Ionia 10/14/07

 
 
A spur of the moment trip on a nice October weekend. The weather is finally fall like. Decided we would head over to Ionia for the night. It is nearby and I do like the park. Got a nice spot without reservations, however the place was nearly full! Discovered this is the last weekend with water on at this park, as there were signs on the bathroom that the water would be shut off at 1pm on Sunday. Guess I will have to start paying attention to that. It was about 6 by the time we got there.. we popped up quickly then ran in town to get some pizza. Also picked up some wood. There is a house about .3 miles from the Campground on Jordan Lake Rd (go straight when leaving) and they have BIG bundles of wood for $5 or HUGE for $10. Nice split hardwood that burned great and provided some heat on a night that dipped into the low 40s. Very clear night with lots of stars out. With the electric heater, the camper stayed nearly 70 and was very pleasant for sleeping.
On Sunday got up and made Mountain man breakfast in the dutch oven. Then we went on a walk. They have nice trails around the lake. It started to rain but we kept on.. not really getting wet under the canopy of the trees. It only rained for 10 minutes or so and we did not get wet. The lake was pretty and it was a nice walk in the woods. There are lots of swans on this lake and we watched a family that went in front of us and were feeding on the weeds.
A nice trip for a quick excursion.

Deep Lake Oct 6, 2007

 
Another unseasonable warm weekend. It was in the 80s in October! Went to Deep Lake for the 3rd time this year. Not busy at all.. we were in our normal spur, and finally got one of the big sites at the end on near the Lake. It was almost too hot.. very humid and somewhat uncomfortable.. felt more like August than October. Went over to Gun Lake both days and went swimming... Swimming in October.. IN Michigan... wild!

Rifle River 9/24/07

 
 
Rifle River 9/24/07
It was suppose to be a nice weekend and Amy wanted to do some fishing so we headed up to Rifle River. We left first thing on Saturday and arrived around lunch time. There were a fair number of people there but we had no problem getting a spot without reservations. We were first at this park earlier in the summer and really enjoyed it. As a bonus we had very warm weather. We went swimming on Saturday and I got the Kayak out and paddled around Grosehaven lake. Later in the evening I went on a several mile hike. There are great trails all over this park and also cheap wood near by. Swimming, trails and wood are the 3 thing I judge a park by :)
On Sunday it was a bit chilly in the morning and there was steam coming off the lake which was a really cool effect. We went over to one of the other lakes to do some fishing. I could see the trout in the water but they were not interested in what I was offering. After Lunch Amy & Mitchell went out fishing again.. Morgan and I went swimming again. I was nearly 4 before we left for the 3 hour trip home.. but a *very* enjoyable weekend.. Can't believe we were swimming this late in the season!

Herrick Park

 
 
 
Herrick Park
Isabella County
Sept 14, 15, 16

Spent a weekend at Herrick County park. This was our first time at a county park. We were meeting some friends from HS. They come here each year and invited us along. It is a nice little park there are several spurs set up. Only downside is there is just one bathhouse so depending on where you camp you might be close to the bathroom, or quite a hike. The bathhouses are clean. In the shower you push the button for the shower to come on and it turns off after a minute or so.. so you have to keep pushing the button. On the plus side the water was hot.
This was a nice park we selected a site on the lake, there is also a playground and swimming pond. Overall this was an enjoyable weekend.

Brighton 9/8/09

 
 

This was a GLPUC event.. although we missed most of it.. The Brighton Jazz fest was going on.. so the groups events were on Friday and Sat morning.. We did not arrive until almost noon on Sat (had to work on FRI). This is a nice park although I think the upper campground is probably nicer.. more trees.. the lower campground were we were is mostly like a big lawn.. but it is near the Lake.. cant really swim here but you can fish or launch a kayak. You can also rent Kayaks and canoes from the office. Wood is dispensed from a vending machine.. novel.. but a smallish bundle for $4. There is also a truck that drives around the campground in the eve with ice and wood. There are some hiking trails that go along the lake, and also more in the large park. Brighton has 2 rustic campgrounds as well as the modern one at Bishop Lake. The Rustic campground at Appleton is right across from the beach. This is a nice campground and again, not too far from home. I would like to come down and camp at the rustic campground some time.

~ and with this post I am finally caught up on my previous camping adventures.. on to our newest one which will be this weekend in Clare!

Ionia 8/24/07

 
 

This park reminded me of Sleepy Hollow, and reminded Amy of Ft Custer.. so we will say this is very like the parks of Southern Michigan. The lake is man made but pleasant enough to swim in. Lots of hiking trails.. sites are fairly private.. although the ones on the outer edge seem nicest (shady in the trees). A nice place that is close to home, I think we would come here again.

Fisherman's Island 8/19/07

 
 
 
 

For our last big camping trip before school we went to Fishermans Island near Charlevoix. This area is our old stompping ground, but this was the first time at this park. This is a rustic park with no running water, or bathrooms, power etc. But a *great park* The campground runs for several miles along the lake and there are 4 seperate camping area. We stayed at the South campground which I think is the nicest. They also have about 6 sites righ ON the lake that look very cool! You would definately want to try to get the pull though sites as they look the best. The sites are not real level or equal.. but the sites are amazing.. cut right into the woods.. very private and beautiful. We also saw lots of wildlife here.. During our 3 day stay we was: turkeys, racoon, rabbit, deer, skunk as well as birds, geese and swans. A very nice beach right on the lake.. sandy and clear Lake Michigan water. A private bay with nothing built on it is a wonderful lanscape. Due to low water Fisherman's Island is now Fisherman's Penninsula, but it is a nice walk to go out to the end of it. I also bought a kayak so this was my first time in that and it was extrodinary on the lake, on a sunny day.
There is wood available at a reasonalble price from the welding shop about 1/2 mile south of the campground, and there are hiking trials that connect the campgrounds that run for several miles through the woods.
This park is a gem.. and at only $10 a night it is a steal!

Island Lake 8/10/07

 
 

Island Lake NFCG
Rose City, MI

This was the second annual guys weekend with Drew (see last years entry on Wagner Lake). We again went to the Huron National Forest, this time at Island Lake. Nice campground right on a small lake.. nice to swim in and would have been great with a kayak. Wood at near by Rose City (see Rifle River entry). This is pretty area.. we did lots of geocaching and spent Saturday exploring the National Forest. There is a small hiking trail at the campground that leads through the wood along a ridge and over to the day use area at nearby Loon Lake.

Lake Michigan Rec Area 8/1/07

 
 
 
 
Lake Michigan Rec Area
St Ignace, MI

For our last day in the U.P. we decided to make some progress on the way home and headed down to the Straits. I didn't think we would have a problem getting a site at Lake Michigan Rec Area which is about 15 miles West of St Ignace, and I was wrong.. only 1 site left on the lake side and it wasn't very good. But we were only there for a night so we took it! Poor site, great view! This is a nice campground right on the lake.. if you want to go I suggest you make reservations early. The camphosts were great.. and this campground does have flush toilets, (but no showers). The Brevoort Lake store is only a mile away with wood, ice and anything else you need.

Monocle Lake 7/29/08

 
 
 
 
Monocole Lake
Brimley, MI

This is National Forest land that is about 15 miles outside of the Soo. We had driven through this campground before.. this time we stayed. It is a nice place with large secluded sites, and a nice lake. It was a nice enough place but in the end I wasn't left with a good feeling here, and I am not sure why. None of the sites are right on the water so you have the feeling of being in the woods more than on the lake. It is a beautiful area and cool sites, but I think if I did it again I would stay at Brimley so we were right on Lake Superior. We also took a day trip into Canada and drove 100 miles North along the Superior coast.. that may have been the highlight of the trip! Beautiful country and we stopped at 2 provincial parks and did some scouting out for next year :)

Straits State Park 7/27/07 -- 50th Anniversary of Mackinac Bridge

 
 
 

Straits State Park
St. Ignace, MI

I made these reservations in March and got a site near the beach.. for the 50th anniversary of the bridge. Nice site down near the lake. The 'beach' and water are rocky hear but beautiful clear water with the bridge so close you can almost touch it. The weather was great and went to the parade and fireworks. I really, really like this area and this is the first state park we ever stayed at and will always be one of my favorites.
Mitchell and I went up Friday afternoon and Amy and Morgan met us there Friday evening. On Sunday Amy dropped off Morgan at GS camp on her way home and Mitchell and I headed for the Soo!

Deep Lake 7/21/07

 
 
 

Deep Lake

Back to Deep Lake, my favorite campground! Was suppose to be just me for a weekend alone, but ended up with one child on each day, but we had fun. Did the hiking trail which has a 1/4 mile boardwalk through the swamp... very cool.. then goes into the sandy hills. This is my *favorite* park to hike in.. and I have not even gotten to all the trails. Went swimming in Gun Lake and for the first time tried out my solar shower.. not too bad!

Wilson 7/6/07

 
 
Wilson State Park
Harrison MI

I grew up in this area and have never been a fan of Harrison. My daughter needed to be dropped off at Girl Scout camp on Sunday and this was the closest place. I got a spot right on the lake.. there was a steep drop but you could see the lake from the camp site. You could also see the cars on the far side of the lake. I guess I could best describe this as a nice park with a horrible location. The sites near the road are ON THE ROAD.. no more than 20 feet and just a wire fence between them I have heard in the past that this campground has problems with items being stolen from campsites and I can see why. It is a shame this is right in town because it is a nice park with beautiful oak trees and a nice lake and beach.. but surrounded on all sides by traffic.
The beach building was built by the CCC in the late 30s.

Rifle River