Since the age of two, my family has camped together for two weeks in northern Michigan (my home state). For me, it is the only tradition that has stood the test of time. I cherish the memories made and hope to create many, many more. Two years ago, Butch joined us for a few days. While there we explored Traverse City, The Leelanau Peninsula, Fish Town, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Frankfort. Last year, our campground was closed for what we thought to be major renovations and we did not go camping. This summer Butch was able to join us for the entire two weeks. I was so excited to show him MY Michigan and see it through different lenses as we prepare for our loop up there next summer.
I no longer have the luxurious (or at least large and comfortable) camping rigs that I once owned. Last year, I purchased a very small tow behind hybrid travel trailer. Butch tricked it out with additional lights and some other improvements and it is very cool. We primarily use it for camping in the mountains of Tennessee a couple nights each month. Although it is very comfortable for those trips, pulling it the 762 miles up to Interlochen State Park and living in it for two weeks was a bit more challenging. Our first travel day was just shy of 11 hours. When we arrived at the hotel, Butch discovered that in transit we’d lost our spare tire cover. Hopefully it did not become a traffic hazard! The second travel day was much shorter, a mere two and a half hours. We arrived to a park that looked exactly like it did before the major renovations (replacing the water lines, faucets and paving some gravel paths). We pulled into our lot, opened the trailer to discover that our bathroom cabinet had fallen off the wall. Lucky for me, I have a man for that! Lucky for Butch, he was introduced to Menard’s! An incredibly huge and well-stocked hardware store that isn’t found near Knoxville. Butch was in awe and offered to do many additional trailer upgrades if he could just return to Menard’s.
We set up camp overlooking the water and made things as comfortable as possible.
Our friends Chuck and Diane joined us for dinner at Hofbrau and the America concert at the world famous Interlochen Center for the Arts. The concert was merely ok but the venue is magnificent. If you ever have an opportunity to see a concert at the Kresge Auditorium, don’t pass it up. It is Interlochen’s outdoor venue overlooking Grass Lake. Over the years, we’ve seen many top name performers there- Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gale, Diana Ross, Barry Manilow, Styx, KC and The Sunshine Band, and Frankie Valli to name a few. Now days, the talents of Josh Groban, Nora Jones, Boz Scaggs, Jason Mraz and Darius Rucker grace the stage.
We explored West Grand Traverse Bay on the tall ship schooner Manitou. Butch was right at home on this 114’ sailboat. Friends Barb and Tom along with friends John and Rory joined us for a delicious dinner at Harrington’s then for a pre-sunset cruise around the Bay. It was an absolutely gorgeous evening even if the visibility was a bit obscured by the smoke from the Canadian wildfires to the north.
Our friends Ron and Jane have lived on Duck Lake for many years after several summers joining our annual family camping trip. They have a Hobie Cat that Butch has been itching to take out. After a brief lesson from their son, Jason, Butch took me for my first ever sailboat ride. It was magical as we glided across the water under a brilliant blue sky.
Other than spending time with my sister Denise, her kids/grand kids, and friends including Bill and Lisa who amazingly drove 5 hours round trip to spend a few hours with us, the highlight of our trip was our time on Mackinac Island. I was so excited to show Butch this town that in many ways has been lost in time. To prepare for our trip, we watched “Somewhere in Time” and the PBS documentary “When the Horses Leave”- both filmed on the island. The Island did not disappoint! If you are looping, PLEASE stop here and spend the night. It is like being in a fairy tale when the last ferry leaves the island for the day. Bikes and horses are the only modes of transportation. If you arrange a taxi, you will be picked up in a horse and carriage! You can even rent your own horse or horse with carriage to tour the island (maybe next time?). Bike paths are abundant, don’t miss biking the 8.2 mile flat road around the island. The scenery is remarkable. The interior paths are VERY steep so be prepared or stay on the perimeter. I ate a ton of fudge while Butch spoke to the harbor master and ogled the yachts in port. It was truly dreamy.
On the trip back to camp, we did some reconnaissance of towns and marinas we’d like to spend time in next summer. I’d camped in downtown Petoskey a few times so we stopped there for lunch and for a walk around the marina. I really love that town as it is right on the water and I can bike to Walmart and the casino! We had ice cream in Charlevoix- the town with the mushroom houses. It is adorable. I’ve never spent the night in Charlevoix but have been there several times and have taken the ferry from there over to Beaver Island which I hope Butch and I will do on MoonShine next summer. We briefly checked out Elk Rapids but were too tired to explore much. Our friends John and Cheryl (who we saw briefly at the America concert) live there so it would be a great place to stop next summer.
We returned to camp weary but excited for the next time we will visit these places – in our boat. We had a couple nights of camping before heading back to Tennessee. On our way home, we had dinner at Skyline Chili (I’m a big fan, Butch enjoys the fact that I’m a fan). Two lost hub caps,
devouring many Swedish Fish, an unplanned loop through Midland, Michigan and we were home. Hopefully the next time we camp in Michigan we will have more comfortable sleeping accommodations and will explore the beautiful UP (upper peninsula) and eat pasties. Lake Superior here we come!
“To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides” -D. Viscott
Nothing like summer in Michigan! Great to see you two!
Gotta love it!
Elk Rapids! Ray’s brother has his boat in that marina😁
I’m counting on you hunting us down next summer (if not sooner!)