THE PARSONS PROJECT

The Ambassador Bridge is an international suspension bridge across the Detroit River that connects Detroit, Michigan, United States, with Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Opened in 1929, the toll bridge is the busiest international border crossing in North America in terms of trade volume, carrying more than 25% of all merchandise trade between the United States and Canada by value. A 2004 Border Transportation Partnership study showed that 150,000 jobs in the Detroit–Windsor region and US$13 billion in annual production depend on the Detroit–Windsor international border crossing...Wikipedia

Looking at the gas station on the US side before crossing the bridge into Canada.

This was one very large border crossing into Canada. They had employees diverting us into each lane and they told Ken that this was not yet too busy...good thing we were crossing on a Sunday!

Staying at Solitude Nature Reserve with Rozalyn & Reynold.

Lots of rain before we arrived, so the grass was soft and we compacted the ground a bit with trying to turn around in Site 1. Not really a big rig friendly site and certainly not with our weight after a rain!

After we arrived, Ken noticed the "oops"on the trailer. Happened as we were about 1/2 hour from the site and as Ken was turning from a larger road onto a smaller one on the right and the roadside guardrails got us!

Looking out over Port Stanley after having dinner in town.

Turtle on the deck!

Do you see it?

Closer still...

Northern Green Frog with "rivets" on the side of his head!

Took a day to stroll around London, ON.

Lots of squirrels here in Victoria Park, this one with a red tail.

We have never seen faces on a cathedral before, have you?

St. Peter's Cathedral Basilica

It was not open on Monday when we were there so did not have a chance to go inside.

Gargoyles on a cathedral?

Another church just down the street from the cathedral.

Reynold stopping by any river and looking for fish!

A county building now, but to me it's a castle!

Founding of London.

Stopped at the Covent Garden Market for lunch. This would be a great place to see on a Saturday when the market is full of people.

Some of the downtown buildings. A few homeless people around but they were not a problem.

More wall art.

Stopped at Railway City Brewing Co in St. Thomas. Another one in the books!

Took a walk in Pinafore Park, Rozalyn & Reynold's 2nd home while staying in the London area while visiting Richelle & the kids.

A piece of artwork on one of the trails.

Walked over to and on the Port Stanley Pier after having dinner.

Took an end of day stroll back at Solitude as the sun was setting...trying to avoid the mosquitos!

4-5 - Peterborough, ON - Meetup with Morgan & Debbie

Spent another couple of nights here at Beavermead Campground (stayed here in July 2023). Not sure we would stay here again as the city is now allowing a limited number of homeless to camp out here in the park at no charge. They keep their belongings all over their sites and do not look like they take care of the area, in addition to having many of them in one site. They are placed among those of us paying for the sites and it just gave us an uneasy feeling to have them across from us.

Just beside the park is The Canadian Canoe Museum which we thought we would see as it was under construction last year. It was a $20.00 entrance fee and you really would need to be "into" canoes to spend more than an hour here...I think we spent 45min and that was stretching it! The canoes were interesting but you really would want to spend a lot of time reading about them. Just not something that interested us.

A view of the stored canoes in the warehouse.

Lots of information panels about canoes...how they were made and how they differed from each part of the world and each timeframe.

Gordon Lightfoot's canoe, "Old Town"

Paddle to the Sea

"Paddle to the Amazon" ...Ken read this book many years ago so it was interesting to see the actual canoe here in the museum.

Back at the campground...we think this is a Woodchuck.

"How much wood could a Woodchuck chuck, if a Woodchuck could chuck wood?"

Had great fun catching up with Morgan & Debbie over dinner. Looking forward to an RV trip with them sometime in the future when they finally decide to retire!

6-9 - W. of Ottawa, ON - Red Pine Camp for Nephew Gavin & Sarah's Wedding

Well we have finally made it...the reason for the trip east was to make it to our nephew's wedding! Gavin (Ken's brother's son) is marrying Sarah Allan-Wiseman on the 8th.

We are staying at Golden Lake Campground about 10 min away from the wedding venue at Red Pine Family Camp.

Our first night here it was sunny enough that we were able to sit in the chairs on the sand and watch the couple of boys in the water throwing around a football.

Rozalyn & Reynold got the campsite beside us...yeah!

Sarah & Gavin camp pennant

The outdoor venue...

The crowd waiting...

The happy groom...now married!

Uncle Ken, Mrs. Sarah Allan-Wiseman, Mr. Gavin Parsons & Aunt Fran

Mother of the Groom, Fiona and her sister, Lynne

Ken with brother Greg & cousin Steven

Speeches before dinner

Gavin getting two thumbs up!

Some much deserved quiet time as they enjoy their first meal together as a married couple...all alone in the great outdoors!

10 - Blind River, ON - Driving Day

Our last night in Canada until we make it to Alberta in July. Just a quick stopover as we head to Michigan tomorrow. Found (on IOverlander) this great boondocking spot at the community center just a short 15 minute walk from 17 Restaurant, delicious by the way and Ken really enjoyed the pierogies!

We are able to just barely see Lake Huron in front of where we are parked.

Lake Huron

A little bit of history with Samuel de Champlain exploring this area in 1615.

More Lake Huron

Michigan (4 nights)

11-12 - Gaylord, MI - Meetup with Dawn Burns

Crossed into Michigan over the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge and then over the Mackinac Bridge.

Sault Ste Marie International Bridge, last year we took the boat tour thru the lock system under this bridge.

On our way we stopped at a view point, no information, but we think we were seeing Lake Huron on the left and Lake Michigan on the right.

Mackinac Bridge

Otsego Lake State Park Campground was very treed. Needless to say that we did not get Starlink in here. Luckily our Verizon worked!

The reason for coming through Michigan was to visit with Dawn Burns (and as it turns out to meet her daughter, Brooke who is a pleasure as well). We met Dawn in Peoria when we had Signarama and since then I would like to think that over time we have become friends! She is quite the kidster as you can see as she was the one that made sure we took a butt shot!

Our view from in front of our trailer.

Walked down the steps to view Lake Otsego.

13 - Benton Harbor, MI - Harvest Host North Pier Brewing Co

Made our way south to the shores of southern Lake Michigan and spending one night here in Benton Harbor. Had a pretty good nights sleep here with a nice view of the golf course behind our trailer. A few trains came by late in the day and earlier in the morning, but we were already up for the day.

14 - Benton Harbor, MI - Harvest Host Haymarket Brewery & Taproom - Happy Birthday Fran!!

It was a long travel day (not!) to our next evenings sleep at Haymarket Brewery. It was a first for us sleeping next to a cemetery! We slept like the dead that night!!

We could not find the shrimp that I wanted for dinner but we did manage to take a walk on the beach of Lake Michigan at Warren Dunes State Park.

The sand was very fine and hot!

No seashells to be found but there were lots of unique small rocks... looked like some good skipping stones.

A successful crossing!

The dunes we did not hike as we made the mistake of not wearing our water shoes down to the beach so our good hiking sandals were soaking wet. Ken figured we would be 30min climbing to the top of this dune... I think we could have made it in 15-20min!

Illinois (4 Nights)

15-18 - Naperville, IL - Meetup with Shelby Lane & Hanging Out

Heading to see Shelby & meet her husband Lawrence and new daughter Zoey on the 15th.

Crossed through Indiana and then by-passing Chicago as we made our way to Big Rock Campground in Kane County... about 50min away from Naperville. It would have been shorter by 10min if we took the toll road, but they do not accept cash, it is all online based on your license plate and what we found is that is a pain as they send a bill to AZ and we don't see it and are then charged late fees as well as the toll fee. Just not worth it for us unless we can do cash or credit right then and there.

For the last few days we will just hang out here at the park giving us a chance to catch up on laundry and paperwork and planning the next few weeks of travel.

So glad that we were able to have a quick visit with Shelby & Lawrence Lane and their new daughter, Zoey (who was 4 months old on the 15th). It was great timing for us as well because Cindy & Ian from San Diego were out for a short visit this same weekend! It was wonderful to catch up even a little bit. Looks like Shelby found a good one in Lawrence, he was so comfortable to be around making us feel at home. And Zoey, what a cutie! She just woke up from a nap and she had nothing but smiles the entire time we were there. Shelby just turned 36 on June 12 and I turned 63 on June 14th and they had a cake with candles and all for us to celebrate! There is much love here... we will return for a longer visit another time.

Minnesota (1 night)

19 - Fairmont, MN - Driving Day

Working our way quickly to South Dakota. It was a long almost 7 hour driving day, but we wanted to get to the Badlands in a couple of days.

Along the way we stopped to see the Jolly Green Giant...Ho...Ho...Ho!

Stopped for the night at a Walmart in Fairmont. I had a great sleep, Ken not so much likely due to the coffee that he had late in the day.

Elon Musk's Tesla truck.

Drove through Wisconsin...sorry that we didn't have time to stop and tour a cheese factory...next time!

Crossed the Mississippi River

Minnesota

Jolly Green Giant in Blue Earth, MN

Ken with Little Sprout!

Ken in between the legs of the Jolly Green Giant.

South Dakota (11 nights)

20-23 - Badlands National Park - Wounded Knee Memorial - Wall Drug

20 - After a rainy driving day and doing a quick stopover in the Badlands National Park at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, we found a boondocking location just outside of the Park's Pinnacles Entrance Station. Not sure what our location looked like when we set up as we were in a cloud or fog from all the moisture in the air.

This looked interesting along our drive even in the rain... Porter Sculpture Park.

All along our drive today we kept seeing the billboards for Wall Drug...guess where we will have to visit? Luckily it is only a short drive north of our boondocking location. This is only a few of the signs that we saw.

Buffalo in the Badlands National Park. We saw this guy after we left the visitor center and as are making our way to our boondocking spot. The next morning Ken was able to get a few shots of what we were overlooking. Not a bad spot!

The next morning...no longer in cloud cover but the sun won't be out until tomorrow. Our driver's side view.

View out our front door.

21 - Wounded Knee Memorial - It was still a bit of an overcast day so was a good one to drive out to the White River Visitor Center as well as to the Wounded Knee Memorial. It was a big loop trip and the beauty of the area is wonderful to see!

Scroll left/right to see some of what we saw.

At the White River Visitor Center we found the following... I really liked the overview map of the area.

Pine Ridge Indian Reservation & the Lakota People live in the area just south of the Park.

White River Badlands

The Badlands Wall & White River

1890 Massacre of Wounded Knee

On our way home from Wounded Knee, it was time to see what Wall Drug was all about. As it turns out I think they own both sides of the street that they are located on and it is like a small mall. We were able to walk out of there not having spent a penny! Cute to see but not our kind of place, too touristy!

80 ft. Dinosaur near Wall Drug.

Ken chatting up the locals!

In the town of Wall, SD, there is I think what must be the largest Jackalope!

Back at the campsite there were more people in the area, as well we had the local herd of cattle to keep us amused as they wandered around some of the campers and to enjoy the new grass below the ledge.

22 - Badlands National Park

However our first quick stop (we were driving by) was to see what the Minuteman Missile National Historic Site was all about. I'm sure you could easily spend a few hours here as the displays were extensive (lots of reading!) and I understand that they do a guided tour of the facility. I think if we were to come back I would pre-book a tour and get all the information that way.

Even though we drove quickly through the park on our arrival day, it was time to spend exploring the park a bit more and walking in the Badlands.

Door Trail - within the Badlands!

Close up view of what some of the rock formations look like.

Window Trail

Notch Trail...we did not do, not enough water and they say if you are fearful of heights or narrow ledges best to avoid.

Cliff Shelf Nature Trail

Russian Thistle in bloom

Yellow flower/weed invasive spieces that is overtaking the area.

Walked thru another area that is known for many fossils being found here.

How the name "Badlands" came to be

Journey to Wounded Knee, pathway through the Badlands.

Homesteads & Ranches

Yellow Mounds

So many views to see from the day's drive...scroll thru

Ended our day with seeing buffalo outside the park gates...they really are very large animals!

23 - Relax Day at home!

24-26 - Hill City, SD - Custer State Park, Mount Rushmore, Needles Highway

24 - Exploring Hill City, SD as we are camped just outside of town at Creekside Mountain Resort. Rita (the owner) runs a tight ship, everything is well maintained. We enjoyed our three nights here.

Downtown Hill City is a cute town, a few restaurants and some touristy shopping. Nice place to spend a few hours.

Hill City - Heart of the Black Hills

Dahls Chainsaw Art - The World's Largest Smokey Bear

Lost Cabin Brewery. It was lost and then we found it!

25 - A long driving day as we explored a few of the local favorites. Sylvan Lake was our first stop of the day in Custer State Park. This looked to be a very popular spot (lots of people and little parking!) for some hiking as well as kayaking on the small lake. From there we drove the Needles Highway and then did the Wildlife Loop in the State Park. Exiting the park on the east entrance we continued on the Iron Mountain Road, finishing up at Mount Rushmore National Memorial. A 3 hr driving day, not including stops.

Custer State Park Day Use Area - Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake

Climbing the hill on Needles Highway

Needles Eye Tunnel...we just fit!

Lots of scenic views along the Needles Highway. And at least one more tunnel to drive through.

Then we were off to drive the Wildlife Loop Road within Custer State Park. They were doing road construction so that delayed us about 30-45min. But that did give us time to see the first of two herds of Buffalo.

We saw this one lone buffalo before getting to the loop road.

Civilian Conservation Corps Camp - Picnic Area along the way

Lots of Buffalo to be seen on our drive

These two were having a little skirmish in front of us!

Lots of mamas and babies.

Beautiful views along this wildlife loop drive.

Wild donkey's? ...but not so wild that you can't feed them!

The last twisty part of our drive was along Iron Mountain Road. It is from the road that you are able to see Mount Rushmore through one of the single lane tunnels.

Iron Mountain is a peak in the Black Hills of South Dakota, notable for the fact that U.S. Route 16A was purposely built directly over its summit to provide scenic views of Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Wikipedia

Stopped at the Norbeck Overlook and found the following as well as to get our first pics of Mount Rushmore and the carvings.

Mount Rushmore in the distance

One of the single lane tunnels - C.C. Gideon

Doane Robinson Tunnel.

One of the Pigtail bridges...wood construction.

Entering Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Within the museum they have a great video explaining how Mount Rushmore was carved as well as some great display boards.

Meaning of Mount Rushmore

Gutzon Borglum - The Sculptor

George Washington

Thomas Jefferson

Theodore Roosevelt

Abraham Lincoln

As you enter the memorial you walk through the state flags noting when each state joined the constitution.

Went back for the evening lighting ceremony. It was well done and a must see.

26 - Bike ride along Mickelson Trail to start the day. This is a beautiful trail and we just touched a bit of it on our 8 mile ride.

The George S. Mickelson Trail traverses over 100 glorious miles of the Black Hills of South Dakota. A former rail line, the trail crosses more than 100 railroad bridges and goes through four tunnels...BikeMickelson.com

Took a short drive to Keystone, SD. Another cutesy town and we stopped to have a cold one at the Red Garter Saloon.

Keystone, SD main street.

Dahls Chainsaw Art - World's Largest Bigfoot.

On our way home we stopped at the Miner Brewing Co

Finished up our day and time in Hill City by stopping for dinner at the Alpine Inn. They have a unique dining experience in that you only have a choice of two entrees, a bacon wrapped filet mignon, 9oz for the low price of $17.95 or a vegetarian meal. And the desserts are absolutely delicious! You do need to wait to be seated (we waited about an hour), but it is worth it.

27-30 - Sturgis, SD Area - Black Hills National Forest, Deadwood, Spearfish Canyon

27 - Driving day to the Black Hills National Forest just outside of Sturgis and it was here that we set up for the next 4 nights off Camp 5 Trailhead

28 - Deadwood, SD

Yee...

Haw!!

Ken entertaining the locals!

Wild Bill Hickok...Dead Man's Hand

Ponied up to the bar and enjoyed a cold one!

29 - Hiking along Spearfish Canyon Highway a short 10 min drive away from our camping spot.

Spearfish Falls. This was our favorite hike and falls for the day.

Spearfish Falls

Roughneck Falls

Mountain Goat sighting...just one before Bridal Veil Falls.

Our last hike for the day was up a few miles along Iron Creek. Looks like there are several mining tracts along this creek as we saw some postings on some of the trees.

This is an area for mountain biking as well as hiking.

Bridal Veil Falls, a quick stop at the side of the road. They were just OK, good to stop at for a quick pic.

Ended the day for a beer downtown at Spearfish Brewing Company.

30 - A day in Sturgis...Glad that the crowds were not around as it could have been very loud with all of the bikes!

Sturgis is a city in western South Dakota. The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame nods to the city's long-running Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and houses vintage motorbikes, plus memorabilia and photographs. Fort Meade, a 19th-century military outpost, and the Old Fort Meade Museum, documenting its history, are just east of town. To the south, Black Hills National Forest has rugged mountains, canyons and trails. ― Google

Our first stop was to visit the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. It was OK, neither of us are too excited about bikes, but I enjoyed the wide variety and seeing the colorful and great paint jobs.