Into the UP

Having fulfilled our dog-sitting responsibilities, we were free again to set off exploring. Leaving Gaylord, we headed north to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Michigan State Parks are a great deal if you are staying more than a few nights in the state. As non-residents, we purchased a "Recreation Passport" for $32 that allows entrance to all parks for the remainder of 2018.  Camping fees are still required, but it alleviated any concern we had for finding places to dump our tanks or fill with fresh water.

We stopped for lunch at Burt Lake State Park where we parked in the shade and looked out over the lake.

Having a pass we're finding that state parks are a great place to stop and prepare a meal. We're taking notes and writing down the parks we might return to for camping in the future.

This park has access to several connected lakes that might be fun to explore with the kayak someday.

Looking at the forecast and trying to avoid heavy rains, we crossed the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula. Beth has done this before, but it was my first time. For drivers that don't feel comfortable with big bridges, they will drive you across in your vehicle at no extra charge.

This five mile long bridge spans the border of lakes Michigan and Huron. An eastbound freighter had just passed below the span as we crossed.

Once across, we looked back from St Ignace at Mackinaw Island. With a long lens we could even spy the historic Grand Hotel.

Part of the island charm is that motorized vehicles aren't allowed on  Mackinac. Tourists and residents take passenger ferries from here or Mackinac City. Here's one of the fast, water jet powered, ferries heading across.

Always curious, we found the commercial docks in St Ignace where the freight ferry was loading supplies for the island.

Do you think we could sneak our van across the straits?

The weather wasn't conducive to visiting Mackinac Island so we drove east 47 miles to DeTour State Forest Campground. It may have been the weather, but even on a Friday night in August, less than half of the 21 sites were filled.

The procedure here is to pick your site, then fill out a form and insert it, along with a $15 check, in a locked pipe.

We found a site where we could peek through the trees and see Lake Huron. For $15 per night we had a fire ring and picnic table in a large campsite where we couldn't see our neighbors.

Here's the little trail from our site to the lake.

And our delightful Lake Huron  beach. We only saw one other couple walking this stretch of sand.

State Forest Campgrounds have fewer services than State Park Campgrounds. No showers, pressure water, dump stations or staff are on site. Fresh water is available via this hand pump.  Fortunately, our little van has all the power, water, and facilities we need to enjoy these remote campgrounds.