July 12, 2014 (82nd Day)

Sunny but hazy 70˚ 

Edith was still in the dumps, but made an effort to get going and do something. 

In Alberta, MI we visited Henry Ford Sawmill Historic site to check out Nature's Way woodworking Studio and store. The woodworker, Dave Steminic, welcomed us into his huge workshop (Erwin was drooling over the size of it). After learning about Erwin's woodworking hobby Dave gave him some birds eye maple scraps and boards.  A fine quality piece of birds eye maple is hard to find in Florida. 

Dave has a gift shop, so we walked to another building to check out the stuff Dave makes.  Beautifully crafted stuff. 

Dave Steminic and Erwin

In exchange for handmade coffee scoop that Erwin gave to Dave and his wife they gave us a jar of homemade maple syrup. Erwin bought some rocks and gems.  From there we walked over to the Ford sawmill site. It was built by Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company.  He used the sawmill to saw wood for use in his early wood paneled vehicles. It is now a museum.

Off from 41 we pulled into Canyon Falls roadside park. A small park, but very primitive and undeveloped.  Lots of pine forests, some birch trees. Some trails were muddy due to the rain the other day, but we managed to get around them to reach to the end to see the waterfall.

We wondered how many people spotted this Smiley Face that was about a foot off the ground facing the river?

Arrived in Marquette, MI. There was this beautiful St. Peter Cathedral, a large Roman Catholic church in this town, and Edith wanted to go inside to take pictures. While there she lit a candle in memory of her mother who was a devout Catholic. In 2012 the church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Cruised around downtown, saw the breakwater lighthouse.  

Continued north to Presque Isle Park to see the breakwater lighthouse.  Before we could start walking on the breakwater Erwin said he had to build a rock cairn first. 

It started to rain just as Erwin put the last rock on the top. We postponed the walk to the lighthouse.  There was a wedding party at the park. 

We got on the loop road inside the park and the drive was very lovely.

On way to Ojibwa Casino a deer was grazing the grass on the shoulder.  Always a delight to see deer in the wild. 

It started to get foggy and we felt it was time to stop traveling and look for campgrounds, found one at Ojibwa Casino.

Edith prepared chicken/vegetable stir fry.  We spent the night at the casino, walking aimlessly, watching players in action, getting free drinks, checking out artifacts on display.  It rained again as we walked back to the camper van.  Not much we could do outside, but stayed inside, so it was an early bedtime for us.  It is strange that when we are home, we are night owls but on the trip/journey you would be surprised at how often we are sleeping almost as soon as it gets dark!