Newaygo State Park

March 25-26, 2022 Newaygo, MI Spring has sprung, so a-camping we must go! I glance at the weather report, see a hint of snow and freezing overnight lows, and promptly ignore them. Aside from packing two sleeping bags and warm clothes that is. Because again I shall repeat: SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Girl and Dog, backContinue reading “Newaygo State Park”

Metamora-Hadley State Park

March 16, 2022 Metamora, MI Long time, no Michigan park visit. But a lack of precipitation and some slightly warmer weather makes me willing. Gob is all too eager to hit the trail with me. While it is above freezing, the pond is still covered in a thick slab of ice. Gob tries every wayContinue reading “Metamora-Hadley State Park”

Hartwick Pines State Park

January 23, 2022 Grayling, MI I said I would return (see post below from first visit), and so I have. Once again the last stop on a whirlwind weekend tour, but this time I am more energized for it. Mother replaces dog. Snow replaces sun. Ok, we still have beautiful sunny blue skies, but thereContinue reading “Hartwick Pines State Park”

Traverse City State Park

January 22, 2022 Traverse City, MI In the true spirit of a Michigan winter, we wake up in a winter weather advisory. Falling snow fogs out any hope for a sunrise. And as should come as no surprise, we are the only ones taking a morning walk on the beach. Or, maybe morning walk onContinue reading “Traverse City State Park”

Leelanau State Park

January 21, 2022 Northport, MI Is it weird that I prefer lighthouses covered in snow? Especially when they’re still decorated for the holidays. An added bonus: always fewer people in the cold. The frozen lakeshore is constantly changing as we move up the coast. Contrary to what I expect, it is somehow less frozen thanContinue reading “Leelanau State Park”

Interlochen State Park

January 21, 2022 Interlochen, MI My 76th Michigan state park. Michigan’s very first. A campground nestled between two lakes, we are very much visiting in the off-season. But we make it out on the lake none-the-less. With no hiking trail, we stick to the shoreline for a short stroll. My cautious mother doubting the icesContinue reading “Interlochen State Park”

Michigan Legacy Art Park

January 21, 2022 Thompsonville, MI Next on our winter tour of Michigan: snow shoeing through a sculpture park! Nestled in the rolling hills, right next to a ski lodge, we wound our way through the 2 miles of trails. Each sculpture accompanied by a description of how it ties to Michigan’s history. Some exhibits wereContinue reading “Michigan Legacy Art Park”

Orchard Beach State Park

January 21, 2022 Manistee, MI A new day, a new adventure. And there’s no better way to start it than to watch the sun rise over a frozen beach. And just across the street, we find a picturesque nature trail. Red lanterns hang like ornaments from the naked trees. I suspect I would find sandContinue reading “Orchard Beach State Park”

Mears State Park

January 20, 2022 Pentwater, MI The sun is but a mere glow on the horizon. The snow has ceased to fall. With limited time, we throw on headlamps and yak-tracks. We cautiously start our way out to the pier. Our yak-track claws are the only thing keeping us upright on the ice. And out ofContinue reading “Mears State Park”

Silver Lake State Park

January 20, 2022 Mears, MI On to our second park stop of the ultimate-winter-momma-roadtrip. The snow is growing steadier. There is no longer any blue in the sky. What better way to experience beachy sand dunes? We climb the stairs up the first dune and are instantly transported to an alien-like landscape. There are noContinue reading “Silver Lake State Park”