Well, its time to head out on another adventure; this time we're heading for California (or bust). Kyle spent one last night with us before we leave. Based on how big he grew when we were away last, I expect he'll be about 7 feet tall when we get back in the spring.
Every year, we've complained about being nearly strip searched at the U.S. border, but not this year. Maybe they looked at their records and found they've wasted a lot of time on us so they let us slip through. It was so quick that we never had time to take our usual delay picture. So this is the Mackinac bridge. Due to high winds, we crossed at 25 mph in a convoy which suited me fine, it was very gusty.
Here I am piloting my ship along the upper peninsula of Michigan. The seas were rough that day, my friend.
As with every shakedown cruise, there are a few gremlins which need to be tamed. Water running out from under the counter kind of pointed me in the right direction; a loose water fitting in an impossible place to repair challenged me, but as usual, with a few expletives, I triumphed. Although I can't say Grammie was too impressed. With the cussing, not the repair.
We always take time for exploring and you can see we're enjoying the sun and the beach at our campground in Rapid River, Michigan.
Why we head north this time of year is beyond me, although I must admit we have the pick of the campsites. I'm all dressed up and ready to go for a walk at Bronson State Park in Minnesota.
Its a good thing we did. I think this is the first lynx (or bobcat, I can never tell the difference) I've ever seen in the wild. He even stopped long enough for me to dig the camera out of my pocket and get my gloves off. Quite accommodating I must say.
As usual when we head north, its quite cold here but sunny this time, not raining like last time we came through (see our 2008 blog). So far so good. California's a bit closer.
