On the Road West

Finally left Albany on Thursday May 30, 2019. First stop was Buffalo at the Anchor Bar, the home of the original Buffalo Wings. After this brief stop for a fantastic dinner, we traveled abut an hour south to Lake Erie State Park on Lake Erie in Brocton, NY. This park was an accidental find and proved to be a most beautiful setting. The sites are not terribly private but it’s RV Camping and some places will be that way. (Major difference between RV and tent camping for further discussion later.) Lake Erie State Park sits on a bluff above Lake Erie facing west so the sunsets can be extraordinary and the night we were there was one of those nights. The restrooms were very clean, accessible and close to the sites and the fees include a $6 entrance fee and $28/night camping fee that includes electricity. There is potable water available as well as a dumping station. (More description of these amenities to come) The park also has cabins for rent, swimming and biking trails.

After a lovely evening at this park, we traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan (about 5 hours) to visit with family for the next three days. I will not cover any family or personal information here as this blog is for informational purposes. For those family members or friends who would like more information about our personal visits, please send me an email with that request and I’ll be glad to oblige.

One note of major importance here is the price of fuel. As you plan your trip, this will be a major cost factor so plan accordingly. Over-estimating your mpg will not serve you well. Fuel prices vary widely and you are advised to do your research as each state has different taxes and prices swing wildly. Our vehicle is diesel which will get better mileage but costs more per gallon. From NY to Michigan we have already seen prices ranging from $3.25 down to $2.99 per gallon. Calculate the estimated distance on your journey and plan for these costs carefully.

Next stop was Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in NW Michigan. This is NOT the area known as the Upper Peninsula or the UP. Sleeping Bear is southwest of the bridge that takes you to the UP. We chose to go there on recommendation of both family and a very close and dear friend. Those who favor Sleeping Bear return there often and for good reason. The park covers a 35 mile long stretch of Lake Michigan’s eastern coastline as well as several islands that are serviced by passenger boats. The vistas of the lake are outstanding and are often reached by short hikes up the sand dunes. The region includes several lighthouses that can be climbed, numerous wonderful little upscale towns that offer fine dining as well as small, quaint pubs. But the natural setting is what brings people back to this area year after year. The Lake has an azure color that looks like the Caribbean and on calm days, the peaceful serenity of this ocean sized body of water is to be savored at a slow and leisurely pace. Some of the dunes reach up to 400′ above the water and the climbing is not for the faint of heart. However, many of the hikes are short and easily doable for those either out of shape or with small children. Plan accordingly.

Empire Bluff, Pyramid Point (not to be missed) and the Pierce Stocking Drive were all favorites of our exploration of this national treasure.

Camping is available for all levels of gear and with varying amenities in the National Lakeshore. We stayed at Platte River Campground and found it to be perfect. The sites are wooded and relatively private, with a fire-pit and picnic table at each site as well as electric to serve 30 or 50 amp units. Firewood is available for purchase in an automated truck parked in each loop of campsites. The restrooms are very clean and there are also showers, included in the fees, (some campgrounds charge for showers) as well as a sink for washing your dishes. This is also not included in all campgrounds but is a very nice feature as it conserves your own water and volume in your waste tanks in your RV.

Sleeping Bear is a National Park so the fees can be very reasonable IF….you have the America The Beautiful Pass. There are a number of passes that you can obtain nationally that will reduce your fees up to 50%. The America the Beautiful Pass costs $80 for a lifetime pass for seniors over 62. (Free for US Military) This includes admission to all National Parks and reduced camping fees at those same parks. Note: The price of the pass increased from $10-$80 in 2016. We were fortunate enough to get ours back in 2012…..$10 for life. I’m not sure of a better deal available from the Federal Government but even at $80 for life, you easily recoup this expense in a very short time. In addition to the National Parks, the pass also covers US Fish and Wildlife Services, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Land Reclamation, US Forest Service, and the Corps of Engineers, over 2000 recreation sites managed by federal agencies. FYI: Our total camping cost at Platte River with the pass was $72 for 4 nights.

Couple final notes about this region. If you are driving up from southern Michigan, do yourself a favor and stop at Cops & Doughnuts in Clare. This is a magnificent doughnut shop operated since 1896 that was rescued by all 9 members of the local police department within weeks of closing. And the product was definitely worth saving!! Also Moomers Ice Cream, a regional homemade delicacy is available in grocery stores or in Travers City, but we found it fresh scooped in Leland at the Harbor House. Leland is also home to Fish Town, a small block of restaurants and stores offering fresh fish as well as gifts and a harbor with fishing charters and the boats to the islands. If you do visit Travers City, which we did on a foggy day, you can take in a movie at the gorgeous State Theater, funded and renovated by Michael Moore. Also you might want to visit Cherry Republic, a regional favorite featuring all things cherry, (from chocolate covered cherries to cherry bbq sauce) celebrating the “Greatest Cherry Region in the World.” They have retail operations in Glen Arbor (in the National Lakeshore), Traverse City as well as Ann Arbor, Charlevoix, Frankenmuth, and Holland, Mi. Free samples galore.

So until the next post, peace. Jay