June 17

Southgate, Michigan is on the southern edge of Detroit. We had been parked in the back lot of Walmart in Southgate, and since we were planning to be gone most of the day, we moved the VIEW to the local VFW where it would be safe from curious eyes.

Our adventure for the day was to ride the scooter into Detroit. While riding the scooter, it was cool with the air streaming past us, when we stopped it was HOT. When we got to the Detroit city limits, we began to notice buildings which were empty and boarded up, partially demolished, burned out, or gutted. Not the best introduction to the city, but we were expecting this as we had seen several TV and radio news programing describing the conditions and challenges since the downturn in the economy and the car manufacturers having financial difficulties.

As we got into 'downtown' we could see better kept buildings, and businesses thriving with customers all over the streets. Clearly the city is contracting with some businesses and people being insulated from the difficult local economy and some being directly affected.

Our first objective was to go to Belle Isle. The island is located in the Detroit River. You cross the Douglas McArthur Bridge to the island, and can drive all the way around the 982 acre island. The island has a yacht club, beach, museum, golf facility, and a Coast Guard station. There is also a zoo, and lots of wild Canadian geese, who don't seem to be the least bit afraid of humans---at least the ones we saw weren't afraid. Many seemed to posses the human trait of liking their picture being taken. The geese just expressed their disappointment that we didn't have any food for them. An interesting, attractive, and quiet place to visit.

Our next objective was the Greek Town Casino. It isn't nearly as sophisticated as Foxwoods or the Mohegan , but the slot machines were just as willing to take our money! When we left the casino we looked for "The People Mover" a tram that travels above the streets, around the inner city.

We boarded "The People Mover" and for 75 cents we rode the mover around its entire route. There are 13 stations on this elevated tram. The shortest time between stops is 30 seconds and the longest 1 minute 30 seconds. This is a nice thing for the locals and a wonderful tourist stop.

We left the tram and went looking for a place to eat--of which there are plenty. We walked down Monroe Street, which is lined with eating establishments. There were birds flying around--attracted by the food in the open air restaurants. A small bird startled us as it flew directly between us. We decided on 'Pizza Papalis' for lunch and Joan had salad and a small pizza. James had, a salad, speghetti, and a small pizza. We each brought some pizza back to the VIEW with us. This place is proud of its Chicago style pizza but it does not, in James' opinion, rival our local pizza establishments in Harwinton and Torrington.

We headed back to the scooter, and back to Southgate. There were storms coming, and it was quite humid, so we put the scooter in the trailer and turned on the AC.

What a difference in weather! Yesterday was stifling hot, today is breezy and cool. We ate breakfast--while watching three bunnies hopping around the field next to us! We wanted to go to "American Jewelry and Pawn" store aka the "Hard Core Pawn" show from TV. We had planned on going yesterday--but it was some distance from downtown Detroit--and we were too hot.

Using our GPS 'when we pulled up stakes' we skirted the downtown, and arrived at the pawn shop. The first impression is that the neighborhood is poor but it seemed to have a vibrate nature all its own. That is what you would expect from a pawn shop, except this one is different. Firstly, there is no street entrance. The entrance into the store is from a fenced parking lot. We saw some cars with other state license plates, so they must have been 'tourists' like us. Going in, we could see the big 'bouncers', just like on TV. The merchandise was different from what I, Joan, had expected. There was a big display of stuffed wild animals, someone's hunting collection, that was roped off. There were antique stoves, a washing machine, and other large household items. Lots of video players and flat screen TVs. The item that they seemed to sell the most of were the flat screen TVs.

There was a huge display of jewelry, under glass! Joan asked the price of some items, $3,000 for a bracelet, $1,500 for earrings and rings. Certainly not items the local citizens were going to purchase. These must be for tourists. Most of the customers were lined up at the window with a sign over it stating 'LOANS' which is the bread and butter of this outfit and the pawn industry. The other items that seemed to sell were souvenirs. Glasses, mugs, shot glasses and autographed pictures. We looked at the price list and an autographed picture of the Hardcore Pawn principals was $10.00. It was $25.00 if you wanted it personalized. Not for us!

James had been looking for a computer notebook, and found one at a reasonable price. Joan was looking for something in the jewelry line that was affordable, and finally purchased a pair of diamond and sterling earrings. Expensive souvenirs!

All of the familiar faces were not to be found. James believes they were in the back plotting their next show because the high-end vehicles and motorcycles were parked in front. Also, James believes the business derives more of its income from the show than the pawn business. Unlike the Hardcore Pawn show, all the the customers both locals and tourist were exactly like you would expect anywhere. There was no rapid fire crazies coming in one after another. There was no shouting, profanity, and rudeness. American Jewelry is like thousands of other pawn shops--except it has a very entrepreeneurial family ownership.

If you look at a map, lower Michigan looks like a mitten with a thumb sticking out into Lake Heron forming Saginaw Bay. Just at the base of the thumb, the Saginaw River enters Bay City and divides the city into the 'east' and 'west' sections. There are draw bridges connecting the two sides. We spent three days in Bay City, exploring the city on the motorscooter. This weekend was their 25th Annual River Roar! It is a three-day event with a carnival, food booths, and most importantly, 'hydroplanes', a form of a speedboat, races on the river.

The boats, high-tech Formula 1, Formula 2, and Formula Light boats, with powerful outboard motors, can reach speeds of over 120 mph. The outfits that bring the boats to the competitions rival those of NASCAR with trailers, motor homes, ATVs to maneuver the boats on land, a highly trained crew, and lots and lots of equipiment.

We stopped to admire a boat and speak to the crew. The driver of the boat, Tim Seebold, was gracious enough to talk to us about his career in Formula 1 Racing. Tim is a World Champion, having won competitions since he began racing in 1982. Joan commented that in NASCAR you needed tire changers, and one of the crew said they had propeller changers! The next day, we watched as Tim raced and easily beat the other 8 or 10 drivers in the heat. This type of competition is as complex and capital intensive as any sport. These guys drivers, crew, and sponsors, have a 'need for speed!'

The weather was hot and humid, and to get a break from the sun, we went to the Delta College Planetarium, which is located right in Bay City, to watch a program on colors in the our Solar system and the Universe. It began with the elementary of the three primary colors of red, green and yellow, and finished with the more complex colors of the cosmos. We wonder, do any of the readers of this blog know why our neighboring planet appears red in the night sky?

Back at Walmart, we loaded the scooter, and headed further north to the Upper Peninusula. The State of Michigan has very nice rest areas along Route 25. In our State these local rest areas are long gone. However, Michigan's are well kept, and give a beautiful view of Lake Huron. We also have noticed that the street lights at intersections are hung over the middle of the roads on wires instead of on light poles as we have back home--and most other places. This must create havoc during storms with all the wires swinging in the wind.

We stopped for a day to explore the town of Alpena. Like many of the towns around the lakes, Alpena has canals that extend into the neighborhoods with boats docked at homes along the canals. This seems to be a way of life on the Great Lakes. There are still Native Americans who go out every day to fish for their livelihood.

After leaving Alpena, we continued on to the Hiawatha National Forest. As a rule, we try to stay in the National Parks and Forest campgrounds. We were looking for Foley Campground, but it was quite elusive. Finally, Joan found on the internet that the campground is closed! We found another campground nearby, Carp River, and decided to stay there. There were no other campers, although some of the sites were reserved--mostly for the weekend. Once we parked and started to settle in, we discovered that the place was inundated with mosquitoes! No sitting by the campfire here. We also discovered that there were no hiking trails, no swimming--just fishing in the river. We had paid for two nights, but after fighting the mosquitoes, and with the lack of activities, we decided to move to the VFW in St. Ignace. We had gone into town after we first set up, and found out that there was going to be a classic car show, cruise, and entertainment for the next three days.

We explored the small town of St. Ignace. The population is around 2,500, but because it is a tourist town, there are many motels, restaurants, and gift shops. There are two Indian Museums, beaches, and lots of expensive looking boats docked at the marina. Ferry boats take tourists to Mackinac Island to wander the village there.

We spoke to a woman at the VFW. She said that all the young people are leaving town because there are no job opportunities there for them unless they want to work in the hotel industry. And, even then, when the summer ends, many of the motels and restaurants close for the season so those jobs end. There are some skiers and snowmobilers that come to the area during the winter, but not enough to keep the businesses open.

We also spoke to a young man who was working at McDonald's. We asked what the teenagers do for entertainment. He said that there are no movie theaters or dances for them. They have to go miles to the next city for a movie and that means paying a toll on the Mackinac Bridge. So no movie dates! When asked what they do, he said, "go hunting!" Not much of a date!!

Driving north of the town, you can see a very large outcrop of rock called Castle Rock. The 'rock' is about 200 feet high and has steps and a ramp to the top where you can see for miles. The literature about the rock says that this was a lookout for the Ojibway Indians--a local tribe. It was often referred to as 'Pontiac's Lookout.' Unfortunately, the steps and railings are in very poor shape and bordering on dangerous. Broken benches, loose railings, and rusting wire do not instill confidence. (The Indians would have had to climb the rock without the aid of steps and railings.)

Since it only costs $1.00 to climb the 180 or so steps, it would seem logical (to Joan) to double the fee and improve safety conditions. James doesn't believe that this lax in safety standards would be permitted in Connecticut. With this being said, it would take a very foolish person to get hurt at this local tourist attraction.

Riding the scooter a few miles further, we came to the Kewadin Casino where a classic car cruise was scheduled to start. While there, we went into the casino to play a few slots. Of course, we lost, but these machines at least will play along for a while--before taking your money. Casinos will always win-the game is to play for as long as you can. The Kewadin plays a bit longer than many. People do not realize that the programming of slot machines can be adjusted for more or less payouts.

We headed back to St. Ignace to wait for the cruise, but just before it got to us, the uncooperative weather dumped some water on us. We went back to the VIEW for supper. There was another cruise scheduled for for Friday, and on Saturday the town will be shut down and classic cars will line the street.

Joan is always wondering if she will have something to write about for the blog. Maybe we will not do anything interesting (at least to us) and then the blog just seems to take off! Hopefully at least a few of our readers find our experiences interesting. Our continuing goal is to share the magnificence of the United States and all Americans. We try!