UP Michigan

[Machinebuilder]

I am almost ready to take another trip, it will only be a week or so this time.

I will probably leave Maryville TN on Thursday 6/5 and head up I75 till I have driven enough for the day or decide to explore.

My plan is to head towards Lake Michigan north of Muskegon, follow the lake north and cross the Mackinac bridge.
Ill then probably follow lake Superior to Copper harbor and then down to Lake Michigan back to the bridge.
I have to be back home for a 6/24 Dr. visit and to take care of some other things.

I am open to ideas and will be traveling with my dogs so am somewhat limited with them.

[Resonator]

Good spot to view the big bridge is a on the south end. I've seen some nice pictures taken there at sunset, and lit up at night. There is public parking and you can walk on the beach, also they have a museum in the old lighthouse. Museum wasn't open for the day yet when I stopped, but I might check out next time I go that way. Another attraction is the Icebreaker ship set up as a museum in the harbor, along with the usual tourist shops and restaurants in town.

[Magicman]

You will enjoy that trip.  

[NewYankeeSawmill]

Bring a fishing pole!

[jb616]

@Machinebuilder I live just north of Muskegon and would be happy to show you some of the local sites along lake Michigan or even take a boat ride out there if the lake allows. I would also be interested in picking your brain on the Alaska trip. Feel free to message me and I can give you my phone #. 

[Machinebuilder]

Well I am having to postpone my departure.

Yesterday on my way to get new tires, my truck decided to develop a misfire.

I made an appt for Thursday AM, I hope its something quickly fixed and that the extended warranty covers it.

[Old Greenhorn]

Better now than 200 miles down the road. Good luck!

[Machinebuilder]

Absolutely It is a big inconvenience now but if I was on the road it would be much worse.
The bad part is the dealer I bought it at (the put the extended warranty on) is 40mi away. There has been several dealers close since 2008 in this area.
There are not many independant mechanics that have the diagnostic ability either.

I did make the check engine light stay on instead of blinking and going off. I hope it helps the troubleshooting.
I always hated intermittent problems

[Magicman]

Each cylinder has it's own ignition coil which is probably what your problem is.  It's common to also replace the plug (s) and plug wire (s) while you are there.  At least that was my experience with the F250.

[Resonator]

Waiting a couple days may not be a bad thing. Last couple days have had a nasty haze in the air in parts of Wisconsin and the UP, from wildfire smoke in Canada carried on the wind.

[barbender]

Yes, the smoke haze up here was heavy the one day. Other days it was high up so it just appeared cloudy, but you couldn't smell it. Then the one day, it dropped to ground level and it was as heavy as anything I've experienced out West. It would burn your throat after a bit.

[Machinebuilder]

I only sat at the dealer for 1 1/2 hours.

It is the coil, wire and plug for #2 cylinder, of course they don't have parts.
They did give me a loaner and should have the parts tommorow.

The haze was really bad here yesterday, I didn't realize until I was driving to Marvville and couldn't see the mountains.

Maybe I can get things together and leave by Sunday.

It's nice being retired and not having a schedule.

[Magicman]

  Sounds good.  

[Machinebuilder]

I got my truck back Thursday, it is running good again.

With yet another delay I am leaving Monday morning.

I had another call from my Vet. Gabby was due for some blood work, 
I took her Monday and a tech drew blood. 
Thursday I got a call and was told the sample was compromised between our office and UT Vet school, so I took her for another blood draw.
Friday @4:00pm I got another call and that sample was also no good.
So Monday I will be loaded up, stop at the Vet again and then head north.

Apparently this blood work is rarely done and the stuff to do it is expensive and short life, so my vet does not do it in the office.
its some kind of platelet/coagulation test.