Two
RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers |
The two RV Gypsies followed the gentle curves of the Au Sable River which runs through forests along the River Road National Scenic Byway. The 22-mile drive from Oscoda was lovely, and the two RV Gypsies got out of their truck to see The Lumberman's Monument and was greeted with a great opportunity to learn about a Wanigan and rollaways. |
The Lumberman's Monument overlooks the Cooke Pond and Horseshoe Island on the Au Sable River. The two RV Gypsies were surprised to learn that they had to go down a bunch of stairs to a Wanigan, so they decided to get some exercise and tackle the 272 steps down and then the same 272 steps back up for a total of 544 steps. It was worth the effort. The Au Sable River was once a major logging thoroughfare. |
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Below: Lee and Karen Duquette on different sections of the 272 step Stairway to Cooke Pond and Horseshoe Island on the Au Sable River. |
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Over one-hundred years ago,
the sand bluffs (seen on the right side in the photo below) were used
for rollaways. Imagine being on the bank and hearing the words "BREAK
OUT!" Then the avalanche of hurtling logs thunder down the
sand bluff into the swollen Au Sable River. |
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Below: Views of small streams and woods as seen from the stairway. |
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Below: A replica of a Wanigan - a Lumberman's floating kitchen and supply area |
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Below: Lee Duquette inside the Wanigan. |
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Below: Lee Duquette checked out the rudder on the Wanigan and the Au Sable River |
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Below: Looking at the sand bluffs from the Wanigan (the same sand bluff seen from the rest stop on the stairs; as shown earlier on this page). |
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Below: The water beside the Wanigan was very clear, so Karen Duquette photographed a tree stump in the water. |
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Double Menu for the
two RV Gypsies Adventures |
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Au Sable Harbor and Pier |
Oscoda Beach Park and Pier |
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Sturgeon Point Lighthouse |
Tawas Point Lighthouse |
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Old Bailey School |
Paul Bunyan Statue and Oddities |
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Below: The two RV Gypsies drove on the River Road Scenic Byway, a 22-mile drive between Oscoda and South Branch that runs parallel with the beautiful AuSable River. It is a designated a National Scenic Byway. The Lumberman's Monument, Canoer's Memorial, Iargo Springs, and Foote Pond Scenic Overlook are all attractions off of the River Road Scenic Byway. |
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Lumberman's Monument |
Canoer's Memorial |
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Iargo Springs (beautiful) |
Foote Pond Scenic Overlook |
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Cooke Pond, Horseshoe Island, Au Sable River, and 544 steps (this page) |
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