Final Destination - Roughing it - NOT

July 2, 2009

I finally woke up and could hear the birds just a chirping. They were happy that the day has begun. Me? I was really excited to start this day off to see what adventures would come our way. However, first things first – logging in to see what’s what. Facebook was my first stop to see what was going on in the world (or at least my small sphere of the world). I then emailed Rose and Carol to check in. It was around 7:00 a.m. Rose told me to go back to bed and not wake Kel up. I told her that I was being quiet and just doing on-line stuff. Kel woke up soon after I did but I really did not wake her up. I swear! She logged into Facebook, made us coffee, and then taught me how to upload GoogleTalk so that we would have another way to chat! Not that we really need more avenues to chat but she wanted to show me something new. Skype will be the next thing that she shows me. Opening up my world to new technology! If you hadn’t guessed, she is that way! I also shopped on-line on Overstock.com. I bought a watch! I almost bought this cool ring but figured it would be best to go to my local jeweler instead after I get back home. We had several cups of java before we hit the road to head north.

The weather is a little chilly and rainy first thing in the morning. At first we thought it might be raining but it was not. Chilly is okay for early in the morning. Rainy is not allowed – so says me! Kelly and Hugh live in a house on 56 acres with a pond, barn and a really nice firepit for s’mores and just plain hanging out with friends and family.

We got on the road around 11:00 a.m. and headed north. We are traveling on I-75 north to somewhere around Traverse City. Michigan is much like Maine except there are no mountains. I-75 is boring as I-95 or I-295 but it is what it is. As you might expect, there are cops everywhere trying to give people tickets for speeding. “Really Officer, we weren’t speeding. We were going with the traffic flow!” I am just rehearsing our lines just in case.

We have a three-hour drive to get to our final destination but we decided to take a detour to see Kelly’s sister Patty who lives about two hours from Kel. Patty is providing us with lunch. I wonder what she will have for us. We are starving. We had decided not to bring our leftover pizza from the night before. Boy, I guess that was a mistake. Of course, we only drank coffee this morning while we were browsing the Internet. It is around 12:30 p.m. and the sun is peeking out. It is nice to see that little ray of sunshine.

Oh no, it has started to rain – it is 12:55 p.m. Kel says that I brought it with me. Oh my…. Come on sun! We really need you to peek out and shine that nice bright color all over us and everything else! I know my friends in Maine are wishing the same thing.

We are taking Exit 239 to get to Patty’s house in Roscommon. All the buildings downtown are not very tall at all – maybe two or three stories at the most. Kel says that Patty has a very cozy house out in the middle of nowhere accessible only via dirt roads. It will take 15 minutes to get there. We aren’t in any hurry to get where we are going. Hugh is doing fine without us being there. He settled into the campground just fine. However, he did not bring any towels so he will have to take a swim in the water, borrow/buy a towel or wait until we get there to take a shower.

The scenery is actually beautiful with spectacular with all the trees and is filled with color in the Fall. Patty served hot dogs, pasta salad and chips. Kel also got two beers from the refrigerator. We were parched. I had already met Patty a few times over the past 15 years but I also just met her husband Dennis and her son Sonny. We had a great visit! I also learned by watching ESPNnews that I was watching Wimbledon yesterday in the airport (not the US Open). Oh well, I guess I haven’t been keeping up with tennis.

Anyway, it is 2:15 p.m. and we are on the road again. It should be another hour before we get to our final destination in Elks Rapids. Patty and Kel downloaded the directions from MapQuest so hopefully we won’t get lost. If we do, then we will just have to find our way – maybe ask directions! Actually, we do have to stop and get food and drink too! There is no food at the camper trailer. Kel wants to make Jungle Juice – vodka, Ruby Red Squirt and OJ. Well, we shall see how that tastes soon after we land. However, we will pick up beer too!

We are listening to a classic rock station – Born to be Wild, Van Halen, ZZ Top etc. Here we go! Just a rock and rollin’.

We are traveling on 72W. Oh no, road sign – Prison Area, Don’t Pick Up Hitchhikers – unless they are cute and on a motorcycle. LOL!

It is 3:00 p.m. and now it is only sprinkling off and on. Hopefully, we will be out of this weather soon enough. Well, we missed one of the roads we were supposed to take but we are not lost! Kel knows where she is going – more or less. We were trying to avoid Kalkaska but we are in the midst of traffic!

We are now on M-72 heading toward Traverse City. We don’t have to go that far but we are on the way! Liquor store is most likely our next stop. If not, then certainly a convenience store for beer. Did you know that Michigan has blinking Red lights? You can turn left on a blinking Red light if there is no traffic coming! It is very strange so they have been talking about getting rid of them.

Another weird traffic sign – Do Not Pass When Opposing Traffic Present. No kidding! LOL!

Well, we arrived safe and sound at the Honcho Rest Campground. Hugh was glad to see us! It is still chilly here on the lake. Tomorrow is going to be gorgeous! Well, we are hanging out by the fire, chatting and drinking beer. We may go to the casino tonight. Well, I am off for now. Hope you all had a great day!

Kelly