woke up around 6:00am and got on the road by 7:30am. Decided to take route 31 up the coast of Lake Michigan. The first stop was Saginaw State Park. in Michigan they have an admission fee per day to user there state parks out of state residence it is $9.00. i arrived to the park and hiked A nice 2.5 mile loop trail that took you out to the coast of Lake Michigan. I stayed and watched the water for about an hour, it was quiet and nobody around.
I got back on the road, route 31 took me into a lot of cool little towns and I saw all kinds of stuff, I got to crystal lake and there was two young lads dressed up In old clothes ages maybe 9 or 10 and one had - small tuna the other was carrying a book . They were singing and just walking around town. Not sure what that was all about but interesting to come across. As I made my way up the coast didn’t realize that Michigan grows a lot of blueberries, grapes for wine and juice and apples.
I am going to stop and get some cider at some point.
The next stop was sleeping bear national seashore. This was really cool as it was a large sand dune that you could climb and hike your way across and it over looked the coast of Lake Michigan. I hiked another two mile loop trail, I was exhausted after this so hard walking in sand it is like walking in snow. It was also very quiet and relaxing here. There were a few trees that the leaves were beginning to change color.
once I left there I found that My stomach was growling and that I really have not ate much today, so I stopped in Traverse City at the Bayview Inn Bar and GrillI ordered a local beer and a Reuben sandwhich. It was really good , enjoyed and even caught some college football.
As i I made my way the rest of the way up I started to get tired. So I stopped got gas and stopped at Big Rock Point. Walked around and stared at the clear water. got back on the road and now it is dark, came across the Mackinac Bridge, which connects Michigan from the lower to upper peninsula, crossing over you have Lake Huron on the right and Lake Michigan on the left . Very cool suspension bridge.
So its dark dark and I drive to where I thought my campsite would be located and i call and check in and apparently it was the wrong site as the Tahquamenon Falls state park has five campgrounds. So I had to drive 18 miles back to the town of Paradise to the rivermouth camping area. About 9:30pm I find my site and get set up. Finding out my rain fly is not big enough. I cover up tent as much as i could. Got awake several times as it was pouring. I am sure things will be wet in the a.m. The joys of camping.