Exploring Under the Bridge Rally, MI

[SARGE/AF]

Looks like I am not going to be able to attend this and I am so disappointed, The wife can not get off work, #*#*#!! job. There is another issue as well that means I am going to have to stay close to home for it, an issue that I was sure would be resolved in time.
So I have a lake side site and if anybody wants it contact Kelly as I just sent an email to her.
Maybe there will be another one next year and we can attend it.
Hope yall have plenty of fun and think about us as we will be thinking about yall.

Sarge

[TinLoaf]

O.K. folks. We're a little over a month from the rally so this thread is going to get really really active.

First the bad news. Adam isn't going to tow the boat with (and camp in) The Big Nasty, so we won't have the Peterbilt among us. He's using a boring old Ford pickup.

We've worked out a basic schedule that is really open to suggestions and can be easily modified. I'll post that shortly. There will be lots of opportunity for boat rides, but the fishing trips will be very limited. Also, finding slip space at Mackinaw Island in the peak of the tourist season is difficult and expensive, so we'll be scrapping the private ferry trips to the island.

Star Line and Shepler both run ferries from Mackinaw City which is only 2.7 miles from the campground. Both have similar round-trip rates of about $22 for adults, $12 kids, $8 bikes. Ferries run every 30 minutes from 7:30 AM to 10:30 PM.

Renting a basic bike on Mackinac Island is about $5 per hour or $30 per day, so I'll gladly bring my bike and pay an extra $8 on the ferry. In fact I'll probably ride bike to to the dock from the campground.

I was looking at the climate data for the rally. The average high is 76, average low of 60. Can't beat that! Sunrise will be around 6:25 AM and sunset will be 9:00 PM. With such a late sunset, I don't think projecting the Olympics on the side of a trailer will work well. We'll have to figure that one out.

Forgive me. These are mostly just random thoughts coming across my mind with very little organization, but I wanted to get them out there.

Now for the basic schedule:

[TinLoaf]

• Wednesday, August 1
  • Evening Campfire
  • 10:00 PM full moon telescope viewing.
• Thursday, August 2
  • Boat Rides every two hours starting at 8:00 AM and ending at 8:00 PM.
  • Evening campfire
• Friday, August 3
  • 4:00 AM Fishing Charter. Four fishermen plus two non-fishing passengers.
  • 6:00 PM Potluck (tentatively pasties as the main dish)
  • Evening campfire
  • 8:00 PM Sunset Cruise
  • 10:00 PM Dusk Cruise
• Saturday, August 4
  • 4:00 AM Fishing Charter. Four fishermen plus two non-fishing passengers.
  • 6:00 PM Potluck (theme?)
  • Evening campfire
  • 8:00 PM Sunset Cruise
  • 10:00 PM Dusk Cruise
• Sunday, August 5
  • Checkout

Questions: Do we want to have a big pancake breakfast buffet one morning? I believe we have access to cooking facilities.


Questions: Cribbage night?


Please feel free to throw out your questions, opinions, additions or changes to the schedule.

[TinLoaf]

As you can see by the schedule, only eight people will be able to fish so lets make absolutely sure that we only sign up for fishing if we're really interested in fishing.

There are all kinds of time slots and seats for boat trips so please try to keep the fishing seats available to those seriously dedicated to fishing.

The boat will leave the dock at 4:00 AM. Seriously. If you will be fishing you will need to have a Michigan 24-hour All Species fishing license pre-purchased for the day of your trip. The license can be purchased from the Walmart in Cheboygan, MI just down the shoreline for $7 both resident and non-resident.

Warning: If you go out on a fishing charter and get bored within two hours you will be bound and thrown overboard.

Price of the charter will be about $75 plus a deckhand tip of approximately $25.

There will be signup sheets for the boat trips and fishing charters at the rally.

[oh2bcarefree]

Steve,

How many folks can fit on the boat for a regular "cruise?"

Thanks for all the hard work you and Kelly are putting into this to make it awesome!

Tina

[TinLoaf]

Originally Posted by oh2bcarefree

How many folks can fit on the boat for a regular "cruise?"

That's a good question. I believe the boat can have a maximum of 14 people and that includes captain and deckhand, so the cruises will probably be 10 to 12 people per trip.

Kelly reminded me that the Straights of Mackinaw will have 2' to 6' swells, so be sure you take some Dramamine to avoid seasickness.

[TinLoaf]

Originally Posted by TinLoaf

That's a good question. I believe the boat can have a maximum of 14 people and that includes captain and deckhand, so the cruises will probably be 10 to 12 people per trip.

Kelly reminded me that the Straights of Mackinaw will have 2' to 6' swells, so be sure you take some Dramamine to avoid seasickness.

Whoops. I blew that one. The cruises will be only six passengers and crew. Here's the text from Captain Adam.

Private Owner Boat Ride on Captain Adam's 30 Foot Boston Whaler, "The Pole Dancer" - Viewing the Straits of Mackinaw and Mackinac Island (2 hour tour @ $20 fuel donation per person, payable to Adam at time of departure)

Limit 6 passengers per run. Departs from Straits State Harbor, 409 S. Huron, Mackinaw City, MI. Marina Ph# 231-436-5326. Captain Adam 810-240-5530.

Wear full rubber shoes (sneakers, gym shoes, or Sperry type deck shoes) and bring jacket, sunglasses, and camera. PLEASE leave purses, bags at the campground.)

Water, Chips, Sunscreen provided. Please, No Smoking on Vessel. Dramamine
Recommended.

[mcair]

Anyone wanting wanting a lakeside spot? Ours is available. Due to the new job, Roger will not be able to go on the trip I may still be coming with our friends. No final decisions have been made on that yet.

[oh2bcarefree]

Originally Posted by mcair

Anyone wanting wanting a lakeside spot? Ours is available. Due to the new job, Roger will not be able to go on the trip I may still be coming with our friends. No final decisions have been made on that yet.

Boo - not attending!

Yay - new job - which job is it??

Tina

[mcair]

It is the job at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

[oh2bcarefree]

Originally Posted by mcair

It is the job at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Awesome - that's the one he really wanted. We are thrilled for Roger. Sometimes, one has to make sacrafices, so if he (and you) miss Mackinaw, we will see you at another rally closer to home.

Tina

[TinLoaf]

The rally schedule is really starting to take shape. Here's the latest:

• Wednesday, August 1st
  • 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM - Rally registration at the campground office. Pick up your rally packet.
  • Group Campfire.
  • NBC Olympics coverage.
  • 10:00 PM - Telescope viewing of the full moon.
• Thursday, August 2nd
  • 8:00 AM - Private Boat Tour leaves Straits State Harbor.
  • Noon - Private Boat Tour leaves Straits State Harbor.
  • 2:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Rally registration at the campground office. Pick up your rally packet.
  • 4:00 PM - Private Boat Tour leaves Straits State Harbor.
  • 8:00 PM - Private Boat Tour leaves Straits State Harbor.
  • Group Campfire
  • NBC Olympics coverage.
  • 10:00 PM - Telescopes?
• Friday, August 3rd
  • 4:00 AM - Salmon Charter leaves Straits State Harbor.
  • Noon - Mackinac Island Grand Hotel Grand Lunch Buffet followed by carriage and grounds tour. Price TBA.
  • Happy Hour meet & greet at the Pink Pony on Mackinac Island.
  • 4:00 PM - Private Boat Tour leaves Straits State Harbor.
  • 6:00 PM - Hot Pasties! $5.25 each. We'll get everyone's order ahead of time. Chips courtesy of Subway Restaurants. BYOB (and potluck dessert?)
  • 8:00 PM - Private Boat Tour leaves Straits State Harbor.
  • 9:00 PM - Group Photo by the evening campfire.
  • NBC Olympics coverage.
  • 10:00 PM - Telescopes?
• Saturday, August 4th
  • 4:00 AM - Salmon Charter leaves Straits State Harbor.
  • 6:00 PM - Troll's Potluck and group photo in front of the Mackinac Bridge.
  • 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM - Private Boat Tours TBD.
  • Group Campfire.
  • NBC Olympics coverage.
  • 10:00 PM - Photograph the Mackinac Bridge at night. Tripods will be available.
  • 10:00 PM - Telescopes?
• Sunday, August 5th
  • 8:00 AM - Pancake Breakfast. We make 'em. You take 'em.
  • Checkout.

[Mellen60]

We are putting together saweeeeeet rally packets and wanted to include an "Exploring Under the Bridge" Airstream Window Cling and Name Badge in them which list your Air Forums name with your first/last names.

To that end, here's what we need:

• Send email to Mellen60@gmail.com which lists the first/last names of each attendee in your group along with your Air Forums name.

On a personal note: I just returned from a whale of a good time with Ed & Kay Rottinger and their sweet Yorkie named Oliver at Way Dam Resort on the Michigamme Reservoir, just outside of Crystal Falls, MI. Ed creates and builds hunting, personal protection, and utility knives as a master craftsman. He forges his own blades!

We three met for the first time, on a lark, at Tahquamenon Falls earlier in the year (celebrated that we BOTH have Bambies) and I gifted him with a buck antler that my dog had started to "work on". Later, when we met at Way Dam, he gifted me back with a custom made bread knife, using that antler from our farm. That was really special. I encouraged him to bring some examples of his work (he sells pieces in his collection on weekends in Alpha, MI) and he may have some he would be willing to part with.

Here's a couple of Way Dam pictures and PROOF of our fish tales from that trip:

Kelly

[Mellen60]

Bay Harbor Art Festival - Aug 3 to 5

THIS IS A 1ST CLASS EVENT WITH ART, ETC. AT A GORGEOUS MARINA W/HIGH END RESTAURANTS, ETC. THINK CAPE COD.



Location: Village at Bay Harbor
August 03, 2012 - August 05, 2012
10:00am - 7:00pm

Get Ready for the 2012 Bay Harbor Arts Festival
The Bay Harbor Arts Festival is celebrating its 13th Anniversary in the Village at Bay Harbor. Bay Harbor is one of Northern Michigan’s premier destinations. The Village sets upon beautiful Lake Michigan, just steps to Bay Harbor Lake Marina, boutique shopping and dining. As always, we offer complimentary and convenient parking for all artists and guests.

Come to the Village and stroll among a variety of beautiful artwork including painting, pottery, jewelry, metal works, furniture, glass and fiber art.

This is a juried art festival, where artists are chosen for their unique and creative talents.

Arts Festival Weekend Schedule is as follows:

Friday, August 3
6pm - 10pm
Tasting Under the Stars
Hand-rolled cigars by Mya Cigars of West Palm Beach
Whiskey and Port tastings to the sounds of jazz
Special paired menus from our Village restaurants featuring Michigan wines and beers
Saturday, August 4
10am - 7pm
Juried Fine Arts Festival
Variety of genres of music and performing arts throughout the day
Champagne, wine and beer tastings on the waterfront with light hors d’oeuvres
Mini cruises offered by East Coast Charters
Special paired menus from Village restaurants featuring Michigan wines, champagnes and beers
Sunday, August 5
11am - 4pm
Juried Fine Arts Festival
Featuring music from The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra Ensemble

[Mellen60]

Steve,

Just a quick public thank you for all your work on the calendar and on a newsletter that will be out soon. None of this would be possible without your Airstream experience and encouragement.

I'm thinking we need to throw in a cribbage or euchre "event" on Wednesday! What say you? Have you been practicing for a rematch?

The stars are in alignment on this rally for sure...I can't believe our luck with the Bay Harbor Fine Arts Festival going on at the same time. I've been to it before and it is nothing short of AMAZING. Bay Harbor is where the Historic Tunnel of Trees route 119 begins or ends (depending on your direction) so it would make a perfect detour. Did you see where there was port and whiskey tastings? That's got my name written all over it.

Since I'm already hogging up the thread today, here's some more pictures from my Way Dam trip for folks to see. The Michigan Lake Shore picture was taken just over the bridge, on U.S. 2, near the Brevort Beach Dunes...another "must see" spot on this rally! Did anyone notice that the one of my dog looking out the car window is when we were driving over the Mackinac Bridge? Not my brightest move...driving over open water on a forty story high bridge with a dog and a camper on the back, taking pictures with the windows open and the breeze blowing my hair in my face. But hey, I'm gifted.

KK

[TinLoaf]

Originally Posted by Mellen60

I'm thinking we need to throw in a cribbage or euchre "event" on Wednesday! What say you? Have you been practicing for a rematch?

I hope to never play euchre again IN MY LIFETIME. Cribbage... it's on!

[Mellen60]

Here's more information about dining at the Grand Hotel and enjoying one of their Grand Buffet Luncheons. The cost is $37, including tax and tips per person. The buffet is top notch and includes admission onto the Grand Hotel porch (normally $10).

We are also working on getting a group rate for a private, horse-drawn carriage tour around the island as well. Here's some maps of Mackinac Island for your review.

KK

[TinLoaf]

Folks, feel free to provide feedback on the tentative schedule. I just noticed that the Mackinac Island Happy Hour interferes with the Pastie dinner on Friday. A good 75% of folks will already be arriving on Wednesday, so how about we have the Pastie dinner on Wednesday so nobody needs to cook after a long day on the road?

[WineStream]

I would like a kid count. Who's bringing young kids, like age 10 or less? I've almost got my wife on board. We would be bringing our 4 and 6 year old boys. Will there be a special rate for the buffet at the hotel for the younger folks? There's no way my little ones are going to get $37 of value out of that dinner and visit.

[Hibby]

Originally Posted by Mellen60

Here's more information about dining at the Grand Hotel and enjoying one of their Grand Buffet Luncheons. The cost is $37, including tax and tips per person. The buffet is top notch and includes admission onto the Grand Hotel porch (normally $10).

FYI... It is my understanding that the Grand Hotel requires a sport jacket for men at all times. I am not sure of required women's attire, but I'm pretty sure it doesn't include shorts. Although I have not eaten or stayed at the Grand Hotel, this may be worth a check to verify before showing up without proper attire!