This is a catch up post.
Our first boon-docking experience was in Michigan at Walmart in Saginaw on September 21st. We went inside, purchased some necessities along with sandwiches from Subway. Since Brian was not feeling well with a sinus infection he could not manage the longer drives that we had done in the previous weeks. Brian slept in Zachary’s bed and I slept with Carson and Zachary in our bed. On the counter there was the largest steak knife that we had in the motor home, just in case Brian needed to “scare an intruder”. We discussed our escape plan on what to do if someone tried to break into the motor home. This was not a restful night due to three of us in the bed and it being stuffy with no AC. We were able to get a quick shower which made Brian and I feel more refreshed to start the day.
We left Walmart and drove into Frankenmuth, MI which is known as Michigan’s Little Bavaria. Our first stop was Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland, known as the “World’s Largest Christmas Store”, started in 1945 by Wally Bronner and is visited by millions of people each year. If you could not find a Christmas ornament, multi holiday decoration, or Christmas cards that you liked they probably have not been made. There were ornaments for almost any category that could possibly be imagined. This store is listed as an attraction on things to do in Frankenmuth, MI, The store included a snack bar, video room with daily presentations, and visitor’s center where they presented you with a map to navigate the store. We only purchased one motor home ornament, although we do not have a Christmas tree for the motor home or extra room for decorations. I did for a few minutes miss the thoughts of pulling out all of my ornaments and decorating a live Christmas tree and decorating the fireplace for Christmas, but then I thought about having to take everything down and pack it away for another year and my sadness about decorating a large tree and house ended.
After visiting Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland we drove into the town of Frankenmuth and walked around. The area was settled by conservative Lutheran immigrants from Germany in 1845,the name Frankenmuth means “courage of the Franconians”. The town had many small unique shops and restaurants including a toy store which Zachary and Carson enjoyed. Many of stores instill the history of the area including Kerns Commercial House which still serves meals as they did when they opened in 1899, when Mrs. Kern served “all you can eat fried chicken” to a wedding party. Many of the restaurants serve “family style” dining which is similar to buffet style but the food is brought to your table in large bowls and passed around to each family member. Another popular attraction in Frankenmuth is the Bavarian Belle Riverboat, an authentic paddle wheel boat, which floats along the Cass River as we walked along the walkway of the Frankenmuth Holz Brucke (covered bridge). The Bavarian Belle Riverboat is an one hour, narrated site-seeing tour along the Cass River giving passengers the history of Frankenmuth. Frankenmuth was a nice little village town with lots of shopping opportunities.
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