We decided to go camping, because who doesn't love a good weekend camping trip right? After some minor planning, we got our shiz together to get on the road and to the Up North region of the Mitten. We headed up in two groups...the first group didn't have to work or hang out with their grandma, so they were in Wilderness by approximately 3 p.m. We three, on the other hand, had to work slash hang out with grandma, and so we didn't peace from the booming metropolis of Ann Arbor until about 5...an hour later we got off at the Lee Road exit (in Brighton) for some sustenance of the Panera kind...only to re-enter the highway scene with a few less cars than before, but still a slow moving mass of metal. Anyhoo...onward march! After escaping that traffic nightmare, we ran into the second one. Someone had to have died on this highway because they had it completely closed it off and were re-routing traffic...so that was another thing to rejoice about. Then we received a call from one Poppa Joel alerting SWG that she might have left all of her clothes at home...typical. Yet, hilarious! All we needed was a little bit of cooperation and she would make it through the weekend juuust fine.
Anyways. After seven hours of travel we were approaching our destination in the pouring rain and raging thunderstorm, when a porcupine comes waddling out of nowhere causing all of us to start screaming. Who knew how awkward porcupines were when they walked? I guess all those needles tend to get in the way and all, but gee whiz, you would think they would have thought of a better way to get around by now, after all these years.
Ummm then we stopped at the check-in station, which was clearly empty due to the fact that it was midnight 'o' clock, had an encounter with one of the park people who drove up with a flashlight asking questions, and then finally got to our campsite. Whew!
Night #1 was tres interasante. A lot of rain in a little amount of time equals not great. We ended up with some flooding inside the tent that was the size of a small house (and bigger than my dorm room). First it was just the little tiny hole that was forming a little puddle over by someone's head, but then it started seeping up through the entire bottom of the tent due to the fact that we were actually floating on a quite a bit of water, it was inevitable. A few got up and went to sleep in the car, and a few of us braved it...considering I was only wet from my waist down, I decided to stick it out. It wasn't terrible...at least it wasn't freezing cold on top of the wetness factor! When the rain finally slowed down, we decided to check out the area...some stakes had come loose, the awning was ripped, there was a LOT of water all around, and the tent was leaning rather severely in one direction...KK and I made some necessary adjustments and then we all just attempted a bit of slumber.
In the morning...the entire place was a little sad and tired looking...it had gone through quite a beating in just one short night, but the sun was coming out and there was quite a breeze. AKA primo condition to dry anything and everything out. Checked out the beach area, watched SW strip all sticks in sight of their bark, ate some delicious cereal, and then peaced to find a public beach with a little more sand and a little less beach grass. We landed on one with a very secret driveway and set up camp. KK, SWG (whose swim suit ended up being a pair of undies and a sports bra), and I frolicked about in the waves because the water was rather warm, but sadly, no one else would join us! Harumph. I guess they were too busy in iPod land to come play in the waves. Whoooo knows. Umm wave frolicking was followed up by a dandy lunch of PB&J sandwiches, Sun Chips, and various other items. Deeericious. Then we decided to go back to the campsite, start a fire, and commence the eating fest of all eating fests.
I took up the post of Professional Weenie Warmer and prepared the hot dogs to what I would say was perfection. Heated all the way through, but not completely singed on the outside. I'd say that was pretty successful. Let's see, the weenies were followed up by some grilled cheeses, followed up by chips, lots of pop, carrots and dip, fruit, homemade pretzels (SO GOOD), s'mores, and probably some more weenies. Hahahaha. Kind of disgusting...but it was totally fine. I claimed it vacation, which meant I was going to eat whatever I wanted...although when has not being on vacation stopped me from eating whatever I wanted to eat? Yeah I don't know...makes me feel better about myself!
After a long while of lounging about the campfire, with a nap in the middle, KK, SWG, and I decided to go to the beach to watch the sunset slash enjoy the lake atmosphere. We had quite the photo shoot and the sunset ended up lasting forever and was rather amazing, so needless to say, we were pleased with our decided plan of action.
When the cold night began to set in, we started to prepare for the Skinny Dipping Adventure of 2009. Clearly I only had the honor to be accompanied by KK and SWG, the others weren't feeling the nighttime lake quest. We suited up...well, rather down...but headed out with the 2 in 1 poo and dish, a towel, and a sweatshirt...oh and the really sweet flashlights compliments of Poppa Bob and Momma Annette...complete with wristbands so it's hard to lose them! We set up our base at the shore, dropped trow, and ran for it. Slightly chilly, but all in all, not terrible! A rejuvenating blast of cold I would say...and we got to wash our hair...which was a sweet added bonus.
After heading back to camp, we attempted to dry ourselves off as best as we could, and then put on every layer of clothing we brought and hunkered down in our sleeping bags to brave the cold night. Brr! In the morning, after waking up with all limbs still intact, our neighbors (the friendliest Indianers [oof...what do you call someone from Indiana?] on the planet offered us a delicious pot of coffee (which we graciously accepted) and took a couple snapshots of the entire group. So great. The first half of el grupo peaced to go back to Ann Arbor while KK, SWG, and I disassembled the house tent and packed up the Suburban.
After leaving Wilderness we decided that we should probably cross the Mackinac Bridge and prance about the Upper Peninsula...so that is just what we did! We climbed Castle Rock for a great view, walked about St. Ignace and grabbed a pretty good lunch, attempted to go see Tahquamenon Falls...but they were really far away so that failed, and basically just explored and had fun doing it! Naturally we were followed by hockey wherever we went....with the USA Hockey supporter sticker on the car we parked next to and then the St. Ignace Saints Hockey stickers that were plastered EVERYWHERE. Who knows. WHO knows.
But yes, that was our glorious day, and then we headed back to Ann Arbor. Believe it or not we arrived home after four hours instead of seven! Huh! Who knew it was humanly possible. Granted we did leave the tent stakes at the campsite...oopsie daisy...but they called and were really quite great about it. Last I heard they were sending them via snail mail back to the wonderful Ace Deuce region.
So yes, that was that. A little late in the reporting of events, but I've been busy...playing WorldofSolitaire. Eeeek I just said that.
