Thursday, January 25, 2007

Let's Go Camping?

It is NEVER too early to plan a camping trip with my grandsons. Each year we venture out to one of Michigan's great State Parks. A different park each year. We pitch a tent, YES a TENT and I sleep on the ground for three nights with my grandsons, John and Brian. We have been doing this now since they were ages 8 and 4. So this will be our Fifth annual Camping Trip.

The first year we went to "Sleeper State" park, located in the thumb. In 2004 we visited Higgins Lake South State Park. That was fun because my mom lives there and also my brother, Ed and his wife Steph. That year John scraped his foot while bike riding. We ended up at the emergency clinic, he had infection that was quite serious. The odd thing was, his foot was only scraped, the skin was not cut open.

2005 we traveled to the west side of the state to Luddington. What a beautiful park! Great Sandy beaches, dunes, board-walk trails though the woods, river fishing, and the light house. We were able to ride our bikes the two miles up the sandy road, then climb over 100 stairs to the top of the light house. We were then rewarded with an awesome view of Lake Michigan.

Last summer we again traveled over to Lake Michigan. This time we stayed at Muskegon State Park. One day we spent exploring area sites, and visited a WWII war ship. The boys had fun climbing through the many corridors, sleeping quarters, dining area, storage rooms, even the engine room. Michigan Adventure was a fun day although it rained off and on all day. Upon returning to the camp ground we found our tent 'under water' even though it was on the slope of a hill. So we ended our trip with a night at the local "Holiday Inn". To add to the adventure, they overbooked the rooms. They gave us a King Size Jacuzzi Suite.....the boys thought THAT was pretty sweet!

For our 2007 camping trip, John and Brian asked to go to the Upper Peninsula. We have booked our trip at the Straits State Park in St. Ignace, just across the Mackinaw Bridge. From now until June, the boys and I will plan some side-trips and activities for our annual camping trip. I am sure, one of them will be to Mackinaw Island.

2 comments:

Tya said...

You've had fun every year & the boys always enjoy going. Have fun riding that bike around the island :)

Jan Jacobs said...

you'll have to go to the 'Frontier Park' just south of Mackinaw City, and Castle Rock in St. Ignas. Make sure to bring your hiking boots!!! We never had so much fun with the kids on vacation.