All about the kids Hike

“I've been thinking about a trip to North Manitou Island, the weekend of August 1st. I thought I'd put something up on TT already so people can mark their calendars in advance.

This trip is to be for TTers who want to get out with their families or friends who are young.

North Manitou Island is located in Lake Michigan, accessible by a ferry that runs from Leeland. It's an old steam boat refueling stop, with many old roads, (two tracks that're now trails), town sites, farms and orchards. It's basically a big, beautiful playground, complete with a huge swimming pool and sandbox. You can camp where you please, (taking into consideration distance from other campers, water, etc.) so there's no set mileage.

This trip would consist of Adult TTers following their chldren whatever distance they can hike and playing alot. My goal is for this trip to be Abby's first memory of backpacking. I hope to get her hooked.

Anyone is welcome, with or without kids, but please realize, this trip really is about the kids, and will revolve around them. I'll work on getting this up on the trip page, and finding a link, etc, asap.”

“I'm just a kid, really. Can I go?

;-)

Sounds like fun, Sass. I'd love to watch Abby and Max be crazy little kids together. Count me in.”

“Okay, it's up on the trips page now. There's a link with info/maps about the island and information about the ferry too.”

“Your idiot taking your child in the woods when she is so young. What she gonna do take pictures?”

“forgot to add J/k

I would love to if I could!!!!”

“I don't live anywhere near Michigan or I would love to go. I am taking my daughters, 9 and 7 years old, on their first real backpacking trip to Mt Rogers in Virginia on April 4-6. I currently have feelers out seeing if anyone with kids their age would like to go with us. Thank God for the internet or the search would be impossible.”

“Prowler, this is a really easy place to hike. Try and make it! Or is that when your new baby's coming?”

“Sass, thanks for the invite. I replied back to you via e-mail. I would love to do this, w/ the advanced notice, we just might be able to swing it.”

“sass sounds like a good idea..i bet cora beth would love that.”

“I'll have to gets some info on cost before I can commit 100%. I'd love to go and take the boy. We will be down as a maybe. I'll try and post something later (who knew that I WAS SUPPOSE to be on Winter Break....)”

“The baby should be atleast 2 months old if kyms early again. But that is a tad to small.”

“robocop/prowler - don't you hate when that happens?”

“dahhhhhhhhhhh”

“That must hurt when you outsmart yourself. ;-)”

“Q the ferry is like $19 per person and its around $4-$6 per night per person. But N Manitou is incredible. Newgirl, if you can get here we'll cover you and newergirls island costs for sure!”

“I'm going to have to try and make a good guess at where my finances will stand, but we just might be able to swing it. I would love to do it.”

“Ferry cost for kids is less.”

“newgirl - If you can make it, I'd be happy to help you out in terms a rides to/from the airport, place to stay, etc.”

“Wow! Thanks so much you guys. The generosity here amazes me all the time.”

“Ok, me and the little one are in for this one. can't decide if we'll fly or drive? I've been finding some great deals on airfare lately.”

“I'd like to say that we'll drive, but that might be setting myself up for a trip from hell. I think if I planned carefully we could fly.”

“newgirl- what city you flying out of? i'll let you know if i run across any deals”

“i found some roundtrip ticket for about150 bucks”

“What the heck? I posted after you asked what city I would fly from and it didn't show up. Weird. Billings is the city.”

“ok, i'll let you know if i run across anything.”

“I guess I should have asked that question on the actual thread, eh, Sass. So, where do I need to fly to, if I can score cheap tickets?”

“detroit metro(wayne county)..northwest flies into there”

“And will my daughter and I likely be killed and/or mugged in this airport? I'm quite frightened of Detriot.”

“Sass, that would be such a relief not to have to haul a car seat. That is the worst.”

“I know! You don't need to be afraid. Detroit metro isn't even in Detroit. It's safe, just hold your purse real tight, lol. Just teasing!”

“Okay, this sounds cool. I just might make 'er. I bet Newergirl would love Abby. She just met a little girl in church named Phoebe and she is in love w/ her. She previously called all her dolls by her new twin cousins' names, but they have officially been renamed to "Shebee."”

“Laqtis has a little boy close to their age too, and I'm hoping he can manage to sneak away for a weekend.

Good luck with the cheap ticket search. Binkley seems to always find a deal...ask him his secrets.”

“LOL! I was going to suggest to you, Newgirl, that you employ Binkley to find a great deal for you.

Amazingly enough, some flights into Flint that stop in Detroit are cheaper. Its a super airport, small, clean, and just really nice. Air Tran flies in there, and some NWA flights as well.”

“That's called Bishop International Airport, Newgirl.”

“You may want to check out Midland, Bay City, Saginaw airport as well. It's called MBS, and it's on the way, and 5 miles from my house. It's smaller and nicer than Flint or Detroit.

I already asked the wife and it's cool to put up a hiking friend and her daughter.”

“American west
Northwest
United
Delta

Those are the ones I found that fly to detroit from Billings”

“Okay, Binkley, you are the official cheap deal finder for me. Thanks. I don't pay a travel agent commission, so do it out of the kindness in your heart! LOL!

LeSubtil, did you tell your wife that I am a girl. I don't want it to be like, "hiking buddy" and then I walk through the door and she's like, "LeSub, "hiking buddy" my sweet ass. Sleep in the dog house!"”

“Lmao@ newgirl...

that's too funny.

I will see what I can find for you.
Is there any other airports besides billings?”

“not really, it is by far the biggest one in the state”

“Newgirl, like I said, it's OK.

I'd gladly help anyone avoid Detroit and/or Flint.”

“Hey, LS! Be nice! :)

Newgirl, don't discount the other cities with airports. Flint and Midland aren't huge cities but they have cheap rates. You may never know what you might find. Its at least worth letting Bbinkley check it out!”

“Newgirl maybe you can fly over here in a crop duster and land in my uncles alfalfa field, its right by LeSubtils house and you can avoid all the nasty airports...LOL”

“Birch, I actually used to live-in nanny for some people that run a very prosperous crop dusting business. Maybe I can get them to hook me up, if your uncle is in need of a dusting! LOL!”

“Traverse City has an airport. I know that Northwest flies there.

This sounds like it could be really fun. And I could take Kathy on a low-stress backpacking weekend. Plus, she'll get to see where I'd take the kids in the hypothetical, purely conjectural possibility that we'd ever decide to have 'em:)

I figure that Sass, Laqtis and the others can set up on the south side and we can create an "adults only" beach on the west side with tara, smiley, kathy and myself. Mmmmmm. That truly would be temptation island:)

BTW, my birthday is August 1st. So, we'd have to have a birthday party if I decide to go.”

“RL - I love when you talk in hypotheticals. :-)

Aug 1 Bday celebration is on!”

“I'll bring the cupcakes. :)”

“This trip is less than a month away!!! If anyone would like more information please check the Trip page.”

“sassafras....

do you guys all have reservations for the ferry ride? won't they be necessary at this time of the year?

also, refresh my memory.... how many hours from motown to leland??

i am pretty sure that i will be there with some kids....how many, i don't know....”

“Gonzo, Haven't made the reservations yet, but plan on it very soon. They definately should be made for August trips.

It's about five hours, at the least.”

“Ferry tickets have been purchased! I was pleasently surprised to find that two year olds are free. New policy: Must have one week notice of cancelation and there's a $10 feefor reservation changes.

Just a reminder, the ferry service number is: 1-231-256-9061. Depart 8-1, Return 8-3.”