42,692 Steps

Jim and I picked up a couple of Fitbits right before our vacation to Hocking Hills and Mochian State Park. We knew that we would get a great deal of activity in that week as there are at least six different places within the state park area that we wanted to visit.  We have been to Hocking Hills three

Hocking Hills State Park - Site 171

different times but have never camped in the state park. We were on site 171 (which ironically is the same number as our RPod). I thought this was a great sign. Our campsite was on the end of a loop and we had more than enough room.

When we arrived on Saturday, August 9, it was right around dinner time. As we pulled up next to our site we noticed that there was another RPod right across the street from us. We knew that once we were set up and settled we had to go make friends. The couple was from the Cincinnati area and was only out on their third trip. We exchanged lots of ideas, travel tips, and helpful hints. Often times we are the only "Pod in the Park" so this was a treat. We still gave a number of tours of our Pod that week and made some new friends. Other than one night and one afternoon of rain, the week was perfect. We started out using the air conditioner in about 85 degree weather but almost needed the furnace by the end of the week. Once the front rolled through the evening temperatures hit 47 degrees. The bonfire that night was a real blessing!

Old Man's Cave at Hocking Hills State Park.

Just a glimpse of the stairs that are all throughout the park.

Conkles Hollow at Hocking Hills State Park.

Cantwell Cliffs at Hocking Hills State Park.

Ash Cave at Hocking Hills State Park.

While we were at Hocking Hills we visited Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, Conkles Hollow, and Cantwell Cliffs. The other two places, Cedar Falls and The Rock House, we had visited once before so it didn't matter if we made it to those two or not. We also ate a couple meals at the Hocking Hills State Park Lodge. The food was amazing! We weren't sure about it as it didn't seem very busy, but I had some of the best pasta around and Jim's corn beef sandwich was delicious (and I didn't even think I liked corn beef...LOL).

Site 33 at Mochian State Park.

Midweek we moved up to Mochian State Park on the edge of Amish County in Ohio. We were on site 33. We had camped here on our first trip with our RPod and thought it was a great park. This time was a little different. The campground office was really disorganized and the people we not very friendly. The campground was packed as it was the weekend before most Ohio schools started back to school. We visited the Paradise Dam and Clear Fork Gorge and spend one full day in Berlin Ohio. We shopped most of the day at all the cute, little Amish stores and then stopped for a good, home cooked, traditional Amish dinner. It was delicious.

Clear Fork Gorge at Mochian State Park.

All in all we had a great week! According to our Fitbits, we took 42,692 steps around Ohio. I would say we covered a lot of ground.

Cousins Camping Weekend July 17-20, 2014

Once again, the only Pod in the Park.

The third annual Cousins Camping weekend was another huge success. From Kalkaska to Blissfield to Monroe to Livonia to Baltimore, Maryland, we all converged on the tiny town of Port Hope, Michigan. It was truly like taking a step back in time. It was a very small town with a full-service gas station, a bar, a post office and an ice cream store. We camped at Stafford County Park located right on the shores of Port Huron. We were camped on site #12, and with the rest of the family, we all formed our own little compound with the fire pit right in the middle. It was perfect --- minus the fact that it was July and we had to turn on the heater in our camper for one night and wear hoodies and long pants while sitting

around the campfire. This has been a crazy weather summer in the Mitten.

We arrived to camp late on Thursday night. We were the last to arrive. Traffic was terrible coming out of Ann Arbor. For miles we did about 15 to 20 miles for no apparent reason. On Friday, we biked in the morning and explored the little town of Port Hope.  Friday afternoon we loaded up two cars and ventured to

Heck Cousins at Heck's Bar.

Pinnebog, Michigan to the site of "Heck's Bar" (for those of you that don't know me that well, that is my maiden name). We were all excited to see if we were related. The owner, Robert Heck II, was very welcoming. He was equally enthusiastic to find out where we were all from and if we could trace back our roots. Well, sure enough, his family and my family originated in the same small town in Germany. We enjoyed some great Michigan beer and all sampled the famous "Heckleburger." This burger is the foundation of the Heck's Bar menu. It was OUTSTANDING! It was the first burger that I didn't have to drown in condiments. My mouth is watering just thinking about it again. If I ever venture to that side of the state again, I'll be sure to stop in and see my new "cousin."

Saturday morning my brother cooked up a mean breakfast to send a few of us off on a kayaking adventure. I had never kayaked a Great Lake before and I will admit I was a little nervous. We headed down to Harbor Beach to set sail. I did pretty well this time with navigating my kayak. I was able to get in it and out of it ok without

Cousins Kayaking on Lake Huron.

getting wet! That is always a successful trip in my book. At one point, I did have whitecaps coming over the front of my kayak but that didn't last too long and I was able to stay afloat. I was just reminding myself to stay calm and be sure that I was heading into the waves and not against them. I also had my cousin Patie nearby to keep the conversation going to take my mind of things (Thanks Patie!)

Saturday night we cooked up a fest, played some rounds of cornhole, sat around the campfire telling stories, catching up, toasting to those that are no longer with us, and making plans for next year. All the fine ingredients to another great Cousins Camping Weekend. 

Here is some more photos of the weekend....

Chef, Brother Bill

Jimmy never likes his picture taken. He's always doing some
marketing for Siena Heights wherever we go.

Cousins Jason, Becky and Doug 

It's not camping until someone breaks out the cornhole
Cousin Lois, Brother and Scott

The view from the campsite - Lake Huron

The Cousins Camping Compound and Fire Circle