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!

Oooh the things we did!

 Today was a busy but fun day!

First we went to the John Ball Zoo!  It was a fun zoo with a lot of interaction stuff and there was a staff person at almost every site! It was so interesting to talk and hear what they had to say at each animal place.  We got there just as it opened and left about 1ish.  

We got back and let the pups out and gave them a good walking and fed.  We rested a bit and then we had to leave for our steamboat tour!  It was a 2 hour ride up and down the river at the park.  We walked there, boarded and listened to a group play as we paddled boated.  It was quite fun!  That ended about 730.

Then we had some leftovers and sat around the fire for a bit.  Tomorrow morning the 3 of them are going kayaking at 930.  I am staying home and doing a bit of laundry and getting some sun.  Hopefully the campground will be relatively quiet.

Anywho, I am going to get myself ready for bed!

A presto!

Onward to a new location

 Well we left Interlochen around 1ish and arrived in Grand Rapids about 4ish.  The trip was pretty uneventful which is always a good thing.  This park we are at is called Steamboat Park campground.  It is a private little campground off a river.  Today's weather is kind of dreary so the look of it is blah but tomorrow night we are going on a paddle boat ride for a few hours.  That'll be interesting! 

I am not sure what we are doing in the morning but I know I have pups to walk and feed.  I think there was talk about a zoo but again, I have no idea.  The guys are watching Lions football.  I left after half time because, well, it is football...but I digress

So at this park, there is supposed to be a dog park of some sort but I haven't quite figured out where.  Buckley needs a place to get rid of this energy! 

Anywho, dishes are done, bedtime routines are finished and I am ready for bed!

A presto!

Packing up and hitting another site

 Good morning on a wet start.  

Good thing coffee is hot and ready when I sit down and type this morning.  Yup, it's another early morning for me but it's ok.  Today we are packing up and leaving the 'Loch and going to a place in Grand Rapids called Steamboat.  I guess there are some activities that are planned but I have forgotten but I do know we have full hookups so do you know what that means?????  Unlimited water and dumping power!  I think I may do laundry while they go kayaking so I don't have as much to do. Yes, it sounds silly to be that excited to do laundry on vacation but hey, I am!

Yesterday it poured down rain for a few hours but it finally cleared up for 4 hours so we could eat and chat for a bit. I had my first tamale too!  It was good.  I think we all went to bed early because the next round of rain was going to start about 11pm. 

During the day we went to the mall to get John some shoes and while we were there, they had a carousel like in Port Huron.  It brought back so many memories when Donna came up during the end of last year.  We ate in the food court too. John found a duck on his Jeep and I couldn't believe what kind he got!

Besides matching his jeep color, it is a DRAGON! So now he has to keep this little guy as an extra co-pilot.  I have a sailor one at home so I am going to put it in his jeep as well so the ducks can have each other. 

  Well, I am off to do a little reading and get things organized for our next leg of the trip.  

A presto!

Hot, Hot, Hot!

 Good Morning, campers!

Well yesterday was very hot!  I think the real feel temp hit about 97F!  Whew!  The boys went off on their kayaking adventure while Stacy and I stayed at camp.  We did our usual pow-wow, walked the pups and read...you know, girl stuff.  The guys left about noon-ish and didn't get back until 7pm.  They had some interesting stories.  One is John broke his paddle so he is going to need a new one.  Good thing the season is over unless he wants to take it to Algonac at the end of this month.  Anywho, it sounded liked they had a good time and had lots of laughs.  

I took this picture when I was walking the pups before the sun roasted us.  It was so RED!  The fur boys came outside once and they were so uncomfy and hot, they wanted in.  So most of the time, they stayed in and took a nap.  Smart pups!  We made sure the fire stayed hot so we had a cooking fire.  Stupid people stories that we were telling each other really got me going and I didn't know I was putting so much wood into the fire.  OOPS!

As for today, they are calling for rain.  The temp is lower but it is super humid out there.  It's really gross!  Not sure what is on the agenda for today but whatever it is, it will be interesting! Tomorrow is the last day here but not for camping.  I think we are headed for Grand Rapids for a night or 2.  Other than that, just enjoying my coffee and a quiet house.

A presto!

Good morning and yesterday's excursions

 Hellooooo! I cannot believe I am up at this hour! 5am?!Really? Between my brain and bladder, there is no rest for the weary!  But I digress

So yesterday, we decided to go exploring around to see what's going on.  I think, mostly, to see where they can go kayaking.  We hit a roadside park and it was really nice.  Lots of swans, cranes and ducks.  Then from there we went to other places for launch sites. After they got their full of sites, we went to the village of Buckley and got Buckley's pictures in front a few signs and a t-shirt.

Then we headed back to camp to our Labor Day dinner which was prime, taters and corn.  It was so good! Good friends and conversations continued throughout the night.  

This morning/mid morning, we are having ruebens and Cindy and Marty are leaving. I think the guys are going to kayak and Stacy and I are staying at camp.  Other than that,  I don't know what will happen.  I will probably get a nap in since I am up at this gosh awful morning! 

By the way, I love this Tiffin! The room, comfort and just everything! We are thinking about planning a trip to the Grand Canyon next summer.  Even though I really do not like long trips, this rig makes it enjoyable.  It is comfortable for the ears and body.  She was a great find for us and Tiffinites for Life!

Anywho, I am going to enjoy the quiet morning while I have it!

A presto!

First full day ....

 Good evening, y'all!

Well today was pretty productive.  I made monkey bread and found a few things I need to alter for the recipe but that's part of learning.  But overall, it came out pretty good.  It may be a staple for long trips.  Anywho, the guys went out and got firewood and some fresh fruit while us ladies played some bouncy cornhole game and darts.  After that a few went to the beach and I tended to dinner which was pulled pork.  When they got back, we had some yummy sandwiches. Then a few of us went up to the camp store and got some ice cream.  I took Buckley with us so he could get acclimated to night time and icky children. 

I finally got the kitchen cleaned up (I made such a mess with the pulled pork!) and I am so ready for bed!  I think tomorrow a few are going kayaking so tomorrow will be a read day/learning day for me!

A presto!

Driving up to the 'Lochen

 Well, really not much to say but it felt like a long, ass drive.  We left about noon and arrived about 4:30.  We did have a stop in Saginaw for fuel and food.  I don't know, just felt like a long drive.

Anywho, we arrived and met up with Marty and Cindy.  They had dinner waiting for us and that was a great relief.  All we had to do is set up and eat.  Our electric had to be repaired by the rangers. That was interesting.  We never had that before.  It's supposed to a hot one this weekend too.  Gotta have AC.

I am glad we have some internet so I can do this in real time instead of typing up in word and do all the editing when we get home.  Anywho, I am going to get ready for bed and see what tomorrow has in store for us!

A presto!