ALL ABOUT THE KIDS VOL 3

“I'd still be tempted to try the Rec Area campground (NF) on the north end first.....99 rustic sites there I believe.”

“You all decide and tell me where to show up. I don't have an opinion at all since I don't know the area a whit.”

“I think we'll come over on 10 anyways. Do you promise there'll be sites CP? ;)

I've heard it's pretty much guarenteed the State Park CG will be full unless you reserve (must do two nights at least), and the NF CG probably takes alot of the overflow. 99 sites is alot but that area sees mucho use.
Nonconformist, if you get Thursday off what time will you be to the campground?
Any chance anyone getting up there early could get sites for the rest of us (we're good for it, promise!) and maybe give a heads up via cell phone? Or tell us to go to Timber Creek? Am I asking too much? =)”

“I think I can get Friday off, not Thursday, but even if I can get up Thursday night I have no cell phone. It'll probably be best for those who can communicate to make the plans. Plus, even if I can get up Thursday night, it will be kinda late.

Clear as mud yet?

I think what I may end up doing is just hitting the Nurnburg trailhead whether I get up Thursday night or Friday morning and not have to worry about any campgrounds. Then I can plan on meeting you all at the trailhead or the beach sometime Friday. I'll leave a note posted at the trailhead.”

“Sounds cool. We'll look for your note.

We're in for Timber Creek Campground CowPatty. I think you're right, we'll have much better luck getting sites there, or one big site. Thanks for suggesting it!”

“Okay then. I'll head to Timber Creek as well. Will I be able to find it by just driving down 10? Where can I get a vehicle pass? Would that by chance be the same pass I need for Friday night?”

“So, sounds like...

Birch/Sass/Ruby and kids will be camping at Timber Creek on Thursday PM.

Noncom will be camping at the NF cg by Nordhouse or right at the trailhead.

Folks are meeting at the TH at noon on Friday.

Got it.

Still hoping to get up there on Thursday PM. If I think it'll work out, I'll let y'all know for sure on Thursday AM so you know to expect me.”

“crash, I wasnt trying to be your dad. Your post gave no indication of sarcasm. I was just being upfront. I am glad you can amke it. Havent seen ya since RRG a few years back and look forward to hearing about your through hike.”

“dude. you know me. my sarcasm font is always on.

ruby, i dont hold it against you that youve had to cancel our plans in the past. youve always had legitimate cause. but i cant not give you a hard time :-P

im going to camp on the lake thursday night, where its free and not 13 miles out of the way, because itll be around 11p when i get there
last edited: 7/26/05 6:50:24 AM”

“Oh Crash is coming? I forgot, I'm shaving my daddy parts this weekend...

Glad the stars and planets finally aligned just right so that we could both be at the same place and at the same time. :P”

“I think it's the same vehicle pass Ruby. We need to get one too. If we can't get one at the Timber Creek Campground we hopefully can get one at Lake MI State Rec area. I tried to buy a sticker at two business' in Grayling last week, one didn't exist anymore and one never got any new stickers from the National Forest people. =(”

“I'm still trying to coordinate for Thursday.

We'll be in the Slate Pathfinder.

Birch, Sass - I'm gonna email my cell to ya'. I don't know why but it seems like a good idea at the time (maybe in case the car gets stolen, HA!).

Ruby, I would love for Cooper to come. Hubby is kind of vexed with me for not bringing my pooches w/ me (one is a brand new puppy picked up last week). I guess I kind of ruined his "bike the lake" plan.”

“Good deal L. We'll send ours back to you.

Cow Patty has generously offered to pick up vehicle passes for us. She'll take orders via her email addy (in her profile) for the following:

Household pass $30 (two annual stickers)
Annual pass $20
Weekly $5

If anyone orders a sticker and doesn't pay for it they shall forever be blackballed and the rest of us will split the cost so CP doesn't get stuck w/ it, deal?

Or if you prefer you can pay $3 per day in the tube at the trailhead or risk the $50 ticket.=)”

“Cow Patty is the best!!!”

“Isn't she?!

Ruby, timber creek campground is just East of the town of Branch and Sheppard rd. I'm thinking there'll be signs maybe. It's on page 202 of the Trail Atlas of Michigan if you have it. It looks like it's right off of 10, on the left side (for you).”

“I don't have a trail atlas, just an atlas. I think I am going to come up I-196 to Grand Rapids and then catch Rt. 37. Then I'll head west on Rt. 10. I'm sure I'll see it. I'll stop for gas somewhere up that way and ask. Is it on the north or south side of 10? Did you get my email about the Crocs?”

“OK, picked up the raspberry voda today so I'm ready now!”

“Did you get my email about the Crocs?”
Ruby

honey, its lake michigan, not lake obeechoobee. the biggest bitey things are the flies, but they are intimidating”

“Ruby, Hwy 37 is only two lanes so I suggest jumping onto 31 as soon as you can---it's 4 lane all the way (to Ludington and Hwy 10) and you won't have to drive in to GR. I think you can get onto 31 shortly after hitting 196. I'll double-check.


Yep, 31 is actually part of 196 until it splits at Holland. Better route for you IMHO.
last edited: 7/26/05 5:46:51 PM”

“grand rapids would be way out of the way. dont go any further east than us 31.”

“Oakley doakley!

I'll take 196 and catch 31 in Holland then. Thanks for the heads up, guys!”

“altho it would be interesting to drive to the house anthony kiedis grew up in”

“I-196 and 31 coincide from benton harbor/st joe area to just before holland. make sure you take the holland exit to stay on 31.

coming back south, it is really easy to miss the turnoff for 31 in st joseph. they give you very little warning, and the road maps not much help, either. ive driven to nordhouse several times, and im still afraid im going to miss it. BfB missed it the last time i went. however, i am glad that they re-routed that short section just south, from a two-lane road to four-lane”

“Ruby, campground is on the left side of 10 for you or north side of the road. I'm headed to my email now. ~Sassafras”

“I'm packing the car up tonight so that we can leave as soon as I am done with my job tomorrow afternoon. The job is scheduled for 1 p.m. in downtown Chicago and may go awhile. So I very likely won't get on the road before 6 p.m., thus don't expect us to show up before 10 p.m. And if you don't see us, don't worry. We will find you at the TH on Friday.

How's our weather looking? I will bring my big sil tarp to use in case of inclement weather.

I am also gonna bring the hammock that Nigal gave me as it was such a hit with the kids (little and big) at RRG. I assume there will be some trees there.

Sass, I will bring the shoes for you to try. And I might take you up on your offer to throw something into your cooler.




It sure feels good to pack all of our packs again. It's been awhile.”

“Ruby, I'm about 15-20 minutes away from Holland where you'll be driving through. I'll e-mail my number in case you have troubles or need to stop. We aren't planning on going up until early Friday morning, hoping to be on the beach before noon.”

“cool. thanks”

“Jul 28 Isolated T-Storms
77°/56° 30%
77 °F

Fri
Jul 29 Mostly Sunny
75°/59° 20%
75 °F

Sat
Jul 30 Mostly Sunny
79°/66° 10%
79 °F

Sun
Jul 31 Isolated T-Storms
82°/64° 30%
82 °”

“in other words, perfect camping weather”

“Ruby, thanks for the heads up! Hopefully you'll not run too late. We will have an ice cold beer waiting for you when you arrive.

WE will be up to the camp earlier then expected. I was able to get ahead at work and will find out if I have the day off at 645 am tomorrow. If so we are leaving about noon or sooner.

I got something for the kids too...

Perfect weather indeed! This is one of my fav trips of the year, I cannot wait.”

“Does anyone need a headcount for Thursday night at the campsite? From the description, it sounds like a group camp but you never know. If so, Ariel and I will be there. I can't say what time for sure cause I haven't finished packing and after the night I had at work, I may need a late morning nap before I can hit the road tomorrow. Hoping, tho, to be on the road around lunchtime.”

“YIPPEE SKIPPY!!!!!!

I got the day off, my boss rules. Gonna swing by my uncles for a visit on the way up see ya all there.

BTW Cowpattys computer is on the fritz and she cant use it. She said that she would be getting stickers for Sass and I, Ruby and Mrs Schufam...she didnt get any other emails before her machine went kerplunk.”

“Lucky dog!

See ya sometime tomorrow! I hope to be on the beach before noon!!”

“car trouble on the way this evening. i should be on the road sometime tomorrow morning, and finding you guys sometime tomorrow afternoon. bummed i cant be there tonight. i was looking forward to three nights on the beach. look for me and leave some kind of sign when you get to camp tomorrow”

“Crash, I expect to be there in the AM and will leave a note at the TH.”

“Finally got all packed. My pack is 34 pounds. The wife's is 9 pounds. What's wrong with this picture?”

“the wife needs to bring more beer

(im glad birch isnt here to reply to that)”

“that would be inappropriate

we need an "its all about the beer" trip

wait, thats every other TT trip anyway

dammit, i am so frustrated. i should be to muskegon by now, and yet here i sit, foiled by a fried belt. at first i thought my entire weekend was cooked, a whole 3-day weekend shot to hell. well, its just going to be delayed HOORIEF!”

“What time are ya getting in?”

“Crash you have mail.”

“Finally got home. I'm tired, sunburned, hung over and I have sand in the crack of my ass.

What a great weekend!”

“man, i REALLY dont wanna hear about it :-P

either a cracked head or bad head gasket just before south bend. not going to get my car back until later this week”

“Crash, we were all bummed to hear about your trouble. We'll catch ya next time! Hope this is the last of your car woes.”

“YIKES! Scott! That sucks.

Happened to my with the first car I ever bought. Head gasket failed allowing anti-freeze to mix up in the oil pan. I caught it early enough that saved costly repairs. 2 weeks later a guy fell asleep at the wheel and used my car as his brakes.”

“As mentioned, The VP of BP and I camped on Thursday night w/ some of the others. We enjoyed an awesome breakfast on Friday morning in Scottville and stopped for last minute items in town.

Got to the trailhead before noon. The VP took off w/ my camera while I got our packs ready. She was anxious to hit the trail when the boys (specifically Calvin) started their hike so I let her go ahead. Ruby, CP and I were the last to head out around 12:30PM. Ruby and I chatted the whole way which made the 1.25 miles seem like it took only a couple minutes.

At camp, The VP helped me get the tent set up then took my camera, again, around to other camps to photograph everyone's set ups. After that, it was time for the beach. With Sass's help, The VP played on the sandbar and in the big waves. Then, some of the bigger little kids took off down the beach a bit to hang out and play. Finally, the gang headed back to camp for dinner and such. After flipping themselves in the hammock, The VP and the boys played in the dunes while I hung out at camp w/ the biggest kids (that's us). Eventually, most of us headed back to the beach to watch the sunset. It was a beautiful one.

After going to sleep, I was awoken numerous times by a group down the way that was apparently celebrating a birthday w/ an obnoxious rendition of Happy Birthday, howling and misc other loud antics. Didn't really sleep til after 2AM when the glow of their bombfire stopped lighting the sky and they finally began to pass out.

Breakfast and coffee the next morning was followed by making plans and getting ready for the day's hike. Cow Patty, Schufam and her two boys, Noncom and Sonburn, and myself w/ The VP headed out for the beach hike to the lighthouse which I estimated to be 4+ miles. Thanks goodness Nigal and K were going to be at the other end to take us back to camp cause I'm not sure The VP would have made the 9ish miles that would have been the roundtrip. As it was, w/ the hike to the lighthouse, the hike to Nigal and K's car and the hike from the TH back to camp, I figgered she'd hiked 7+ miles which is pretty impressive. I was very proud of her. But, anyway, back to the lighthouse.... We got there just a bit before Birch, Sass and Little Pink Flower. We were all able to climb the 130 lighthouse stairs together. It was a great view from the top. The hike to the cars went by quickly and it was time to head back to camp (via an ice cream shop).

Back at camp, I braved the frigid waters of Lake Michigan (the temp change between Fri and Sat was amazing!). Did some more relaxing along the beach, had dinner at camp then back to the beach for another swim, a spectacular sunset, glow ball tossing, monkey-in-the-middle frisbee and more relaxing. The VP and I, along w/ Noncom and Sonburn, decided to cowboy camp on the beach that night. The sky put on an amazing show for us w/ meteors showering and sattelites creeping along the sky. The temps were great for sleeping on the beach. I was completely comfy in my unzipped 45*F bag and enjoyed the soft breezes. The whole night was great and I'm glad The VP had this opportunity. She said it was the highlight of her trip!

Up early and out of camp by 8:15 w/ the gang. Had to cruise out pretty quick to get home in time for a shower, short nap and work.

I had a really great time. The weather was so cooperative. The group was entertaining, to say the least.

My TR seems so blah in comparison to the trip, but I'm still tired from the weekend and working late last night so this is the best ya get...

Oh, and some pics...

http://community.webshots.com/user/tgluski-date

Sorry we missed you Crash!”

“Sweet photos! I love the one of birch chasing after his daughter! You caught that image perfectly!”

“One of the best sunset photos I've seen in a looong time Tara!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/410336625/410336625vWJxHW#”

“Thanks, Nigal. The sky sure offered up some fantastic photo opps that night.
last edited: 8/01/05 11:11:30 AM”

“Damn! I missed that one.”

“I think I was supposed to post the TR on the other thread. Oops... http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/39506,3.php”