St. Ignace, MI

We arrived in St Ignace on Thursday, after driving across the UP as the locals say.  It was a nice drive with lots of trees, and lakes.  Many times we could see Lake Michigan, a very nice scenic drive.  We are staying at the Kewadin Casino, and have gone into town.  The visitor center this side of the Mackinaw bridge tells the story of the building of this 5 mile bridge.  We will head over it today and go to Bear Lake along Lake Michigan.

US Locks

St. Ignace is on Lake Huron though just north of the Mackinac Bridge, a five mile suspension bridge.  There is an island, only accessible by ferry here, the Mackinaw Island.  We did not go because of the rain. 

 Yesterday we rode to Sault St. Marie and toured the SOO Locks.  We went west in the US locks, and returned in the Canadian lock, a much smaller lock used for tourist and sightseeing boats. These locks connect Lake Huron and Lake Superior, and is a huge shipping lane along the St. Mary.  More than 10,000 tons of cargo traverse these locks every years.  On the Canadian side, there is a huge steel plant.  Wonder where are industry has gone, look no farther.  We started out having great weather, but by the time we arrived back, it was cold and windy, almost looked like snow clouds.  Time to move south!

On to Goshen!!!!

Jamestown ND, Labor Day Weekend

     This last weekend we spent roaming around this city at Frontier Fort RV Park.  Here is the 60 ton monument of the largest buffalo made.  Down the street were many old buildings including a jail, a bar, and Louis L’Amour writing desk and library.  He is a well known artist that wrote about the courageous spirit of men and women in all regions of the US.  He died in 1988, but his books live on.

     Within walking distance is the Fort itself, and the National Buffalo Museum.  We could see a herd of buffalo with the Albino Buffalo among them.  It is considered sacred among the Lakota Indians. There is a prophecy that this buffalo will come and unite all races in peace. 

After the fort, off we went to Fort Seward, where of course Rollie found a cannon..a howitzer this time. There were many parks to visit next to the James river and reservoir. 

     This was a nice place to visit.  Also the restaurant at the Fort had great ribs and prime rib to top off our stayIn Jamestown the oldest catholic. church in North Dakota is here:  The Basilica of St. James.        So now it is off to Minnesota for the night and then on to Michigan.  We are taking the scenic drive along Rte 2 over to the Mackinaw Bridge.