Michigan Driveway Camping

Beth grew up in the Detroit Suburbs, so we are visiting relatives and old friends who are gracious enough to let us camp in their driveways for a few days before we head further north. Here are a few random photos and experiences from the area.

Walking around near niece Danielle's neighborhood we found the rules for boating on the local lake. It may have explained why we didn't see any sailboats on the lake. The sailors were probably waiting for the appropriate counter-clockwise winds before venturing out on the water.

Friday night visits with nieces and nephews at Jen and Jim's new house in Southfield kept us up past midnight and it didn't even seem late at the time. We don't get enough chances to spend time with these folks.

Sunday we met cousins Mike and Kenny, plus Martha and Aunt Joan at a deli with plenty of parking spots where everyone could check out the van. Kenny looked right at home.

Needing a dessert to share at our next gathering, Martha recommended Nino Salvaggio's for a shopping trip. Vegetables, old cars, and a huge assortment of local baked goods kept us entertained for an hour.

Salvaggio's even introduced us to new vegetables.

Another shopping expedition lead to a vintage JC Penny sewing machine that Beth will use for a van project here in Michigan. If it works well, we'll leave it with her niece who has been wanting a machine.

Southern Michigan may be the only place where there is a whole section for "Bar Cheese," a concoction of soft cheese and horseradish. Beth has always been a fan of Win Shuller's cheese, something we can't find in North Carolina. She has a "secret recipe" if anyone wants to try.

Sunday night we enjoyed dinner and drinks with old classmates in Beth's home town. Mature trees and green lawns out our window show how pretty suburban Detroit can be in the summer time.

Many thanks to Jeff Egner and the Knippers for hosting. In an area still dominated by the US auto industry, early morning walkers were very interested in the Dodge van conversion.

Traffic was interrupted twice during our visit by snowbirds. We don't remember seeing them in SE Michigan before, but Sandhill Cranes now summer in the area. The second time we were near a parking lot where we pulled in and found a camera. I wonder if these were the same birds that visited our campsite in Florida last November.

Thanks to everyone for taking time to visit!