The signs were all there for a successful launch. We left Oakville in the midst of a thunderous monsoon. I have never seen wipers move that fast. We spent the first few hours sliding down the highway squinting through our windshield as rain pelted like a fire hose. Perfect launch day to leave on our quest.
After what seemed like an eternity, the monsoon eased to a trickle, just in time for a major wind storm to arrive. Those who have travelled with a trailer know the joyful feeling one gets when being broad sided by gusts of monster winds. Through every blast, Bernadette did her best to keep her driver cool and calm screaming reassuring things like, “I THINK WE’RE GOING TO DIE!” as we hurtled along. But we just kept going, white knuckles and all.
Eventually, we crossed safely over the Ambassador Bridge into Detroit. We saluted the giant Canadian and US flags hanging from the bridge and high-fived each other on our successful arrival into the United States.
Our first evening was spent at an amazing “Harvest Host” location called Five Solas Farms in Belleville, Michigan. Our hosts, George and Ginette, have been running their organic vegetables farm and for the past 15 years. It was very cool to take a quick tour of their operation and you get a great appreciation for their passion for organic farming and for their hard work.
We were able to park Ladybug in an idyllic spot at the back of the farm. It was breezy, picturesque and peaceful. That is, until our guests arrived. Two Muscovy ducks and a very territorial Peacock. The peace ended. For the next while, the battle surged as the ducks and peacock took turns quacking at us. We didn’t know what to do, and the birds showed no sign of surrender, so we just quacked right back at them until they slowly retreated to another part of the pasture. Damn ducks.
For our initial supper, Bernadette whipped up an amazing spaghetti and meatballs dinner and we cracked our first bottle of wine to toast our successful launch.
We awoke to blue skies and confidently set our course for Indiana Dunes State Park, located on the south east shores of Lake Michigan. Everything went smoothly and we arrived about four hours later… until it happened. Everyone who knows me knows I am suspicious of technology. Especially, GPS technology. And once again, I was proven correct.
A last minute decision to do a little shopping at a nearby town called Chesterton, turned into a nightmare. That is when our GPS decided to take us on a little tour through every nook and cranny in the town. They have some pretty narrow streets there and for some reason, they designed their streets with an abundance of hairpin turns. After several near misses, we found ourselves approaching a tiny tunnel with a big yellow and black sign on the overhead bridge shouting, “10 Feet Clearance” in bold letters. Really bold.
I whispered to Bernadette, “No problem, Ladybug is nine feet, nine inches high. We can do this.”
And I was about to proceed, confident our three inches to spare, Bernadette did what she always does, and took control of the situation, “Are you crazy!!! You’re going to tear the roof off of Ladybug! Just turn at this next hairpin and get us out of here!” Fortunately, I listened to my short, but stern navigator and we safely steered our way out of the town. Another near calamity missed.
We were excited about setting up camp at Indiana Dunes. But then, the GPS decided to once again have some fun guiding us through a maze of zig-zagging trails. Fortunately, a kindly cyclist on the side of the road explained our dilemma was caused by the fact that there are multiple entrances into the park. His detailed directions proved perfect and we finally arrived at the main entrance.
After close to seven hours since leaving the farm, we spotted our camp site. As always, Bernadette leapt out of the truck to assume her most important role as “Chief Spotter” to guide me back into our spot. They say that the real test of a happy marriage begins with a wife helping her husband back in a trailer. So as Bernadette gave me multiple directions (all perfect, of course) the skies opened up! Tired and a tad frazzled, we were now in the midst of yet another storm complete with blasting rain, thunder and lightning.
In the end, my drenched spotter did a tremendous job and we soon found ourselves standing inside of Ladybug dripping and smiling. Another challenging day on the road was finally over. We slept through the night soothed by the bongo-like tapping of rain on our rooftop.
The next day we explored the sunny beaches at Indiana Dunes. They are spectacular and we took a very long walk with Gordie enjoying the waves and the wind. In the far distance, the outline of Chicago crests the horizon. Even at a distance, Chicago is an amazing looking city.
While, the rip currents were too strong to allow swimming on this day, Indiana Dunes is worth the stop. It is a beautiful park and we highly recommend it to any of you on your travels. Just make sure to get your bearings to the main entrance first. And don’t trust the GPS. Ever.
