2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 14

We got a late start out of the campground, which was a good idea because there was a bike race that closed the parkway. By the time we said our goodbyes and packed up the trailers, the race was over.

An easy crossing back into the US where I separated from the Guidos. I crossed to Rt 104 at I390 in Rochester and had a quiet trip home. I unpacked only those things that I'll need over the next 3 weeks since the plan is to leave October 19 for the Hungry Mother rally, then on to the south for the winter.

Dinner was a Amy's Chile Relleno Bowl.

Until The Next Trip - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 13

Another cool night but again the predicted rain held off, both for the pot luck dinner last night and overnight. While cool, cloudy & windy today, no rain.

We watched 3/4 of the trailers leave throughout the day, but otherwise sat around reading. During the afternoon we put away what could be put away, preparing for leaving tomorrow morning.

Dinner was lasagna provided by a friend of Lorraine, left over pork loin, and blueberry pie. Lots of fruit & vegetables.

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 12

Cool enough that the electric heater came on a couple of times throughout the night & cool enough that I didn't have a problem with leg cramps.

I checked the Scamp I left the 10 amp charger on overnight & it showed a full battery. Replaced the 20 amp fuse and it didn't blow. I don't know if it is the original wiring, but it looks like #12 wire with a 20 amp fuse near the battery. The converter is rated at 35 amps. If the battery is low the converter is going to put out more than the 20 amp fuse. I'd increase the wire size & fuse to at least 40 amps.

After that I went for a walk, and made breakfast. After breakfast I dropped off some stuff for the free tarp, ended up throwing away the window & the pillow covers. I took a few photos of the trailer tours, did some reading, and set up for the pot luck.

There are a couple of panoramas of the pot luck on the 2026 Niagara Wine Rally page.

Dinner was the pot luck. Great food as usual, but a smaller crowd - I made 3 pies and had 3/4 of one left over, a first for a rally.

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 11

A little cooler overnight and comfortable sleeping if I wasn't having leg cramps. In any case, after my morning walk & breakfast I started making three blueberry pies. Blueberries from my garden. A little less than average year but I managed to pick 6 pies worth of berries.

By 3:00 all three pies were out of the oven.

I did some troubleshooting on a Scamp and decided that there is something wrong with the wiring between the battery & the trailer. Either that or the battery is so far down that the converter is putting out more than the 20 amp battery fuse can carry. I fired up my portable 10 amp battery charger & we will try again after the battery is full.

After that I made a round of the campground with the camera.   More photos at today's page at LakeshoreImasges

Dinner was a grilled pork loin, Bush beans & applesauce. 

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 10

Another warm night, but the rain held off. During my walk this morning I didn't see the cormorants in their usual tree, but I was told they are still in the trees along the river.

After breakfast I read some pages & tried to do some fixes on the Tempest weather station since the temperature is two different pages are different. So far, no luck finding out why. I may need to contact their technical support. They are not really designed to be moved from place to place which may be causing the problems.

Did some reading. I finished the Dorothy L. Sayers series although there are many more available as books or audio books on my Libby app. I read Cargo, Mark Dawson's latest, and started Arvind Ethan David's The Great Game last night.

It is cooling off down to 70°F at 5:00 this afternoon and predictions on going down into the 50's overnight. I much prefer cooler sleeping temperatures.

Lots of arrivals, including a Casita whose folks didn't know there was a rally going on. Five Big Foots, two of which are 5th wheels, and a bunch of Escape 19's, 21's and 5th wheels, and, of course, the Guido's Scamp.

It was a damp but not rainy afternoon.

Dinner was Chicken Bubba Burgers for Guido & me, and a Beef Bubba Burger for Anne, string beans, left over Bush beans, and applesauce.

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 9

Another night that was too warm for comfortable sleeping, but not hot enough to turn on the AC. 72°F in the trailer.

After breakfast I packed up, unhooked the utilities, and followed the Guidos out of the campground. Most of the trip was on the 401 & 403, finishing on the QEW. We arrived at the campground around 1:45 & checked in. I'm in site 42 & the Guidos are in 41. Both sites are full hook up on grass with a fire ring & picnic table. Mine was level side to side & needed a 3" drop on the tongue. Five nights at $61.80 US per night.

Me in Site 42

The Guidos (And Alf) in Site 41

After setting up I trimmed my beard & headed for a shower. Large drying area an shower with plenty of hot water if you wait long enough for it. No hooks or bench - there is a plastic chair in the drying area for everything. Very low flow on the water but a course spray. Overall the best I could give it was a C.

I played around with my Tempest weather station and finally got it up & working. If you want to see the weather at my location (and if I have the station on the roof & have Verizon cell coverage) try linking to https://tempestwx.com/station/232531.

After that we sat around and talked with the host for the rally, and ate grapes.

We are heading to Betty's for dinner. I had grilled Halibut.

Us

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 8

Cold enough last night that the electric heater ran a couple of times to keep the trailer at 67°F, but not as cold as last night.

After breakfast I packed up the trailer, shut down the Starlink Mini, and unhooked from the utilities. I didn't drain my tanks even though it was a full hook up site because neither tank was more than 1/2 full. No sewer at Dalewood, but I'll have a full hook up site at Riverside.

We arrived around 1:30 with most of the trip on the 401. I'm in site 71 & the Guidos in 70. Theirs is level both ways, mine is level side to side, but needed a 7" drop on the tongue. The sites are water & 30 amp electric on grass/dirt with a picnic table & fire ring. A bathroom without showers a short walk behind the trailers and a shower building next to the pool that has push button showers. $56.20 US for the night.

Me in Site 71

The Guidos in Site 70

I took a short walk to make up for skipping my usual morning walk, then started on today's page.

After that we sat out under the Guido awning & read. The bugs were pretty bad. Guido put on bug juice, but I hate the stuff and stuck it out with lots of slapping. 

Dinner was a chicken, mushroom & linguine meal that Anne put together that was excellent. While I usually call it a night when I go into the trailer for my 7:00 eye drops, as soon as we finished dinner the bugs chased me in a bit early.

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 7

I guess I complained too loud about it being too warm overnight. Last night it went down to 51°F outside, and at 4:00AM was 59°F in the trailer. While I was warm enough under my blanket, too cold for my eye drops. So, I got out my electric heater & fired it up. 67°F by 7:00.

After my morning walk & breakfast I sat inside the trailer; still a bit cool to sit outside. Around 1:00 I ventured out and sat in the sun. It never got above 65°F during the day, and enough breeze to make the shade uncomfortable, even in my long cargo pants & a long sleeve shirt.

Didn't do much during the rest of the day but sit & read. I'm on the 4th Dorothy L. Sayers British mysteries in a series packaged by Amazon. I've enjoyed them and will probably read some more of her books although I'll probably borrow the library versions at the NYPL.

Dinner was cheese brats, pirogies & grilles summer squash.

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 6

A little too warm overnight at 72°F, I almost fired up the AC since it was 76°F in the trailer. 

Lots of folks headed out today, but as fast as they left new arrivals (but not fiberglass) took their places. Lots of boats on the river.

For us it was another day sitting around reading. A few folks stopped by to say good by. We made a run to Krogers for fruit & vegetables, including some very old corn on the cob for dinner. Of course we didn't find out until dinner.

Dinner was Chicken Bubba Burgers, corn on the cob & ice cream cones for dessert. It started to rain just as we finished eating.

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 5

A little warmer overnight at 60°F but comfortable with just the Maxx fan running.

Around 9:30 I drove over to the swap & sell site and put out my stuff. Lots of the free stuff went (except the kitchen window) but I still can't sell the Easy Touch thermostat. I am only asking for $40.00 for a $250.00 unit. It is used, but worked when I replaced my Dometic AC with the Houghton.

I also made a round of the campground with the camera taking lots of photos. All are on my Algonac Egg Glassic Scramble page, but I'll stick a few here.

There was a hot dog lunch & trailer tours during the afternoon. They also did rock painting. I found the paints, but not the rocks or artists.

Back at the trailer I spent more time reading. I'm currently reading a package of Dorothy L. Sayer's mystery books written in the 1930's. 

Dinner was a shrimp & pasta dish put together by Anne.

Until Tomorrow - 

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 4

Nice sleeping weather last night, going down to the mid 50's. 

This is the GMC Motorhome rally as well as our fiberglass trailer rally. There are now 14 of them in the park.

After my walk, breakfast, and reading my usual forums & journals, I headed over to the Guido's trailer to sit and read. That took up most of the morning & early afternoon. Around 2:30 I fired up the grill and started the ribs. While the Napoleon grill has 2 burners, it is still difficult to keep it at 350°F using one burner & the ribs on the empty side. Full on is way to much heat, but turned all the way down isn't enough. I sat with it and turned it up & down to keep the correct temperature. Three hours later they were declared done & we had dinner.

Dinner was ribs, Bush beans, a salad & applesauce.

After dinner I headed to the one bath house in the park (for 200 sites). Two disabled showers & 3 standard. I used a standard shower. Good sized changing area with a bench & two hooks. The shower is perpendicular to the changing room with a narrow wall that keeps about half the drying area floor dry. A 2" fine spray adjustable temperature shower head. About that adjustable - it only goes from cold to lukewarm. A little warmer water & I'd give it a B, but if there isn't anything I dislike more it is cool showers. I have to give it a C.

Until Tomorrow -

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 3

Another warm night with the outside temperature only going down to 73°F and 74°F in the trailer.

During my morning walk I saw a number (10) GMC Motorhomes. Built between 1973 & 1978, these were General Motors attempt at entering the motorhome business. They sold 12,921 over the lifespan of the vehicle & there are many clubs & groups that keep them going today. For more information, check out their Wikipedia page.

A GMC Motorhome

We spent much of the day sitting around reading. We did take a break to head to the VC Grocery store about 3 miles north of the campground. I went for a bag of oranges and came back with two full grocery bags.

One of the nice things about camping at the Algonac State Park is watching the boats on the St Clair River.

After dinner I rubbed the ribs that we will be grilling for tomorrow. Dinner tonight was a shrimp & kielbasa dish put together by Anne.

Until Tomorrow -

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 2

 Day 2, Algonac State Park, Algonac, MI - 212.8 Miles, 412.8 Miles for the Trip

Well it rained much of the night and all day, not stopping until we arrived at Algonac. Sometimes heavy enough to require the wipers at double speed, but most of the time they just needed to clear road spray. At least we didn't have to set up the trailers in the rain. We arrived around 4:30, and even though the sites were paid for, we had to purchase a Michigan Parks Pass. Good for a year, but this is the only time I visit a MI park.

I'm in site 38 and the Guidos are in site 40. Both are on a mix of dirt, grass & gravel, with a picnic table & fire ring. $52.66 per night for full hookups plus $42.00 for the annual pass.

Blogger must have decided my current data connection is too slow to load photos using either AT&T or Verizon, so site photos will have to wait until tomorrow when I set up the Starlink Mini. I added the photos after I set up the Starlink Mini.  

Me in 38

The Guidos in 40

I didn't put my mat out since everything is still damp from the rain and it looks like the area the mat goes down was underwater during the rain. The park has lousy drainage; last time we were here one of the sites had enough water to float a bunch of rubber ducks. The good thing is the predicted rain for tomorrow evidently fell today and my weather app calls for no rain tomorrow. Then again, it just sent a warning to expect rain in 15 minutes.

We went to the Catch 22 restaurant for dinner. The Guidos treated me for my birthday. While we couldn't get strawberry shortcake (my favorite) we settled for strawberry cheesecake instead. I has their English style fish & chips.

Until Tomorrow -

2026 Trip to Algonac & Niagara Escape Rallies, Day 1

 Day 1, Long Beach Conservation Area, Wainfleet, Ontario, Canada 200 Miles, 200 Miles for the Trip

We are off on another trip to the Algonac Rally & the Niagara Wine Rally. It is at least a day shorter by driving across Canada to get to Michigan for the Algonac Rally with an overnight stop at the Long Beach Conservation Area campground (where we go for the Bolerama rally).

We added around 11 miles to the trip by stopping at the Fulton Walmart to pick up my new glasses, but less than last year where we made a long detour due to a bridge that was out of service.. Arrived at Long Beach around 4:00. I tried Verizon but no internet so i set up the Starlink Mini and after 10 minutes or so we were on line. 

I'm in site 171 & the Guidos are in 173 next door. The sites are back in on grass with water and 15 Amp Electric for $56.20 US each. 

Guidos in site 173

Me in site 171

We didn't have a lot of sitting around time before it was dinner time. 

Dinner was cheese brats & beans.

Until Tomorrow -