Summer is in the final swing now. We try to get out to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan while we're home each summer, the Great White North. We spent a week in St Ignace last month with the new RV. Toivola is located on the western edge of the Keweenaw Peninsula, about 370 miles from home. It is part of the last bastion in our state rich in the culture of Finns and Swedes. We have been here several times camping and walking the beach in search of the elusive Lake Superior Agate. Actually, there are many more minerals here such as Jasper, Unakite, Rhyolite, Thompsonite, Datolite, and Prehnite. There is also a decent amount of 'Float Copper' on the beach if you take the time, metal detector, and a shovel. We both wanted a getaway this trip with no casinos, no commercial campgrounds, and no major towns. Just walking the beach and building campfires again.
Picking on the rainy day. It was still 60F, but she'd be cold in Florida
Deep banding on the right side, a nice Lake Superior Agate
Example of Prehnite
Example of Rhyolite
Example of Unakite
Example of Jasper
Example of Float Copper w/Malachite
It was a 7 1/2-hour drive averaging 12 mpg. The new RV is shorter, but heavier. We found plenty of room for camping and found a spot that provided plenty of sunlight (we thought). There is a trick to finding a spot that provides plenty of sun for solar and yet doesn't heat up the RV. I camped on the west side of the camping area which had plenty of mid-day sun, but it turned to shade about 4 p.m. Camping on the east side would have been better as the sun shows a bit later but lasts longer. Live and learn.
This campground is now completely primitive. It used to have electricity and water, but funding has left the township flat on repairing anything. There are hand pump water wells, but we watered up at Twin Lakes State Park 12 miles south before arrival. 360 lbs. of additional weight. I do this as close as possible to the boondocking site so as to carry the extra weight as short a distance as possible. We solely boondocked on solar and/or generator when needed while here. This would be an adventure considering my CPAP would be provided by my new Jackery portable power station. This lasts the night and recharges via solar in the daytime. Of course, the Honda generator was available for A/C or to top off on days with less solar and we did use it.
Some of the samples we found rockhounding:
Plenty of competition
North along the Elm River
Unakite for the tumbler
We'll see how they polish up
While here I cooked Chicken Fried Venison, Cold Hawaiian Salad, Sweet n Sour Pork/Rice, Ham Steak, Low Country Boil, and Pulled Pork Mac n Cheese OTR.
We spent 7 days in God's Country. We also delayed another day for a stop on the way home. The weather was sunny and warm. Barb found a couple small agates, unakite, and jasper and we enjoyed the time away to decompress after a busy summer. The beach was crowded nearly every day so pickings were slim. They installed a new cell tower just south of here a few years back, so we enjoyed 2-3 bars of the good stuff all week. The solar worked well all, but one rainy day bringing back the battery within 3-4 hours. The gennie was used 46.5 hrs., mostly for A/C. The last two days were 90F. Average mileage for this trip was 13.4 mpg. The furbabies just can't deal with that heat being in the RV. The Jackery Power Pak worked well, providing my 4+ hours per night for the CPAP. Family, furbabies, and good food. Does it get any better? So far, we love the new Arctic Fox RV. Campground rating?
"If there were no rocks in its bed the stream would have no song"
Carl Perkins
WiFi provided by AT&T Wireless
No comments:
Post a Comment