Ready to Roll

Ready to Roll

Our History

My photo
Ohio, United States
Having recently retired we are fulfilling our long time dream. We began our camping life with a tent in 1969 adjusting as each of our three sons arrived over the years and gradually progressed to a 32' Class A in 2007. Even after our sons became too busy with their own interests, we continued dreaming over the years. The Louisville, KY 2003 Great North American RV Rally and the book "Movin' On" convinced us that a motorhome after retirement was really for us! In 2007 we sold our home and disposed of most of our belongings and awaited the wife's retirement on February 1, 2008. We were out in our first motorhome ten times in our first summer in 2007, with our grandson joining us eight of those ten times. Since he must stay behind with his mom and dad to continue school, we told him he can join us on vacations (by car or plane) anywhere we are as we travel the US. Imagine the history lessons he could acquire! However, Mom and Dad don't look at it that way, especially the flying. Fortunately we don't miss work one bit!! We just miss the friends there. We have many hobbies to keep us busy when we decide to sit still for a day. Hope to see you on the road.

Monday, July 23, 2018

HOLLAND WINDMILL ISLAND GARDENS and BIG RED LIGHTHOUSE in MICHIGAN


Thursday, July 19th, we drove to Holland, Michigan for a tour of America's only authentic working Dutch windmill in beautiful annual and perennial gardens. They also had an Amsterdam Street Organ, which was presently out of order and an Antique Dutch Carousel for kids. It was another full, enjoyable day!! Of course, our first attraction to visit was the Windmill, which we climbed four floors to the deck to listen to the narration of the workings of the mill. They have an authentic certified female mill operator, but we did not see her. The bottom three floor brick section was built here in Michigan because of the need to be above the tree line for the benefit of wind. Trees were not an issue for the original top section when in Amsterdam.



 





The walls were built with bricks placed
on a slant to keep the water from penetrating.



There was also a Carousel for the children to enjoy. 







Note the bee!





I always enjoy the flowers. I worked hard to get the pictures of bees on them.  The bumble bee would not co-operate though. He was too fast!!
Street Organ out of order!!
Leaving the Garden Island, we drove through town to find the Historic Holland Lighthouse, nicknamed, Big Red. It was not open for an inside tour.  The gate keeper to the community only let us in because it was our first time there. I guess it is a gated community!! He also said it was about a quarter mile walk. Ha,ha. Maybe to the end of the community street only.  The walk continued over sand paths. I would bet it was a mile.  Good we didn't know before we began the trek!


The walk along Lake Macatawa to view the beach on the opposite side and the South Channel Pier was also enjoyable.


By time we left there, we were more than ready for lunch at 2pm.  We're talking about the guy who eats at 7 am, 12 noon and 5 pm, hungry or not!! This time we were hungry so stopped at the first place we reached, Burger King!
This ends our fun in Michigan!! Ohio next.
Posted by at

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)