Thursday, September 30, 2010

Back to Florida

After our visit to Graceland we drove to Montgomery for an overnight before heading to St. Augustine.  About an hour out of Montgomery Bill realized that we had a flat tire and, suddenly, there was a “POP” as a back tire blew.  We came to a sudden - and swerving - halt!  

Fortunately, we were able to pull off the road and we found ourselves in front of “Mac’s Nut Shop”!  Very appropriate!!

Mac and Bonnie made us feel very welcome while we waited for AAA to send someone to fix the flat.  Once he got there it took him less than 10 minutes to have the old tire off and the new one on!  He even offered to help us repack the truck!  Talk about Southern Hospitality!

Mac’s Nut Shop was quite an experience - as you can see from the photo!  It is hard to imagine having so much ‘junk’ in one place ... but Bonnie told us she also had one room filled with ‘junk’ in her double-wide home, including every newspaper article about Elvis, collected by her Mother!

We stopped for lunch shortly afterwards at what looked like a small BBQ place in the middle of nowhere.  Turned out it was a “happening place” and we had a delicious meal of smoked ribs (Bill) and Catfish (Priscilla) accompanied by fried okra, slaw and corn fritters!  Delicious!

After a long day it was wonderful to arrive at Priscilla’s sister’s home and relax with a glass of wine, a good meal and good company.

Our next adventure is our trip to South Africa, leaving mid October, where we plan to spend 3 months following Priscilla’s son’s wedding.  Adrian and Nicole will be married on October 30 in the grounds of a private game reserve in Kwa-Zulu Natal and we know this will be a memorable event.  

Until then ... make each day a GREAT Day!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Graceland

Whether or not you are an avid Elvis fan, a visit to Graceland is well worth it.  We were expecting something a little tacky or hokey but we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and left with insights in to Elvis’ life that we had never known.

The first thing we did was tour the ‘mansion’ which is located on nearly 14 acres of land.  The American Colonial style home was originally built in 1939 and can be seen from Elvis Presley Blvd although when Elvis bought the property in 1957 for $100,000 it was located outside the Memphis urban area.  

Everyone is given headsets and the commentary provides lots of information as you tour the home at your own pace. The house consists of 23 rooms (including 8 bedrooms and bathrooms which are not open to the public).  The moment you enter the house you are swept back to the 70’s - shag carpet, mirrors and all!  Graceland has been described as “gaudy, garish, phony and tasteless” as well as “looking like a brothel”!  It certainly has a distinct decorating style that would not necessarily appeal to everyone.  But we felt it reflected Elvis’ personality and zest for life.  

There is no doubt that Elvis had a huge impact on the music scene.  The Trophy Room is filled with his gold records, awards, movie posters as well as Priscilla’s wedding dress and the tuxedo Elvis wore at the wedding. He sold over 2 billion records worldwide and although he didn’t write any of his songs, he insisted on producing them the way he wanted to.  His television appearances and movie career helped propel him to stardom although on one TV show he was only featured from the waist up because his “gyrations” were considered to be too ‘suggestive’!

We were interested to learn that Elvis gave generously to charities, both big and small.  The cancelled checks are on display.  According to his daughter, he never said “no” to anyone who asked him for help and he contributed very generously to the USS Arizona monument at Pearl Harbor.

Our ticket included a visit to Elvis’ car museum, a tour of the Convair 880, named after his daughter, Lisa Marie, as well as the Lockheed Jetstar that Elvis used.  Both planes were decorated in typical “Elvis” colors ... blue (Blue Suede Shoes!), gold, green.....

We commented that the Graceland experience was not as polished as a Disney experience but it was authentic and very interesting.  Unfortunately, plans are in place to develop the area surrounding Graceland to include a luxury hotel, convention center, etc.  Our advice is to go now ... before the tourist trap is completed!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Memphis Blues and BBQ

As we left Milwaukee on our way south we drove through the Marquette University campus and were quite stunned by all the beautiful buildings!  In fact, we were impressed with the entire city and would have liked to have had time to explore it a little more... a good incentive to come back again!

Our drive to Memphis took us around the outskirts of Chicago and then through flat farm lands of central Illinois.  The next day we crossed the borders of Missouri and Arkansas as we followed along the western side of the Mississippi River.  We passed cotton fields that looked ready for picking and noted the huge equipment that is used today to harvest the crop.  What a difference from the ‘old’ days when it must have taken hundreds of slaves long hours of back-breaking work each day to pick the cotton.  

As we drove south we also came across historical markers for Civil War battlefields and Cemeteries.  We added another item to our Bucket List ... a tour of the South focusing on the Civil War and the beautiful Anti-bellum Homes.  We plan to live a lot longer to get our Bucket List finished!

We decided to do the tourist thing in Memphis and went down town to Beale Street!  Since it was out of season and mid week the crowds were not too large.  An Australian couple were just finishing their dinner and offered us their seats on the patio of the restaurant and we enjoyed people watching while we ate our BBQ dinner.  The crowd seemed to be pretty international -- we had a couple of  Brits and a southeast Asian at the next table!  Various kinds of music blared out from the restaurants and clubs along the street --- blues, jazz, rock ‘n roll (particularly Elvis songs!).  Although we enjoyed it,we felt it was a poor version of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street.

We didn’t stay too long before heading back to the hotel to be ready for our Elvis sighting the next day!

Correctional Institution

During our stay in Wisconsin we were able to experience something that most people never get to do.  We went to prison and came out the same day! A staff member at a Maximum Security Prison arranged for us to tour the facility.  Scenes from “Cool Hand Luke” and “The Shawshank Redemption” flashed through our heads and Priscilla was more than a little anxious about what she would see and how she would feel.  



The institution is listed as an Historic building (the main building having been built in 1897 as a reformatory for males ages 17-30 years).  It is situated on approximately 28 acres surrounded by a 22ft, high perimeter wall, approximately 3ft thick and with 6 armed towers. Since then it has been expanded several times and now accommodates approximately 1100 male inmates. No one has ever escaped from this prison although, of course, there have been attempts.

During our stay in Wisconsin we were able to experience something that most people never get to do.  We went to prison and came out the same day! A staff member at a Maximum Security Prison arranged for us to tour the facility.  Scenes from “Cool Hand Luke” and “The Shawshank Redemption” flashed through our heads and Priscilla was more than a little anxious about what she would see and how she would feel.  

The institution is listed as an Historic building (the main building having been built in 1897 as a reformatory for males ages 17-30 years).  It is situated on approximately 28 acres surrounded by a 22ft, high perimeter wall, approximately 3ft thick and with 6 armed towers. Since then it has been expanded several times and now accommodates approximately 1100 male inmates. No one has ever escaped from this prison although, of course, there have been attempts.

As a visitor, you approach an imposing dark grey building that, frankly, looks a little menacing. We left purses, cell phones, keys, etc. in the car and went through some serious security before joining our staff member for the tour.  Four sets of gates clanged shut behind us before we arrived in the Rotunda, the central area of the prison.  The inmates probably don’t appreciate the frescoes, the granite pillars, etc. in the Rotunda but it is an impressive area.  Two cell halls, showers, a dining hall and the school hall lead off from the Rotunda.  At least 4 guards were present in the Rotunda during the time we were there.  There are approximately 400 guards and staff on duty at the institution.

Most of the inmates are serving life sentences with basically no hope of ever leaving this or some other correctional institution.  One would think that there would be a feeling of ‘gloom and doom’ but this is not what we saw.  Keeping in mind that we did not see the cell halls, Priscilla remarked that it felt like the boarding schools she went to except for the high walls and the guards in uniforms!  

Part of the Institution’s mission statement is to provide the offenders with opportunities to participate in meaningful programs and activities and help them with resources for essential re-entry into society (whether or not they will be eligible for this some day).  We certainly saw the signs of that policy.

We learned there are strict regulations for everything.  Inmates are not permitted to move about the prison without a pass or being accompanied by an officer or a staff member.   We saw inmates walking to class (classes are mandatory for inmates under the age of 18), to the library (a good selection of books as well as computers with access only to case law) and returning from a musical practice session for the upcoming graduation ceremony. This is not exactly what we were expecting.

All vocational programs are certified by a local technical college and inmates must achieve the same qualifications as the students at the college. We visited the woodworking shop where inmates make furniture for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and we were extremely impressed with the tools available and the quality of the work.  We passed by the Barber Shop where both inmates and staff can have their hair cut. There is also a workshop dedicated to painting and staining  furniture, a Masonry workshop and an Electric workshop is in the process of being set up.

All inmates are dressed in army green trousers and beige colored shirts.  We did see a couple of inmates dressed in orange, escorted by guards, which means they were either in transit to or from a court hearing or the Segregation block. That was the closest we came to the ‘realities’ of prison life.  There is a special block for inmates classified as educationally challenged and who could be victims of abuse in the general inmate population.  There is a health facility offering physical as well as psychological services.  There is also a church on the grounds and services are provided for all religions.

What we learned was that the penalty for disobeying the regulations (and there are many) is severe and the inmates are well aware of this.  They have the choice to live within the system or learn the hard way, which results in loss of recreation privileges, lock down or, worse - segregation.   Occasionally fights will erupt between inmates but the guards and staff are trained to spot potential trouble and take action before major problems arise.  Problem inmates - particularly gang leaders - are transferred to other correctional institutions.

Inmates earn money when doing vocational work as well as when they attend school.  Pay ranges from 15 cents an hour (to attend school) up to $1.00 an hour depending on the work assignment. The money is spent on hygiene items.  No alcohol or cigarettes are allowed although contraband is somehow smuggled into the prison and the guards are always on the lookout for it.  

At the end of our tour we left with a greater understanding of the job that the guards and staff of a correctional institution do every day.  Twice a month they attend mandatory training days.  We had a better understanding of the potential dangers they face every day as well as the state regulations that protect both the inmates and the guards.  Nothing is left to chance.  Every minute of every day for every inmate is planned and accounted for. It is a huge job and one that, as far as we could tell, works very well.   

The bottom line is that this is a maximum security prison and the inmates are there because they have committed some very serious crimes that have destroyed the lives of many people, including their own.  They are still human beings and are treated as such, however, rules must be obeyed or serious consequences will be faced.  Unfortunately, there is a small proportion of the inmate population that has chosen not to conform.  These are the ones that fall through the cracks, land up in segregation or being sent on to other correctional institutions.  This is not so much due to prison policy but because of their background and their inability to accept responsibility for their actions and conform to the system.

Is our correctional system the best?  Maybe not.  But, having seen one institution first hand, we have come away with a better understanding of the efforts that are made to ensure the safety of the public, the staff and the offenders by operating safe, secure and humane institutions.  This is an experience we will never forget.
As a visitor, you approach an imposing dark grey building that, frankly, looks a little menacing. We left purses, cell phones, keys, etc. in the car and went through some serious security before joining our staff member for the tour.  Four sets of gates clanged shut behind us before we arrived in the Rotunda, the central area of the prison.  The inmates probably don’t appreciate the frescoes, the granite pillars, etc. in the Rotunda but it is an impressive area.  Two cell halls, showers, a dining hall and the school hall lead off from the Rotunda.  At least 4 guards were present in the Rotunda during the time we were there.  There are approximately 400 guards and staff on duty at the institution.

Most of the inmates are serving life sentences with basically no hope of ever leaving this or some other correctional institution.  One would think that there would be a feeling of ‘gloom and doom’ but this is not what we saw.  Keeping in mind that we did not see the cell halls, Priscilla remarked that it felt like the boarding schools she went to except for the high walls and the guards in uniforms!  

Part of the Institution’s mission statement is to provide the offenders with opportunities to participate in meaningful programs and activities and help them with resources for essential re-entry into society (whether or not they will be eligible for this some day).  We certainly saw the signs of that policy.

We learned there are strict regulations for everything.  Inmates are not permitted to move about the prison without a pass or being accompanied by an officer or a staff member.   We saw inmates walking to class (classes are mandatory for inmates under the age of 18), to the library (a good selection of books as well as computers with access only to case law) and returning from a musical practice session for the upcoming graduation ceremony. This is not exactly what we were expecting.

All vocational programs are certified by a local technical college and inmates must achieve the same qualifications as the students at the college. We visited the woodworking shop where inmates make furniture for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and we were extremely impressed with the tools available and the quality of the work.  We passed by the Barber Shop where both inmates and staff can have their hair cut. There is also a workshop dedicated to painting and staining  furniture, a Masonry workshop and an Electric workshop is in the process of being set up.

All inmates are dressed in army green trousers and beige colored shirts.  We did see a couple of inmates dressed in orange, escorted by guards, which means they were either in transit to or from a court hearing or the Segregation block. That was the closest we came to the ‘realities’ of prison life.  There is a special block for inmates classified as educationally challenged and who could be victims of abuse in the general inmate population.  There is a health facility offering physical as well as psychological services.  There is also a church on the grounds and services are provided for all religions.

What we learned was that the penalty for disobeying the regulations (and there are many) is severe and the inmates are well aware of this.  They have the choice to live within the system or learn the hard way, which results in loss of recreation privileges, lock down or, worse - segregation.   Occasionally fights will erupt between inmates but the guards and staff are trained to spot potential trouble and take action before major problems arise.  Problem inmates - particularly gang leaders - are transferred to other correctional institutions.

Inmates earn money when doing vocational work as well as when they attend school.  Pay ranges from 15 cents an hour (to attend school) up to $1.00 an hour depending on the work assignment. The money is spent on hygiene items.  No alcohol or cigarettes are allowed although contraband is somehow smuggled into the prison and the guards are always on the lookout for it.  

At the end of our tour we left with a greater understanding of the job that the guards and staff of a correctional institution do every day.  Twice a month they attend mandatory training days.  We had a better understanding of the potential dangers they face every day as well as the state regulations that protect both the inmates and the guards.  Nothing is left to chance.  Every minute of every day for every inmate is planned and accounted for. It is a huge job and one that, as far as we could tell, works very well.   

The bottom line is that this is a maximum security prison and the inmates are there because they have committed some very serious crimes that have destroyed the lives of many people, including their own.  They are still human beings and are treated as such, however, rules must be obeyed or serious consequences will be faced.  Unfortunately, there is a small proportion of the inmate population that has chosen not to conform.  These are the ones that fall through the cracks, land up in segregation or being sent on to other correctional institutions.  This is not so much due to prison policy but because of their background and their inability to accept responsibility for their actions and conform to the system.

Is our correctional system the best?  Maybe not.  But, having seen one institution first hand, we have come away with a better understanding of the efforts that are made to ensure the safety of the public, the staff and the offenders by operating safe, secure and humane institutions.  This is an experience we will never forget.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Milwaukee

Our reason for visiting Milwaukee was to spend some time with Priscilla’s nephew, Henry, who is the Superintendent of St. Marcus School, a Christian inner city Choice School specializing in college preparatory studies.  We enjoyed some social time together on Sunday afternoon and on Monday spent a couple of hours at the school, visiting classrooms, interacting with some students and learning about the mission and results of this innovative project.


The school serves students from K4 through 8th Grade and focuses on a full range of educational courses as well as extracurricular acitivites.  Currently, the school attendance is 425 students, however, a major fundraising campaign is in full swing to build additional classrooms to accommodate a long list of students on the waiting list.



More information can be found on the school website: www.stmarcus.org  but this is our personal impression.  When we arrived at the school at 9:30am, there was complete silence - something we did not expect!  Students, dressed in uniform, were walking in single file to their classrooms.  Others were at their seats with books open.  Keep in mind that most of these students come from a challenging environment, often living with a single parent, and are targets of gang and drug leaders.  Any student who is not sitting at his/her desk at 8:00am with books open is considered “tardy” and there are consequences for this.  Today the attendance figure was 99% which is normal for most days.  A staff member visits the home of any student not present and accompanies the child to the school unless there is a legitimate reason for the student to remain at home.



In middle school each class has an Ambassador who came up to us and explained what project the class was working on.  The teachers spend a lot of time praising individual students for good behaviour and encouraging others to act in the same manner.  Discipline is strict and students have their ties removed for various infringements.  They know what they have to do to get their ties back and in the meantime it is a clear signal to everyone in the school that they need to improve in some aspect of school life.  Honors students wear different colored ties and they wear these proudly!  At every opportunity, the children are challenged, encouraged and  praised - something few of them receive at home.
 

We learned that plans are place to purchase a nearby church and turn this in to a facility for children aged 6 weeks to 3 years.  The concept, of course, is that the earlier the children can be exposed to a caring environment, the easier it will be for them to reach their full potential.



The success of students who have graduated to high schools is monitored by an Alumni staff and ex students are offered tutoring and counseling for as long as they need it.
 

As we learned from Henry, some students have such deep and lasting scars that they will never completely achieve their full potential, however, the staff of St. Marcus have made it their mission to do whatever it takes to give them the best possible opportunity to become a positive force in the world.
 

The school’s success has not escaped the notice of many generous benefactors in the city of Milwaukee - and nationwide - and this will allow the school to continue its great work.

We could have spent longer at the school but it was time to head south to our next destination ... Graceland!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Green Bay to Milwaukee

After a lovely weekend with family in Green Bay, we headed for Milwaukee.  

Over the weekend we ate at a local fish restaurant.  Wow!  The fish  (perch, whitefish, etc.) was SO fresh and the local beer was a perfect accompaniment.   We went to a Farmer’s Market and bought locally grown vegetables, sampled Cider and admired the beautiful flower arrangements grown by the Hmong people in the area.



You cannot leave Wisconsin without eating large amount of cheese and bratwurst!  We did not disappoint our hosts and enjoyed another Wisconsin tradition ... sitting on the patio around a roaring fire!  



Parke's Back Yard
Although we were at a home “in town”, we were treated to a visit from a deer and her fawn one afternoon.  They were headed for the bird feeder but got spooked before they made it!  In the winter they visit regularly and the snow is so deep that they don’t even have to stand on their hind legs to get to the bird feed!



As we headed for Milwaukee after a lovely pancake and fresh raspberry breakfast we were cruising along (within the speed limit) when we saw a cop on a motorcycle on the median.  We had been passed by a car going way over the speed limit and all of a sudden Bill saw the cop put his lights on and come after the car.  Bill tried to slow down but was being pushed by a truck behind him.  He managed to slow enough to let the cop get in front and stop the speeding car.  He waved us on but then Bill looked in the rear view mirror and saw that the cop was pulling us over as well.  Apparently in Wisconsin a police vehicle with lights on is considered an “Emergency Vehicle” and we should have pulled over to the verge and stopped.   After waiting 20 minutes, getting a lecture from the cop as well as a Warning Citation, we continued on our way.  I guess we could consider this a souvenir of our visit to Wisconsin!
Deer going for a ride



Stay tuned for the rest of our stay in Wisconsin!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Heading to Green Bay

Having had very nice weather so far, we woke to pouring rain which continued until late afternoon!  It didn’t spoil the day because we had no sightseeing planned, however it wasn’t very pleasant driving weather for Bill.


We stopped in Escanaba for lunch, a town that was established in the 1800’s due to the logging industry.  It also attracted iron enterprises and today is the only ore port on Lake Michigan, shipping several million tons of ore each year.
45th Parallel


A short time after we entered Wisconsin, we started looking out for a sign showing the 45th Parallel.  You may remember that we saw it in Michigan but were driving too fast to take a picture!  Fortunately, today there was a sign indicating an Historic Marker in half a mile.  We pulled off the highway and, despite the rain, Bill got out to photograph it.  


Our stay in Green Bay is all about family but there are a couple of interesting facts about the city.  It is the oldest city in the state, established in 1669 when Father Allouez established a mission here.  It’s other claim to fame is, of course, the Green Bay Packers and Priscilla has a nasty feeling she’s going to be dragged out to see Lambeau Field before our stay is over!

Since this is the land of the Cheeseheads we’ll no doubt be enjoying this delicacy along with some excellent sausage.  Bill’s brother knows the best place to buy steaks in the area (and how to BBQ them!) so we have a treat in store for us before we leave on Sun

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

The UP

Yesterday we were “Fudgies”, today we are “Yooppers”!  Yes, we are in the Upper Peninsular of Michigan (the UP to locals!).  We headed north out of Mackinaw City this morning and drove the 5 miles across the Mackinac Bridge to the town of St. Ignace, established in 1671 when Father Jacques Marquette established a mission to convert the native Americans.  Except for a few more motels, the town hasn’t changed much since Bill used to come up here about 50 years ago!


Looking at a map of Michigan one has to wonder why the Upper Peninsular is part of Michigan rather than Wisconsin because, until the bridge was built, it wasn’t even connected to Michigan!  Well, here’s the story ... It came about as a result of an unpopular compromise that won Michigan statehood in 1837.  There was a dispute about a strip of territory along the Michigan-Ohio border and Michigan grudgingly accepted the UP instead.  As it turned out, this ‘deal’ turned out to be a ‘steal’!  The area contained large copper deposits, and today tourism and recreation create excellent revenue for the State!  It is really beautiful up here!



On our way to our destination,Tahquamenon Falls State Park, we drove along US2, crossing the Carp River, an area that Bill and his brothers knew well during their childhood visits to their Grandparents and Aunts and Uncles who lived in the area. On the way north the fall colors became even more vibrant.  We had lunch at a Micro Brewery at the entrance to the Park and then walked a short distance to the Upper Falls.  The water is very brown, due to the run off from the Hemlock, Cedar and Spruce trees in the surrounding area as well as peat lands.   


We continued our journey to the town of Manistique where we checked in to our motel, ordered Pizza and spent the evening getting our blog up to date.  Despite the fact that we have Wi-Fi, we are facing challenges sending out emails so it is taking more time than we anticipated.  That’s what life on the road is all about!  We’d better get used to it!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Mackinac Island

After a very nice buffet breakfast (hot and cold, included in the price), we walked a couple of blocks to the Arnold Line Dock to board our 10:30am Catamaran to Mackinac Island.

Looking out of our hotel window, the sky was grey and the wind was blowing so we assumed it was very cold.  What a nice surprise when we walked out to find it was warm and we were a little over-dressed!  Off came the jackets, which remained tied around our waists for most of the day.  We chose to be on the upper deck to enjoy the view of the bridge and island as we drew near.  It was a pleasant, 20 minute ride.  The only cars allowed on the island are one police car and an ambulance!  Everything else is conveyed either by horse and buggy or bicycle.

In our ‘travel agent’ days we used to tell clients they should take the city tour and then decide what they want to go back to on their own.  We followed our own advice and signed up for a horse and buggy tour of the island.  Actually, it’s called a “Carriage Tour”!  We were fortunate enough to get a front seat so Bill was able to record some of the tour on video which will be posted on YouTube shortly.  We had two very good guides and learned a lot about the history of the island.

Some of what we learned:  80% of the island is dedicated to national parkland but there are no large mammals on the island because there is not enough food for them. An ice bridge forms during the winter between the island and the mainland and some animals come across but leave due to lack of food.  The horses that pull the carriages are purchased mostly from the Amish and cost between $300- $600.  They are absolutely beautiful and are extremely well looked after, working only about 4 hours a day for 4 days and then getting 3 days to relax.  The horses range in size from 2,000 lbs. to 2,700 lbs. and can pull 3 – 5 times their own weight.

Now, with all these horses, the obvious question is: “What do they do about all the horse poo?!”  Well, there are people on every street sweeping it up the moment the horses pass by!  Then it is spread in the forest … talk about recycling!  In fact, everything that can be recycled on the island is recycled because trash has to be taken to the mainland.

Tourists to Mackinac Island are known as Fudgies!  Mackinac Island fudge is known worldwide and on the island there are 16 shops selling all kinds of fudge!  It is difficult to pass up at least a taste of the fudge as you walk Main Street!

For the most part, the weather was great – just a little rain while we were having lunch – then a walk around town to enjoy the beautiful Victorian houses and hotels and back on the Catamaran for the return journey.

Peak season on Mackinaw Island is June 26 – September 6 and the season ends on October 26.  Although the season was winding down, we saw lots of people arriving to stay on the island at the many hotels, the most famous of which is the Grand Hotel, which opened in 1887 and is known for having the longest front porch in the world.   Check out its history at:  http://www.grandhotel.com/aboutgrandhotel/our-story

Monday, September 20, 2010

Mackinaw City

Enjoying Mullet Lake
With the help of one of his brothers, Bill planned our 11 day trip from Detroit back to St. Augustine.  First stop is Mackinaw City where we are spending 2 nights.  We stopped at the Breakers Bar on Mullet Lake in Topinabee (pronounced Tap-n-a-BEE) for a beer and an early dinner around 5pm.  We would never have known about it, had his brother not recommended it.  Sitting on the patio enjoying the lake view was fine until the sun went behind the building.  At that point we quickly headed inside where it was warm!  Needless to say, the locals were wearing shorts and T-shirts … after all, it was 64 degrees!
  

On our way up here we passed a sign close to the city of Gaylord that read “45th Parallel. Half way between the Equator and the North Pole”.  Unfortunately, we were past it before we realized what it said and were not able to take a photo of it!


Big Mac
Mackinaw City is connected to the Upper Peninsular by the Mackinac Bridge, one of the longest suspension spans in the world.  It was built in 1957 and stretches for 5 miles.  Ferries run from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island and we will be taking that trip tomorrow.  It is very confusing but, despite the slightly different spelling, both the city and the island are pronounced Mackinaw!


Mackinaw City was once a trading post established by the French in the early 1700’s.  The post became Fort Michilimackinac in 1715 and over the years was held by the French, the British and the American Indians (the Ojibwa is the main tribe in this area, also known as the Chippewa).  This has resulted in a wonderful mixture of these languages in the names of places and people.
   

Our hotel, Comfort Inn and Suites, is beautifully located, just a short walk to Arnold Line Catamarans, the ferry that we will take to Mackinac Island tomorrow.  At $55.00 a night, we have the choice of a King or Queen to sleep in, a sitting room and a small kitchen.  Most important, we have wife which, at this point allows me to receive emails but not send.  Bill, I am sure, will take care of this for me before we leave 

Sunday, September 19, 2010

On the Road again!

For the past 8 weeks we have felt like Snow Birds!  We waited until summer was in full swing in Michigan and left Florida to spend time in the greater Detroit area.  It has been wonderful to slow down the pace of our lives and take time to reconnect with friends and family.  We were fortunate to be able to live in Bill’s Mom’s condo while she settled in to her new home at a very nice Retirement Center. 

Bill soon had our computers and a printer set up and, with the help of his ‘computer guru’ brother, both computers are now faster and better than ever.  Working from a mobile office has its challenges and, since we plan to be traveling for several months, this has been a great learning experience. We are in the process of making the necessary changes and focus our energies more on developing and monetizing an Internet based business. 

I know most people react negatively when you mention the word “Detroit” and, yes, the city itself continues to be plagued with problems.  Even Jesse Jackson wasn’t spared when he came to Detroit for a march to promote peace and justice earlier this month!  His Escalade was stolen and was found stripped of most of its salable parts! Click on the link below for the full story.
 Leaders lose wheels in Detroit (Jesse Jackson and Detroit Mayor Dave Bing)
UPI ^ | 9/4/2010 Posted on Saturday, September 04, 2010 11:23:36 PM by markomalley
But … it is truly beautiful in the surrounding cities ---Birmingham/Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, not to mention Grosse Point Shores, home to Edsel Ford and many other wealthy, well-known names.  One of Bill’s long time friends (more than 40 years) lives in a beautiful home overlooking Lake St. Claire and we enjoyed a lovely evening as their guests at the St. Claire Yacht Club.  There are lakes all over the place, surrounded by beautiful mansions and manicured yards.  Michigan may be suffering financially but we didn’t see many “For Sale” signs and it seems to us that there is still a great deal of wealth here.

And so today we are packing up the car in readiness for our next adventure tomorrow – our trip to Upper Michigan (the UP as it’s called by Michiganders). Fall is here, the leaves are changing and it’s time to head north and then, like the geese, head south!