Potato Creek SP, IN (August 30 - 31st)

We arrived at Potato Creek State Park (named for the Native Americans who once collected plants with potato-like roots on the creek's banks).  These camping sites were like Michigan's in that there were no water hook-ups; only electric.  The park was huge with lots of trails for hike or bike and bridle trails, an 327 acre electric motor fishing  lake and 287 camping sites and was just a very neatly groomed park.  The bike trail which we rode that first evening was 3.3 miles but it took us another 3+ miles to get back to our campsite.  It was a paved trail through the woods, the fields and very scenic. A very nice park to go back to.  The 2nd day we headed to Elkhart, Ind. the "RV Capital of the World" . But  not before we came across one of the most beautiful and Biggest Farmers Market we have ever seen. It wasn't open that day.  Stop in town of Nappanee, Ind. for an  factory tour of the Newmar RV facility.  They showed us the different work-stations that it took to build their Class A Motorhomes.  Across from Newmar was Amish acres of shops, theater and a great place for lunch.  We passed many horsedrawn buggy's going down the road and saw many Amish farms in this area.   85% of the workers at Newmar were Amish and most of them usually rode their bikes there to work each day.  The economy has hit them hard as well because Newmar once employed 1,000 workers and now they were down to 400.  Once they were building 15-20 coaches per day; now they are building 3 per day.  They claim it was worst last year and things seem to be picking up a bit this year.  We also visited the Damon factory in Elkhart but we missed the tour there.  Then we drove through Notre Dame University campus since we were so close.  Lots of catholic churches in that area!!!
We shall be heading west on September 1st.  Not sure which way to Salt Lake City but check our blog to follow our path.

Pokagon SP, IN (August 25 - 30th)

This is our annual camping trip with the Lopez's, Keeny's and Sheldon's.  Just about one hour south of the MI/IN border.  Very nice and huge park with beach, horse-back riding, bike trails and unfortunately no water hook-ups.  Big sites and many campsites.  Cooler weather too!!!  49 degrees at night was a bit chilly for us after getting used to 90's for so long.
Highlight of our trip was Kelsey's 20th birthday.  However, her car broke down on the way to IN and wasted her whole afternoon.  But we cheered it up with a birthday cake and her favorite wish a new camera.  Mike, Kelsey and Jason went horseback riding one afternoon.  Darlene relaxed on the beach.    We also rode on the 2 mile paved bike trail through the park.  Our last evening the group went on a hayride which rode through the campground streets as we waved to all the campers.  Buddy was entered into the best dog costume and won first prize.  We dressed him as "Beach Buddy" as you will see in the picture.  He won a birthday party for 7 of his friends; but because we were leaving the area the next day, we asked if he could have a bath and a nail trim instead.  They granted the exchange and also provided him with a goody back of treats, bones, a ball and homemade dog biscuits.  That was very kind of them.  The place was called Pawsitively Paradise Pet Resort in Angola, IN.  It was great for them to even donate the winning prizes for the dog contest in the campground.

It was sad to see all our friends depart back to home in Michigan and Kelsey to head back to campus.  We were left on our own to head to Potato Creek State Park in North Liberty, IN.  Enjoy the pictures!!!!

Sleepy Hollow SP, MI (August 20 - 25th)

What a difference a park makes.  Sleepy Hollow was everything Metamora was not.  A very beautiful park.  The daily rate was even $6.00 cheaper per night.  We were on a paved site with actual grass and shrubs surrounding us making it a little more private.  Very neat and well-groomed.  But again no water hook-ups.  This was the park we housed at while moving Kelsey to her new house with 9 roommates.  She did a great job painting her room on her own; then we pitched in cleaning up the area inside and out for them.  We also gained a new permanent roommate -- Jason.  He will be departing Michigan with us in hopes of a new life out west.  He and we are very anxious and hopeful that he will be successful in this new venture.  We spent most of our time and Kelsey's new house but we did make a visit to our good ole neighbors in Clarkston, The Eckles.  We also said our final good-byes to Shaun and invited him to join us out west anytime.  The only enjoyment we squeezed out of this park was Mike and Jason using the bike trails on our last full day there.

We are now heading out of the State of Michigan.  Who knows when we will return????????

Metamora-Hadley State Park, MI (August 12 - 20th)

After spending a night in the rest area (which wasn't too bad actually especially since it was free) we successfully moved Kelsey out of her apartment and headed to Metamora SP.  What a disappointing park.  Dirt roads, dirt unlevel sites and one terrible storm knocking tree branches down and cutting off electricity for 2 days.  However, Motorhome, our car and Kelsey's car had to be taken care of locally.  We even had to sleep in tent for one night.  And of course the coldest night.  Cannot believe that for a recreational state there are no water hook-ups.  Things never change in Michigan for the good of the people or even tourists for that matter.  Plus Michigan charges you not only for the camping fee (which was outrageous) but you have to pay for daily or annual stickers on your vehicles.  The Southern states do not do this.

The only good part of this visit was to be able to visit with Shaun and have all three kids together for at least one night.  Shaun loved having food at his disposal and was quite good at manning the fire.  We even had to cancel our old neighborhood picnic due to lack of response and lack of electricity.  We cut out two days earlier because not only there was no electricity and it was a "dirty" (literally) site, we had loud obnoxious neighbors that faced their campsite to ours.  Mike could just not take it anymore.

Moved on to Sleepy Hollow State Park north of Lansing.

Beaver Creek Resort , Gaylord (MI) (August 9 - 12th)

Nice resort with swimming, tennis courts, hot tub and sauna.  Also water hook-ups a rarity in Michigan parks.  Lori and Brian joined us for the duration.  Mike and Brian headed up to Ludington for a salmon fishing expedition.  Came home with one good sized salmon and we had a cookout with Gary and Linda.  On way out of town, visited with niece Christie and Tim and Evan, Sydney, Caitlin and Chase on Heart Lake south of Gaylord.
Leaving to head to East Lansing to help Kelsey move out of apartment after spending a night "boon-docking" at a rest area north of Lansing.

Walter J. Hayes State Park, MI (August 7 - 9th)

After spending night at Brian and Lori Lee's house, we spent the next couple of nights at the best site in Walter J. Hayes State Park in the Irish Hills.  Great site in the woods!!  Visited with Mike Crowley and Mary and Ryan; then onto Dan's in Delton near Battle Creek.  Also visited with dad and Uncle Doug.

Next we are on to Gaylord for our free camping at Beaver Creek!!!

Sterling State Park (MI) August 1 - 5th, 2010

Time was well spend with Kohut family members:  mom, Panchenko's, George and Dianne Kohut, Gary and Linda.
No shade in the park but we had a great site on Lake Erie!!!!  Also visited Rachelle's new home!!

Time to move to the Crowley family side at Walter J. Hayes State Park.