Camping, kids, dogs, and bicycles

Departed:Empire, Michigan  9:30

Arrived:  Ludington, Michigan  4:00
121 miles
Kibby Campground

Hey friends,
Lots of Lake Michigan shoreline today. We started at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.  But first I must add that we were a little late getting started not because of the curling irons but because of having some minor rv issues but they were quickly resolved. Couldn't figure out where a smell was coming from... kitchen sink...

We started our day off with the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive in the National Park.  (I have noticed that Michigan has this thing for naming everything for somebody...like next two miles are named for Susie Q, etc...) Anway the scenic drive was awesome.  We stopped at several scenic overlooks that were looking down at Lake Michigan.  One stop in particular was 450 feet high above the lake.  We were standing on top of sand dunes that were also formed by glaciers, just as Lake Michigan was formed.

 You can see how much the wind is blowing as we are high above Lake Michigan.

 Those dots along the sand are people trying to climb back up the dunes.

 And of course the pups get to enjoy the scenery and the smells, too.

After leaving the national park, we continued south on Highway 22 which went along the coast through many neat villages.  There are so many smaller lakes along the way as well.  Every village seems to have their own lake and the coast of Lake Michigan.  It's no wonder the tourism industry is thriving here.  We were trying to go to another state park in Ludington today, but the campground was full.  Camping is a BIG deal in Michigan.  Many natives buy "season" spots at their favorite campground and go there all summer as often as they can.

So here we are at another campground, which has to be your average 6-10 year old's idea of heaven. I have never seen so many kids flying around on bikes, going back and forth from the swimming pool, the pond to fish, riding the little "train", etc,  And for every kid there has to be two dogs! And you know how much Halle likes that.... she is very territorial... and lets us know if anybody is walking by on two feet or four! Glad we're only here one night!

All good things must come to an end and tomorrow the Inmans and the Bells will part ways :( as the Bells are headed to see their son and his family and we are going to the border of Michigan and Indiana and take a left and go toward the northeast. Thinking about going to Niagara Falls and then come back down through Pennsylvania etc. We'll see where this next adventure takes us!

Happy Camping!
Carla