Hog Island (more than an overnighter)

Lake Michigan View from Hog Island Beach

      We've been home for 9 weeks now.  Since we're past planting the garden, my cataract surgery, and waiting for the new flooring to be installed we thought we'd steal 7-8 days to get away to the Upper Peninsula.  Just across the Mackinac Bridge and then 40 miles to the west on US 2 is the Hog Island State Forest Campground.  This is used by most folks as an overnight on their way to somewhere else in the Great North.  We've been here before several times and there is actually quite a bit to do in the area (besides just relaxing and walking on the beach watching incredible sunsets). 
      This campground www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=690&type=SFCG is host to some 50 sites that are able to accommodate up to 40 foot RVs at the nominal price of $13.  There is no electricity, but water is available via hand pump and vault toilets are throughout the park.  Each site has a nice fire ring and picnic tables as well.  Most of the sites are snuggled within the large cedar trees in the area, but about 12 sites are located directly on the northern shores of Lake Michigan.  I like to get one of these whenever possible for solar panel use.  The island itself is located about 200 yards offshore and is home to many shorebirds.  The water isn't deep; many folks either canoe or kayak out to the island, but some years it is possible to reach by wading as well. 

View towards Hog Island early morning

Home to many birds

      Most of the shoreline is rocky, but there is a large sandy beach of several hundred yards to the immediate east of the park......perfect for walking that pooch.  Within a mile to the east is the Hog Island Country Store, which besides it's quaint antique feel, is home to a small selection of essential groceries as well as local delights like fudge, fish, etc.  They also offer several small very nice cabins for the local traveler.   

Hog Island Country Store

      7 miles further to the west along US 2 is the village of Naubinway.  A full range of services including gas, groceries, hardware, firewood, etc. is located here should you need them.  If the 'golf bug' bites, the Hiawatha Sportsman's Club Golf Course is located just west of Naubinway as well. Barb and I were more of a mind just to kick back for a couple of days and relax.  No rockhounding this time.....walk on the beach, read, listen to music, see sunsets, and enjoy some fire pit cooking.  To my bride's surprise I kept the menu pretty simple this trip:  Tacos, French Dip Sandwiches, Brats, Finger Food Night, Hot Dogs, and Aus Spit Roasted Chicken.  I also brought along some French Breakfast Radishes fresh from our garden.  These elongated red/white beauties have a crisp snap and a bit of a pepper bite as well.  Additionally, the green tops make for a delicious addition to any salad.  They are a great addition to any meal or just for finger food snacking.  They are so prolific, we enjoy them all summer. 

French Breakfast Radishes

      The trip in was pretty uneventful unless you were headed the opposite direction with the other 234,000 tourists returning back home after the Independence Day Weekend.  The line to cross the Mackinac Bridge south was backed up to the west onto US 2 for nearly 2 miles.  In fact there was a portable traffic light set up about 15 miles west of the bridge also to help keep the traffic from backing up even further. 

      This is the first time we have taken our new rig McMansion into this particular campground.  Unfortunately we didn't fit into any of the lake side spots previously discussed so we set up camp in the drive through spot at the intersection of the two loops.  Not on the water, but within easy walking distance.  

      We did 'water up' at Straits State Park north of the bridge and arrived at Hog Island with 48 gallons of fresh water.  The wells were being repaired on this visit, but toward the end of our trip we were able to find free water for top off in the village of Naubinway at the Marina Harbor.  Just a matter of a 7 mile trip with 2  6 gallon jugs.  Besides just 'kicking back' we did get some geocaching in (although we were a sad 3 for 6) and Roux enjoyed walks on the beach, and in the water nearly every day.

 

Geocaching

Roux loving dat water!

      Like stated earlier I made a much simpler menu this week which made Barb happier as well.  We had 2 days of rain which necessitated some 'switch to inside cooking items', but still worked out just fine.  Camping food is always the best.  I did discover that I planned one meal 'short', but Naubinway has a wonderful Pasty Shop which always fits the bill. 

Aus Spit Roasted Chicken

Finger Food Night:  Gator Bites, Boudin, Cheese, Crackers, Dips, and Stuffed Olives

Steak Um French Dip Sandwiches

      It was a very nice week with temps running much nicer in the low to mid 70s compared to the high 80s low 90s at home.  We did have 2 days of rain which didn't allow for much solar power, but the Honda Generator made a couple of 'Movie Days' very nice anyways.  The campground had anywhere from 5-12 campers each day which is about normal for summer.  There was a large family reunion group coming in today, which made our planned departure seem nearly perfect.  Enroute home we ran into a huge line RVs waiting to 'dump' at Straits State Park so we headed 4 miles north of St. Ignace and dumped our 'stuff' at Kewadin Shores Casino which has a decent campground ($20), but a free dump station as well. 

Hog Island sunset

      We averaged a very nice 13.4 mpg towing on this trip.  We head home now to get straightened up and await the flooring installers that invade our home this week.  Only 79 days till we head south again before the snow flies.
 
NOTE:  MICHIGAN OFFERS A $12 RECREATION PASSPORT AS A STICKER ON YOUR LICENSE PLATE.  IT IS REQUIRED, BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT IS STILL $1 EVERY TIME YOU ENTER A PARK.  THIS PASSPORT STICKER THAT ALLOWS YOU TO NOT ONLY ENTER ALL THE STATE FACILITIES INCLUDING FOREST CAMPGROUNDS AND STATE PARKS, BUT FILL UP WITH WATER AND DUMP FOR FREE WHETHER YOU STAY THERE OR NOT.  IF YOU DO ANY REASONABLE AMOUNT OF CAMPING IN THIS STATE IT IS A VERY NICE PERK FOR US BOONDOCKERS WHEN HOME. 

"The dog is a reflection of your energy, of your behavior.  You have to ask what am I doing.  That's the right question to ask"

                                                                                Cesar Millan

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