an $8 rate for campers.  That put a smile on his face and money back in his pocket!

Magnus Park Campground is located on the shores of Little Traverse Bay, an inlet of Lake Michigan. 

And yes, there were people in the water today as the air temperature was in the low 70's which the locals define as warm.

Pam  walked on the beach today and played with the rocks.

Maybe I'll get a chance to check out the beach tomorrow??

I'm Chloe
  

Soo Locks Boat Tour

 August 30, 2025

Soo Locks CG site 77

Sault Saint Marie, MI

Well, the two-legged headed out once again, after it warmed up a tad.  The thermometer was reading 47 this morning when I took my morning walk.  Today's adventure took them back to the locks.  They had already observed the locks from the land, so today the plan was to experience the locks from the water....well, in a boat.

Momma said she was glad they didn't head out on the morning cruise because she wanted to sit on the top deck and she wasn't sure she could make the stairs if she had too many layers of clothing on. As it turned out, only three layers were needed for the 1 pm boarding.  

One of the office staff entertained the group waiting to board the boat with a trivia session that turned out to be an informative experience.  120 feet of snow fall during the winter months confirmed the not to be here in winter thoughts.  The gal said she remembers a snow fall of 54 inches during one brief snowfall that caused the National Guard to dig everyone out.  Do you know the cost for a boat to go thru the locks?  Dad was surprised to learn.....ZERO.  There is a set of US locks and a Canadian lock.  The Canadians have no problem letting paddle boats enter the locks but your water craft has to have a motor to enter the US locks that connects Lake Superior with Lake Huron via St Marys River rapids negotiated via the locks system. 

Our tour took us through the US locks on the way out, sharing the lock space with another vessel.

that was being pushed by a tug boat

We entered the lock and the boat was raised 21 feet before we exited. 

 

Our trip continued under the bridge that we had driven over to take us from US into Canada.  We paid $4.40 each way to drive on that bridge.  ($6.60 CAD)

Our ride continued with the return trip taking us through the Canadian locks where we quickly dropped 21 feet.

opening the lock

exiting after being lowered 21 feet

Here's a view of our campground from the water.

If I hadn't been napping, I could have waved as they passed by on the tour boat.

But my nap continued as they decided to grab some more seafood at the Lakeview Restaurant before returning to me.  I think Momma is hooked on their seafood bisque.

It was another great day in the UP of Michigan.  Tomorrow we will cross the Mackinac Suspension Bridge to spend a couple of nights in Petosky, Michigan.

I'm Chloe

Valley Camp

 August 29, 2025

Soo Locks CG site 77

Sault Saint Marie, MI

Today the two-legged boarded an old ore carrier that now functions as a museum.

The area that was used to carry coal or ore has been remodeled into an area used to display a collection of artifacts and models.

Dad found the engine room interesting.

This carrier was built before the self unloading  carriers were built.  

The product had to be scooped out of the numerous hatches.

The sleeping quarters and galley were located in the stern while the bridge was located at the opposite end.  Can you imagine trying to move from the stern to the bow past all these hatches while at sea in inclement weather?  

There was also an area dedicated to the SS Edmund Fitzgerald that sank in 1975 in a violent November storm taking the lives of all 29 crew members.  When they located the Fitzgerald under water, it had broken in two.

Seeing as our next campground is also a water/electric hook up, Momma checked out the laundromat here.  $3.50 to wash and an additional $3.50 to dry.  Sounds rather steep for just regular sized washer and dryers.

Momma and Dad were watching the news tonight and the weather report informed the viewers that the high for the day will be 21 degrees tomorrow.  I didn't panic as that is Celsius. It's a Canadian TV station.  Another jacket day coming up but every day it is a tad warmer.  Momma has gone from four layers down to three.  Dad is tougher with only two layers needed...but they were both long sleeved!  Now me, I'm still wearing the same old fur coat and doing just fine.

I'm Chloe 

Where did he go?

 August 28, 2025

Soo Locks CG site 77

Sault Saint Marie, MI

Dad, are you playing a game of hide and seek with me?  I just saw you on the ladder, but you've disappeared.

Do you see him, Pam?

Yep, he is hiding on the top of the slide.

Wait a minute!  He can't be trying to hide if he is making all that racket.  More preventive maintenance in progress.

Dad was concerned with the sound of the slide transmission motor and decided to change it out before it quit working.  That meant the slide cables would have to be disconnected and nothing would be holding the slide in place.  If the side was deployed in the out position so Dad could reach the transmission while standing on the ladder, that heavy slide could just pop out the hole without any added support added underneath the slide.  We aren't traveling with extra support items to use so that meant the slide would have to be in the in position, but Dad's arms aren't long enough to reach over the top of the slide and touch the transmission so.....he needed to get closer to the job site.....thus crawl onto the top of the slide.  It sure is a good thing Dad isn't claustrophobic as there isn't much space between the slide top and the camper ceiling.  Tight working space!  What's that Dad?  You don't want to change out the transmission that way ever again.  I don't blame you one bit.  Especially when you crawled from the ladder to the slide top at least a half a dozen times.  Who knew one of your spare parts would be a tad different?  Glad you were well supplied with more than one.

Now you and Pam will no longer have to push on the slide while Momma operates the in button.  And I know you won't be having any more worrisome dreams about slide failure.

At least your morning wasn't as challenging.  That border crossing into and out of Canada was super smooth.  I know you enjoy shopping at Canadian  Tire.

They have quite a variety of goods for sale.  It's always a good feeling when you do the conversion from Canadian to US dollars.  And with all those boxes of coffee you bought, we are well stocked for our coffee breaks.  You do have plenty of dog treats tucked away for me?   Right??  You just can't have a good coffee break without dog treats!  😁

I'm glad you found Momma's favorite Robin Hood flour in Walmart while in Canada.  It's a shame they won't ship it to the US.

I'm Chloe

Soo Locks

 August 27, 2025

Soo Locks Campground site 77

Sault Saint Marie, MI

Our timing was the best possible scenario as far as the weather with our hitching up and setting back up schedule.   We had just the hint of a slight mist as we began to hitch up for our departure from Marquette.  We drove in and out of rain as we headed east with Sault Saint Marie as our goal.  Upon arrival, Momma slid out of the truck into the light rain, but by the time she came out of the office, the rain had stopped allowing us to set up without getting drenched. 

The campground is on Lake Superior so we are in an excellent position to observe the barges

as they leave or approach Soo Locks.  With our site being on the upper terrace, we have a great view from our large back window of the water. 

The only downside to this campground is no sewer connections at the sites and only 30 amp service but that certainly is doable.  We will only be here for four nights.

Momma called the locks hotline to find out the schedule for barges being in the locks and the next thing I knew, they were headed out the door.

Dad said he didn’t remember the guard monitoring entrance to the locks property the last time we were here, but they weren’t carrying any weapons so there they were allowed entry.  There is a multi-story, covered viewing area that kept them dry as they watched the water level lower to allow the barge to pass thru the locks.  Actually, there are two sets of locks.  The closest channel had rising water for a  tour boat to pass thru while the further channel was taking the barge to a lower level. 

And that is how to navigate the rapids without any damage.

Momma had inquired about restaurants upon checking in and the recommendation was for Lockview Restaurant, right across the street from the locks, for great seafood.  Momma loved her fish bisque

while Pam and Dad had fish baskets.  Check out the barge decor at the table for condiments.

The weather may have been a tad damp at times, but it didn't dampen the adventures of the day.

I'm Chloe

Chilly

 August 25, 2025

Marquette Tourist Park site 54

Marquette, Michigan

Can you believe it?  Noon and the temperature is still in the 50's.  It's making it's way to the 60's as it is 59, but the grand high is only going to be 62 today.  A tad too chilly to sit outside....even in the sun.

My fifth wheel

Pam's fifth wheel

Sites across the road from each other

Momma says she can't even imagine being here in a tent.  She is enjoying the heat from our fireplace for sure!

Everything is closed on Monday's.  Well everything the two-legged were interested in checking out.  Okay, cold out and closed ...so that means it is the perfect day to take on a project.  I know it's not one you are looking forward to Dad, but it needs to be addressed.  

The washer dryer combo unit has not been performing as it should.  The wash cycles are operating just fine, but the dry cycle is failing to fully dry without loads of extra time.  Time to see if the exhaust tube is clogged with lint.  Sounds simple, except when you consider the hose is attached in the rear and the combo unit is installed in a small closet. 

But was certainly a good move to take on that challenging project.  It definitely needed to be addressed.  What a wad in the tube.

I can't believe Dad just mentioned the 't' word (tubby), but he did say he realized it was much too cold for a tailgate tubby.  We might just get one more shot of warm weather after this front passes through before we really get into the fall weather.  If not, I'm sure they will locate a convenient place for me to wash off all this dirt and grime I've been collecting.   Maybe I should just take a dip in the lake here.

I'm Chloe