Exploring Under the Bridge Rally, MI

[Ed rottinger]

Originally Posted by Mellen60

There are still spots available and we'd love to have you join up. You've got the dates right. To make your reservation, call Sandy at Mackinaw Mill Creek Camping (231) 436-5584 and she'll get you set up.

We've got a group bonfire planned for three nights. I told Sandy to bring however much wood she normally brings and then to double that amount so we might be "close" to what we "need."

If you have the time, go back and start reading all the posts from page one...then you'll get to know everybody. Most of us have not camped together so this will be a real meet and greet friendly rally. We'll have a potluck one or two nights and now that we have around 30 Airstreams coming, we'll have to incorporate a happy hour open house. We are working on a calendar of events and trying to keep the rally loose because there is so so SO much to see and do. It will be fun to sit around the fire and hear what others did that day and then maybe randomly tweak your next day based on some feedback.

Hey Ed and Kay Rottinger....I had a wonderful time meeting up with you for the first time this past week at the Tahquamenon Falls State Park(about 75 miles from Mackinaw City) in Paradise, MI. Can't wait till June when we hook into some big ones again on the Michigamme Reservoir near Iron Mountain, MI and than later again at the Exploring Under the Bridge Rally this August when we can swap (approved) fish stories with everyone! Sometimes, what happens in the boat, stays in the boat.

This is what I love about rallying...new friends, new adventures!

Kelly

Here are some photos we took
When we pulled in there was a great spot where you could view the river from the rear bunk. That at treat to see and hear the river and hear the eagles fishing. Then Kelly pulled in and we helped her hook up built a camp fire and chatted. The dogs ...Remey and Oliver a few growls and then got along. the next day some touring around then another campfire chat. We did a little fishing together and got skunked!!! But Kelly said were going to get you a real fish! She brought the right tackle and found us a great spot way off the main road. On my second cast I hooked a 4 or 5 lb northern pike. But since the season wasn't open yes he had to go back. The next day we toured the falls which was great and we had lunch at camp 33 Brewery and restaurant its right in the park of the falls. The next we were off at 9am back to Iron River ,Michigan we went along the shore of Lake Superior.

Camping with Kelly is so much fun ... She is one great women who is a get'er done kind of girl!!!!

Thanks Kelly
lets catch the BIG ONE !

[Ed rottinger]

These are some photos from The Straits State park on the U.P. side of the Bridge. GREAT view from our camp site!!!

[chaimemet]

We missed the UP last year, went as far north as Airstream. So we hope we will not be denied this year. It will be nice to see great bodies of water that are not salted. I assume we can drink the water straight from the beach, yes?

[Mellen60]

Originally Posted by chaimemet

We missed the UP last year, went as far north as Airstream. So we hope we will not be denied this year. It will be nice to see great bodies of water that are not salted. I assume we can drink the water straight from the beach, yes?

Sounds like there MIGHT be just enough water between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron to keep you supplied. Ice Mountain water bottling company is right up at the tip of the mitten, near Traverse City, and they suck the ground dry so folks all over the U.S. can buy our Pure Michigan water. So glad you guys are coming!

I'm so glad Ed and Kay posted pictures of those roaring Tahquamenon Falls. For those of you traveling from such great distances, it is worth taking a 70 mile jaunt up to Paradise, MI to see them. There's a great State Park restaurant will a full microbrewery at the upper falls section. Would make a great 1/2 day trip.

Chuck Norris Facts:

• Chuck Norris ordered a Big Mac at Burger King, and got one.
• If you have five dollars and Chuck Norris has five dollars, Chuck Norris has more money than you.
• Chuck Norris once broke the land speed record on a bicycle that was missing its chain and the back tire.
• Chuck Norris frequently donates blood to the Red Cross. Just never his own.
• Chuck Norris owns the greatest poker face of all-time. It helped him win the 1983 world series of poker despite him holding just a joker, a 2 of clubs, a 7 of spades, and a green number 4 from Uno and a monopoly ‘get out of jail free’ card.
• Chuck Norris does not use spell check. If he happens to misspell a word, Oxford will simply change the actual spelling of it.
• Chuck Norris got a perfect score on his SAT's, simply by writing Chuck Norris for every answer.
• The show Survivor had the original premise of putting people on an island with Chuck Norris. there were no survivors and the pilot episode tape has been burned.

A police officer got out of his car as a kid who was stopped for speeding rolled down his window. "I've been waiting for you all day," the officer said. The kid replied, "Yeah, well I got here as fast as I could." When the cop finally stopped laughing, he sent the kid on his way without a ticket.

Sidebar: Ya know, when I start trying to entertain rather than inform, I get to laughing and then I realize I'm entertaining my own self too much. Then I get all happy about it. Is this a symptom of early onset old age?

Kelly

[Mellen60]

Here is a great site to click and find all the Michigan Lighthouses. It is a detailed map and a key to the names/locations of all of them.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/ha...ap_50933_7.pdf

[SARGE/AF]

Originally Posted by oh2bcarefree

We'll bring the telescope for some moon viewing .
Tina

I am going to bring my cheap telescope too, maybe Mike will take a look at it and tell me why it does what it does? Maybe give some advise on telescopes as well.

Sarge

[SARGE/AF]

We are eagerly waiting for this trip, will be first trip over 1 week and more than 300 miles from home base and with grandkids in tow.
We are leaving here the last week of July going to travel to somewhere between Lansing and Flint, that week will be spent on Geneology work and then travel to there, and then when we leave we will almost have to drive strait through to get back in time for work and school.
Maybe I will hit the lottery and wont have to worry about either, LOL

Sarge

[TinLoaf]

Here's a map of the campground showing the area where we'll be parked.

[oh2bcarefree]

That pretty much looks like the best spot in the campground to me. Thanks again Kelly for doing a recon!

Tina

[oh2bcarefree]

Originally Posted by SARGE/AF

I am going to bring my cheap telescope too, maybe Mike will take a look at it and tell me why it does what it does? Maybe give some advise on telescopes as well.

Sarge

Bring it! The more the merrier. I'm sure Mike will have lots of advice, now what you do with it...

Tina

[TinLoaf]

Our sites are at the bottom of the photo:

[Max Well]

Where are the full hookup sites in relation to the rally area? Sophia Mom and I are in the full hookups, but want to be close to the fun! I KNEW I should have put those grey tanks in!
Ken

[Schools Out]

We're also in the full hook up area. When making the reservations we requested close to the rally area, but with full hookups. We're in row 3....a short walk to the fun I'm sure if you call the campground, they will tell you what row you're in.

[Max Well]

Thanks, Dowpells,
We are looking forward to it!
Ken

[Max Well]

Dowpells,
The LW (Sophia Mom) emailed the campground today. They told her that they wouldn't assign us to an area (or a spot) until we arrive. They would only narrow it down to the full-hookup area (rows 3-9!). She will call the campground tomorrow. We just don't want to be far from the fun. That's a long way to go to be away from the all the action.
Will post when we learn something.

Ken

[Schools Out]

Max Well,
When I talked to Sandy, she said row 3, for sure, but no lot # until arrival. It would be nice if the full hook up folks could be in the same row.

[Sophia Mom]

Originally Posted by dowpells

Max Well,
When I talked to Sandy, she said row 3, for sure, but no lot # until arrival. It would be nice if the full hook up folks could be in the same row.

I called Sandy. She said we would most likely be in Row 3 but would not commit. We will just hope for the best.

Nan

[Mellen60]

For those coming up the east shoreline, on US 131, you'll want to route through Petoskey and Bay Harbor to catch a 19 mile trail road on your way up to Mackinaw City called "The Tunnel of Trees". Last spring I discovered this Petoskey gem (pun intended).

There's a winery and a small general store along the route. Most of the way Lake Michigan will be a drop off on the driver's side and the passenger side is sprinkled with a few beautiful cottages. Petoskey and Harbor Springs are the "Cape Cod" of the north.

One thing that I forgot to mention before is that there is the Cross in the Woods site which is definitely worth the extra stop. It is near Indian River/Petoskey, just off of I-75. It is an arena sized outdoor church in the woods with a stations of the cross pathway through the woods and many monuments/memorials to see. There is a nice sized religious gift shop there as well. It really is a beautiful nature-God experience.

So glad to see more folks signing up for this EPIC rally! What is so neat about this rally is that we have folks traveling from at least five or six states--folks who have never rallied together! By the end of June we will have a schedule of events lined up.

There is so much to see and do based upon individual interests and experiences that we are trying to keep things loose so that, when we come together as a group around the group campfires each night, we all have something new to share. Personally, I like to hear the recommendations of others and then plan my trip day by day based upon the feedback.

Full Moon Telescope, Bridge Lights at Night, Lighthouses, Pot Lucks, Campfires, Mackinac Island, Tunnel of Trees, Historic Forts, Area Festivals, Private Boat Rides in the Straights of Mackinaw, The Grand Hotel, Horseback Riding, Card Games, Tunnel of Trees, Taquamenon Falls, The Shipwreck Museum, Lake Michigan Sand Dunes, Swimming, Bike Riding, Golf, Photography, Campground Shuttle to Ferry Boats, Broadcasting the Summer Olympics on the side of an Airstream, Biking to Arch Rock, The Mystery Spot, The Mackinaw Bridge, Pasties, Castle Rock, Beaches, Kayaking, Salmon Fishing, Sun Bathing, Hiking, Eating at American Spoon in Petoskey, the Michigan DNR Fisheries Museum in Indian River, Harbor Springs, the Lumber Camp and Virgin Pine Forest of Hartwick Pines in Graying, Making New Friends and some getting the chance to share this with Grandchildren....Pure Michigan!

[goshawks00]

Don't forget the 'The Locks' at Ste. Saint Marie, and the casino there also. Then there is the Father Marquette National Monument just a few feet to the west of the Mac. Bridge. A great indoor movie narative of his work with the indians -a must see for any history buff.
Coming north get of US-75 and drive up US-23 , it follows the shoreline of Lake Huron and goes thru many great towns-Tawas-Oscoda -Alpena-Cheboygan-etc and many stops along the lake for a quick dip or shoreline walk.

[Ed rottinger]

We met Kelly(Mellen60) In a part of Michigan she has been coming to for the past 50 years Crystal Falls Michigan and we had A Way Dam good time camping and fishing together ...thats what Airstreams do they bring people together!!!
its a tune up for Under the Bridge !! Here some pics