Port Hope - First trip!

 We had a great trip to Port Hope this past weekend (May 16 -19).  We arrived Thursday night about 6pm and had a great site.  The weather was windy most of the days and we had some really nice nights too.  

We met up with Robert/Shelia (her son Trevor too), Bob/Betsy (Finn too), and Matt/Theresa (Bently).  What I liked about this crew, we are on our own with food stuffs.  We need more practice on that. It is nice to share a meal when we are with the Longs and whoever else comes along but doing this trip shows us that we need to plan for our own meals.  Just a different type of camping for us.

Anywho, most days we just hung around at Robert's site and just relaxed and had great conversations.  We did go into town to get a few things (and ice cream from Grindstone!). We also had many walks, saw some wildlife too.  We did a trail by Port Crescent that was crazy.  It started just like any other trail but then *poof* no trail markers.  We weren't sure where to go but we knew we were ok.  I was worried about Zeke because I didn't want to push him.  He did surprise me that he wanted to keep going.  

I'll add the link to our pictures at the end of this.  We did have a bit of rain and some thunder but we had beautiful clear skies.  I did get a sunrise on the day we were leaving.  I happen to look out my window and saw the sun peaking and I bolted out of bed, dressed and got some pictures!  Most mornings were foggy or cloudy so I knew I wanted to get that picture.  Yeah, I didn't bring my drone but I don't think I would want to fly at 6am.  That's just rude 

and it was windy.  I don't like to fly when it is windy. It wasn't just little gusts, it was wind that was trying to blow our camper door shut. 

Buckley did good with the other dogs.  He really wanted to play and Finn sometimes initiated it but being tied makes it hard.  Leads can hurt if they get tangled.  But Buckley did good with everyone and was happy to see the people.  

But the trip was great. We really enjoyed ourselves and it was an awesome first trip!  May 2024 Port Hope  Enjoy the pictures!

A dopo!

Update on a few trips

 So we have John's birthday trip planned.  We are going to Hocking Hills.  There are a few trails that we could hike.  I am not sure about Zeke doing much but I will let him decide and it also depends on how hot it may be.  

We also booked trips to NH for a jeep trail and MAINE!  I am finally going to see Maine in the Fall! We have a tentative things to do but it depends on the weather.  Thankfully we will be visiting Acadia NP during the week and the kiddies should be in school too.  This will be a 2 week trip and we may stop at Niagara (State side) on the way back.  It is still not in stone yet so I am not putting it in my log yet.  I can update if/when we do.

Anywho, two new trips to new places outside of Michigan!  YAY!

A dopo!

Welcome 2024

 January was a long, long month but now that we are in February, we have some trips booked and one cooking in the oven.  We (John and I) are doing Lighthouse in Port Hope with Robert and his gang in May and then a new place in Indiana for Stacy's birthday (her 50th!).   We are cooking a trip to Maine for my 50th in September!  I am very excited!  I have wanted to do this for a long time to see the color change and they also have whale watching and wildlife tours! I updated my license for my drone, the dogs will have their stuff updated as well.   It looks like we will be going after my birthday but that's fine by me.  I can still spend my birthday with my mom.

We did have some bad news this month.  Terry passed away Feb 1.  It was really sudden and we are still in shock.  RIP Terry

We have been sick (just a cold, it happens in this crazy weather) typical cough, runny nose, etc.  Slowly getting better.  

Otherwise, I will add more to our list when things are booked.  Looking forward to this year and celebrating life.

A presto!

Not camping but....

 I had a weekend trip with Momma K and Sheri before Thanksgiving.  It was a last minute decision for me and I knew if they couldn't fit me, that's ok....but I stuck me in there!  Very happy about that.

The road trip wasn't too bad.  We did stop at a few rest areas just to get out and move.  This is very different from what I was used to.  John and I push through until the very last minute which means he has to GO!  Anyways, they had donuts, cookies, water and pop.  I made myself a small thermos of coffee.  

We had a beautiful drive going down...

We left our house about 7:30am and arrived in Logan about 3:30pm.  Donna had our rooms all set for us with chocolates on the pillows!  CUTE!  A lot of family came by almost every night to share a meal which was homemade.  On Friday  I helped Tammy with pumpkin rolls!  That was so much fun and I learned a lot!

Saturday, momma K, Sheri, Donna and I went to the park and walked about 2 miles.  Another beautiful day!

This park has all of their Christmas lights and decorations up for people to drive through.  We did this a few years back when we drove to FL one year.  I think this was better than Disney and a lot less peopley! 

Sunday we left about 8am and headed our way home.  We hit some heavy fog areas too.  Good thing we didn't leave before sunrise because it would have made it a less visible drive!   We made it home about 3ish.  I had a pumpkin roll to slice, dogs to greet and a house to reorganize.  I did end up with stomach flu the next morning but I managed.  

Overall, a good trip and I am glad I did it.  It wasn't crazy crowded like during the reunion and I got to wake up slow and easy.  There was no agenda and I could be as lazy as I wanted. It felt very homelike.  I may do this again in the future.  

A presto!

Algonac Quickie

 I almost forgot to post our quick weekend in Algonac experience.  Obviously, it was a weekend and not much going on.  We were on our own with meals so that was different.  I figure I will need to get a small smokeless grill because frying burgers inside sucks! Anywho, we camped with Bob/Betsy, Robert/Shelia, Matt/Theresa and Alex.  

We arrived Thursday afternoon and did a little chit chat.  Shelia got us an Ironman toy to travel with us.

I am not sure how we are going to stablize him inside but for now, he just sits inside.  

There was a lot of water traffic on the water.  I saw a cruise ship!  WHAT?!  

Friday we went out for a drive and hit a cider mill.  It was so quiet and easy to get in and out! 

Saturday morning I made monkey bread to share and it was a hit.  I think I am going to add chopped apples next time I make it.  Later on that day, we played some games and it went on into the night.  We had such a good time and lots of laughs (and learned about bugling)! 

Overall, it was a fun trip and we learned about things that we need when we camp alone.  

A presto!

supermoon Saturday night

  Sunflower garden

Cruise ship on the river

Labor day Review

 First the link:

2023 Labor day

So we left on an odd day (Saturday) and returned on an odd day (Sunday).  We normally leave when no one is setting up and when we return, there is usually a buffer day. Sometimes shaking things up can improve the brain power!  hahha!  Anywho here's the wrap up...

We arrived at Interlochen on Saturday late afternoon and Marty/Cindy were ready to with dinner.  That was such a great help since we didn't have to prep a fire or anything...just sit back and eat. While at Interlochen, we drove around a bit so they could find places to stage the kayaks.  We also found a village with Buckley's name! The guys did go kayaking and Stacy and I stayed at camp and relaxed.  Marty/Cidny already left so it was a quiet afternoon.  We did take the pups for a walk into another campground and just poked around.  It was really hot so I wanted to be sure the boys (pups) were ok, especially Zeke.  He is 12 and overweight but he just pushes ahead.  We returned and both of the boys wanted inside the RV.  I had the thermostat set at 62F.  Yes, that sounds cold but it makes for great sleep!  The next day it rained a lot but eventually stopped so we could cook dinner and hang out for a bit.  The next morning we were packed up and ready for our next destination....

STEAMBOAT PARK CAMPGROUND!

This is a private campground with full hookups and a view of the river.  It has a heated pool, playground, lots of areas to walk.  Definitely a return is needed!  We arrived there Thursday early evening.  Friday morning we did a zoo trip and a riverboat tour.  That was a very full and busy day.  The pups did great with no accidents or destruction.  That whole day was very fun! The next morning the 3 went for a kayak ride and I stayed home and did some laundry and cleaned up a bit.  When they returned, the guys went to explore another part of the river.  Us ladies did our own thing.  The guys returned and we had dinner and, of course, there was football on TV.  Sunday we packed up and left for the lot then home.

This trip felt much longer than one week.  It felt like we were gone for much longer.  Both campgrounds were fun and downtime happened (YAY).  I wish Interlochen had some trails but we made do.  Steamboat had beautiful grounds and even though they didn't have trails, they did have a lot of open grassy areas.  Overall, a definite fun time on this whole trip!  The dogs did  good with traveling, too!

Our next trip is to Algonac but it is a weekend so it will be a quick one.  Now I have to pull pictures off and save them on a drive.  

A presto!!! Ci vediamo! 

From one place to another and now home

 Our last full day and into the night here at Steamboat.  

It was a quiet day mostly for me.  The 3 went for a kayak ride and I did some laundry and watch a few movies.  Then after they came back, the boys went to another river and us ladies did our own thing (I was still doing laundry).  When they came back, we didn't do too much until dinner was about to be made. After dinner, I went down to the bank of the river and watched the paddle boat come through.  I got some nice pictures of it an the water did a nice reflection.  

Tomorrow we pack up and leave for home.  Sad but we did two places and it felt like we were gone for a longer time.  Our next trip will be Algonac and we are doing that solo.  

A presto!