US-Canada 2024-17: Family, Friends, & Doug's Final Meander
Note: It's April 2025 and we're in Santa Fe, New Mexico 2+ weeks into our first roadtrip of the year as we finally publish the last post of our 4-month 2024 trip in the US & Eastern Canada.
July 28-September 4, 2024
We'd arrived back in the US by ferry on July 27, just as we'd left 7 weeks, before on June 9. But while the first crossing from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, was 4-1/2 hours, the second, from Walpole Is, Ontario, to Algonac, Michigan, was just 10 minutes. From the Algonac ferry terminal, we drove a short way south to a Cracker Barrel Restaurant, where overnight parking is encouraged.
We won't tell our cardiologist about the breakfast we ate the next morning at Cracker Barrel.
It was a short drive south to Toledo, Ohio, where we stopped to replace some travel-worn clothing. Then it was on to nearby Swanton, where Marilyn's amazing Aunt Gret lives.
Gret is Marilyn's mom's baby sister. Now 96, Gret continues to live in the home Marilyn remembers visiting as a child. To our delight, Gret's three sons and their spouses also happened to be in town.
My next stop was Oshkosh,WI, the home of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow, the world's largest aviation event. I arrived a week after the annual fly-in but did spend an afternoon enjoying their museum.
After a night boondocking near Superior WI, I was off early to enjoy one of my favorite towns, nearby Duluth MN. There is just something about Duluth and Astoria OR that keeps calling me back.
After two grand days with Keith and his beautiful bride, Mary, (I forgot to get a pic) I was off, goal Teddy Roosevelt National Park. But first, to head north.
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A day later I smiled as I crossed the Mississippi River, now 100 feet wide. Little did I know that I would soon see a sign noting the source of the Mississippi was to my left. Oh, the joy of meandering.
I spent the night in a convenience store parking lot, got coffee when it opened in the morning, and was off to Theodore Roosevelt National Park in the North Dakota Badlands near the Missouri River.
I am glad I visited the park but was ready to work my way West. I stopped in Fishtail, MT for a couple days to see my lifelong friend Linda.
From there it began to get warm. I continued west and a week later arrived in Washington for a kid fix. First was Bellingham and my son, Andrew, and his lovely bride, Devon. They are just special and my visits are grand. As their home is 50 years old there is always something to tinker with. Add the amazing Bellingham area, and my days are full. After all we have seen on our travels, this continues to be one my special areas.
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So Doug left home in the van on May 15. Marilyn flew to Connecticut on May 24. On May 27, Doug arrived on CT, 4,039 miles after leaving home. We meandered about New England another 1,129 miles, then took the CAT Ferry from Maine to Nova Scotia. Seven weeks in Eastern Canada, every day spectacular, added another 5,001 miles. Marilyn flew home August 3, after 10 weeks on the road. Doug pulled into the drive on September 4, after a final leg of 5,034 miles and 16 weeks on the road.
Anywhere, but let's go soon!
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July 28-September 4, 2024
We'd arrived back in the US by ferry on July 27, just as we'd left 7 weeks, before on June 9. But while the first crossing from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, was 4-1/2 hours, the second, from Walpole Is, Ontario, to Algonac, Michigan, was just 10 minutes. From the Algonac ferry terminal, we drove a short way south to a Cracker Barrel Restaurant, where overnight parking is encouraged.
View out the back from the Cracker Barrel parking lot.
It was a short drive south to Toledo, Ohio, where we stopped to replace some travel-worn clothing. Then it was on to nearby Swanton, where Marilyn's amazing Aunt Gret lives.
Van in Aunt Gret's drive while we enjoyed guest accommodations in the house.
Gret is Marilyn's mom's baby sister. Now 96, Gret continues to live in the home Marilyn remembers visiting as a child. To our delight, Gret's three sons and their spouses also happened to be in town.
Aunt Gret & her sons, Tim, Lee, Paul.
Our trip was thus bookended by Marilyn's cousins, as we'd begun it with Gret's daughter Ann and husband Pete in Connecticut.
Some of us toured the Col. James M. Schoonmaker at the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo. The ship was a freighter on the Great Lakes from 1911-'80, carrying ore, grain, and coal. She also had luxury passenger accommodations.
We had a great week with family—Doug kept saying how happy he is to have such an amazing bonus family. Aunt Gret with her laugh and zest for life is a joy to be with and an inspiration to all.
Lee, Tim, & Doug touring Col. James M. Schoonmaker freighter.
Tim's wife, Jane, Lee, Aunt Gret.
CW: Marie & Lee, Jane & Tim, Aunt Gret, Maideh & Paul, Marilyn & Doug.
Our time with her family concluded Marilyn's trip. On August 3, Doug took her to Detroit airport to fly home, 10 weeks after she'd left on May 24. Doug continued west, on what he called an Elastic Itinerary, a yet-to-be-defined route, meandering to visit friends, new places, and family.
Doug recounts his final weeks on the road:
Wanting to avoid Chicago traffic and tolls, I gladly reserved a spot on the Lake Michigan car ferry, a long time dream. As the ferry did not leave until late, I had time to enjoy driving across Michigan.
Once in line I was informed that neither I, nor any individual, would be allowed to drive my van onto the ferry; their employee would. Control freak here, they did let me ride, and it was flawless.
The passage was less than 5 hours, the lake was flat, and the weather great, perfect for walking the deck and thinking of the many hours I enjoyed being on an aircraft carrier before taking off into that dark sky, something very special.
Over 10,000 steps later we arrived in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Being after midnight, I searched iOverlander, an app that shares safe boondocking sites, found a quiet place near the terminal, and slept. One of the joys of our form of travel is that any flat spot has the potential for being a prime place to sleep. Granted it has to be safe and legal, yet once found it is so comfortable.
The marina awoke early and soon I was heading south to visit my cousin Karen in Dousman, WI. It wasn't long before I arrived, and the next two days were magical.
Two days was too short, but Karen had grandkids coming, and I needed to find Isle MN. After big hugs, it was time.
Doug's final leg: Swanton OH to home.
Doug recounts his final weeks on the road:
Wanting to avoid Chicago traffic and tolls, I gladly reserved a spot on the Lake Michigan car ferry, a long time dream. As the ferry did not leave until late, I had time to enjoy driving across Michigan.
SS Badger Ferry from Ludington MI to Manitowoc WI.
Once in line I was informed that neither I, nor any individual, would be allowed to drive my van onto the ferry; their employee would. Control freak here, they did let me ride, and it was flawless.
Ferry departing Ludington MI. A summer festival was going on as we pulled away from the dock.
The passage was less than 5 hours, the lake was flat, and the weather great, perfect for walking the deck and thinking of the many hours I enjoyed being on an aircraft carrier before taking off into that dark sky, something very special.
Over 10,000 steps later we arrived in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. Being after midnight, I searched iOverlander, an app that shares safe boondocking sites, found a quiet place near the terminal, and slept. One of the joys of our form of travel is that any flat spot has the potential for being a prime place to sleep. Granted it has to be safe and legal, yet once found it is so comfortable.
The marina awoke early and soon I was heading south to visit my cousin Karen in Dousman, WI. It wasn't long before I arrived, and the next two days were magical.
My cousin Karen & me.
Karen gazing at field of wildflowers near her home.
Two days was too short, but Karen had grandkids coming, and I needed to find Isle MN. After big hugs, it was time.
I even took more photos of wildflowers for Marilyn.
My next stop was Oshkosh,WI, the home of the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Airshow, the world's largest aviation event. I arrived a week after the annual fly-in but did spend an afternoon enjoying their museum.
EAA Aviation Museum, Oshkosh WI.
After a night boondocking near Superior WI, I was off early to enjoy one of my favorite towns, nearby Duluth MN. There is just something about Duluth and Astoria OR that keeps calling me back.
Mille Lacs Lake, Isle WI.
Then I was off to visit my flying partner, Keith, from that SE Asia fiasco. Keith and I were on the USS Kitty Hawk flying helos only 50+ years ago. Keith has a cabin on Mille Lacs Lake.
Oh, boy! My 3rd time driving equipment on this trip!
After two grand days with Keith and his beautiful bride, Mary, (I forgot to get a pic) I was off, goal Teddy Roosevelt National Park. But first, to head north.
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Headwaters of the Mississippi River.
This time I stepped across the Mississippi River.
Another boondocking site, next to Theodore Roosevelt National Park, off a very slippery clay road. With ample bear scat around, I was happy to close the van's door.
Teddy Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota.
I was able to find a nice campsite in the park.
The park Visitors Center is in nearby Medora ND. Tourists can take an old-fashioned wagon ride around town.
I am glad I visited the park but was ready to work my way West. I stopped in Fishtail, MT for a couple days to see my lifelong friend Linda.
Linda at home with her puppy.
Fishtail market.
From there it began to get warm. I continued west and a week later arrived in Washington for a kid fix. First was Bellingham and my son, Andrew, and his lovely bride, Devon. They are just special and my visits are grand. As their home is 50 years old there is always something to tinker with. Add the amazing Bellingham area, and my days are full. After all we have seen on our travels, this continues to be one my special areas.
After about a week with them, I was off to Seattle and my lovely daughter, Katie, her wonderful husband, Javier, and, obviously the cutest and best, 3-year-old Diego. Yes, I am blessed and immediately assumed a new role: grandpa or how can I get some of his energy?
Almost a week of reading books, going to the park, and just enjoying the kids found reality knocking on the door. It was time to find home and Marilyn. I left after dinner to avoid Seattle and Portland traffic, slept for a couple hours south of Salem, and was home the next afternoon.
Truly, another grand trek.
Truly, another grand trek.
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May 15-September 4, 2024
15,203 miles
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US: 1) Visalia CA, home. 2) Grand Canyon. 3) South Fork CO. 4) Bird City KS. 5) Hannibal MO. 6) Land Between the Lakes KY. 7) Lake James NC. 8) Mt Airy NC. 9) Blue Ridge Pky. 10) Portland CT. 11) Saratoga Springs NY. 12) Holland MA. 13) Gloucester MA. 14) Blue Hill/Bar Harbor ME. 15) CAT Ferry. CANADA: 16) Brier Is NS. 17) Yarmouth. 18) Halifax. 19) Louisbourg. 20) Meat Cove. 21) Miscou Is NB. 22) Gaspé Peninsula QC. (3) Matane-Baie Comeau Ferry. 24) Havre St-Pierre. 25) Shipshaw. 26) Québec City. 27) Granby. 28) Montréal. 29) Niagara Falls. 30) Walpole Is ON-Algonac MI Ferry. US: 31)Swanton OH. 32) Ludington MI-Manitowoc WI Ferry. 33) Dousman WI. 34) Duluth MN. 35) Isle MN. 36) Source of Mississippi River. 37) Teddy Roosevelt NP .38) Fishtail MT. 39) Bellingham WA. 40) Seattle WA.
So Doug left home in the van on May 15. Marilyn flew to Connecticut on May 24. On May 27, Doug arrived on CT, 4,039 miles after leaving home. We meandered about New England another 1,129 miles, then took the CAT Ferry from Maine to Nova Scotia. Seven weeks in Eastern Canada, every day spectacular, added another 5,001 miles. Marilyn flew home August 3, after 10 weeks on the road. Doug pulled into the drive on September 4, after a final leg of 5,034 miles and 16 weeks on the road.
Where to next, My Dear?
What a trip ! And always enjoyable to meet with friends and family along the way…
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