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”
Tag Archives: Great Lakes
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”
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”
Muskegon State Park
January 20, 2022 North Muskegon, MI I find myself back in Muskegon. The weather nearly as opposite my previous visit as you can get. Biting cold, but still precipitating. This time, I trade in my old dog for my definitely-NOT-old mom. Because I can force her to ice skate with me. And I don’t trustContinue reading “Muskegon State Park”
Lakeport State Park
1/16/22 Lakeport, MI I bribe Mason into joining me by promising yummy food in Detroit after our trip. With no trail listed on the park website or Alltrails, we assume this will be a short jaunt to the lake and back. Instead, we find a beautiful trail through the woods. We follow it to theContinue reading “Lakeport State Park”
Rockport Rec Area
10-16-2021 Rogers City, MI With spirits low, temperatures dropping, and rain still threatening, I am tempted to abandon course for the day and return home. Gob gazes at me with pleading puppy eyes, craving more adventure. Obviously, I cave. Because while I am grumpy, I am no monster. We pull into the park amidst aContinue reading “Rockport Rec Area”
McLain State Park
10/2-3/2021 Hancock, MI We arrive with barely enough sunlight to set up camp. A bit of fog is already rolling in. And out go my hopes for a starry night sky or a peak at the northern lights. I get a campfire started and lay out our damp towels and blankets. Gob lays on themContinue reading “McLain State Park”
Fort Wilkins State Park
October 2, 2021 Copper Harbor, MI There’s something quite lovely about the sun-bleached white old buildings that make up these historic parks. Maybe it’s the contrast against the bright green grass. Gob and I take a quick walk around “town,” but since he refuses to wear a shirt or shoes he is not allowed insideContinue reading “Fort Wilkins State Park”
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