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We all know about the best laid plane of mice and men … but, do you know about MY best laid plans? Probably. I kept promising two things here: a wrap-up with the Safety issues AND the FIRST CHUNK OF THE TRIP!


2MATO EyeCandy
CBBT = Chesapeak Bay Bridge Tunnel (go there!)
Lobbies are from dear Maine
Grey is Mt Washington, Blue = Glacier NP

You may recall, there was a mishap with my computer just before I left on this adventure, so I started unable to blog. But there are WONDERFUL PIX of my part of the trip with Jonathon that need to be posted. (And I will — geographic center of the USA and all)
That is UPCOMING.
Meantime, here is the Safety Talk and the Wassup Now Talk.

Safety Talk: the perspective is from that of being Alone On The Road – girl talk here.

First, reeeeeeallllly. It is NOT so alone as you think. Driving – yes. You spend a load of hours with yourself. That alone might be enough to scare you off. But it is …. (hahahahahha)… quality time because you can interrupt your thought process as much as you like and still have HOURS left to finish the THINK. When you stop to camp, you are certainly not Alone if you are choosing wisely. National Park, state park, and city/town campgrounds are among the most wonderful places to be on the face of the earth. Some are busy; all are beautiful. Even in USFS – US Forest Service campgrounds, you can feel safe – and BE safe. Commercial campgrounds can be expensive and offensive – kinda like going to a mall. Or they, too, can be delightful.

A VERY nice RV place & campground had the MOST fab restrooms on the planet. Here are the SINKS. Imagine what the rest of the place looked like. Think marble and squeaky clean and cushy. Yep, it was that good!





Place and People (thanks Jim & Judy): make or break your experience. A view; trees; peace and serenity; convenience: they all play into what makes a successful stop.

Here are the tent options I own:



Pix in the Berkshire Blacklow’s front yard: Sierra Design & NorthFace. All are 2MAN -(I wish!) and have a rain fly. The only time Jonathon & I put a tarp above a tent was in a drenching rainfall in Newfoundland.

For all of you who think a car camping trip is all fun and no problemo a reality check is in order. Sometimes you just have to change the plan. Weather extremes do not neeeeeed to be tolerated: cabins and motels are honorable alternatives in a pinch. Remember the goal is: fun, vacation, travel, enjoyment. Ok, ok, one of MY goals is CHEAP LESS EXPENSIVE

102 degrees?

Leaving Michigan this year, Jonathon and I escaped (HA!) straight north. We headed up I75 in Michigan and crossed the magnificent Mackinac Bridge (please, pronounce that ‘mack-in-aw’). Unfortunately, the heat followed us and our first tenting night began with 80 plus degrees at 8PM. The second night, we chose to rent a cabin to avoid having to pitch tents in the heat. By the third night, we decided that 80 plus degrees after 7PM or so = motel and AC. Smart choice. Rembember, the goal is pleasure.


We were as far north as we could get crossing the country on US2 and we were still HOT. But everyone was, so….

Safety Stuff:
After Jonathon (best travel buddy ever!) took the train home from Seattle – end of week 2 — I continued on alone to Alaska. Here is where the “woman alone” safety stuff comes in.

TIP: Be Visible
If people remember you, they will be able to help find you if you become “lost” or…….. happen upon misadventure. Remember my experience with Denise in Yellowstone???? (are you reading this blog or not?). Denise noticed and remembered my vehicle from SEVERAL times in different in Alaska. We did not MEET until – after she went to Jasper & I to Seattle – in Yellowstone National Park Our paths differed by provinces and states, yet when Denise saw the 2MATO in Yellowstone, she recognized and remembered seeing it in Alaska. Thanks, Denise! You ARE a sweetie!

This is a safety factor AND a fun factor. People want to be friendly and share their excitement at being in amazing places. If you are approachable, people will talk to you and share incredible life stories (Thanks, Greg!). (link to his fab adventure) You will enhance your enjoyment of your trip much percent and possibly, if you are willing, change your life forever.

Also, my tacky stickers kinda make the 2MATO stand out.



The Keep Portland Weird! got me two fabulous conversations! as well as some data on great places to visit when there (aside from Powell’s City Of Books).

The sticker below was a gift from the parents of my sweet son-in-law, Tom.
Monty Baker was an amazing lamb man and cattleman in Idaho. EVERYBODY knows him. He and his sweet wife, Joyce, hosted me while I traipsed around Idaho. This sticker is from the Idaho Wool Growers, so don’t get bent out of shape. THIS sticker got me “checked out and looked after” in Idaho! (Thanks, Monty & Joyce!)



So, VISIBILITY = SAFETY.

Back home, what am I doin’? Cookin’ – that’s what.

Browning an oxtall slice from Steigerwald’s butcher shop.


Slurping delish Oxtail Veggie Soup

Hey, Judy! where is that veggie soup recipe for what you made in Seward?????

SIX peaches gave me what!!!!

OK, i was nibbling.

and those damn beets. Yeah, I was testing the tenderness and I broke off my front tooth (not a good look for an old gal – but I got glued together rather quickly!)


Boiled Damn Beets



Absolute fab Damn Beets with Sushi Vinegar and nothing else!

Extras from the Thursday Farmer’s Market:


Cooked Apples for saucing….

Oh, here are two inside shots from inside the 2MATO for those who ….. must know.



View from sitting inside on the mats looking out to Ressurection Bay. This WAS comfortable.

Below: cleaned out inside of 2MATO with Thermarest air matterss, step ladder for topper, and assorted goodies.
I assure you, it was quite comfy.

G’night.


More on Michigan to Seattle coming soon!

Come back for more.
Jane

We all know about the best laid plane of mice and men … but, do you know about MY best laid plans? Probably. I kept promising two things here: a wrap-up with the Safety issues AND the FIRST CHUNK OF THE TRIP!


2MATO EyeCandy
CBBT = Chesapeak Bay Bridge Tunnel (go there!)
Lobbies are from dear Maine
Grey is Mt Washington, Blue = Glacier NP

You may recall, there was a mishap with my computer just before I left on this adventure, so I started unable to blog. But there are WONDERFUL PIX of my part of the trip with Jonathon that need to be posted. (And I will — geographic center of the USA and all)
That is UPCOMING.
Meantime, here is the Safety Talk and the Wassup Now Talk.

Safety Talk: the perspective is from that of being Alone On The Road – girl talk here.

First, reeeeeeallllly. It is NOT so alone as you think. Driving – yes. You spend a load of hours with yourself. That alone might be enough to scare you off. But it is …. (hahahahahha)… quality time because you can interrupt your thought process as much as you like and still have HOURS left to finish the THINK. When you stop to camp, you are certainly not Alone if you are choosing wisely. National Park, state park, and city/town campgrounds are among the most wonderful places to be on the face of the earth. Some are busy; all are beautiful. Even in USFS – US Forest Service campgrounds, you can feel safe – and BE safe. Commercial campgrounds can be expensive and offensive – kinda like going to a mall. Or they, too, can be delightful.

A VERY nice RV place & campground had the MOST fab restrooms on the planet. Here are the SINKS. Imagine what the rest of the place looked like. Think marble and squeaky clean and cushy. Yep, it was that good!





Place and People (thanks Jim & Judy): make or break your experience. A view; trees; peace and serenity; convenience: they all play into what makes a successful stop.

Here are the tent options I own:



Pix in the Berkshire Blacklow’s front yard: Sierra Design & NorthFace. All are 2MAN -(I wish!) and have a rain fly. The only time Jonathon & I put a tarp above a tent was in a drenching rainfall in Newfoundland.

For all of you who think a car camping trip is all fun and no problemo a reality check is in order. Sometimes you just have to change the plan. Weather extremes do not neeeeeed to be tolerated: cabins and motels are honorable alternatives in a pinch. Remember the goal is: fun, vacation, travel, enjoyment. Ok, ok, one of MY goals is CHEAP LESS EXPENSIVE

102 degrees?

Leaving Michigan this year, Jonathon and I escaped (HA!) straight north. We headed up I75 in Michigan and crossed the magnificent Mackinac Bridge (please, pronounce that ‘mack-in-aw’). Unfortunately, the heat followed us and our first tenting night began with 80 plus degrees at 8PM. The second night, we chose to rent a cabin to avoid having to pitch tents in the heat. By the third night, we decided that 80 plus degrees after 7PM or so = motel and AC. Smart choice. Rembember, the goal is pleasure.


We were as far north as we could get crossing the country on US2 and we were still HOT. But everyone was, so….

Safety Stuff:
After Jonathon (best travel buddy ever!) took the train home from Seattle – end of week 2 — I continued on alone to Alaska. Here is where the “woman alone” safety stuff comes in.

TIP: Be Visible
If people remember you, they will be able to help find you if you become “lost” or…….. happen upon misadventure. Remember my experience with Denise in Yellowstone???? (are you reading this blog or not?). Denise noticed and remembered my vehicle from SEVERAL times in different in Alaska. We did not MEET until – after she went to Jasper & I to Seattle – in Yellowstone National Park Our paths differed by provinces and states, yet when Denise saw the 2MATO in Yellowstone, she recognized and remembered seeing it in Alaska. Thanks, Denise! You ARE a sweetie!

This is a safety factor AND a fun factor. People want to be friendly and share their excitement at being in amazing places. If you are approachable, people will talk to you and share incredible life stories (Thanks, Greg!). (link to his fab adventure) You will enhance your enjoyment of your trip much percent and possibly, if you are willing, change your life forever.

Also, my tacky stickers kinda make the 2MATO stand out.



The Keep Portland Weird! got me two fabulous conversations! as well as some data on great places to visit when there (aside from Powell’s City Of Books).

The sticker below was a gift from the parents of my sweet son-in-law, Tom.
Monty Baker was an amazing lamb man and cattleman in Idaho. EVERYBODY knows him. He and his sweet wife, Joyce, hosted me while I traipsed around Idaho. This sticker is from the Idaho Wool Growers, so don’t get bent out of shape. THIS sticker got me “checked out and looked after” in Idaho! (Thanks, Monty & Joyce!)



So, VISIBILITY = SAFETY.

Back home, what am I doin’? Cookin’ – that’s what.

Browning an oxtall slice from Steigerwald’s butcher shop.


Slurping delish Oxtail Veggie Soup

Hey, Judy! where is that veggie soup recipe for what you made in Seward?????

SIX peaches gave me what!!!!

OK, i was nibbling.

and those damn beets. Yeah, I was testing the tenderness and I broke off my front tooth (not a good look for an old gal – but I got glued together rather quickly!)


Boiled Damn Beets



Absolute fab Damn Beets with Sushi Vinegar and nothing else!

Extras from the Thursday Farmer’s Market:


Cooked Apples for saucing….

Oh, here are two inside shots from inside the 2MATO for those who ….. must know.



View from sitting inside on the mats looking out to Ressurection Bay. This WAS comfortable.

Below: cleaned out inside of 2MATO with Thermarest air matterss, step ladder for topper, and assorted goodies.
I assure you, it was quite comfy.

G’night.


More on Michigan to Seattle coming soon!

Come back for more.
Jane

yep, yep … I KNOW travel can be done without any cool technology. My first Alaska trip – about ten years ago – I did just that. My phone did not work in the wilds and general expectations for connectivity were, almost, but not quite, nil. On that trip, if I was lucky, a spot with internet service would appear. In Alaska, it was often a coffee shop/bakery. (Now have a Pavlovian response to donuts, associating them with being online. Ok, bad excuse.)

Within the past few -FEW- years, public expectation for FREE connectivity has made my travel life blissful. What used to be $potty and terrible $ervice has turned into widely available fast connections in amazing places. Campgrounds, national parks, whole towns, MacDonalds, Wendy’s, Starbucks, Panera, etc., are all eager to please for FREE.

[…]” They want to deliver vast amounts of information over the Internet. And again, the Internet is not something that you just dump something on. It’s not a big truck. It’s a series of tubes. And if you don’t understand, those tubes can be filled and if they are filled, when you put your message in, it gets in line and it’s going to be delayed by anyone that puts into that tube enormous amounts of material, enormous amounts of material.” Senator Stevens of Alaska

Enough comedy. Let’s go through the toys equipment:

Power cord (top) and campground outlet tester
Don’t even THINK of plugging in your electronics or other equipment to the electricity pedestal until you have taken the moment to test it. This inexpensive device can save you some heartbreak and buckos. (Thanks, Jonathon)



An ArtBin keeps all the wires and chargers, lenses, etc., together. Always put everything back in its place or you will live to regret it.




Phone and Bluetooth Earbud: Droid



Laptop
Can’t even begin to tell you how much I love my MacBookPro super honkin’ whiz-bang baby. This replaced my five-year-old version of the same and was the victim of my the famou$ liquid destructo moment that began this trip.



Backup, backup, backup… Western Digital multi-gigs




MIFI 4G Verizon Wireless Hotspot for 5 devices:
Can’t depend on others for connectivity and the MIFI worked in absolutely desolate places. Love it.
In Seward, I was able to share it by giving out a password. That was very appreciated by my camping neighbors. And it is fun to have internet access in your tent!



Charger
Generally, the rule needs to be: charge everything at any good opportunity – or you will wish you had. When you didn’t, you’ll be glad to be able charge while driving. Only drawbacks are a slight whine while it is juicing your device and it seems slow.



Camera with second battery and data card
Keep your spare battery charged. I shoot raw files and that also eats space on the data card, so a second card is nice. If your card or battery fail in the most picturesque spot on the planet, you’ll be rather unhappy. It happens.

My walk-about lens is an EFS 17-85mm with image stabilizaton; macro is EFS 60mm. Canon Rebel XTi.
And, yes, real photographers, I know the shots through the windshield glass are tacky and less than… whatever… and I do know I have included shots with less than perfect focus. Slight slop here.
Below:
Size comparisons: camera, TomTom, lens, Droid, Bad Elf



TOMTOM
Jonathon loaned me his GPS since it does work in the wilds of British Columbia and the Yukon as well as Alaska. It was invaluable and freed me from keeping my nose in maps. My backup in the states was my Droid phone with Google Maps. It was surprising how many times I was relying on them both at the same time. Used the Droid for more detailed info while searching specific places without getting off the TomTom.



iPad2 with Bad Elf GPS
LOVE the iPad2. iBooks, pix, email, Google, podcasts, FaceTime (thanks, boys!), games. Jonathon’s gift – the Bad Elf GPS – transformed it into a huge TomTom (there’s an app for that!). The Bad Elf is that quarter-sized square sticking out of the charger slot.
My music and audio books were available through the 2MATO speakers using the same cord as the iPods.




Bamboo Stylus
For writing/drawing on the iPad screen – whoo hooo, too much fun!



tiny tunes, tiny books: nano & mini




Flip Video
Charge and download via USB port. I have a very hard time forgiving Cisco for purchasing Flip and then dumping this amazing product. I did use this a lot and will eventually post some of the video. This model will take an hour and a half of clear & crisp video and downloads directly into iPhoto, Picasa, or whatever.



Friends and SPOT
http://www.findmespot.com/en/
SPOT is something I don’t have, but it is too clever to not be included as a nifty travel technology. Each of the four buttons sends a specific message: I’m OK and here is where I am; I need help; Emergency; or other specific message.

Greg uses the Here I AM button regularly for those of us who are tracking his Prudhoe Bay to Argentina trip through the Americas. It sends the GPS location and point on a map.
Easy. Clever
http://www.gregsadventure.com/



Meeting and getting to know people is more fun than all the technology. Friends From the Road – meeting and keeping these wonderful folks in your life is what all of the technology enables.

Safe Journeys, folks

yep, yep … I KNOW travel can be done without any cool technology. My first Alaska trip – about ten years ago – I did just that. My phone did not work in the wilds and general expectations for connectivity were, almost, but not quite, nil. On that trip, if I was lucky, a spot with internet service would appear. In Alaska, it was often a coffee shop/bakery. (Now have a Pavlovian response to donuts, associating them with being online. Ok, bad excuse.)

Within the past few -FEW- years, public expectation for FREE connectivity has made my travel life blissful. What used to be $potty and terrible $ervice has turned into widely available fast connections in amazing places. Campgrounds, national parks, whole towns, MacDonalds, Wendy’s, Starbucks, Panera, etc., are all eager to please for FREE.

[…]” They want to deliver vast amounts of information over the Internet. And again, the Internet is not something that you just dump something on. It’s not a big truck. It’s a series of tubes. And if you don’t understand, those tubes can be filled and if they are filled, when you put your message in, it gets in line and it’s going to be delayed by anyone that puts into that tube enormous amounts of material, enormous amounts of material.” Senator Stevens of Alaska

Enough comedy. Let’s go through the toys equipment:

Power cord (top) and campground outlet tester
Don’t even THINK of plugging in your electronics or other equipment to the electricity pedestal until you have taken the moment to test it. This inexpensive device can save you some heartbreak and buckos. (Thanks, Jonathon)



An ArtBin keeps all the wires and chargers, lenses, etc., together. Always put everything back in its place or you will live to regret it.




Phone and Bluetooth Earbud: Droid



Laptop
Can’t even begin to tell you how much I love my MacBookPro super honkin’ whiz-bang baby. This replaced my five-year-old version of the same and was the victim of my the famou$ liquid destructo moment that began this trip.



Backup, backup, backup… Western Digital multi-gigs




MIFI 4G Verizon Wireless Hotspot for 5 devices:
Can’t depend on others for connectivity and the MIFI worked in absolutely desolate places. Love it.
In Seward, I was able to share it by giving out a password. That was very appreciated by my camping neighbors. And it is fun to have internet access in your tent!



Charger
Generally, the rule needs to be: charge everything at any good opportunity – or you will wish you had. When you didn’t, you’ll be glad to be able charge while driving. Only drawbacks are a slight whine while it is juicing your device and it seems slow.



Camera with second battery and data card
Keep your spare battery charged. I shoot raw files and that also eats space on the data card, so a second card is nice. If your card or battery fail in the most picturesque spot on the planet, you’ll be rather unhappy. It happens.

My walk-about lens is an EFS 17-85mm with image stabilizaton; macro is EFS 60mm. Canon Rebel XTi.
And, yes, real photographers, I know the shots through the windshield glass are tacky and less than… whatever… and I do know I have included shots with less than perfect focus. Slight slop here.
Below:
Size comparisons: camera, TomTom, lens, Droid, Bad Elf



TOMTOM
Jonathon loaned me his GPS since it does work in the wilds of British Columbia and the Yukon as well as Alaska. It was invaluable and freed me from keeping my nose in maps. My backup in the states was my Droid phone with Google Maps. It was surprising how many times I was relying on them both at the same time. Used the Droid for more detailed info while searching specific places without getting off the TomTom.



iPad2 with Bad Elf GPS
LOVE the iPad2. iBooks, pix, email, Google, podcasts, FaceTime (thanks, boys!), games. Jonathon’s gift – the Bad Elf GPS – transformed it into a huge TomTom (there’s an app for that!). The Bad Elf is that quarter-sized square sticking out of the charger slot.
My music and audio books were available through the 2MATO speakers using the same cord as the iPods.




Bamboo Stylus
For writing/drawing on the iPad screen – whoo hooo, too much fun!



tiny tunes, tiny books: nano & mini




Flip Video
Charge and download via USB port. I have a very hard time forgiving Cisco for purchasing Flip and then dumping this amazing product. I did use this a lot and will eventually post some of the video. This model will take an hour and a half of clear & crisp video and downloads directly into iPhoto, Picasa, or whatever.



Friends and SPOT
http://www.findmespot.com/en/
SPOT is something I don’t have, but it is too clever to not be included as a nifty travel technology. Each of the four buttons sends a specific message: I’m OK and here is where I am; I need help; Emergency; or other specific message.

Greg uses the Here I AM button regularly for those of us who are tracking his Prudhoe Bay to Argentina trip through the Americas. It sends the GPS location and point on a map.
Easy. Clever
http://www.gregsadventure.com/



Meeting and getting to know people is more fun than all the technology. Friends From the Road – meeting and keeping these wonderful folks in your life is what all of the technology enables.

Safe Journeys, folks

Can’t pretend any longer. Can’t delay this with socializing with Mom/Granny, sweet Aunt Emily, and dear Jonathon. It is evening and there are no more stops to make on the way home, This part of the jouney is coming to ……… can hardly say it … end.

This has been an exciting transition into being retired from a JOB – whatever THAT means! From my old and new friends along the way, I see it is just a beautiful transition to MY TIME.

Family and friends have participated in this transition trip. Miles and miles of America, the Beautiful – US & Canadian – have helped me mellow into this sweetness of existence. Lessons have been absorbed and soaked in through my senses.

There will be more entries about this trip – remember the beginning with Jonathon to Seattle was without blog, so there will be details coming. And, the tech stuff, things learned, and enjoyed…. yep, more details to come.

Oh, Ontario is a Grape and Tender Fruit bonanza of Canada.

But here is Niagara Falls – the last stop on the way HOME.

Parking Lot: It is worth spending the outrageous $20 IF: you are Tired, it is LATE, your FEET HURT, you have LITTLE KIDS or OLD FOLKS with you, YOU ARE FEELIN” OLD… then the parking lots near the Canadia Horseshoe Falls are ….. great.

Mist from the falls is visible AND falling on you when you approach from this direction. You will note this area is spotlessly clean and just bursting with flowers and well-trimmed plantings.



Walking the entire length of the The Falls is delightful. Start near the bridge to the US and just continue on to the Horseshoe Falls. The Canadian side is the most stunning and allows the closest access to the real, mighty waterfall

If you are in the lot$, this bridge will take you across the road to the Visitor Center.



You will be able to see the American Falls from the Canadian side as you cross the road.



The edge of the precipice that is the huge Horseshoe Falls is VERY accessible. You can stand just above that edge – as well as take tours behind the falls.



No kidding:


American Falls in the background




The mist was raining on everyone..
















Mist and time-of-day –



Still, the colors were magnificent…



Great greens:



Evening: The crowd is international, speaking many languages.



There is a small balcony where it is easier to see into the distance.Too dark for much more…



Good Night.

Can’t pretend any longer. Can’t delay this with socializing with Mom/Granny, sweet Aunt Emily, and dear Jonathon. It is evening and there are no more stops to make on the way home, This part of the jouney is coming to ……… can hardly say it … end.

This has been an exciting transition into being retired from a JOB – whatever THAT means! From my old and new friends along the way, I see it is just a beautiful transition to MY TIME.

Family and friends have participated in this transition trip. Miles and miles of America, the Beautiful – US & Canadian – have helped me mellow into this sweetness of existence. Lessons have been absorbed and soaked in through my senses.

There will be more entries about this trip – remember the beginning with Jonathon to Seattle was without blog, so there will be details coming. And, the tech stuff, things learned, and enjoyed…. yep, more details to come.

Oh, Ontario is a Grape and Tender Fruit bonanza of Canada.

But here is Niagara Falls – the last stop on the way HOME.

Parking Lot: It is worth spending the outrageous $20 IF: you are Tired, it is LATE, your FEET HURT, you have LITTLE KIDS or OLD FOLKS with you, YOU ARE FEELIN” OLD… then the parking lots near the Canadia Horseshoe Falls are ….. great.

Mist from the falls is visible AND falling on you when you approach from this direction. You will note this area is spotlessly clean and just bursting with flowers and well-trimmed plantings.



Walking the entire length of the The Falls is delightful. Start near the bridge to the US and just continue on to the Horseshoe Falls. The Canadian side is the most stunning and allows the closest access to the real, mighty waterfall

If you are in the lot$, this bridge will take you across the road to the Visitor Center.



You will be able to see the American Falls from the Canadian side as you cross the road.



The edge of the precipice that is the huge Horseshoe Falls is VERY accessible. You can stand just above that edge – as well as take tours behind the falls.



No kidding:


American Falls in the background




The mist was raining on everyone..
















Mist and time-of-day –



Still, the colors were magnificent…



Great greens:



Evening: The crowd is international, speaking many languages.



There is a small balcony where it is easier to see into the distance.Too dark for much more…



Good Night.

A few years ago, on a Michigan Ramble, Jonathon and I discovered this place. It is just a bit from the downtown of Port Huron, Michigan. Port Huron and Sarnia, Ontario, Canada are connected here by the Blue Water Bridge. If you Google Map Port Huron and zoom in on the base of Michigan’s thumb, you’ll see why this is such a direct route for me between my MI family and New York State.

Detroit and Windsor, Ontario are SO close, but so different from each other {I was tempted to say I could see Canada from my backyard. but I am trying to self-censor, hahhahhahahaha } Proximity to Canada and ice hockey madness provided an aural background of game narrations: Montreal Canadiens in the winter that played opposite the Detroit Tiger baseball radio broadcasts in the summer.

One of the most beautiful ships ever made was the Ryerson.

http://dlund.20m.com/photo6.html

Jonathon and I saw it in Duluth on our way north for this trip. When I put up blogs about the first part of our trip together, you’ll see we have a fleeting view of her at the Port of Duluth – Jonathon recognized her immediately from her graceful bow. We were zooming past on the bridge above it and could not get much but a glance. (ding ding:::ship geek alert)




At the Maritime Center, there is electronic monitoring of EVERY ship in the Great Lakes.



Shipping geeks gather, track, and oogle from this vantage point. In fact, it is called Vantage Point! They know or can track the flags, the tonage, and the history of the ships.

http://www.ee.nmt.edu/~tubesing/personal/boats/boatwatcher.htm




If the ship is passing the Vantage Point, there is live narration of every detail you could imagine – as well as some you couldn’t. Each ship has a story, and there are folks ready to tell as well as to listen.

another ship-geek page – fascinating

http://boatnerd.com/pictures/fleet/alpena.htm



The Maritime Center provides an excellent view and the narration of each passing ship can be heard out here, too. Binoculars are available just in case you forgot your own.



A short walk away is Port Huron’s active harbor



Right in downtown, there is a drawbridge



A beautiful, well-kept and welcoming waterfront entices folks to walk, picnic, and ship-spot along the St. Clair River.



But, what’s this?



A bell on each of several fishing lines. Folks relax and socialize, waiting for the bell to announce a fish on the line! WOW, I wonder what my son-in-law – a REAL angler – thinks about that one!

Another fisher, the cormorant:



The current was very fast and I had to walk quicky to keep up with it to see where the cormorant would pop up next. I have seen swimmers on the Canadian side. They seemed to be locals who knew how to play the current and how to play it. However, it is one of the most swift and powerful around and this seemed like a more-than-slightly-risky enterprise.



A museum ship nearby:





Young Tomas Edison also has some history here:



There is an interesting sub-division of monster mansions on the river front, also. They are surprising in their uniforminty:



Other than that, Port Huron is a totally charming city, clean and inviting. They are not far from the parks that parallel the river and pass under the Blue Water Bridge on both sides of the border.



At night, the bridge is lit with deep, almost purple blue lights that highlight its graceful form. It is one of my favorite bridges ever. Looking out into Lake Huron are dozens of sailboats. You should go there and see them.