Picture courtesy of Bones' dreams
To say the least our fur babies, Roux and Bones, leapt into the truck once they figured out the plan. This is a pretty easy trip, enjoying the trip crossing the Mackinac Bridge then taking a rest stop at St. Ignace for the critters and perhaps a GREAT burger for us. Clyde's burgers are famous throughout NW Michigan and HUGE. Trying to eat these on the road requires buying one and cutting it in half. Believe it or not we can fit the truck and 35' RV in this parking lot and still pull around the back to get back out on the highway.
Clyde's Drive In, Hwy 2 St Ignace, MI
In the end it is a 290 mile journey from our place to our destination in Champion, MI. A couple rest stops are required for the fur babies, but easily makeable in one day (6-7 hours) provided you don't sleep in. We passed through many miles of scenic forests and lakes to get there, but our destination is centered in the area we want. We usually like to 'boondock' in the UP, but this time we wanted hookups and convenience...…relaxation with a mission. It was an easy drive, averaging 13.3 mpg, although the entire town of Munising is under construction. Diesel prices ranged from $2.39 at home vs. $2.79 in Marquette. We set up our camp just west of Champion, MI at Van Riper State Park; electric hookups with a central water fill/dump station for $25 a night. We did arrive to the discovery that our Propane Detector Alarm was malfunctioning so we disconnected it till we pick up a replacement.
As I said we have a side agenda to this trip; to stock up on a few items for the "go south pantry" this winter. Of course we adhered to the quarantine mask requirements when in public places. It is really not an issue with us by now. First up is Ralph's Italian Deli in Ishpeming. This is one of the finest Italian Delis you will find anywhere. You can shop or take out. The food and deli items are tasty and spectacular.
We arrived to pick up 10 pounds of Cudighi which is a ground Italian style sausage unique to the Italian and Welsh miners that immigrated here during the early 1900s. Available in Mild, Medium, or Hot, we usually get Mild although Hot is not that hot. We use it for many dishes that require sausage to which you may want to add a little 'extra'. We froze about 10 pounds of cudighi @ $5.24 a pound. I also picked up some Sport Peppers and Mild Muffuletta Mix. We also returned to camp with some delicious lunch; Barb enjoying a Italian Ham & Cheese Melt while I went with the Greek Salad. LOVE them olives, pepperoncini, FETA, and pickled red beets. The homemade bread sticks were delicious.
Next up for us would be a longer day trip, a day trip to Hancock, MI just across the the bridge from Houghton. We took Roux as well. Furbabies need a break too. About 70 miles from camp you travel NW through some spectacular scenery of forests, Keweenaw Bay and in the east side of Houghton. Once you cross the famous Portage Bay Lift Bridge it is just up the hill across from the Quincy Mine on Hwy. 41.
Portage Canal Lift Bridge
Peterson's Fish Market Hancock, MI
Peterson's Fish Market sells the freshest and some of the most reasonably priced whitefish in the entire UP. You can dine in, order to go, or buy by the pound either fresh, smoked, or frozen. The meals there are incredible. You won't go away hungry or disappointed. We did arrive late and there wasn't too much fresh whitefish left. We did get some, but supplemented with 2 pounds of lake trout as well. We vacuum sealed and froze 8 pounds @ $9.75 a pound. We also stopped at a local market to pick up some Vollwerths Beer Brats, Kielbasa, Breakfast Sausage, thick cut Bologna, and Brat Burgers. Couldn't resist the urge to fill up with diesel today in Baraga at $2.14.
Peterson's dine in
Absolutely fresh, delicious big Lake Superior whitefish fillets
We are sure to get our share of good catfish, redfish, and sea trout in South Texas this year, but there is nothing like a good fillet of whitefish for dinner, sandwich, or tacos.
Ralph's Italian Cudighi for the freezer
Barb working her preservation magic
This was a wonderfully relaxing trip for us. We stocked up, relaxed, and gave the fur babies some much needed outside time. We sacrificed nothing for our own menu as we dined on hot dogs, Walking Taco Casserole, and UP Stroganoff with some fresh Cudighi, the simpler foods in life. Van Riper State Park is certainly a keeper, I'm sure we'll be back.
Walking Taco Casserole
Cudighi Stroganoff
We put a pretty good dent in our winter pantry requirements as well as got a good 'shakedown cruise' for the RV. 5 years old now and nearly 80,000 miles on her, the Windjammer still performs even though we've been pretty tough on her. We return home now to finish the last of our summer appointments, projects, and chores. It always amazes me just how much even the smallest road trip can help clear the mind and restore the positive endorphins in order to de-stress ourselves. When you're retired, sometimes that can become overlooked, but never taken for granted. Point the compass SE my love, I'll steer the wheel. Just a thought......if this is White Privilege then how come I'm paying for my own gas?
"It isn't how much time you spend somewhere that makes it memorable, it's how you spend the time"
David Brenner
WiFi courtesy of Verizon MiFi
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