Our first stop on Tuesday was DeGrandchamp Blueberry Farm* in South Haven, Michigan. It was cranberry time and we saw them sorted and packed. We were also told about both the blueberry and cranberry growing and picking methods.

It was the wrong time of year for the Tulip gardens in Holland, Michigan but the shop and demonstrations were wonderful. I sent home a half dozen of beautifully decorated and colorful tiles. Joe asked me what I was going to do with them and I have absolutely no idea. This was also the day for one of our grand and delicious lunches at Rafferty's Restaurant in Muskegon, Michigan. The setting on the water, diningroom decorations and the meal were delightful.

What a glorious experience was our visit to The First Congregational Church , Manistee, Michigan where we toured "a masterpiece" of a church. Beside the interesting history told us by a couple dressed in period costume, we were really impressed with the beautiful stained glass windows, some of them made by Tiffany.

Unfortunately, the misplaced roll of film is where many of the pictures I took on Wednesday were. I had pictures of the Maple Acres maple syrup operation in Kewadin, Michigan and, one of my favorites sights, the charming and unusual architecture of Earl Young in Charlevoix. I took many pictures of these houses. They were terrific. The town has a web site at http://www.charlevoix.org if you're interested.

Late that morning we all boarded a ferry from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island. I've prepared a page with pictures from this wonderful day. The weather wasn't too great but we were grateful that our day on Mackinac Island was at least not rainy. High point, as usual, was the stupendous buffet lunch at the, I believe someone said, 75 foot long table. Something for everyone and we all stuffed ourselves to the gills.

To try to walk off a bit of the overload we went beyond the hotel and saw the lovely Victorian homes up the road. Then, the horse drawn carriages took us for a tour around the island and then we transferred to a bigger vehicle to see the National Park area of the island. This is to prevent too much traffic and more wear and tear of the site. Then back on the ferry to Mackinaw and our hotel. We started the habit of not going to supper. We were so full and this may have been the night we ate the popcorn.

On Thursday we headed over the Mackinac Bridge. There was a very high wind and we had to wait and go across on a kind of convoy, all the trucks and buses in a row. It was a bit scary but we made it across fine. We stopped at Rapid River Rustics where log homes* are built. These were really beautiful houses and we were surprised at how modern they were. Really liveable. Joe made a friend of Paul Bunyon .

In Gladstone, Michigan we had a delightful Thanksgiving dinner served at a local church* . The menu was typical of Thanksgiving, turkey, dressing and wonderful homemade pies. (Another big meal) The ladies of the church were wonderful hostesses.

Next we went deep into the woods to observe a logging operation. We were all enthralled with the machinery and the methods that were used. It's no longer a couple of men and a truck but so much is automated. Click to see one of the machines* there. After that we stopped at a cheese store and then a stay overnight in Green Bay, Wisconsin.