Ypsilanti, Michigan

Tonight we are at a surprisingly nice KOA campground on the outskirts of Detroit, on Lake Ford. Also surprising is that neither of the problems we were experiencing seem to be problems any more, so we're not having the trailer serviced tomorrow. Instead we will catch up on email, get the mounds of laundry done, and spend some time seeing University of Michigan and the town of Ann Arbor. Steve toured U Mich with Ann when she was looking for colleges eons ago, but he barely remembers it.

We need a break from constant driving. However, I have to say, I was really surprised that southeastern Wisconsin and Detroit are just over 300 miles apart. When you spend your life in the northeast, you have a vague feeling, despite what your brain and other available evidence tells you, that everything west of the Hudson River is vast and largely impassable and uninhabitable. I do know better, but it is still surprising how close Wisconsin and Michigan are. New Englanders are so provincial! We had a relatively easy travel day, despite getting tangled up in construction again early this morning, and despite the numerous toll roads we had to take. I think we spent $25 in tolls in 75 miles as we have to pay at the same rate as a 3-axle truck.

This campground is on a clear lake, and has a water slide, paddle boats and a nice beach. We have a site under big trees one block from the lake. Seems quiet, although I'll bet it livens up on the weekends. Most of the RVs look like they're parked here for the summer. It's very humid and I found out that the thermometer/humidistat (is that a word? Spell check doesn't think so, but you know what I mean, right?) that I have had in my backyard for years is inaccurate. This is the humidistat that tells me our backyard in Moorpark has 19% humidity when the sun is out and the temperature is 90 (sounds about right, no?). Today it says the humidity is 23%. As it's more like 83%, so I won't be believing it's lying face anymore.

We're headed to Dunnvile, Ontario after this to a campground on Lake Erie. Then to my sister's summer place on Lake Ontario. No more daily 300-400 mile treks for a while. Hope to get some pictures to post tomorrow.

By the way, I'm sure Amgenites and former Amgenites are happy about positive news on Denosumab. We hadn't checked the market for a few days and were very happy to see the positive preliminary phase 3 trial data. Having worked on the launch of a terrific drug I am almost (but not quite) envious of the excitement! Not envious of the work they all have ahead of them, however.