Campground: We
checked in to our new campground in Monroe, Michigan. This one lies directly adjacent to the
freeway. It’s a really nice campground
with tons of amenities-----and only a mile from Lake Erie. Further investigation revealed a huge coal fire
generating plant to our northeast, cooling towers for the nuclear power plant
to our southeast; two sets of railroad tracks bordering the park on the west
with direct freight access to Detroit and above us the flight path for Detroit
International Airport. We turned up the
air conditioner and fans and hunkered down.
Raisin River National Park—1812 War---I knew about the war
of 1812----the British burned down the White House. The details I was missing were how far flung
the war was. Major portions of the war
took place on the Great Lakes and for a time,
Michigan came under the control of the British. I’m consoling myself with fantasies of the
students in Michigan knowing nothing about Father Junipero Serra. We spent a fun morning poking around the
battlefield and touring the brand new interpretive center----this is the newest
of the National Historic Sites.
Custer—We wandered into downtown Monroe,
Michigan. There on the corner was an
enormous statue. Peter was sure it was
the hero of the War of 1812. I pointed out the huge C U S T E R on
the side. “Hmmmm,” said Peter,
“I wonder if he was related to the Custer at Little Big Horn.” I pointed out that he looked just like
the Custer at Little Big Horn. Two days
later as we stood in the Custer museum in downtown Monroe, Michigan, Peter agreed with me----it was the same
Custer and he was born in Monroe, MI and married his wife there and, in fact,
his entire family lived there and STILL lives there. I was right.
Our last stop in Monroe, MI involved a very fun walk around town with map to view local architectural styles. Walter hated this. Jaxon thought it was boring, but Peter and I had a great time. I made a video. It can be viewed on YouTube. Here is the link:
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