Saturday, July 2, 2016
A whole lot of nothin' was accomplished today. We washed clothes, went grocery shopping, you can't do too much at a time with a small refrigerator, so it's many trips to Wally World! We participated in a couple of the events in the RV park and then relaxed for most of the day. We had new neighbors come in and we spent time visiting with them. We have met so many wonderful people on our travels - I hope someday our paths will cross again!
Sunday, July 3, 2016
We slept in this morning then got up, dressed and headed to Belle Isle Park. The Park is a 982 acre island in the Detroit River between the U.S. and Canada. Detroit is the owner, but leases it to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources through a thirty year agreement started in 2013. This is truly an amazing place. Some of its' attractions are an aquarium, a nature zoo, a carillon tower, a memorial fountain, bike and hike trails, a Coast Guard Station, a beach and of course, a lighthouse. For more information on the park go to: belleislepark.org I'm also told they run the Detroit Grand Prix on the island.
The lighthouse called the William Livingston Memorial Lighthouse is gorgeous! Built in 1930, it is the only marble lighthouse in the nation. It was built in memory of William Livingston, President of the Lake Carriers Association from 1902 to 1925. The lighthouse is 47 feet tall.
After leaving the park, we headed to Canada. We entered at Windsor, Ontario after going over the Ambassador Bridge. We waited one (1) hour to get through the line to have our passports checked and answer the questions they asked of us. It wasn't that bad when we returned to the U.S., we only waited 30 minutes and didn't have as many questions asked of us.
In order to keep from using data and roaming charges, we turned our phone off once we crossed the bridge. That means no GPS. It also means we were flying by the seat of our pants in a country we have never been to, and a city we didn't know. One thing is certain however, lighthouses are usually on the water so we followed Riverside Drive and eventually found our first lighthouse. Let me just say the street and the beaches are well kept and beautiful along Riverside Drive. The lighthouse we found is called Old Pelee Passage Light. It was originally off shore between Pelee Island and Point Pelee. It now resides in Lakeview Park, Windsor, Ontario.
Flowers everywhere!
Old Pelee Passage Lighthouse
Old Pelee Passage Lighthouse
Our other home- away- from - home!
More flowers!
We had a rough idea where our next lighthouse was and the towns that lay between us and it. We saw a lot of countryside and as we passed each town, we knew we were getting closer to the lighthouse. We knew this because prior to our departure, Jim, my personal GPS/Researcher had discovered a town called Lighthouse Cove - a dead give away! Following the signs we found the lighthouse, although it took several tries to find the right road to go down to get to it. This lighthouse built in 1837, is called Thames River Rear Range Lighthouse. It marks the spot where the Thames River empties into Lake St. Clair. Can't say much about the town of Lighthouse Cove, it is very desolate. Little information is known about the front range marker.
Thames River Rear Range Lighthouse
Look what I found in Canada! Not as pretty as my little Red Miata at home!
Nice to know "Speedy's" relatives are being protected!
After viewing this lighthouse we headed back to the RV as it was getting late. We did make one stop to get a snack as we hadn't eaten since breakfast early morning. It was a great day! Our new neighbors watched Lizzie while we were gone and that was a blessing in disguise as the wait at the bridge would have been hard on her! Thank you Alberta and Will!
Til next time..........
