I took this photo at Fisherman's Island State Park, Charlevoix, on October 20th. It was a drizzly, gray day and a friend and I had driven there to search for "heart" rocks. Instead, I was charmed by these egg rocks.

Laura & Ed

Fellow campers and great couple.



Laura & Ed, annual camping trip, Leoda, Michigan, July 2005

My Favorite Primitive Campground

is Bay View Campground in the Hiawatha National Forest, Paradise, Michigan (approximately 25 miles west of Sault Sainte Marie.) No electricity, no showers, water hand pump, pit toilets. What they lack in amenities, they gain in private beach front campsites. There are no reservations, first come first serve. Have a plan-B (which is a piece of cake with the number of beautiful campgrounds in the area.) Make sure to have everything that you need as there are only a few businesses in the area and none that are open in the evening.


For me, it isn't a successful camping trip unless we get a lot of private beach time. Here, the kids enjoyed a Lake Superior sunset with new friends.


Taylor at Bay View

Taylor packs her kite after a sunset fly. Ludington State Park, July 2007

Kite Festival, Grand Haven State Park, May 2008


Rhonda, Susan, & Richard warm up fireside at my campsite, May 2008.

Grand Haven State Park is a strange animal. I've camped there three times. It is basically a parking lot covered in sand and reservations for the best sites are made six months in advance. I like it because, one, it's on the beach, two, the great view of the lighthouse. This particular trip, I was camped on the farthest northern point of the campground perimeter and the night wind beat my tent like how I imagine exploring a pole is like.

2007 Annual Liebert/Kester Camping Trip

P.J. Hoffmaster State Park, Muskegon, Michigan

The night I took this photograph, everyone had left me to prepare dinner and I was having a hard time leaving the beach.