Day 1 - (07/19) Birch Run, MI

After months of planning, we were able to leave Columbus for the northwest today. There’ll be no more wondering about what we’ll need, what we forgot or where we’ll go.

We pulled out at 11:15, drove north for 266 miles and stopped in what Buckeyes call “that state up north”. Yep, Michigan!

The route was I-270 to US 23N to 15W to I-75N to MI 83N. The temperature was in the mid-80s, it was mostly sunny and there was no rain. We passed Findley, Toledo, Ann Arbor and Flint. Birch Run is between Flint and Saginaw MI, 4 miles south of Frankenmuth.

We’re at Pine Ridge RV Campground in Birch Run, MI. The campground is large, clean and quiet. Unfortunately there’s no internet service.

Frankenmuth

We visited here more than 5 years ago. Bruce & Barbara Stevenson gave us a grand tour then. There’s no way we can duplicate their description here.

We drove past Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland, through the Bavarian village downtown, bought some fudge and had ice cream. The sights and sounds were as remembered. Ah, yes. There was nothing quite like a chicken dinner at Zehnder’s Restaurant, accordion music playing along the main street and Christmas shopping in July.

Did you know?

Some MI gas stations have cash and credit gasoline price. They differ by about 7 cents a gallon. I haven’t seen the concept for years.

The Frankenmuth Fudge Company claims to make 200 tons of fudge a year. They make more than 20 varieties of fudge. It's good stuff, but we find it very difficult to believe the production volume. Maybe we misheard?