Heron at the Pond and other critters

 

The Michigan Pond has a few herons that visit and fish.  The grey heron likes to sit on the pond spray but is sometimes disrupted when the pump starts up.

There are several piney squirrels who visit us and they relish the pine cones. They exhibit no fear of us.  There are also chipmunks, but they are very nervous and seldom stay still to pose.

(c) 2026 N. Retzke

June 2022 Summary

 

Sunset - June 24, 2022 - Raton, NM

It has been a high travel month.  June Summary:

• Distance: 3,932 miles
•  Average Speed: 54 MPH (peak 80+)
• Trip (Driving) Time: 73h 25m
• Average MPG: 16 MPG

Elephant Butte, NM

We arrived at our final destination yesterday. We are currently in Southwest Michigan, at the shore of Lake Michigan.  This morning we walked along the Michigan Dunes.  We were at the shore early and so we beat the July 4 revelers.  There is rain in the area, and it is a pleasant 81F.

Looking North, on the shore of Lake Michigan

Looking South

(c) N. Retzke 2022

Wave Action - Winter is approaching

Last night we experienced some serious wind with gusts of about 35-40 MPH.  This
morning after breakfast we headed to the lakeshore and with the winds from the northwest, there are predictions of 16 ft waves today.

Weather will improve tomorrow and we will experience sun and 60+F. However, we know this is the  end of this summer season. We will soon be shutting down the northern lily pad for the year, and we'll we leaving for warmer climes.....

Here's current conditions nearby:

	Wind Direction (WDIR):	NW ( 320 deg true )
	Wind Speed (WSPD):	25.3 kts
	Wind Gust (GST):	33.0 kts
	Wave Height (WVHT):	9.5 ft
	Dominant Wave Period (DPD):	8 sec
	Mean Wave Direction (MWD):	NNW ( 340 deg true )
	Atmospheric Pressure (PRES):	29.83 in
	Air Temperature (ATMP):	49.8 °F
	Water Temperature (WTMP):	56.7 °F
	Dew Point (DEWP):	41.9 °F
	Wind Chill (CHILL):	41.9 °F
	Wind Speed at 10 meters (WSPD10M):	29.1 kts
	Wind Speed at 20 meters (WSPD20M):	31.1 kts
	Combined plot of Wind Speed, Gust, and Air Pressure

Morning buoy photo

Buoy photo 4:03PM

By the morning of the 18th, the lake had finally calmed down:

At the Michigan Dunes

Panoramic view from one of the dunes................................

That dune doesn't seem very high............

View from that dune............

G relaxing after the walk up.....

Panoramic view

Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

At the Summer "Lily Pad" in Michigan

We hop from campsite to campsite.  We have several "permanent" spots we call our "lily pads", and we use our Roadtrek to hop from one to another.  Here's a nighttime view of the one in Michigan, photo by the campground.  The circle indicated our decorative lights........

Before and after photos of the northern lily pad in Michigan.  Before the additions:

Add caption

After adding the deck, better stairs, new fire pit, etc.:

At Weko Beach, view of Lake Michigan

Original material:  https://roadtrek210.blogspot.com/

More Kayaking Fun

We've been kayaking on Lake Michigan for a couple of weeks. Lots of fun, between raindrops.

We've gone on the lake with winds up to 10-20 mph, gusts and mild swells. The kayak handles well under these conditions.

On the Beach

Sunfish