Back in the USA

July 30, 2011
Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Yesterday was a travel day and today it's been about getting ready for our upcoming rallies.

We were up early yesterday and reluctantly said our "good-byes" to Dave and Sandy and "crew". I pulled the coach out to the road and hooked up the Rover, and we were on our way right on schedule. It was a nice day for driving, although it got a little warm in the afternoon and we picked up a strong head wind around the same time. Our route took us back to PH-69 and then North to Sudbury where we picked up Trans-Canada Highway 17, heading west. We followed that route along the northern edge of Lake Huron to the border cities of Sault Ste. Marie (collectively, "The Soo"). We were soon on the International Bridge crossing back to the USA, which turned out to be a 45-minute "crawl". We had no issues at the border or toll though, and hopped off the northern end of I-75 at the first exit. We were soon parked at Soo Locks Campground, right along the St. Mary's River, just downriver from one of the major locks (hence the name). Geri whipped up a quick pasta sauce and we had a nice dinner before calling it an early night.

Considering it's out-of-the-way location by today's standards, Sault Ste. Marie is the oldest city in Michigan, harkening back to a time when travel by water was the norm, not Interstates. The St. Mary's River connects lakes Superior and Huron, and the region's name derives from the French for "Rapids of Saint Mary". The freighters that use the locks along the river are quite large by any standard; we've watched several head by since we've been here.

Today, Geri tackled the laundry hamper and I caught up on end-of-the-month finances. We made a quick trip to the local Wal-Mart, billed by locals as the "biggest for miles" (a quick search reveals that it's the only one for miles). Since we have a 30-amp connection and no sewer on-site, we're reminded of our 2009 trip to Alaska, where we didn't let a little thing like limited facilities get in the way. In between, Geri's started work on a nice quiche we'll have for dinner, probably followed by another early night since tomorrow is a travel day.