Michigan Folks

“I'll call tomorrow and check on how many tents we can have per site. Is there anyone who does want a site all to themselves? Speak now or forever hold your peace! I'll reserve enough rustic sites for five tents at Brighton Rec Area. I'll check in tomorrow before calling to see if there are any changes. I'll wait until the pm to call. Email us for directions : joenjoyharvey@msn.com
Looks like the campgrounds are on lakes and there are 16 miles of trails if you want to hike there.

I don't have any problems with alcohol at camp but don't care for sloppy drunks. Plain, well mannered drunks are fine.:o)”

“I'm going to have to borrow a cabin tent for this occasion! And maybe a bigger cooler!”

“Hey Joy,

Try to get two or three campsites next to each other. Nothing but sleepy well-mannered drinkers in my group.”

“That's my plan. They may not even take reservations for rustic sites though. I'll call soon and find out.”

“Okay, they'll take reservations at the Appleton camp,whatever that is. $6 per site, two tents per site with one family or four adults max. How many do we need? Still three?”

“OK. You talked us into it. John and I (and the pooch) will camp on Friday night. We can only do one or the other night. So since it sounds like everyone will be there on Friday, we'll stay then. Of course, things can change...so perhaps we'll stay both nights!

Joy - If you have already reserved the sites, let me know the site numbers and I'll call to reserve another.”

“All right here is the deal with me. I was planning on going, and my roomate was too, but last night my mom called from Kansas and announced when she is comming back she is bringing my causin with her. Now from what I understand, he is a cool kid, and would probably love camping, but I need to check it out for myself. If we go we will probably just meet you all at the trail head. I will keep you all posted.”

“I think my brother will also be tagging along on Friday night and Saturday. He was supposed to be going to Wyoming, but isn't now... long story... He wants to get out and hike and just called me today to see if I had any plans to hike in the near future. Good Timing!

His job is flexible (lucky dog) so he may be open to other hikes in the future. I'll try to get him involved w/ TT.”

“Alright so I have Budda Bear and Reformed Lurker? at one site, Lesubtil and Sunshine w/spots; Tarabull, John and Bro; and Hyper and I. That's four sites. I won't be calling to reserve until Hyper gets home from work. He's got the cedit card. I think I'll get five just in case they insist Sunshine and kids have their own site or someone else wants to join in. I'll post the site numbers and phone number to reserve. We'll be leaving for Texas on the 5th so anyone else will have to make their own arrangments. Those listed above will be all set.”

“Joy - thanks for making the arrangements. What time do you expect to be there on the night of the 13th?

For those of you who couldn't open my link, here are the directions as described on the site:

Take I-96 to exit 147 at Brighton. Go west approximately six miles to Chilson Road, and drive south one and a half miles to Bishop Lake Road.”

“Crap! They won't accept reservations for only a Fri or a Sat. You have to reserve and pay for both nights! Do you want me to go ahead and reserve for both or shall we take our chances on there being 5 sites available? So far there are 15 left for the 13th. Tell me what to do quick or the reservation torch is going to be passed to someone else!”

“BTW, that's DNR policy for all campsites in the LP.”

“For $6 a night, I would be willing to pay for both nights in order to secure a site. Who knows, it may persuade me to stay for both nights...

If you need, you can hand over the reservation torch to me. I don't mind!”

“i made the reservations for two days. if you can't pay for both days we'll eat it or i can call and cancel. they'll be closed tomorrow and close up shop at 4:30 so i just went ahead. when we get back from tx i'll tell you all your reservation #s. if you've gotta have it before the 9th for some reason email me today!”

“Joy, You're great!!

I was planning to stay both nights anyway. I'll send you a check for the two nights and I'll help pay for anything you're short when I get there. I got most of your phone message including the reservation number but my answering machine cut you short.

Have a great time in Texas. Can't wait to see you, again! I'm looking forward to meeting new TT people as well as those I've already met.”

“Sunny, I tried to email you. Is your service down? I've got a couple of pullovers for the girls if you want them. One's an REI 200 weight polartech size 14-16 Kids, other is a M fleece. I know they're too big for now but maybe you want them for later or you can cuff up the sleeves alot? Let me know if I should bring them. Also I'll bring that rubbermaid trunk you sent the toys in if you want.

It'll end up being $14 per site for both nights, split between whoever shares your site with you. Not too bad.”

“Sunshine, you gonna bring the big tent? ;-)”

“Alrighty, everyone should have their id #'s except for Budda Bear. He gets to just show up and choose whose site he pitches a tent on. We're outta here to Texas! Talk to ya'll again on the 9th.”

“Thanks Joy!

I am really looking forward to spending an evening (or two) and hiking with all of you!”

“Joy, You may not get this in before you leave for Texas. Keep the rubber maid tub! That was suppose to be the toy box for all Abby's toys.

Le Subtil, Yes, I'm taking the big tent. Ya wanna share? You have to compete with my favorite guy, Wyatt. There'll be 5 in the tent this time. ;o)”

“Exciting! Exciting!

I can't wait to get back to Michigan and hang out with everyone Friday night/Saturday.

Latest word on the Tall Ships: They are supposed to anchor off of Pelee Island, Ont. on Tuesday night July 17. They will pull anchor at about dawn. It's 45 miles to Detroit, so by mid-morning (Wednesday, 18th) they should be processing largely together past Downriver.

I know Wednesday morning is not a great hike time, but I'll be out there. If anyone else wants to join, you are welcome.

BTW, there will be ship tours in Detroit that weekend and the official "Ford Parade of Ships" on Sunday.”

“I now consider myself an honorary Yooper, so you can count me in one your MI stuff... ay?”

“Oh yeah...
smoked whitefish,
pasties...

I've had (and enjoyed) ALL the regional delicacies. Sunshine's sending me packing with a couple pasties, in fact. God bless that woman!”

“reformed lurker, can you describe exactly where you'll be hiking out to see the tall ships?”

“reformed, just found your post about the tall ships route to Muskegon. Yeah, Wilderness and the Straits would be an awesome vantage pont. Let me know what you hear about the schedule. Also a lot closer to me, though the tours at Detroit sound interesting (though the crowds will be massive I bet).”

“Looking forward to meeting you all, my buddy (General Custard) and I will be arriving late on Friday night, if somebody could let me know exactly which campsites everyone will be at , I'd appreciate it. Also, thanks for booking the sites, we'll fork over some dough to the powers that be when we arrive.”

“Do you really live in the Yukon Territory, Buddah Bear?”

“Just in my mind RL. lol I live in Ohio!”

“Oh, almost as pretty.

I looked at your info. and thought Brighton ain't good enough to get the bushplane out for.”

“lol - hey lurk, remember when we tangled over the Tigers - Indians issue? You'll have some help in our debates this weekend, for my buddy (General Custard) is a huge Tiger fan. He'll be happy to have you as an ally.

Looking forward to meeting you!”

“It's just about Cherry Pickin' season up there...ain't it?”

“"...a huge Tiger fan..."

Wow! They exist?”

“I'm looking forward to getting away this weekend for a little while; seeing some old friends, babies and kids, and meeting some more new people. If I leave directly from work, I'll be down Friday around 6. I may go home first which will take an hour or 2 more.

Are there more than 1 campground? What is the name of ours? Are our sites all adjoining? Joy sent me a reservation #, but am I sharing my site w/ anyone else? Sunshine? I'm hoping for more of a group camp type experience; I don't want to get stuck out in a corner by myself.

Who is coming down, and when? I assume we'll have a few around Fri for a campfire and a brewski or 2. We are going for a group hike Sat, correct? A dayhike? Where? I'll be more than happy to help carry the kids and/or kid stuff if needed.

Any group meal plans, or are we all cooking separate? I have a 2 burner propane I could bring.

I'll probably stay Sat night also, and leave Sun AM unless there is a plan for Sun during the day.

Sunshine - you'll probably drive very near my house on your way down. You'll have a long drive. I don't know where you're picking up the munchkins from but if you'd like to carpool, I'd be game.

Craig”

“I think we are sharing a site with RL. We should be there by midnight on Friday (I have a big softball game in C-Bus at 7:15 that I can't miss). Hopefully somebody will be up, if not we'll try not to make too much noise. We may decide to skip friday night and try to roll in early Sat morn, so I'll need a time and place to meet ya'll. We will be camping Saturday.

Looking forward to seeing you folks soon!

BB”

“LeSubtil, Yes, there is more than one campground. I have yet to check out the website for directions and details. It's my understanding that it is a rustic group site.

I'd love to car pool, especially since I now have a mini-bus. Ooops! I mean van. *grumble, grumble* Unfortunately, we are headed to the SW corner of the state to visit family on Sunday.

I'll be arriving late Friday afternoon, approximately 4-5 PM. Buddha, I will be leaving the camp to pick up my girls and will be returning between 10 and 11 PM so I'll be up pretty late if you come strolling in.

As far as food goes, I thought I'd just do hotdogs, potato salad and smores; kid food.

I talked to the girls and they're excited about camping. I'm looking forward to seeing y'all but man, I can't wait to see my girls again!!”

“Have fun, Sunshine! I hope my girls get to meet yours on a group trip sometime. Give us a detailed trip report when you get back, okay? I'll read it to my girls (I don't let them go on line much).”

“Me and my roomate plan to come on saturday. we need a time and place to meet you all. Once I get that, Ill know for sure weather it will work. My cousin is still here, but his mom is comming soon too blah! Im hoping we will get to escape. I really want to meet you all.”

“Saturday morning adventuregirl?”

“How does 9 or 10 AM sound? At the Appleton Rustic Campground. We can discuss hikes from there. What do you all think? Anyone hike this area before?”

“Appleton Rustic Campground 9:00 - we'll be there!”

“Hopefully this will clear up any confusion...

Camping:
It looks like we have four sites reserved, thanks to Joy. The arrangements she mentioned are: Buddha Bear & General Custard w/ Reformed Lurker at one site. Le Subtil w/ the Sunshine troop at another, Joy and Hyper at one, and myself w/ my boyfriend and brother at the last.

Joy reserved each site for two nights since one night reservations weren't allowed. Each site runs $14 for both nights.

John, Brian and I will be there around 7:30. (I may come earlier if I can skip out of work early) From what I can tell, Sunshine will be there around 5:00. Buddha and his pal will show up around midnight (I'm sure there will still be a few people still awake!) Le Subtil will be there between 6 and 8.

Campground Info:

The campground is called Appleton Rustic Campground. It's located in the Brighton Recreation Area. There are five sites reserved. They do not have site-specific reservations which means that we don't have site numbers. However, I just spoke to them and they said that the first person to show up from our group can have all five sites held so that we can try to have them together.

Dayhike:

I think 10 or 11am would be a good time. That will give those who choose not to camp some time to get to Brighton. Originally, we had planned on hiking at Island Lake Lake but they don't have camping. Which is why we are camping at Brighton Rec. I have more info on the Island Lake hiking than I do the Brighton Rec hiking, but I would be happy to hike at either. I'll check my State Park book tonight and get back w/ everyone later tonight or tomorrow.

Saturday night:

I think Sunshine, Buddha, and his friend are the only confirmed Saturday nighters. I am not sure about my boyfriend or brother, but I'm leaning towards staying Saturday, too! The sites are reserved for both nights, so anyone is welcome to stay Saturday as well.

I saw another request for the directions. I will post them again for anyone that missed it before:

Take I-96 to exit 147 at Brighton. Go west approximately six miles to Chilson Road, and drive south one and a half miles to Bishop Lake Road.

Pheww... I hope I covered it all. Again, I will get back to everyone later or in the morning about where we should hike. Both parks are pretty close to one another...”

“Nice job Tarabull, thanks to you and Joy for doing all of the leg work for the trip! I really apprecaite it, and look froward to the hike!”

“There are 34 miles of trail in Brighton. I've hiked some of the Penosha trail. It's in the glaciated area of SE Michigan, so there are some small hills.

Penosha (5 miles) and Kahchin (2 miles) are intended for hikers.

The Torn shirt (5.1 miles) and Murray Lake (7 to 9 miles) are intended for mountain bikes. There supposedly will be a new 5+ mile trail near Appleton Lake that might be done already.

There are also 18 miles of horse trails on the other side of the park.

I think that they are all open to hikers, but this is a pretty populated area, so who knows? I don't think these get as much mountain biking pressure as other area trails.

Also, I can get there early in the day on Friday to reserve sites.”

“Great RL. That works for me. It is probably easier to stay at Brighton than to go to a different park for hiking.

My book only lists the 2 mile and 5 mile loops and the 18mile equestrian trail. However, the book is 4 years old! So, we'll take your word for it.”

“We have 5 sites resevered. We dont know if they are adjoining. They couldnt guarentee that. We bought s'more fixins for us all. Cant wait to link up on friday night,we'll be there around 5-6pm. Sunny we have 6 hershey bars for s'mores if you think we need more let us know.”

“I'll bring some, too, hyperpacker. Two is enough for my family but we have to think of the big kids, too! :o)

Hey! Did you and Joy see my post on the Packing thread? I thought for certain you'd chime in that you want to hike Isle Royale with me. I won't be going this year, but I'll send out an invite when I get some dates for next year.”

“Ok now it turns out i have to work on sturday grrrrr. Im going to see if someone will trade with me, because i do not want to work, I want to go on a hike. I want to play with you all.”

“Hope you can make it adventuregirl. If not, there'll be other hikes.”

“I may be bringing along a pair of 13 yr old girls. I was very suprised, and even more pleased, when my daughter asked to come along, and she wants to bring a friend. She hasn't shown any interest in hiking for 3 or 4 yrs. Just when you think you've got 'em figgerd out...”

“Cool! I can't wait!”