Thursday, June 17 We usually pull off a morning get-away out of the driveway for a new trip . . . not this time! Tom was up at 6:00 to attend an appointment with Caleb in Fort Wayne; I stayed home to top off my packing list and finish a few home details. Tom arrived back home at 12:30, Caleb and Halie joined us at 1:00, and we left Van Wert at 1:15 for the 2021 Put-In-Bay Retreat. This is year #3 for the retreat, although the time of year has changed from fall to high summer. The reason prompting that change is a Pirate Fest on the island which will add a new mix of things to do. Caleb and Halie will be with us until Sunday, and Tom and I plan to be on the island for 12 days. A two/one-half hour drive got us to Port Clinton, where we stopped at our favorite fish market to get 14 large Walleye fillets for a planned fish fry on Friday night. Another 20 minutes got us to the Miller Ferry Line, where John and Suzie, Mike and MJ were already in line. We were the last ones to make it onto the ferry – behind us, Caleb and Halie didn’t make it! At the campground we set up and within 45 minutes Caleb and Halie joined us, and we all did a sort and a shuffle to settle into the Silvermine. Dinner was fairly basic with tacos and chips ready to heat and serve. The big event was our first twilight ride in the golf cart around the island and our first twilight view of Perry's International Peace Monument. Pure relaxation! Rain was predicted for the night, and we prepared the campsite for the event before going inside for the night. Friday, June 18 Never second guess the weather analyst – it poured. It was so dark under the canopy of trees that we did not detect early morning light. It was just finishing up drizzling as we all stepped out of the camper, dressed, well-rested, and ready for the day – at 11:00! We loaded in the golf cart and headed downtown. We had hoped for breakfast at Frosty’s, but settled for pizza lunch. Caleb and Haley were itching to hit the streets and all of the activity downtown. They left in their car, found a convenient parking spot, and we didn’t see them until supper. From the stories they told . . . they had a great time: Crystal Cave, Heineman’s Winery, Margaritaville, treasure hunting, a walk down the main street to shop in the stores . . . leading to a purchase of hats! And, Halie found a beer that she liked at The Biergarten at the Boathouse—served in Das Boot! Meanwhile at the campsite, there were 5 Airstreams and 12 people ready for a fish fry. For a deep-fryer Tom uses a Dutch oven over a propane burner and a thermometer to regulate the oil. We had crumb breading and beer batter to choose from, and large walleye fillets. A multitude of side-dishes showed up! The only picture I got of the fish fry, was of Tom and John gearing up! Oh, but I did get pictures of the Mayfly-Fry. Yes . . . you read that right! The island is a’swarm with Mayflies – being right in the middle of the mating/molting cycle. Squillions covered the trailers, the tables, the chairs, the awnings . . . the ground. Here are some pictures that show these pesky little flies as they swarmed all over and up in the sky. Someone came up with a culinary challenge of trying them batter-dipped and deep-fat-fried. Pretty soon Mike was out fly-gathering. A little batter was drizzled over them (still wiggling) and then they were popped down in the hot oil for 20-30 seconds and scooped out again. Then, everyone was on the hook – try one . . . or not? Most of us agreed they just tasted like little crispy batter bites! Later, the next-door-girls (a camping bachelorette party) came back from downtown, and several of them were just “gone” enough to try some Mayflies! After that Mayfly fest, several of us loaded into our golf cart to take a ride . . . to settle our stomachs! There was a nice campfire (solo-style) and a little bit of soft strumming and singing in the background. Caleb grabbed this shot of a little hot-head apparition reflection on the side of the Bihary trailer. SPOOKY! Saturday, June 19 Caleb and Halie had wanted to be off early to explore the island while it was relatively calm. But, again we slept late, and then Tom decided to make us egg/bacon/cheese breakfast sandwiches for breakfast. They were underway by 10:00, and were able to score a good parking space by the downtown park. From the pictures they sent, I see they were at Margaritaville by 11:00! At noon we met up with them for lunch at the Boardwalk. Tom, Caleb, and I had the perch sandwich; at my recommendation Halie had a cup of Lobster Bisque and a Lobster Roll. Caleb and Halie continued their circuit around the island, and Tom and I came back to the campsite. Later, we ventured back into town and met up with everyone at Margaritaville . . . for Margaritas! We cooked steaks for dinner, and Tom fried up onion fritters for everyone. No mayflies today! Sunday, June 20 Caleb and Halie were up at 7:00, ate breakfast, and met the 8:30 ferry back to the mainland. Tom and I were now on our own! The rest of the morning and afternoon were lazy – we traded the 6-seat golf cart in for a 4-seater and buzzed the island. several different times At 5:30 the boys were off in a cart to order/bring back pizza – which required a few drinks at the bar as they waited. After pizza we all relished a 2-cart-trip around the island, returning back just as thunder and lightning made an appearance. By dark we were tucked inside the Silvermine. Monday, June 21 It rained a lot during the night and we could just feel the campsite getting mushy and water-logged. It is especially nasty because most of the camping area is made up of black dirt. Just enough of a hard rain gets through the tree canopy to wet it down to a sticky mess. A check of the weather did show that this would be the last rain for the next 4 days, that temperatures would be cooling, and wind speeds would be picking up. The campsite was so nasty, we put the dogs in the cart and drove them down to walk in the city park where the grass was rain-washed and CLEAN! Back at the Silvermine Tom blew the Mayflies off the camper while I fixed ham sandwiches. Later we stopped at the International Peace Monument Visitor Center for a little Island history lesson. The afternoon was a lazy, social, and ever-changing circle in the campsite. We buddied up with John and Suzie for a hotdog and mac-n-cheese dinner, and a post-dinner ride around the island. We also did a double circuit of the campground to count silver trailers – 15! We sat out some more around the campfire before heading inside for the night. Tom confessed that his hip was getting a little challenging to deal with – it is to be replaced on July 27. After weighing the pros/cons, we decided to leave in the morning. We really can’t complain, having had 5 wonderful days on the island, although we sure will miss being a part of the rest of the 2021 PIB RETREAT!
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Wednesday, June 10 It’s a JOINT rally . . . a combination effort of Northern Ohio Virtual Airstream (NOVA) and the Southeastern Michigan Airstream Club (SMAC). Some pretty intensive planning went on to craft this Silver on Silver Lake rally at the Holiday Park Campground in Traverse City, Michigan. Maybe because it included two Airstream Clubs/Units, or maybe because it was at a spectacular location with lots to do – whatever, it was anticipated that over 2 dozen Airstreams would be there. Our pre-rally adventure started early on Wednesday night when John and Suzie (with pups Penny and Rupert) and Mike and Sue (with puppy Sadie) drove to our house for an overnight driveway campout. This gathering assured an early launch for a timely arrival at Holiday Park on Thursday. But, there was another special ingredient in the mix: My sister, Johanna/Tink, had discovered and met many Michigan family members two years ago after finding her birth mother’s family. Recently she had reconnected with some of her birth father’s family members. When she told me that they lived in Traverse City it was easy to add her to our Silver on Silver Lake Rally plans for the purpose of hooking up with her family! She drove up from Tennessee on Wednesday to join the driveway party. With three airstreams in the driveway, we ate dinner, visited and settled in by 10:00 hoping for an 8:30 sendoff in the morning. We left 10 minutes ahead of time, and after 3 brief stops we arrived at Holiday Park at 3:15. There were lots of silver trailers already set up in our two rows – each in long pull-through sites with full hookups. It had turned unexpectedly hot, and as we set up camp it was a heavy 90 degrees. Once the work was done, it was pleasant sitting outside under the shade of our one tree and the awning. Tom went out to eat with a group while Tink and I opted to stay at the Airstream. Finally, at 8:00 we were cooled off enough to come inside and have a snack/supper of sausage/beer queso dip and chips. I had a shower, walked the dogs, and by 9:30 we were both in PJ’s and settled in. Tom got back at 10:00 with a full report of his dinner . . . and pictures. Thursday, June 11 It cooled down overnight and the morning was a delightful 68 degrees. We were all in place outside under the awning by 7:30 with coffee and breakfast. Today is the official start of the rally, and we should double the silver count up and down our two campground roads during the course of the day. Tink’s sister Sandy arrived early in the afternoon, and that started a gab-fest that lasted until 5:00. At some point Tom served up slider-sized hamburgers and Tink had brought potato salad. Tom and I then left for the opening assembly of the rally which, due to the heat, was held under the shaded comfort of the large outdoor shelter. It was a great time of getting to know our fellow campers while enjoying a smorgasbord appetizer table. The heat of the day led me to another nice shower in the Silvermine. The three people in the Silvermine did not venture out after dark for the campfire! Saturday, June 12 The morning began with cooler temperatures and a breakfast. Tom had volunteered to cook up pancakes, and was on duty at 8:30. There were several egg casseroles, muffins, fruit, donuts – plenty to fuel everyone up for the activities of the day. Johanna left at 10:30 to visit Sandy at her house and they ended up taking a little trip around the area, shopping at Johanna’s favorite dip shop, and eating lunch out. Tom and I headed for the little town of Leland – a beautiful drive and a quaint little town that was begging to be walked. We found a restaurant on a small inlet that had an outdoor patio with a dog table. Tom snuck in an order of wine when I wasn’t looking, and we thoroughly enjoyed the outside venue; I had a wonderful chicken salad with cherries. We walked the little town, and did a few shops – it was complicated because so many people stopped us to inquire about Pippa. Over a dozen times we explained that she was a new AKC breed – a Biewer (pronounced Beaver!) and people wanted to over-complicate the name and exactly what kind of dog she was. She is a Biewer! By coincidence, today the Biewers were being shown at the Westminster Kennel Club for the very first time. We drove all the way north to the Grand Traverse Light House. At one stop we had a walk in the deep sand, all the way down to the lake shore. . . not the best therapy for Tom's hip! Tink, Tom and I regrouped at the Silvermine at 3:30 . . . in time for a very brief rest. Happy Hour was at 4:30, and Tom was on grill duty at 5:30 for the open grill -- bring your own meat and side dishes, and share the eating experience as a group. Tink had a fillet and Tom and I had lamb chops. Top top off all that eating, there was live music! I was excited to retreat to the Silvermine in the evening to watch the Westminster Toy Group showing. I missed the showing of the Biever terriers – the Pekinese won the Toy group and went on to win the Show! Sunday, June 13 Breakfast was at 8:30 in the outdoor open shelter: wonderful egg sandwiches, muffins, fruit and lots of other breakfasty stuff. At 10:00 Tink, Tom and I (and Charlie Button and Pippa) headed out for a scenic drive of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was an hour drive to get there and an hour drive-around a loop scenic road. We stopped at a couple of the lookouts for great views of the dunes. Lunch was at the little town of Empire at a local outdoor canteen – there was a choice of a club sandwich or a salad. We were back at the Silvermine at 2:30 in time for a rest before 4:30 Happy Hour. I was signed up to take an appetizer: ham/bacon/cheese/ranch dressing/green onion wrapped in a flour tortilla and sliced into pinwheels. There was an amazing spread of appetizers: ribs, stuffed mushrooms, buffalo wings, fruit, veggie cups, cheese, and a lot more. For supper the grill-masters were at it again: local brats, grilled onions/peppers, and the famous Yellowstone Rosevelt Beans. TOO MUCH FOOD! And with all the serving and eating of food . . . a last great chance for great socializing. There was a presentation by SkyMed, a company that cares for you in the event of illness or injury while you are traveling. It ended with a drawing for a week-long dream vacation – I WON! To redeem the gift, we will need to pay for transportation to our choice location and for the first night of lodging. After that, the lodging is free! We have until October to schedule the trip! Tom and I sat out around the group campfire enjoying all the banter until 11:00 when a dramatic increase in the wind announced a coming storm. People vacated the campfire quickly to tend to their awnings and stash outdoor gear. We had already cleaned up our campsite, and it was a simple matter of putting the chairs away and heading inside. That was the end of this joint rally of NOVA and SMAC. It is true that when two WBAC units combine to bring off a rally, it is literally DOUBLE the fun!
We headed for home early Monday morning, arriving by 1:00. We have a scant 72 hours to clean up and repack for our next rally . . . a run for Put-In-Bay. |
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October 2021
We don’t go camping any more . . . we go ‘streamin’ ! The “SIlvermine and His” is our 2018 25' Airstream Serenity with Salsa interior and front twin beds., and ‘streamin’ is the name we use to describe our adventures. Stream along as we document everything from weekend trips to longer summer excursions and full-blown vacations. You know what they say: if you’re not in an Airstream – you’re just camping!
Tom & Ella Brown |