S is for Sleeping, Smokey and South

The weather turned warm after leaving Mackinaw as we headed south east towards Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore. We made the mistake of taking the “tunnel of trees” road near Mackinaw. We had to find a way off quick – big mistake if you are in any type of RV! Very narrow twisty road with low branches. We had few close calls with a branch or two.

The shores of Lake Michigan are famous for their glorious beaches and sand dunes! Many a day of my youth was spent swimming in Lake Michigan and being thrown down those sand dunes by my older brothers. It is hard hiking up a large sand dune no matter what your age! We originally planned on staying in Sleeping Bear National Park but after driving through it and seeing how crowded it was even at this time year we opted out. We stayed a very pretty RV park near the town of Empire. The trees were glorious. This area is beautiful and has plenty of little towns and the larger Traverse City nearby. Summer is the high season here but even still there were plenty of leaf peepers on the weekend.

We headed towards South Haven after leaving Sleeping Bear to meet up with family from Chicago. I have lots of good memories of this area. It is close to Chicago and has been a weekend getaway for a long time in my family. We had great week visiting with family and enjoying the warm weather. Visited some old haunts and had a blast apple picking. Enjoyed my nephew Dan’s children greatly! South Haven was a little busy and crowded on the weekend but cleared out during the week. It sure has become quite the tourist area.

Next we headed toward South Carolina to visit more family via the Smokey Mountains. This area was way too crowded for me – I did not enjoy it very much. Driving through the park was a zoo! The crowds were a little better on the south side of the park and during the week but still too congested for my likes.

We spent the next week in South Carolina visiting with family. We had the joy of seeing Jack’s nephew and wife’s latest new baby named after Jack’s sister Emillia. She was brand new only a few days old. So sweet! Her older brothers were pretty darned adorable as well.

This will be my last post this time around. A little late, we have been home now for close to month. We did not rush driving home from South Carolina but we did not dilly dally too much either. The homestead held up well – no major disasters were waiting! Oh and the first taste of New Mexico chile was wonderful after four months – we stopped at Joseph’s Restaurant in Santa Rosa on the way home. It is a Jack and Janet tradition anytime we are traveling home via I40. Till next time Amigos!