“The Thumb” Michigan

11^th – 27^th August – Caseville

We spent the next three weeks with the RV parked in the back yard of our friends Charlie and Doreen.  They live near a town called Caseville on the north-west shore line of The Thumb of Michigan.  The state of Michigan is shaped like a left-hand mitten with a ‘thumb’.  Their house is right opposite Lake Huron with a lovely sandy beach down to the water level. 

13^th August – Cheeseburger Festival Parade

This week happened to be when Caseville hold their Cheeseburger Festival.  Part of the festivities included a Parade for which thousands of people came into town.  It looked like most of Michigan had turned up because Caseville population is 800.

16^th August – The Boat Race

This event was held on Lake Huron.  Contestants had to paddle a short course in their home-made CARDBOARD Boats.  This was a test of creativity, ingenuity, imagination, paddling and swimming skills.  There were a variety of classes for children as well as adults. 
Most surprisingly some boats survived their first run to be used again in another class!  However many didn’t make it past the first corner of the route.
Also on the beach were some very good sand sculptures.

17^th August – Classic Car Show

 The Cheeseburger Classic Car Show was held down near the beach with some beautifully cared for cars to be admired. Alison got to sit in one. At first she couldn’t reach the peddles until the owner pressed a button and the seat moved forward and up.
Had to make sure this little fellow didn't get run over.

 

21^st August – Octagon Barn & Petroglyphs

This area of Michigan is agricultural with fields of corn and soya beans amongst some of the crops.  It is flat and clearly an ideal place for the hundreds of wind turbines that were everywhere.  We took a drive out to visit an Octagon Barn. 

 

This was an excellent museum of by-gone days with a considerable number of old agricultural machines and implements as well as other antiques from the past – some of which we remember being used in our childhood days.

We also visited some Petroglyphs – the only ones in Michigan.  They date back to early native peoples and were discovered after a fire in the late 1800s uncovered the trees and undergrowth that had hidden them.

27^th August – Frankenmuth

This town was a 1½ hour drive south and was settled by German immigrants in the late 1700s/early 1800s.  The town’s building regulations ensure buildings are built in keeping with the ‘German-style’.  Even MacDonald’s had to comply.

 

We spent the day visiting the Town Museum, Mill and Brewing Company and tasting numerous cheeses, chocolates and wines and beers. Its a tough life being retired.

Frankenmuth is known for Bronner’s, the biggest Christmas store in the country.  Even in August we enjoyed a bit of Christmas cheer (?!). Baa Humbug said Paul.

 

Paul was interviewed by a local reporter for a TV programme.