Our Michigan Family

Dennis With Gloria Supervising

Our trip to Romeo, Michigan was for the purpose of having our Hensley hitch inspected by the factory. The trip was fortuitous indeed. The Plant Manager, Dennis, discovered a crack in the under belly of the hitch; left alone unattended, it could have been a disaster. Dennis quickly disassembled the hitch and replaced the entire lower assembly. Because Hensley hitches carry a lifetime guarantee, the new part and labor cost nothing. We did have to pay an upfront inspection fee of $75, but that was nothing when compared to what might have happened without the diagnostic work and Dennis’s attention to detail.

Old Lighthouse Near Our Campground

Ray, Butch, Jim, & Sue

When we first got to Ohio (see previous post) we contacted Jerry’s cousin, Cecila, aka Butch, a physician, in Dearborn, MI. Since Romeo is not that far from Dearborn, we asked about getting together. It had been years since we last saw her and her family. She was all for seeing us, but she and her husband, Ray, were heading west to Lake Michigan for a week-long camping trip with friends at a county park. She would have time only to meet for lunch Saturday, as they were packing to leave for the lake on Sunday. However, she suggested that we join them for a few days at the lake. 

Since we had no rigid itinerary, we agreed to do it. The weather was promising to be ideal. We still did the Saturday lunch thing, as we wanted to see Botch’s older brother, Jim, and her daughter, Sue. It was a great exchanging old times and family memories going back to our childhood.

Canadian Coast Guard Vessel

Lighthouse Near the CG Station

On Sunday morning we traveled on the Pioneer Campground on the lake and awaited the arrival of Butch and Ray. While the name, Butch, is a bit unusual for a doctor, she has carried that nickname since we played in the sandbox together during her visits to Ohio. We’re just glad that her specialty is family practice and not surgery. She and Ray made us feel welcome as camping buddies from the beginning. They took us many attractions, including a lighthouse, Coast Guard station, and the Gerald Ford Museum. They also did the driving, which gave Jerry a much-needed break.

Dr. Butch, Gloria, and Ray at the Captain's Seat

At the Coast Guard station, there was an American ship in dock as well as one manned by the Canadian Coast Guard. Both were open to touring, and Gloria was able to climb to the upper deck of the U.S. ship for a presentation. She even got to sit in the Captain’s seat. Crews on both ships were extra friendly and seemed to enjoy talking about their missions.