I thought I hadn’t been here before because it wasn’t highlighted on my map but as I drove in, I kept thinking this place looks familiar. Yep! After searching my blog posts (*search box is in Desktop mode on homepage) there it was! I did reach out to friends who live nearby but their schedule was packed so we didn’t meet up this time. It was fun 4 years ago when I was here. I have no idea how the time goes by so quickly. 

I did a lot of hiking both on the ridge overlooking the lake and along the creek. Met some super interesting people, two solo women (one was in her 80s!) and a couple who had a 2021 Travato. Campers are great people, just saying! I do think I’m a little ahead of the fall colors though.

It was quite the winding road to get here but signage was good,  roads a little narrow but in good condition, so it was just taking my time rolling in. Once here, there was a little concern no one was at the gate and no maps but I did find my site. I can say the campground is laid out very well. Large sites and all very secluded and spaced apart. Katie, the camp host in this loop stopped by to sell firewood or ice. We had a great chat and she brought me a map. Thank goodness. The trails are very well maintained and I enjoyed 1 day of dry weather to do some hiking. The rest of my time here was rain from Hurricane Isaias that moved through both Saturday and Sunday. Luckily for me, I had a strong enough signal to stream some football games! There’s a few campgrounds in this area of Daniel Boone National Forest. If they are all as well maintained as this one,  I recommend stopping.

This was my first camping stop heading south for the winter. After almost 2 months helping my sister out, I left beautiful northern Michigan and began traveling again. I had a brief overnight at my sister Kathy’s and caught up with her. Next day I drove south into Kentucky. I would have liked to stay at an Indiana state park but costs were up towards $60 with camp fees and out of state entrance fees. So Kentucky was the place. This is a big place but smaller loops and great trails were the draw. I was able to piece together 3 different trails to get in a nice hike. It also allowed me to see different areas of the park without having to drive it. Totally recommend this place if you have the opportunity.

As the weather starts to cool projects came to an end. My brother Scott came up to help out.  Biggest project was cutting down a tree that it’s leaves were covered with mold and cutting apart 2 pallets to make benches. We only made 1 this time as a example. And we made some wood disk for Beth to work her creative mind on.

Then I spent 2 nights camping at the Charlevoix Elks campground and enjoyed a nice fire and Elktoberfest…German food, music, raffles and great company. All proceeds went to the Vets committee.

We luckily had dry weather for a boat tour on Lake Charlevoix with my cousin Marlene and her husband Dave. As beautiful as the weather has been,  this was a day of Grey skies and intermittent rain. Luckily for us,  the rain ended as we finished lunch. A short walk to the boat and we were off. Colors of the trees wasn’t great but we enjoyed each other’s company. And it’s always fun to be on the water.  I even had the opportunity to steer the boat thru the Ironton ferry pass. I had no idea there was so many huge houses in this section of Lake Charlevoix.

As I’ve been here in Northern Michigan helping my sister out, I went through a lot of her firewood. I forged more from a trail nearby but in the process burned out the motor in my little 6″ chainsaw. As this was such a handy tool, I opted for another one. Only I upgraded to a 21volt, 880W motor, 2 batteries, a case and an additional 8″ blade & chain. It of course came with safety glasses, some gloves, oil bottle, screwdriver and a small brush to clean up the chain. Watch out wood, I’m ready to be a lumberjack! Lol!!

And of course we had to have a fire!

My sister Mary blessed Beth and I with a visit from Georgia. We had a great time swimming in Lake Michigan, eating out as well as cooking meals together. Fires in the evenings talking about anything and everything.

And Pearl received an upgrade to her dashboard radio. I am now able to see my back up camera on a little bigger screen as well as access my phone apps on it. My back up screen has been dark for about a year, so I’m happy to have it back.

So I got a steal of a deal on a donation for a tandem sky diving trip in beautiful Charlevoix Michigan.  My donation to the Veterans Committee of the Elks organization in Charlevoix of $75 won the auction bid. What a fantastic way to close out my stay here with sisters. Sunny skies, light winds and Robert was a 10 year seasoned pro making sure I landed safely.  Skydive Charlevoix was professional and extremely generous to donate the jump which sells for $300. I highly recommend checking their website for locations and I believe they post recent dives on Instagram.