Cloudland Canyon State Park, Rising Fawn, GA (Oct 27 - Oct 29), 2011

Daniel Creek

Cloudland Canyon

90 ft. Falls

Break Area

Canyon Floor

1200 Steps for this photo!!

Stone fence photo taken under that boulder!!

After the motor home repairs were done in Chattanooga, Tennessee we changed our direction to westward and drove a short distance to the north-west corner in the State of Georgia. We ended up licking are wounds at Cloudland Canyon State Park one of the most scenic parks in the state and also recommended by a fellow camper we met in 2010. By the late afternoon we had time to walk along and enjoy the overlook trail and see the beautiful canyon views with the colorful fall colors on this western edge of Lookout Mountain range.  The next day was rainy off and on and cool.  However, we did luck out on our departure day for sunshine so we were able to take the 2 mile Waterfalls Trail with over 1200 steps, at 40-degree slope down the canyon to the waterfalls -- Their park map says they have 2 waterfalls, { Mike photographed more than 6 different size waterfalls}. The scenic trails were spendid!!!  The waterfalls magnificent!!!  We really enjoyed this park and the work-out for our short 2 day stay. Westward we go, over to Scotsboro, Alabama where we had to stop in at the "Unclaimed Luggage Center"       { Lost Treasures from Around the World }. Darlene looking for summer clothes only to find a big winter selection was out!! and Mike finding what he needed !     

General Burnside Island State Park, Burnside, KY (Oct. 18th - 27th) 2011

Choo Choo Gardens and Fountains

Up at "The Dome"

Mill Springs Grist Mill

Natural Arch Scenic Area

General Burnside Golf Course Campgrd. View

Dunlap Coke Ovens

Traveling  through Ohio we stopped at Van Buren State Park, north of Findlay, Ohio (not one of their best parks) still undeveloped  and more of a equestrian camp then anything.  Then we proceeded  onto the back roads into northern Kentucky. We stayed a couple of days at  Kincaid State Park near Falmouth, KY. Had no chance to play golf  at this State Park golf course because we encountered  off and on rain, cold dreary weather from Michigan. This small lake and pool campground was on top of a hill ridge line with some sites level and some not. So continuing our way down US 27, we arrived at the well laid out General Burnside Island State Park in southern Kentucky with an 18 hole golf course .  We were lucky to get in on a cancelled site due to the big planned Halloween weekend there.   We handed out more candy there than we did in our 20 years in Pinckney & Clarkston, Michigan homes all together.  We visited Mill Springs Grist Mill .[missed it operating again] in Mill Springs, KY and the U.S. Natural Arch Scenic Area  south of Burnside, KY.  We took the hike back to the  50 x 90 foot arch formed by the erosion of wind, water, and ice that cut away the soft sandstone and left a hard rock cap that arches across the sky.  We had a very pretty day to visit this arch and enjoyed many of the area's Fall colors.  While the motor home was in the recommended repair shop for a bad AC compressor on Monday, Mike and Jason really enjoyed playing on  the beautiful 18 hole golf course at the General Burnside Island State Park [ which was very very nice]. Heading towards our next destination in northern Georgia, we stopped in and had a picnic lunch at the Dunlap Coke Ovens of Tennessee {deep in history} park located on the western-side in the town of Dunlap, TN.  Our motor home started acting up on us again;  thankfully on a short part of the expressway and eventually dying against a guard rail and on hill at that. That was scary on this busy expressway with  the drivers nowadays especially the speedy Truckers!!  Had to call our road service and after about 3 or 4 hours of  what went wrong, removing the training wheels off the back, and the fact the drive shaft needed to be disconnected so they could tow the RV to the nearest service center our Nationwide Insurance company set up for us.. Here we come Lee Smith in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Thankfully, they had a place for us to plug in and we spent the next day and a half  waiting for them to service us.  So we did our chores and ate at the highly recommended Bea's Country Kitchen where the good is served in country style (reminded us of Frankenmuth, MI which served their famous chicken dinners in the same fashion).  We also had a change to visit the historical site of the Chattanooga Choo Choo (yes there is a real choo choo as the sound goes).  This was where the first railroad passengers trip originated out of Cincinnati, OH down to Chattanooga, TN back in 1880 in which started the railroad industry. So they say!!  It is now a restored structure for all to enjoy.  The cable/train cars  are in the center with gardens and fountains  throughout the area, surrounded by many hotels, little shops, bars and restaurants.  You can even rent the train cars to stay in or ride the trolley.  The architecture and history are tastefully displayed along with the Grand Dome which was the most attractive design feature of its time in 1909.  The Dome was the lobby for the Chattanooga Choo Choo station and where visitors can relive the golden era of the railroads.  When we returned our motor home was fixed and ready to go only to find out it was caused by a pinched wire when the AC compressor was incorrectly installed by the Truck Doctor of Science Hill, TN.  The headache's begin (being billed to correct the first problem) and it was time to head a short-way to our next destination, the Cloudland Canyon State Park in the northwest corner of Georgia.

Michigan Good-byes (Oct. 4th - 18th) 2011

The Kohut Boys & Mom

Edward Hines Parkway Comfort Station

My Birthday Gift to "Locks of Love"

Time to  say our good-byes to family and friends in Michigan before we journey to Texas for the winter.  Our first stop was Jackson, Mi. to address some routine maintenance issues with the motorhome and the car.  We were able to do this at Uncle Doug's house which also made us close to Darlene's dad to say good-bye.  We then ventured to Proud Lake S.P. near Milford, Mi. (after putting new tires on our MH) which happened to have a Halloween theme and was booked for the weekend.  Which then led us back to our favorite Haas Lake campground in New Hudson, Mi. where we stayed for the duration.  It was kind of nice because we were practically the only ones camping there during the week; with the weekenders coming in only for their short stay.  We were able to revisit the Slice of Spice restaurant in Spring Arbor, Mi. on M-60 owned by the Laughlins for Excellent Pizza and COLD Beer and the good company of the Lee's.  We then met all the Kohuts at the Parshallville Cider Mill to enjoy good cider and donuts and apples.  We were  even able to drive the Edward Hines Parkway  to visit Mike's dad's grave-site with a flag to represent that  he was a WWII veteran.  Our good-byes were shared with Kelsey (our daughter) and Shaun (our eldest son).  The real highlights of this trip was on Mike's birthday (Oct 12th), he finally had his haircut with his pony tails mailed to "Locks of Love".  I think he was glad to get the tresses removed after 1 1/2 years of letting it grow.  We also visited the Novi Camper Show because we were close and we still like to keep posted of what is out there for camping.  Thus as sad as it was to leave, the cooler weather said we better starting heading south now.

Pittsburgh, PA Visit (Sept. 11th - Oct. 4th, 2011)

My Dearest Aunt

America's Shortest Covered Bridge 18 ft.

America's Longest Covered Bridge 613 ft.

Top of Monongahela Incline

Up Monongahela Incline

McConnells Mill

On a very sad anniversary (Sept. 11th) we headed to Ohio on our journey to Pittsburgh, Pa. to visit the Kohut relatives.   We were surprised to find out not all Ohio State Parks were as nice as Maumee State Park east of Toledo (where we have stayed a couple of times in the past).  The only one comparable to Maumee was called West Branch State Park east of Akron, Ohio. We found out you have to be careful of what Ohio State Park you choose.  Not all have electricity and water hookups and other added amenities that we became accustomed too.  Continuing on to Pennsylvania along the back-roads we decided to check out the Pennsylvania State Parks.  Raccoon State Park was west of Pittsburgh so we thought we would give it a try.  It was a very scenic, wooded park but only had electric hook-ups and very out dated restrooms.  Plus the satellite service was not very good (phones/internet/tv) and knowing that we were going to stay in the Pittsburgh area for some time decided after one night to move to another membership park of ours (Passport America) that was located northeast of Pittsburgh and was much closer to our destinations.  It was called Mountain Top Campground and it was named rightly so.  We had a fantastic scenery view of the valley below surrounding us.  We ended up camping there for 10 days while we visited with aunts, uncles, cousins and our niece in various areas and views of Pittsburgh.  We spend four days just with Mike's 93 year old aunt who needed work around her house done. It was sad to leave her each day because what she did need was full-time care.  It was great to see our niece and where she lived; and Mike's cousin and his wife who were around our age watching a Steeler's game with them.  After all our visits, we stopped short just north of Pittsburgh at McConnells Mill S.P. for lunch. As we head back to Michigan we stayed a few nights at another one of our membership parks (Thousand Trails) which was called Kenisee Lake in northeast Ohio.  The only problem there was the weather.  The ground was already saturated like a sponge and more rain and colder temperatures were moving in.  So time to move out -- but not before we received a fresh baked peach pie from a local baker delivered right to our site.  We had also visited a few Covered Bridges in this area known for them. 5 of the 17 .  This is a park we would return to -- hopefully to better weather.  Going along the Lake Erie shoreline through Ohio we stayed at the  East Harbor State Park which was a very nice park and was decorated for their annual big Halloween turnout on the weekend.  So back to Michigan we go to complete maintenance duties on the vehicles and visit with as much family as we could to say our good-byes for the winter.

Bear Cave, Buchanan, MI (Aug, 28th - Sept. 11th), 2011

Pure Michigan Beach / Grand Mere S.P. 

Paw Paw Winery

Inside "The Bean" looking up!!

Pears Mill

Going Down Bear Cave

"The Bean" in Chicago, Ill.

New Crowley Home

Inside Bear Cave

Our travels took us to the southwest corner of Michigan to Buchanan (near Niles) Michigan. One of two  membership campgrounds in Michigan was located there and we wanted to check it out.  Buchanan was a cute little town and we visited there a few times to take pictures of the old Pears Grist-mill, visit an great local meat and farmer's markets, shop at the gift / pizza shops because the guys won  gift certificates.  The Bear Cave RV Resort campground was located on the St. Joseph River which was a pretty wide and deep.  Across the way was the Red Bud Motor-cross Racetrack, but no races were schedule for the time of our visit. This campground was called Bear Cave because literally there is a cave located under the camp store.  It is the only naturally formed cave in the State of Michigan.  It contains many rare and bizarre rock formations, pools of water and of course many cave bats.  At one time, many Indian tribes inhabited this area, lastly the Potawatomi Indians who were known to have named the cave.  This Bear Cave  was also used during the filming of one of the first motion pictures -- a talking film called "The Great Train Robbery".  It is about 40 feet below the surface and about 150 feet long.  Because the temperature stays around 58 degrees year round, the bats hibernate in this cave during the winter months (October - April).  On our visit there, the bats were very active and would fly above and around us which according to our source there, became very active right before the earthquake in Virginia and the eastern states hurricane weeks earlier.  They say animals can tell when a natural disaster is to occur beforehand.  They did not get tangled in our hair which is how "the old untrue tale" says they do. Besides from the pool and hot tub, Labor Day weekend was filled with many activities there like an ice cream social, a delicious grilled pork chop potluck, bingo and canoe races which Mike and Jason won first place.  Our main event however, was our visit to Chicago, Ill. with Darlene's brother Kevin and family, Gina, Ian, Emily and their two dogs, Molly & Kirby.  We had the best time.  They took us downtown via the L trains where we visited Millenium Park, the Water fountain,  seen "The Bean" and caught a local magician act and the Chicago's Jazz festival was going on a beautiful day!!!  We spent the night in their very nice new home and they were very good hosts which made it sad for us to leave the next day.  We also visited Grand Mere S.P. in Michigan which we hiked to Lake Michigan with Buddy to swim since it was the only dog beach in the area.  Nearby Niles  Darlene had her eyes checked because she can't read the maps and Jason had an allergy test done.  South Bend, Ind. and Dowagiac, Mi.(where the Crowley's originated) were other towns we visited.   We also attended the Annual Paw Paw Wine Festival and meeting up with our daughter, Kelsey  for some wine tasting and grape stomping festivities.  We missed the grape stomping due to lack of teams but we had fun visiting the craft booths and riding a horse pulled cart into town and watching Mike trying for a Hole-In-One.  We shall be back someday because we liked the Bear Cave RV Resort  park and we were not too far from the Warren Dunes and those Pure Michigan Beaches!!!! Yes that is a Truck Tire??

Michigan Visit (June -August) 2011

Groveland Oaks Campground

Tiger Fans

Since this was once our home state, we will summarize our visit which will take us through most of the summer in warm, sunny Michigan.  We discovered two new private parks which were not too bad.   There was Haas Lake RV Campground in New Hudson and Lansing Cottonwood Campground (a former KOA park) in  Lansing not too far from MSU campus where Kelsey will be attending her Senior year.  They were both pretty nice and had most of our amenities. We also stayed at a couple of county parks in Oakland County.  Groveland Oaks near Holly and Addison Oaks north of Rochester. One of our membership parks in St. Clair near Port Huron has a great pool for when the weather calls for it. Our  20th annual family camp trip with our dear Michigan friends led us to Sleepy Hollow State Park north of Lansing.  How could we forget that there was no internet; cell phone coverage was bad and no water hookups from last year.? It's a weekender campground, not for full-time RVers. We should have checked our blog!!!!   We also spent time with relatives and old neighbors who were kind enough to put up with us and provide us with electricity.  And we spent the usual time doing the dental appointments, visiting old stomping grounds, made motorhome repairs, Tiger games, a little golf, disc golf as well and some casino visits, and even got in some nice bike rides on some awesome trails.  We also had 3 graduation parties and 2 weddings to attend for various friends & family members.  We lost a very dear friend/neighbor to lung cancer but we were grateful to spend some quality time with her before she passed away, to whom Mike was growing his long hair for.
Our daughter, Kelsey returned home safely from Spain and filled us in on all her adventures.  Of course her beautiful pictures were posted on her facebook page which we followed while she was there.  August we spent time in East Lansing to move her out of her house one week; then back into her new apartment a couple of weeks later.  We were able to celebrate her 21st birthday then it was back to college on the 31st for her.  

Nankin Mills Nature/Built by Henry Ford

Sleepy Hollow S.P.

Avoca Wadhams Rail to Trail

Camping was not without the usual life events.  The weather was great -- July being the hottest month on record.  Summer flew by and we were planning our "get out of winter" destination to Florida.  But a surprising email from our old boss in California (Christmas Trees from Oregon) asked if we would like to sell trees in Corpus Christi, Texas so we agreed.  Winter in Texas it will be.  We'll stay here in Michigan to enjoy the fall colors and have some good ole' cider and donuts for sure!!   The most difficult part would be to say good bye to our family, our relatives and our friends.  But we shall be returning in 2012 for Kelsey's graduation in May, just in time for the warm summer months which we will enjoy together once again.  

Stops along the way (June 12th - June 20th) 2011

Keeney Camp-site Pool View

Keeney Camp-Site

Haas Lake RV Park site

From St. Clair, Michigan our travels took us cross town to the Bridgeway-Cummins RV-Truck Repair Center parking lot on Grand River Ave. in New Hudson, Mi. where we camped overnight to see if we could get our left-rear leveling jack fixed -- we could not get it to go back up without a fight in Hastings, Mi. when we left.   Due to prime RV season, we had to make an appointment for two weeks ahead of time.  Oh well, we then moved on down the street a little ways to check out a recommended campground called Haas Lake RV Park in New Hudson, Mi.  We were pleasantly surprised that even though off a dirt road (Oakland County, Mi. of course), it was a very nice large RV park sitting on four separate lakes.  Probably 1/2 the sites (494) there were permanent/ seasonal trailers/motor homes but they were spaced out enough to give it a very nice setting with many sites right on the water fronts.   Wi-Fi, 2 laundry mats, water and electric were provided.  We will be heading back here the week of June 20th for sure!!!!  So onward we go to our great friends, The Keeney's in Brighton, Mi.  They were kind enough to offer and to even provide pool side accommodations.  Jason and Mike took care of a few things for them while they were at work and that evening we sat by all-night campfire (we didn't last all-night) and played lots of dominoes, Darlene & Barb's favorite game.  We were able to visit our nephew Mark in Howell, Mi. and we checked out a couple other campgrounds in the area. Both were not as nice as Haas Lake RV Campground in New Hudson, Mi.  On Thursday we are headed to Jackson, Mi. to stay with Darlene's uncle and attend a niece's graduation party. The Great Class of 2011 from Northwest High School north of Jaskson.