Pine Forests, Roadside Bars, and Breakfast as the Best Meal of the Day

 Here is the end of yesterday's story. We had stopped at the Two Rivers Motel and Cabins and learned that we had a bad (very bad) wheel bearing. Not having a clue as what we should do we asked owner Tim (co-owner with Jen) who we might call. Tim said he would take a look and try to fix it. When he and Jen lived in Madison, he had been a mechanic. Tim took off the wheel, looked at the bearing, and decided he might try to fix it if the camper were his, but thought we would be better off having someone who specializes do the work. So now what, how do you get a camper 40 or so miles to a specialty shop?

Tim decides to take off both tires, drop the entire axle, get the entire thing in the back of a pickup and send his dad and me off to a specialty shop he had located.

An hour or so later we arrived. Got the axle unloaded and the mechanics took over. Half an hour and $229 or later, the bearings were pronounced fixed.

We headed back to the campground; Tim and I managed to position the axle so it could be reattached, and the job was complete. Tim does not want any money even though he had spent a lot of two days on what he seemed to think was an interesting project. It was interesting, but the mosquitoes were really bad while he was crawling around underneath our camper. Cindy offered to pay, but he refused any compensation. We left money on the bed this morning.

Driving through the Upper Peninsula consists of a lot of pine trees, a few lakes, and periodic bars/taverns. The experience is much like the surroundings of our lake place in Wisconsin with fewer options along the road. Much as the absence of towns has alarmed us when we needed a skilled mechanic, it would be difficult for most to appreciate the lack of humans. 

We stopped at one of the places we found along the way for breakfast. The manager/cook turned on the Open sign when he saw us drive up and we had a great breakfast. We were the only customers the entire time. It is the slow season. Great food and adequate coffee.

We are now established in a half deserted campground in Newberry, Michigan. 

Better late than never.