“Trumpland” for a short holiday. Since we acquired our NEXUS Passes last year, lineups
and border crossings have been a breeze.
Driving southwest in Michigan we made our first stop in Frankenmuth, home of everything
German plus a gigantic Christmas store which was not too appealing in August. We did
fill our tank with Gas and tummies with Schnitzel which was served by the costumed waiters,
so hilarious!
Cute, but no thanks.
A definite NO THANKS!
Is dis not da Schnitzel Haus?
Gretel
Hansel
Americans do not understand the concept of my taking milk in my coffee. Throughout
the US, I have had milk delivered in numerous ways and even had a waiter travel to a
store to buy me a small carton of milk but I think the wine glass was the most bizarre.
Get me out of here before I start singing Edelweiss!
Gorgeous scenery along the highway.
Chris had booked us in to the beautiful Ludington House B&B, you guessed it,
in the Harbour town of Ludington. We settled in to the gorgeous 1878 manor
house situated in the town’s historic district. Antoine E. Cartier, a lumber baron,
built it for his wife Eliza and their nine children. Luckily the current owner-hosts
were more laid back than the Cartiers’ appear in their photos above the fireplace.
As well as a quiet, pleasant stay in our room, we also enjoyed a home-made breakfast
of fruit, quiche and banana bread in the lovely dining room.
Note the somber portraits of the Cartiers.
Original fixtures and furniture are all exquisitely restored.
Quaint pencil drawings of the early home hang in the dining room.
Showing a little of my Birthday Suit.
We took a long walk through Ludington where early 19th century
architecture meets vintage 1950’s and 60’s. The homes display
gorgeous gardens and their huge trees shade the streets everywhere.
Murals in town depict harbour life, commemorate the war and celebrate
the town’s origins and its lumber and sawmill heritage. We dined in a
fun Brew-pub whose walls were decorated with old wooden game boards
and basement sported murals of early settlers and huge black and white
photos of the hops and beer making trade. Beer and food was great too!
Decorated pianos were placed bout the town.
Hops history
Fun folk-art murals.
Red Door Gallery
Window display looked at least 30 years old.
I am always attracted to anything green!
Bevvies in B&B before Bed.
We were met by grey and rain in the morning but our spirits were not dampened.
As we headed to the docks, our first sight was the disabled “Spartan“ with
marks of her former glory still visible. A long line of cars were parking in front of
The S.S. Badger and passengers, bracing against the cold and rains, headed toward
the dry passages on board. From a distance, we tried to determine what type of
cargo was piled along the Badger’s stern but it turned out to be a group of darkly
clothed Amish folk on their way to attend a wedding.
The crew drive and park the vehicles on and off the ship.
Many commuters grabbed a coffee and headed to the internet stations , where
others scrambled for breakfast tables with a view. There is a small museum,
gift shop, TV, movie and games rooms aboard to satisfy all traveler's tastes.
Chris and I headed straight outside to check out the bow views (the pointy end)
and choose a place to sit out of the rain but close to the taffrails so we could watch
the water and sky.
S.S. Badger was built the year I was born.
Off we go, away from the dock and up in the air as the Badger’s horn
blasts directly above our heads
Hot coffee and our many layers worked well to keep us comfortable outdoors
when many passengers had to take shelter inside. We love boat rides and aboard
the coal fed, steam powered Badger, we daydreamed of sea and lake adventures
of our own and those woven into history. Powerful silver waves rocked us about
and tossed cold spray onto the decks as black soot-scented smoke whipped past
our noses and into the sky. The journey lasted four hours and a sighting of a
freighter, a peek at our books and sipping our spiked drinks helped the time roll by.
Land Ho!
The S.S. Badger docked at Manitowoc, Wisconsin around lunch time. We
debarked, found the truck and headed along US.10 towards Green Bay.
Once settled into our apartment-hotel, we headed out on the bikes to check
out our surroundings. The weather had cleared somewhat in our favour.
Our major holiday destination was The National Railroad Museum.
We began our tour early in the day, left midday for a lunch break and
returned for a couple more hours.
We saw three Steam Locomotives, built in the early 1900’s and in contrast, the
funky Aerotrain built in 1955. The mammoth garage , McCormick Train Pavilion,
held many trains including Passenger cars from all eras, Boxcars, Freight and
Maintenance equipment.
“Dust-Graffiti” by TOM or Thomas the train Engine?
Rock Island 1955
Model Steam Train in front of Diesel vintage tour train. Finn would love it!
“All Aboard, that’s goin’ aboard!”
Tours travel around the park beside the Fox River, Box Cars painted with
“Hobo symbols”, Green Lake and a small Theme park that features a model
of the house and Bate’s Motel from Hitchcock’s “Psycho”, a small replica of
Notre Dame in Paris and a few other structures obscured by the trees.
Freighthopping Hobos used visual symbols to share info such as where
a safe place or food may be found or where guards were located.
Built in 1939
Amazing Lenfestey Centre
Eisenhower WWII train
Union Pacific Big Boy, museums’ #1 attraction
Big Boy x 2
Hope he chose the correct knob!
Firebox
The beautiful Pennsylvania GG-1 electric locomotive
I love these old trucks, especially a green one.
French Gratitude Train 1949
Porter, my wallet’s been stolen!
Great history of the Pullman Porters and
beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement.
Attendant, I need assistance!
There was an interactive display of period music on the platform. One
only had to push a button to listen to early Jazz, Blues, Boogie Woogie.
Before heading “home” to our apartment for lunch, we toured the
gallery that showed a number of illuminated old train signs that shone
at the rear of trains from the early 1990’s to 1970’s. There were a
number of artist’s paintings depicting railway life and an amazing 65
piece exhibit of David Powden’s incredible Black & White photography
from the 1950’s and early 1960’s.
Watercolours by Gil Reid
The second half of our tour took us back to see some old passenger trains,
and working locomotives for specific transport of goods and mail delivery.
We had perfect weather for walking around the many outdoor displays.
Old & dilapidated 1922 Railway Post Office.
The untouched surfaces here and cool silence inside, left an aura of what
this train must have been like in its heyday.
One could feel the “ghosts” in the Dome Diner and kitchens here.
Richter Vinegar Company train used Redwood tanks to carry apple cider
and vinegar.
Hey, a shuttle to the parking lot….NOT!
Back at “our place” we enjoyed a power nap and woke ready for
another bike ride before dinner.
On our trip home, we had mixed weather but great scenery
especially along the shores of Lake Michigan. Passing many
old summer lodges and vintage lakeside cottages sparked
memories of our youth.
Foto for Finn
Stopped a few times for construction, this one, 25 minutes.
Reminiscing on our great trip to Mackinaw Island a few years back.
Pit stop parking lot.
Wow, what some people tow!
Back to Canada.
Very sad to see so my stands of dead Ash Trees.
Greeted at home by my new door/birthday gift.
Thanks for a very memorable Birthday trip Chris!
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