Michigan
After leaving Caseville and all the A-Cat racing was done we had few nights in West Branch, southern Michigan in Secret Campground. Had time to get most of the sand out of the camper after beach camping in Caseville (not the best combo of environments there!) Caseville campground had fine sand ground on camp spot + huge beach + 2 dogs swimming 3 times a day + 100F/38C heat for days + camper!!) haha.. We, meaning me and the kids been hiding inside most of the time except swimming off the beach and some early morning hiking. After 7 days in south Michigan we decided to head north a bit earlier than planned as we all needed to get sports in and out of the camper … we did a pit stop at Wilderness State Park 150 miles north of where we were…got cooler weather and fantastic outdoor activities !! So worth it even when it was just 24h stop.
Wilderness State Park at Mackinac Straights. Ian still tired from the racing/heat/moving from place to place. But we both got day of sports in.. Ian riding his bike and I squeezed 2 trail runs with Rhona in to our 24h stop here!!
Rhona loving the trails with me!!
Beach time .. at the Mackinaw Bay
I have probably mentioned before (ha ha) but it is not hard to get “ A Camp spot” for one night during the week but weekends have been booked full at least around here months ago!!! As we are trying not to drive over 200 miles at one go/day.. it’s pretty impossible to find a camp spot for more than one night at the time last minute… decided to go and see the Tahquamenon Falls State Park on our way even more north. We got a spot for 2 nights middle of the week… jippiiiiii!!! at the Lower Falls campground and now getting in some sports on the fantastic trail system around the campgrounds! We love the spot and the mosquitos love us!!
Big camp spots and tons of activities to do in moderate temperatures!!
Doing the tourist walks…and as it is State Park dogs are welcome on the hiking trails!!!
Lower Tahquamenon Falls
The Falls have long history with Ojibwa people and later with logging industry
As the River flows through cedar and hemlock swamps upriver the river gets its amber color from plants and bark leach. Nickname is “Root Beer Falls”, for you Europeans.. you don’t need to know about Root Beer, it’s non alcoholic very bad tasting soda! ha
One good thing to remember here in Michigan is that there are tons of State Parks and they are well maintained! If you are non Michigan resident you need to get Recreation Passport that you can get online or at the State Park entrance, it is $11/ a day or $42 for a year per car! 100% worth it!!
CANADA… next.
Going across the border in Sault Ste. Marie that the French Missionaries founded 1668. I never even thought white man got this far across the country that early!! We are going to drive across Ontarios south coast to Serpent River Campground for the weekend.
Ending up to Parry Sound that is on the Georgian Bay and 150 miles north of Toronto. Taking a week long breath before continuing driving east in Southern Canada. Would love to stay around there for months but summer is just that long….
Camden Classic Race week in Maine for the end of the month!
