On a recent camping excursion we caught up with my dad and mom, sister and her family, brother and his family, and two grown nephews and their fiancé/girlfriend to do some camping at a state park in northern Michigan. Since this is near where I grew up and this is a state park my grandma took me to for many day trips as a kid – and we’ve camped there in the past, quite a while ago and several popup campers ago – I thought this would be great. Things sure change over time!
The state park camping facilities, like many state parks, need some updating attention. With trees in the way and very uneven sites, it isn’t easy maneuvering into a site, especially from the narrow roads. While we don’t have a mammoth trailer, at 29 feet, it does use up it’s own space.
Finally, we were in our space and since my family was there and the weather was decent, we could claim a successful trip. But wait, that was before we visited the lake and beach area that I grew up loving!
No longer is there a lifeguard on duty and the beach is not what I remember. And what happened to the HUGE swing set and merry-go-round? And what, no cotton candy or snow cones in the concession? Apparently, a new concessionaire has taken over and decided to trim down the offerings, both in food and in the souvenir shop. There’s nothing worse than realizing you can’t go back!
But wait, there’s more. I took my 3-year-old twin nieces to the lake to swim. They were catching minnows, splashing around and having fun, and because I’ve never been bothered before, we ignored the swimmer’s itch sign and went in anyway. I’ve still never had a reaction, but one of my nieces did and she suffered tremendously from the itching!
Maybe that’s why the once crowded beach had room for any visitor, and then some.
Now, just so you don’t think I’m condemning this place, I have many happy memories here from my childhood. But I think there used to be more care given to the facilities and the operations.
This is the campground where we got squirrels to run up our legs and take peanuts from our hands when I was probably 10. This is also the park where I spent long days swimming, playing and running with newfound friends as my grandma lounged in the shaded area when we took that special day off from the farm to spend a day at the beach. So, I have not ill feelings about the park. And I’ve stayed in beautiful state parks, so I don’t dislike them.
Now fast-forward a couple of weeks later to a private park just 20 minutes from there, just a few miles from my family’s farm in Mesick, and there you have a park that offers large, roomy sites for bigger campers and easy access roads.
While the attractions are still mainly the natural waterways and outdoor recreation, there is more attention to detail here.
This is also a park that brings back memories. I grew up swimming at the beach and few choice spots with swinging ropes at this
My family’s also camped here several times in the past 15 years. This was my daughter’s favorite place to make “dirt angels” when she was 3.
Since it’s early years, it has had groomed hiking trails added, which are great for runners or hikers. I’ve jogged the trails many times, and even searched them for my daughter once when she went too far with a puppy.
Northern Exposure Campground for this trek was one of relaxation. With sites right on the water, and large enough to easily accommodate our 29-foot trailer and it’s small slide, things were already much better.
The weather also seemed to cooperate more this weekend. No rain in sight!
Being able to easily back in the camper and set it up is the best way to start a weekend – that is if no pull-thru sites are available. My husband is much happier when he doesn’t have to make strategic maneuvers to make the camper fit. And since I didn’t think we bought that big of a camper, I’m always amazed when it can’t be accommodated, and that’s often at public campgrounds, state parks and even national parks.
So, listening to the frogs and crickets is made so much nicer when you didn’t have to work up a sweat to set up camp.
And visiting with neighbors who had just as easy a time is also good.
My dad did his usual talking with neighbors, which did help give us vital information about a new tow vehicle. We’re looking at a heavy-duty truck and now will likely go with the diesel after my dad’s conversation with an engineer from GM. We’re GM people anyway, but now we’ve done our homework and talked to the pros.
My husband is so happy – a new camper and now a new truck – life is good!
Now, sit back and relax!
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