First Long Trip - Michigan

Chucklec

Recently returned home from our first extended trip, ten nights at five different Michigan state parks.  Overall, a great trip – good weather, very nice facilities, and virtually no issues with our new T@B.  Our camping mode is generally not spending much daylight time at the campsite, rather using it as a base to explore surrounding areas.  I will say that we were very impressed with the quality of all of the park campgrounds we visited.

Our first day we drove six hours to Sleepy Hollow S.P., a little northwest of Lansing.  This was just a sleepover stop, and we didn’t bother unhooking.  It was a Sunday night, and very few sites were occupied.

Monday we drove to Wilderness S.P., just west of Mackinaw City.  We stayed two nights on a fabulous site that backed up to Lake Michigan.   

We checked out Mackinaw City Monday and spent Tuesday on ferry rides and visiting Mackinac Island.  Very cool place – no motor vehicles allowed, just bicycles and horses!

On Wednesday we drove south along the west coast of Michigan to Petosky S.P.  Another great wooded campsite about a two-minute walk from a very interesting rocky/sandy beach.  Hardly anyone else there when we arrived, so we were surprised to see another T@B across from us when we returned from a trip into town.  I had no sooner finished a brief chat with the owner (Dave from Michigan?) than another T@B (couple from Minnesota) pulled in a few sites away.  Had to get a picture:

Our next-door neighbors asked us if there was a convention going on!

We drove to Traverse City on Friday for two nights in the Traverse City S.P. campground.  It was packed, due at least in part to the 90-degree weather.  Spent our time visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and lots of wineries.

Finished out the trip with a one-night stay at Ludington S.P. (fantastic beach) and two nights at Holland S.P.  We loved our stay at Holland.  Had a great, large, heavily-wooded site (see pic below) and virtually no one else nearby.

We learned a few lessons on the trip:  (i) If using heat, you need to be mindful of not covering vents when the bed is made up; (ii) we switched the Norcold to battery when traveling and it didn’t seem to keep things cold – usually had water on the bottom of the fridge after arriving; (iii) gas mileage plummets during long periods over 65 mph; (iv) (AND MOST IMPORTANT) we love our T@B and camping in it!  Thinking about where we might go for another trip before winter.

jgram2

I visited Holland every summer while growing up, and Mackinac Is too. What a great trip you had, thanks for the summary and the photos!

Roamey

I learned if you carelessly toss some paperwork onto the backshelf it can drop down the heating vent and it disappears into another dimension. Can't see it from the top or bottom. 

rkj__

Wow, that's wild, how three T@bs came together randomly like that!

Michigan_Mike

We do have a beautiful state and the UP also has beautiful scenery and great campgrounds too!  Glad you enjoyed your stay!  

GailandJohn

Love the photos! I was in western Michigan last week visiting family and we drove up to Sleeping Bear Dune one day, a place I've been to several times. As I was looking at the beautiful scenery, I was imagining how awesome it would be to make a trip up there with our T@B. I would love to go all the way to Sault Ste Marie and see the Soo Locks.

Freshaire

Thanks so much for sharing your adventure and your beautiful photos.  I have never been to Michigan and it wasn't even on my list of places to see. . . .until now!

ericnliz

Thanks for sharing! Hope you have many more trips as awesome!