September 6, 2025 (Sat.) - Benny the Beard Fisher, Around Germfask.
The day kicked off in familiar fashion—Lynn was up early at 7:30 AM, while Kirk didn’t surface until around 10:30. With the time zone shift, he’s definitely embracing the art of sleeping in. While he snoozed, Lynn spent the morning blogging and tackling a few chores, and got an unexpected visitor: a squirrel casually strolling up the RV handrail, looking like he was ready to move in! She managed to snap a few quick pics before he darted off. Definitely a fun little surprise.
Once Kirk was up, we had a light breakfast—which usually means we each fend for ourselves. Kirk went with cereal and fruit, Lynn grabbed a breakfast bar or bagel, and by noon, we were out the door to find Benny the Beard Fisher, one of the whimsical Dambo Trolls. He’s located less than a mile from our campsite at Northland Outfitters, and they charge $10 per carload to visit. Benny was easy to find thanks to a handy map, and the walk was short—but naturally, the rain started just as we arrived. Still, it was a fun stop and marks our 8th Dambo troll sighting!
With time to kill, we headed to the Seney National Wildlife Refuge—not “refugee,” as Kirk hilariously misread. It’s just a few miles away and one of the few things to do in the area. The refuge is free to enter and features a 7.9-mile wildlife loop, which took us about an hour and a half with a few scenic stops. We brought along our Canon DSLR with a zoom lens, hoping to capture some great close-up shots—but of course, it errored out early in the drive, and we couldn’t get it working again. So much for the wildlife photo op! We did manage to snag a few deer pics before it gave up on us, but that was about it. Despite the technical hiccup, the drive was peaceful and beautiful. We spotted a family of swans, a few deer, an eagle’s nest (though no eagle in sight), and some squirrels. With the cold and intermittent rain, most animals were likely hunkered down—but the scenery alone made it worth the visit.
Afterward, we stopped for lunch at the Jolly Inn in Germfask, a spot recommended by the campground and backed by decent Yelp reviews. Kirk ordered a pasty with gravy (it was huge), Lynn went for the shrimp basket, and we shared a cheese curd appetizer. Kirk’s pasty was just okay—he preferred the one Lynn had at Ford River Pub & Grill. Lynn’s shrimp was your standard fried fare, but the cheese curds were the standout—crispy, gooey, and delicious.
By 3 PM, we were back at the RV for a much-needed nap after a hearty lunch. The evening wrapped up with a walk around the campground, where we found a short trail along the Manistique River. It was a lovely way to end the day—quiet, scenic, and full of fresh air.
Weather – High 57*, Low 46*. Wind 7-19 mph. Rain. No humidity.
Traffic – None.
Food – Cheese curds at Jolly Inn.
Notable – Benny the Beard Fisher Troll, Seney National Wildlife Refuge drive.
