The Port Huron crossing into the USA was on narrow bridge, Kevin recognizing the risk of nearly bumping mirrors with semis on one side of the RV and the bridge railing on the other side, chose to slow down and maneuver the Smitanic as if it was going through a slalom course. He artfully dodged mirrors on the left and bridge poles and electrical boxes on the right. Theresa closed her eyes until the Smitanic was safely over and into an immigration lane.
After the successful slalom run, with both mirrors still intact, the border patrol officer in a Monty python mode said “answer me these questions 3 ”. How long were you in Canada? Why were you there? What is your license? ... have a nice day.” Kevin was glad he did not ask for his favorite color! “Blue no Red” aaagh.
The day’s destination of the Port Huron KOA was < 20 miles into the USA. It was an impressive KOA, lots of activities for kid , railroad, skatepark, pools. It just so happened that this day was the first of 6 Halloween weekends and sites were all decorated. Well laid out blacktop roads circled around several nice cabin compounds as well as concrete pads on shaded sites for big rigs. Amenities also included a Fitness center & Tennis courts (no pickleball). The smooth entry made plenty of time for a trip to storage shed to retrieve the stored contraband < 20 miles away with the malfunctioning Jeep. Service was scheduled for Monday at a repair place near Flint, MI.
A leisurely start in the AM allowed for one more stroll thru the park. Due to the early Monday morning car appointment the team elected to move closer to Flint and spent the weekend at Holiday Shores RV Resort and then take the car in 4 miles away on Monday.
Holiday Shores RV Resort was a park with mainly seasonal sites, 3 lakes, an adjacent golf course, beach and yes tennis courts... no pickleball yet.
Upon check in the Smitanic received the assigned site. This of course was on the far edge of the park, requiring Tight turns to weaving around the sites lining the lakes to get to the transient area. The site was a very large back in site with a large concrete pad! This would work, but there had to be an easier way out to exit the park.
Construction blocked the road that connected the 2 exits from the park so the team walked the park to look for a smoother exit out from the park. They discovered that the bridge construction would not prevent them from making a more simple exit for both car repair and Smitanic exit to the next underdetermined destination.
Theresa had offered to the manager at check in to assist in marking lines on the tennis courts! There seemed to be some interest in the offer so she circled back 3 times and finally got an ok from the manager to tape lines. A trip to the local Ace scored 2 rolls of 2 inch orange gorilla tape to do the job.
As Kevin & Theresa approached the large tennis court they saw several guys settling up a mini net at one end of the court. They said they were playing pickleball! Kevin & Theresa ensured them that they could play on a more to legit court in a matter of 30 min! They were delighted at the possibility of playing on a properly laid out court and the proposition of consultanting the “pros” on rules of the game. Two young brothers were waiting with tennis rackets to play on the court, but were content with volleying in a practice space while the pickleball taping continued. Once the court layout was completed Theresa invited them to learn pickleball on the new court. The brothers were naturals and quickly caught on to the strategy of the game! Their dad and friends also rotated in to try out the new court. Kevin & Theresa we’re glad to get in a game or two and spread the pickleball love!
As planned for Monday morning the Jeep reported to repair place on at 8 am! The repair would take most of the AM so the bikes were deployed to get breakfast then back the 4 miles to the RV camp on a busy state hwy. Later in afternoon the two cyclists made the return bike trip to pay $1900 repair bill for the Jeep. In talking to the mechanic Kevin got intel that the holiday shores park is up for sale as a steel mill is moving in next door. Wonder how all the seasonal folks will like that?
With a now fully functioning toad, the Smitanic was off the next day to a 1 night stopover at St Joseph KOA in Benton Harbor, MI. A weekday stay in late September left lots of open pull thru site available. The assigned site was a very tight turn with trees on a both sides. Kevin did not think the Smitanic would be able to pull in with the toad attached. Surveying other open sites, he suggested a site 2 spots to the right and sent Theresa to the office to ask if it was open. It was. The toad was unhooked to allow for full maneuverability into the second site. Kevin pulled forward looking for a reasonably level spot on the pad. No luck. He backed out and pulled into a 3rd empty site. Alas just like Goldilocks...this one was just right. Relieved, Theresa went back to the office to report the success and validate the site was available. Good to go.
The next days trek would circumnavigate Chicago on the south side and land the Smitanic in Sycamore,Illinois just north of Waterman where the Smitanic got its name many years ago while visiting the Leeney Farm. (See what happened when the old Smitanic was sunk in the yard. Watch video of the song played to describe the event.) How the Smitanic got it’s name The new Smitanic is longer and much heavier that the prior one. There was no point in attempting to drive down the drive nor parking in the Leeney farms front yard. Instead reservation for 4 nights were made at the familiar Sycamore RV park in hope to visit with as many of the Leeney clan as possible!n
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