A Perfect Summer Day in Michigan

Saturday, July 16, 2016
The rains yesterday helped to bring in a little cooler weather today - high 70s with a slightly lower humidity.  The skies remained overcast in the morning but early in the afternoon the skies cleared and sunshine invited everyone out to enjoy the water, picnics and lots of outdoor fun.  Of course, the overcast skies didn't keep them from having fun either.

The theme this week has been carnival and this morning all of the younger children could be seen having a wonderful time riding ponies, getting faces painted, getting balloon animals created by a clown, playing on special blowup slides, bounce houses and other such offerings.

On our walk this morning we saw a tour type bus come in and lots of orange T-shirted people get off.  It was a family reunion gathering that had rented one of the islands for their use.  There were lots of picnic tables pulled together in different spots on the picnic grounds for other gatherings including an obvious birthday party.  All of the group sites were filled to overflowing with tents, and every kind of RV vehicle you could think of.  Each of them had signs saying this was a family reunion.  Apparently that was also the prevailing theme this weekend.  Next to us and behind us are four sites filled with family members who have been having a wonderful time sharing all kinds of activities.  At one point I saw them all gathered together encouraging each other as they played a game of Family Double Dare (according to the sign they'd hung)

In the morning hours we saw lots of people riding bikes, playing on the playground equipment, gathering to do activities together at campsites, but once that sun came out there was a huge migration to the water activities of swimming, enjoying the water slide, pedaling a boat or skimming the water in canoes and kayaks.

There of course were campfires everywhere so almost a haze from the smoke that rises from them as well as a variety of good smells depending on what they were cooking.  What a marvelous day for hundreds of people either staying here or coming in for a day of fun.  Yet we didn't feel overwhelmed by the sheer numbers despite the fact the campground was full (a sign was posted at the entrance early yesterday saying we're full, come back another day)

There are so many green spots and large camping sites that everyone could have ample space and simply enjoy themselves however they wished.  Ken and I chose to simply hang out here enjoying walks, reading or chatting outside, and just plain relaxing.

On one of my walks today I took a picture of the huge green space and between the water and the top of the hill where we are parked (the tree by the brown RV kind of blocks a view of us).  At one point there was a group playing ball in this spot and closer to the play equipment several men were playing a game of horseshoes.

There truly is something for everyone to do here including motorcross for bikes

and skate boarding

miniature golf

boating and fishing

having private parties like this graduation party

going for a "hay ride"

or simply just enjoying your campsite -- many turn them into beautiful little spots with flowers in pots or hanging from a tree 

And one extra special thing is it is all patroled by friendly local sheriffs some of which ride horses and take time to chat with people and let them pet the horses. (at one point today they stopped to rest under the tree right next to our place)

But whatever they choose today was a day to really soak it up!!!!

And yes, I did get in my 10,000 steps.  In fact, I actually reached over 12,000.