Kids in June

“I'm looking at June 9th-13th. Is anyone interested in a family/kids trip anywhere in Michigan? My girls will miss the August trip to N. Manitou and want to get out.”

“Sunny, We'd love to, except that we'll be in Florida at my sisters wedding. Bummer about the girls not making it to the kids hike :(. Another time for sure!”

“Florida in June? Too bad you couldn't persuade her to have a Winter wedding. ;o) Have fun!”

“Hey Sunshine,
What do you have in mind? I'll take a look at the calendar. I'd love to get my kids out more. The two most likely to go are only 7 and 5. How old are your girls?”

“My oldest will be 10 on June 6th. My other daughter is 6 and my son in 4. All three would go, so it will have to be an easy hike. I'm open to the location. In lower Michigan, I've been on the North Manistee River Trail and I've been to Nordehouse Dunes. I've also been to the campground at Jordon River although I didn't get to do any hiking. I'm just looking for interest right now. Where we go would depend on who's interested and where everyone lives, I suppose. :)”

“Ok. Let's see if any interest develops. I'm in Indiana so the southern areas of MI sound good to me. I'll keep checking the thread and see if we can get something together!”

“I might be interested in this. I have two boys, 9 and 4 and live in NW Indiana. Not sure that we could do the whole week, but we could meet you wherever you will be on Thursday or Friday perhaps.”

“vicsaw, I'm way up here in Northern Michigan so I can use part of the week for travel. Since you and Indy Hawk are in Indiana, I'll start looking for places nearer you. How far are you willing to travel?”

“I'm about 2 1/2 hours or so to the Michigan border. I can probably travel 4 or five hours total pretty comfortably.”

“I'm good anywhere you want to go. If I have to leave super early in the morning and drive while the boys are sleeping, I'm willing. You pick the spot, and we'll be there. I'm only 45 minutes from the Michigan border going up 94.”

“Ft Custer state park might be good. It has really lovely trails (although I've only seen them under 2.5 feet of snow) and a couple of campsites. It would probably be best for doing dayhikes though. But, it is close to the lower west side of the state. It's near Battle Creek.

Ft Custer Rec area”

“Thanks, Sass! I'll check it out. :)”

“Sunshine and Indy, You're both moms; right? (as opposed to dads) Indy, Are your 7 and 5 year olds boys or girls? It sounds like our group already is pretty much in the same age range. I think they'll have a blast. And us moms will have a grand time together as well!! Wahoo!!! This is going to be a good weekend!!”

“HEY SUNNY!



When in June are you talkin'?

I might be done from work early enough to make something like that happen for the boy and me. I'm good fer anything lower MI, and maybe some lower upper.

Keep me updated!”

“with little kids, Nordhouse Dunes on the Lake Michigan shore between Ludington and Manistee is nice. I've taken a 5 y.o. there in chilly, windy April weather and we still had a blast.

The young ones can easily walk in a couple of miles to some nice camping areas, and there is all that sand to play in, the beach to walk and build sand castles, the lake to wade or swim in (if you have nerves of steel that time of year), dunes to climb again and again & roll down again and again... There's the lighthouse just inside Ludington State Park that some may be up to walking the beach to and going up the 100 feet on the lighthouse tour.

It's also pretty low cost once you get there, no camping fees and just a $3-7 parking pass if you don't have a '04 annual pass that will do.”

“Vicsaw - yep a female type mom here. ;) I have 3 kids (10, 7, and 5). The 10 and 5 are boys. My oldest has some tough developmental delays that make hiking not at all his favorite thing (he didn't walk until he was 4). So I'm debating what trips to take him on. I think my 7 and 5 yr old will have a blast on this trip though.”

“Man, I sure wish I could ditch the wedding and come with you girls instead! Wouldn't be prudent. ;)”

“laqtis, We're looking at June 11-13. I plan to take the whole week off so I can head South. Indy Hawk and vicsaw are from Indiana so I'm headed your way.

cowpatty, You're right but I think that's a little far North for our Indy friends. I'll look a little further South.

I'll keep you all posted and throw some different ideas out.”

“Hey Sass, Looking forward to meeting you. If not before, I'll meet you at your Manitou kids' trip.”

“Sounds like a super trip is in the making. Have fun and walk a mile for me...”

“Hey Sunshine--Can you email us the specs when decided??? We have been planning our weekends on the fly - would love to stick another trip in between. (Kev bought himself a Harley :-P, if it isn't hiking, its riding)”

“HEY SCHUFAM!!”

“Hey schufams, how goes it??? Check out the trips page fopr the second annual kids hike. How'd your out west trips go?”

“A Harley!! I'm jealous! Sure, I'll keep ya posted. If Kevin can't come, you still can!! Poor laqtis, the only guy. hehehe!! Won't some other guy come out and befriend him? hehehe! *evil grin*”

“Sunshine, if you're going to drive way south in the state, you might also consider Warren Dunes S.P. & it's 'sister' area, Warren Woods, for some kid friendly trails and beach time on Lake Michigan. There's just something about kids & sand & beaches.

Allegan S.G.A could be another destination for either rustic camping and dayhikes or a little backpacking, but wouldn't be at the top of my list.”

“"Poor laqtis, the only guy. hehehe!! Won't some other guy come out and befriend him? hehehe! *evil grin*....."


I can only be cabanna boy in 10 hour shifts. Where's my union rep?!!”

“Wahoo!! Cabana boy! You can pitch your tent next to mine.”

“Are we fightin' over the servant already? ;)”

“I can just imagine little MaxQ rolling his eyes as three women order his daddy around!”

“"I can just imagine little MaxQ rolling his eyes as three women order his daddy around!........."


Naw, he's seen that happen at family get togethers.....”

“Laqtis,
How old are your kids? Boys or girls?”

“I have two boys --

Maxwell 4 yrs and Mason 11 months.

Depending on where we go, I might bring the little fella with me.”

“Warren Dunes is close to the Indiana State line. I've been to the beach but never camped or hiked. I'll check out the trail situation. That might be a good place to take Mason.

Thanks for all the info cow patty! The other link you gave me redirected me to the DNR sight which I haven't taken the time to explore yet. Also, I'm still interested in going to Craig Lake SP here in the UP if you ever make it up this way... I have a feeling I'm going to have a lot of free time this summer. :)”

“I didn't give any links, maybe that one was Sassafras' link to Ft. Custer? It'll go right to that park's page and you can then use the menu to select other parks to check out, too. Sent you an email on your summer question (since it's not about the kids).”

“Thanks! I got the e-mail. :)”

“Warren Dunes is cool & close. I meant to go this winter to ck out the
ice dams. Cameron loves the beach there.”

“Can't believe I've never been, but I haven't. I've been told it's a great thing.”

“Hey, Dhutch and I were at Yankee Springs this weekend and they have some nice trails (hiking and also share with bikes) and a nice rustic campground. It's somewhere near Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids.”