Taking care of the farm each summer provides many projects as well as the need for a break. This year, however, we are only home 3 months so a single mini vacation works just as well. This is Barb's birthday week and she loves a casino get away and I am happy just about anywhere to stretch out and relax. Hessel, MI offers such a place. We have been here several times in the past, but not lately. This will be the first trip for the newest member of our tribe, Josey Wales. We made this trip the last week of September to avoid the summer crowds and have a little cooler weather.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a jewel with opportunities for anything anyone may want to experience. Hessel lies in the southeastern half of the UP about 30 miles east of the junction of the Mackinac Bridge on highway 134. Traffic here is light unless you are in the depths of summer and traveling to DeTour Village and Drummond Island. The casino itself is a small concern with basic gambling slot machines only. They do have a bar and snack counter with decent food. Service is very good. The RV park is located about 100 yards away across the road with 40 sites, including some with electricity. Septic hookups are now available at the 10 largest sites as well as a central dump and water on the exit road. They also have very nice/clean vault toilets. RV Parks – Kewadin Casinos $22 a night buys you a spot with electric. It is first come first served for spots. Of course we water up before we arrive. That usually buys us about 5-6 days. We discovered that now in Michigan, regardless if you have the recreation passport on your plates or not you still get the privilege of paying $10 to either water up or dump. Live and learn. The campground has several 'vault type' toilets which are kept very clean.
After camp setup I assumed my role as 'camp bitch' and let Barb relax and play with Josey Wales and Roux. I am, after all, at my happiest just chillin', building a campfire, and preparing meals for my family. On an adventurous evening I'll follow Barb to the casino and drink a beer watching the big screen sports. I had some initial difficulty setting up the satellite system as the power supply was not providing the dish with power allowing it to search for signals. Once I resolved this I could not find a satellite. The next day I discovered that I could reset the receiver and with directions from DirecTV able to refresh my receiver. Apparently if your receiver is powered off for more than 60 days you have to do this. I have made a new checklist to remind me of all the necessary steps. Live and learn, part 2.
For us this is a very nice location to camp even though they don't have full hookups or facilities. It is scenic, quiet, within walking distance of the casino and 3 miles of town. If you don't need all the frills of a big campground or park this is your place. It did rain on us most of the week with temps in the 40s and low 50s, but that's part of camping sometimes. It lessens nothing from the experience, just modifies plans. I refilled my spare propane tank. In fact we stayed an extra day so as not to pack up in the rain.
A very nice get away for the week. Time to relax and recreate. Barb hit the BIG JACKPOT our last day here. How big? She filled out the paperwork and had the taxes taken out in advance. What a birthday week for my girl. Roux, Josey Wales and I took walks, played pine cone soccer, gathered firewood, and just vegged. With all the rainy weather we didn't get any beach time. I also picked up 5 pounds of fresh lake perch and walleye to freeze for the winter pantry. In the end we once again settled in and recharged the core of our family. Back to Kalkaska now and within a month on the road again for the winter. 4 out of 5 stars.
"How beautiful it is to do nothing and then to rest afterwards"
Spanish proverb
MiFi courtesy of AT & T Wireless
No comments:
Post a Comment