COMMANDER'S LOG

Stardate 200807.24

HybridFest: There and Back

Madison, Wisconsin

7/21 After HybridFest, my original plan had been to drive up to the Northern Peninsula of Michigan, see the Mackinaw Bridge and drive down. My Earlham colleague who lives in Ann Arbor, suggested that I go to another spot on the Canada side of Lake Superior. I changed my plans after spending most of a frustrating day trying to find my passport. Looked high and low. Gave up, went back to the original plan of going through Northern Michigan. I left early in the morning while Bill and Lorraine were still asleep. I was headed out of town about a half an hour out when a thought popped into my head: I forgot the air mattress. So, I turned around, drove all the way back picked up the air mattress and added another hour to my trip. I had no particular place in mind other than to head north until the wish to stop driving met with an available campground. I stayed at a campground in Wisconsin. I did manage to get the mosquito net thing to work, with the help of some surplus magnetic stripping that Bill gave me, and slept in the car that night.

I made the mistake of trying to add a chemical barricade to the netting by spraying 100% DEET insect repellant on it. Kept the bugs away, but it turns out that stuff dissolves plastic. It left little bubble on the surface of the window pillars, and some even got inside on the steering wheel and dashboard. Looks like those spots will be there permanently.

The campground was in a park with a hiking trail that was punctuated by a number of artistic installations. It was quite interesting to be walking though woods, and one ot these things would appear.

7/22 The next day I entered the northern peninsula of Michigan. I realized I Wasn't In New York Anymore when I stopped for coffee at a gas station/convenience store and it cost 40 cents. Plus some interesting signs.

I found a state campground at Indian Lake that looked promising, and asked for a "secluded spot," since the previous campground was a bit crowded, and had power boats going all day by the lake. The ranger said that they had another campground, near empty, because there were no showers, that he thought I might like. So I drove a few miles, and sure enough the campground was deserted.

There was one trailer set up, but nobody there. As for the lack of showers, I walked down to the lake shore. That was also deserted. At least a mile to the other side. So I just threw off my clothes and jumped in the lake. Actually, much nicer than a slimy campground shower.

7/23 Lots more driving. I have consistently underestimated the times and distances involved up here. I stopped at the locks at Sault Ste-Marie, and the Mackinaw bridge.

The bridge was a big deal when it was being built and I was living in Michigan. I had never had a chance to see it so, I put it on the itinerary for this trip. From there, I drove down to Ann Arbor, with a stop of in Flint to visit the place I had been for a miserable year of my childhood. The place was unrecognizable. It had become completely ghettoized. Houses were abandoned, yards full of weeds. The church that used to be the Fleming Rd. Presbyterian Church (The pastor there was gonna adopt me. Didn't work out) is now The Church of God in Christ.

The park was neglected and overgrown. The neighborhood looked so bad, I did not want to get out of the car and walk around. I took a few pictures and split.

From there I went to Ann Arbor to visit another Earlhamite, Hugh Shirato.

We had a great visit catching up on our lives, jamming on the front porch, and eating Cuban and some other exotic cuisine that I have forgotten by now.

7/24 Headed out along the northern edge of Ohio, found a campground past Cleveland, right on the lake.

Next day drove to Ithaca where I got to see Irene, and a production of Oklahoma! at the Hangar Theater. I spent the night at a commercial campground, since all the state campgrounds were full, and got a look at Taughkannock Falls before heading home.