We're Back!
And we love the UP ;)
We made our 3rd annual trek across the bridge this year. And after all the excitement of getting to cross the big bridge, Haiden was asleep. Both ways. If I would take the time to download pictures from my phone I would be able to show you. One of those things I don't remember to do until I sit down to post.
Anyway, we packed up the van and camper and headed out on Friday morning with Torrey's parents. We originally were planning on leaving Thursday, but Haiden came down with a sudden and severe case of croup which landed him in the ER and a short hospital stay early Thursday morning and into the day. Again, pictures on my phone! So, after he was cleared by the doctor, we needed to regroup and let him(and us!) have a good night's rest. After that he was good to go and no breathing issues at all while we were away!
Finally all packed and ready to go!!
This year the trip was more focused on finding spots where the boys could ride and explore the great UP trails with 3-wheeler, quad and dirt bike. Cameron took a safety class so he has his legal certificate to ride. He thought that was pretty cool and would remind us to take his certificate along in case the DNR stopped him ;)
Again, we pulled our camper and Torrey's parents had the trailer with all the extra stuff. OH, the stuff!! I didn't think we could seriously pack any more.
To break the trip up and explore more campgrounds we stopped half way between here and the bridge at Hartwick Pines State Campground. We were originally going to only stay one night but the park had so many great things that we stayed for 2. Each night we went to hear a talk by a Ranger to learn about bats and owls.
(This was the last time we wore shorts and t-shirts until we came back down at at the end of our trip!)
Getting everything set up. Grandma and Grandpa had some helpers of course.
The boys found the nearest water spigot and became occupied with water balloons for a very long time!
Then we had to practice our fishing skills. No water needed of course!
There was a neat little hiking trail that led to a floating dock to fish from. We didn't have any worms so we improvised with bread. Not a real hot spot but the boys had fun.
So beautiful and peaceful.
Getting some wood ready for the fire.
The Old Growth Trail led you through an old logging part of the park. There was also a visitor center that was partly a museum where the boys could get a little hands on experience about logging and animals in the forest.
The wheels had to be big to haul all the logs!
Just up over the bridge we stopped for a picnic lunch.
This year the trip was more focused on finding spots where the boys could ride and explore the great UP trails with 3-wheeler, quad and dirt bike. Cameron took a safety class so he has his legal certificate to ride. He thought that was pretty cool and would remind us to take his certificate along in case the DNR stopped him ;)
Again, we pulled our camper and Torrey's parents had the trailer with all the extra stuff. OH, the stuff!! I didn't think we could seriously pack any more.
(This was the last time we wore shorts and t-shirts until we came back down at at the end of our trip!)
Getting everything set up. Grandma and Grandpa had some helpers of course.
The boys found the nearest water spigot and became occupied with water balloons for a very long time!
Then we had to practice our fishing skills. No water needed of course!
There was a neat little hiking trail that led to a floating dock to fish from. We didn't have any worms so we improvised with bread. Not a real hot spot but the boys had fun.
Getting some wood ready for the fire.
The Old Growth Trail led you through an old logging part of the park. There was also a visitor center that was partly a museum where the boys could get a little hands on experience about logging and animals in the forest.
There are some stumps remaining that are over 100 years old. Fun to climb in ;)
There were no trails to ride here so the boys had to be content with riding to the dumpster on our way out of the park. Grandma thought she should go along too ;)
Just up over the bridge we stopped for a picnic lunch.
Last year we were going to visit the Soo Locks but the boys were too antsy to make another stop so we put it back on the list this year. We found a cute little campground right down from the locks.
We quickly set up so that we could get to the boat tour. It would have gone quicker except the wind took our awning up and over the camper. Again.
I had never been to see the boats and Locks so I was excited too!
It really is an engineering marvel, and considering how long ago these were made!
Waiting for the water to fill and lift us up.
Up front to get a good view.
Very inquisitive boys.
The ride was about 2 hours which was a perfect amount of time for the boys. When we got back to camp we tried to get dinner started. With those strong Lake Superior winds we had to get creative in getting the stove to stay lit to cook our potatoes. We did it!
After a quick one night stay, we made our way to our last stop for camping farther north. We stayed 4 nights there so that deserves a post on it's own ;)
Stay tuned!
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