Days 71 thru 78, The Last Chapter!

Days 71, 72, 73 and 74
Tuesday, August 29 thru Thursday, August 31, 2017
Mackinac Island Michigan to Rochester, New York

We took three days to drive 725 miles to Rochester. We had three routes from which to choose. Two of the routes would have taken us into and out of Canada. Since Jay did not want to go thru customs two more times, we took a more southerly route, even though it added 100 miles to the drive. So, from Mackinac Island, we went south to Holly, Michigan and stayed overnight at Seven Lakes State Park. There, we had what was definitely, the least level site of our entire trip. We added blocks under the back tires, which helped, and called it quits, even though the coach was far from level.

From there we drove eastward along the shores of Lake Erie to the KOA at Grand River Valley, Ohio, east of Cleveland. Jay is more a fan of KOAs than I am, but I have to say that is was possibly the nicest KOA we’ve ever stayed at. It had all the usual KOA amenities, lake, dog run, playground, etc. but bigger and better. Day three, we went northeast to the KOA near Rochester, NY. It’s only 25 minutes from Honeoye Falls, so it was a convenient place for an overnight stop to have dinner with Jif and family and to pick up grandson Linus to join us for the next segment of our trip.

Days 75, 76 and 77
Friday, September 1 thru Sunday, September 3, 2017
Otis, Massachusetts

Can’t believe I just wrote September!

We had games, books and movies on board to keep Linus, age 6, entertained as we drove 265 miles to Camp Overflow, (what kind of name is that for a campground?) near Otis, Massachusetts for a weekend of activities at Camp Bonnie Brae, leading up to the wedding of Lora (our niece) and Casey.

After dinner we drove the 10 minutes to the Camp for a campfire and s’mores with the wedding party and those members of their family and friends that had arrived. Jif and family joined us there also, after a day of white water rafting.

Saturday was on the chilly side, but gorgeous. More family and friends arrived throughout the day. Some guests stayed in the campground’s cabins, yurts and tree houses. Others commuted from nearby B & Bs. Organized activities included swimming, boating, and archery. Otherwise, people, hiked, played Frisbee, read books or just socialized. The day ended with a bonfire and s’mores.

Sunday was the day of the wedding ceremony. Sadly,

the weather was cold and rainy. Card games, board games and books replaced most outdoor activities. Many folks were busy with last minute wedding preparations. Throughout all, everyone remained upbeat.

Even though the rained stopped by 4 pm, the ceremony was held inside the heated and dry camp lodge, with a fire burning in the fireplace and casual floral arrangements decorating the mantle. Lora looked beautiful. The ceremony went off as planned with only a minor glitch when dog Scout as ring bearer took a little detour on her way to deliver the rings.

Everyone had a fun time at the lively reception afterwards. Most people danced and the kids had a great time playing “air guitar” on inflatable guitars.

Day 78 - Monday, September 4, 2017
Otis, Massachusetts to 589 Blue Mountain Parkway!

We were ready to get home, so after morning brunch at Camp Bonnie Brae and saying our farewells and congratulations to the newlyweds, we drove 310 miles, arriving in Harrisburg about 5 pm.

It is our tradition that at the end of every vacation we compile a list of “bests”. We finalized the list as we drove the last miles of the trip, bring the total miles to (drum roll) 10,196!!!

THE “BEST” LIST:
Campground - West Branch State Park, Ohio
Campsite - Cottonwood Park, Destruction Bay, Yukon
(right on the lake, surrounded by mountains, no other campers)
National Park - Katmai, (bears!!)
Lake - Lake Moraine, Banff National Park (gorgeous blue color)
Hike - Johnston Canyon to the Lower Falls, Banff NP (catwalk along cliffs)
Mountain Views - Flight seeing over the heart of Lake Clark NP on return flight from Katmai
Glacier - Columbia Glacier in Prince William Sound, Alaska
Bear Sightings - Katmai NP, AK (so many bears, up close, salmon running)
Other wildlife sighting - Jay: herds of buffalo in British Columbia
Karen: Moose and calf in Denali NP
Meal out - Jay: Lunch on the porch of Kennecott Lodge, Wrangle Elias NP
Karen: Lunch at Grandma’s Grill and Saloon, Duluth, MN.
Town - Talkeetna, Alaska (quirky, but fun)
Best of the Rest - Jay: Sign Post Forest, Watson Lake, Yukon
Karen: “Then and Now Tour”, Dawson Creek, British Columbia