MI Trip

Eric, Mom and I left EARLY Friday morning....4 AM early.  We were smack dab in the middle of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore by afternoon.  We set up camp in the Platte River Campground (#139)....

.....and then found a trail to hike...it was 1.2 miles from the campground to Lake Michigan.  Part way, we found a dune, made our way to the top and followed the sand to the water (it was like walking in the desert). 

Resting in the shade.

The water was cold as ice, but I swam nonetheless.

We departed Saturday morning for a full day of adventure.  I wore my safari outfit:

Drove North and secured a spot in the D.H. Day Campground for Saturday night (#80).  We then found more sand....a 284 rise in elevation Dune Climb.  Marched (sort of) to the top of that.

After that, we went to the old Historic Village of Glen Haven.  Being the first and only customer, the Blacksmith made me a coat hook to take home.  Mom asked that I hang my coat up on it; instead of on the floor next to the coat hooks we have now.

Eric found a "one horse open sleigh".

Drove up to the Homestead Resort next to catch a glimpse of clay tennis courts cut into Lake Michigan that Eric had played a tournament on years earlier (I was bored).  Stopped in Glen Arbor after that; hit the grocery store and got ice cream.  Mom made us go to a winery next - Bel Lago (Eric and I were bored).  FINALLY, we got to swim again....at the North Bar Lake.  I caught tadpoles for two hours, but had to release them when we left.  Drove back to Glen Arbor for a soda pop before heading back to camp for dinner.

The plan was to spend another day in Sleeping Bear Dunes before going home on Monday, but weather changed that.  Eric and Mom decided to drive home through the Upper Peninsula.  Upon leaving the campground, I was sworn in as a Junior Ranger.  To earn this, along with exploring the area, I completed several activities in the Junior Ranger book, attended a Ranger lead discussion on the stars Saturday night, disposed of our recyclables properly and reported all to the Park Ranger:

For Matt (he's #1)....we detoured to the East side of Torch Lake and made a necessary stop:

Continued North, and crossed the Mackinac Bridge.  Lake Michigan on the Left; Lake Huron on the Right.

Prettiest part of the drive, as Grandpa would say, was driving West along the North side of Lake Michigan in the U.P.

Landed ourselves a pretty cool Cedar River Pathway campsite (#14) - just North of Wells State Park - that was ON Lake Michigan.  Spent 2-3 hours in the water, on the sand, collecting firewood, etc.  Mom & Eric enjoyed the beer that had been purchased at Short's earlier in the day.

 

Monday Sunrise

 Up early and headed for home.

Wildflower Cafe in Menominee.  Great bagels!

As promised by Eric, we found ice cream daily.  My favorite was the Chocolate and Mint Chocolate Chip en route on Friday.  With much time in the car, we are half way through the first Harry Potter book also.  

In other news, Matt & Diana had a baby boy on Wednesday, June 25th - Connor Matthew.

Jenna & Derek got engaged also!  Derek surprised her with a trip to France - where they had their first date 6 1/2 years ago.

We welcome Connor and Derek to the family!