Camping Trip

It's getting close enough I need to finalize my plans. I've been changing my mind, switching my goals, and making plans. Originally, I wanted to go for 10 days, but go to several parks. 3 days here, 3 days there, 3 days in another location, and driving home on day 10.

Well, my budget shrank just a bit, not much, but enough. I started looking at the overall trip, and the place I want to go to most is Mackinac. There are a lot of small things to do, plus the gorgeous coast line, and the big day trip of going to Mackinac Island.

I have shortened the trip somewhat, and given myself a budget on how much I'll spend for the campsite rental. I've also scrapped the two other locations, to spend a few extra days in the area I want the most. I asked around for campground recommendations, and found a place that sounds great.

For starters, it's right on the shoreline of Lake Huron, or rather, the shore of the Straights of Mackinac. This is where Lake Huron and Lake Michigan meet. The park has a view of the Mackinac Bridge, and is located just outside of Mackinaw City.

The price on regular campsites is kind of steep- $32+ a night. But, they have a "Super Saver" section, where the campsites are $14+, but have no view of the bridge, or lake. They still are right next to a shower house, and a playground. But, at $14 or $15 a night, I can stay longer. A 6 night stay is under $100!

They also have a free shuttle to the Island ferry, so I wouldn't have to drive there and pay parking.

I briefly considered the 4th of July, but the super saver prices are null from July 1st-6th. That means double the price or more. The weekend before the 4th is also a holiday weekend, because of a huge car show up in Mackinac, so that's out. It's also our 11th Anniversary weekend, so I wouldn't have gone then anyway.

I'm thinking shortly after school lets out- maybe the week after. But, that gives us nothing to really look forward to after that for the summer. I think that's what I'll do though.

So, 6 nights, 7 days in Mackinaw City. We can spend 1 day on Mackinac Island. 1 day going north on the Mackinac Bridge to the St. Ignace area for some local kitschy tourists locations. We'll spend one day just walking around Mackinaw City, which has some fun stuff anyway. We'll spend the other days just hanging at the campground. There's a pool, the lake (which will probably be too cold to swim at still), the playgrounds, and what not. I'm going to bring our bikes, so we can bike around the campground.

So, that's our plan now. If we have extra money afterwards, then I plan to do a 2-3 day camping trip mid-summer with some family, and we usually do the annual family camping trip in early August when we go tubing down the river.