Today, before we left Shipshewana, Dad needed to dump our holding tanks (waste water). Somehow, the hose came loose and he got gray water all over his shoes. I think it smelled really good. I was enjoying it, but Mom decided those shoes need to ride in the basement, at least for a day or two.
Then, we spent about half of the day driving from Shipshewana to Detroit. Mom chose a route that was mostly along US Hwy 12. It was the most direct way and Mom and Dad both like to get off the Interstates to see the little towns. When she chose it, she didn't realize that this weekend is the "180 Mile Garage Sale". Apparently, this is an annual event and everyone who lives along US Hwy 12 sells their treasures (junk?) on the same weekend. Shoppers (and there are LOTS of them) just pull off along the road, open doors willy nilly, and run across a road with a 55 mph speed limit whenever they feel like it. Can't they see us coming?? Guess they are just so thrilled with the hunt, that they lose common sense. I'm kinda that way when I see a rabbit. Anyway, it made for an interesting drive.
If that wasn't bad enough, we came to signs for the Michigan International Speedway, a NASCAR track designed for 71,000 spectators, and the signs say that there are races this weekend. Mom pulled out her trusty phone and found out that races don't start until tonight, so Mom and Dad decided to power on through garage sale traffic, rather than take the 20 mile detour.
We finally got to our campsite at the Detroit Greenfield Village RV Park in Ypsilanti, Michigan and got parked. Dad went out to connect up the water and power. He found this in the water bay.
I know some of you aren't RVer's, so let me explain. The "water bay" is behind one of the doors along the lower edge of the motor home. It houses everything related to taking on fresh water and getting rid of waste water. The big problem in this picture is that the black bar in the middle is supposed to be level and supporting the tanks that are above it. The gray tank had no support and the black tank had very little support. The black pipes that are resting on the floor of the bay are supposed to be suspended with no pressure on them. Pressure can crack them and make them leak. Combined, the tanks can hold 100 gallons of water, so could be VERY heavy.
In case you don't know, gray water is the water that comes out of the sinks and shower. Black water comes out of the toilet. Needless to say, Mom and Dad think it's really important to keep all this water contained, until they come to an appropriate place to dispose of it. Fortunately, Dad used the dump station at the campground in Shipshewana this morning, so the tanks are empty and the pipes didn't break, but the support needs to be fixed now or they will be pooper scooping for themselves, not just me.
Fortunately, Dad's pretty handy. After a trip to the store for supplies, he installed a new support. Hopefully, this will take care of them until they get to somewhere that can actually reattach the metal support. Did I mention that the metal support goes up through a 1" wide channel and attaches to the top of the compartment? Not a very easy place to get to.
After all the driving and fixing, Mom and Dad decided to just spend a quiet evening in the RV with me. They had leftovers and I had my usual kibble.
Saturday, August 11 - Today Mom and Dad left me and went to a place called Greenfield Village. It's a place built by Henry Ford. They brought back a brochure for me to look at. It said that it's a place to "experience firsthand the sights, sounds, and sensations of America's fascinating formation, where over 80 acres brim with resourcefulness and ingenuity. Here, 300 years of American perseverance serve as a living reminder that anything is possible." I wish I could have experienced firstpaw (I don't have hands), but dogs aren't allowed. 😡
They said they saw all sorts of neat things. The Logan County (Illinois) Courthouse where Abraham Lincoln practiced law and the boyhood home and bicycle shop of the Wright Brothers. The actual buildings were disassembled and relocated to Greenfield Village. They also saw a recreation of Thomas Edison's workshop, including much of the original equipment and building material as Henry Ford could salvage from the original location in Menlo Park, NJ. They saw lots of interesting demonstrations, including someone who recorded and replayed the recording on an original Edison phonograph, rug making, glass blowing, weaving, and much more.
It sounds like quite a busy day. Here are a few of Mom and Dad's photos.
Edison's Workshop
Inside the round house.
Edison's Laboratory
They stayed until Greenfield Village closed and then went downtown Detroit to a brewery and for a drive around town. They said downtown Detroit seems to be coming back from the recession with lots of construction going on. There was a Tigers game in town and lots of people at restaurants and shops.
Last night was our first night ever to stay in Michigan in the RV, so Mom added our sticker. Michigan is actually two stickers, so we will have to come back to get the Upper Peninsula.
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