Pod People

From Interlochen State Park we made the journey seven miles down the road to attend the 2016 RPod Eastern Roundup (ERU) at Holiday Park Campground in Traverse City, Michigan. The rally didn't officially start until Thursday but we went a day early. We've tried to attend a couple of RPod rallies before, but it just didn't work. We were both really excited to be going to our first one.

So what is a RPod ERU? Well, it is a gathering of RPods and their owners that camp together, eat together, exchange travel stories and share modifications that they have done on their Pods. We have hardly done anything to our RPod, but did walk away with a lot to think about. 

Holiday Park Campground was by far the nicest campground we have EVER stayed in (and not to mention the most expensive). We had Wi-Fi at our campsite, so it was real convenient for me to do homework in the Pod. I believe this was only the second time we had water and sewer on site as well. 

People attended from Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland, South Carolina, Iowa and even Canada. We met some of the greatest people here along with some of the cutest four-legged friends as well. Pod people have a common bond right from the start and there's always something to talk about. 

I thought I would share a great video from Travis that he took from the ERU . . .

Finally, here's the top three things that I learned from the ERU....

1. BOURBON is ment to be sipped and enjoyed, not chugged. Thanks to Mark for the education and samplings of bourbon. Hope to make it down to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail at some point!

2. PODLUCKS ARE THE BEST  - the first night of the rally we had a hot dog roast and everyone brought a dish to pass. Pod people know how to cook and put on a real good spread!

3. I LIKE BOURBON!

Holiday Park Campground - Traverse City, MI

Where is your coffee cup?

Where is your coffee cup?

Most people know that not much stands between me and my morning coffee. It is my first stop every morning. Not only is it a necessity to get me moving (especially lately), I enjoy everything about it too.

On Tuesday morning at Interlochen State Park, we decided to have a rest day. We just chilled out all day at the campsite and enjoyed the scenery and nature around us. I did end up doing some reading for school, but that was about it. It was so nice to just chill for a change.

Here's my view, with my coffee cup. I believe we sat here until after noon just enjoying our coffee, each other and the crazy chipmunk that entertained us for hours.

Interlochen State Park was the first official state park in Michigan that was established in 1917. We were glad to check this one of our list. We were on site 385 which was on the banks of the lake. It was an extra-large site with lots of trees. Jim did a great job of navigating the Pod through the trees that offered the greatest view of the lake.  This site must have had a Yurt or Teepee on it at one point, as we also had a large dance floor at the far end of the campsite.

The first night we were there it got down to 48 degrees. The wind was sharp off the lake and I swear there was a wind chill. Only in Michigan, in June, do I need to pack shorts, hoodies and a coat! We connected with my family from Kalkaska, I spent quality time at the Interlochen library (thanks for the free wi-fi) and enjoyed some serious time around the fire ring. This was a great way to kick off our week of camping. Here's a few more photos of our campsite.

Interlochen State Park - Site 385

Smores, anyone?

Interlochen State Park - Site 385

Next stop — the 2016 RPod Eastern Roundup Rally (ERU) in Traverse City, MI...

45 Minutes

I typically wouldn't make a post about a stop over night on a trip, but I just couldn't believe the customer service we received at Ionia State Park. Jim and I were heading to Traverse City for a week and I was already in Grand Rapids for a conference for work, so we decided to spend the night at Ionia. We have camped there before and knew the way around. I didn't want Jim to navigate Grand Rapids while towing the Pod, so this was much easier.

Ionia State Park - Site 69

We arrived 45 minutes before the check-in time to find a line of campers parked outside of the office. I went to check-in and the person at the desk was turning everyone away. In all my years of camping, I have never experienced this before. It is not like we were three hours early. We left the office and went down to the beach with the Pod in tow to wait for the official check-in time.

Once 3 pm arrived, we headed back to the office to find a mob of people all trying to check-in at the same time, with the same person in the office who just couldn't figure out where we were all there at the same time.  Duh!

Just wanted to send a word to the wise out to fellow travels. Pay attention to the check-in time if you are heading to Ionia State Park.  I didn't realize 45 minutes would make or break it.

Where is your foot?

I just can't believe that I haven't updated my blog at all in 2016! Where has the time gone? Oh yeah, I've been buried in graduate school and that hasn't left much time for fun. I guess I'm only two trip behind, but the year is already half over.

Now that all my classroom work is complete, I can get back to my regularly scheduled life.

Where is your foot?

We kicked off the 2016 camping season with an impromptu trip to Pokagon State Park in Angola, Indiana. We had a great site (#411) that was just big enough for the Pod. Jim and I have been there several times and really enjoy the park. It is super close to home, but has a far-away feel with lots of things to do.We typically don't like to camp on holiday weekends because every place is just jammed packed, but after some serious stalking online, I was able to score a campsite for the long weekend at the last minute. I was kind of nervous because I had so much homework as I was taking my last two classes, but I knew I had access to the free wi-fi at the lodge.

It worked out perfectly! We did some outlet shopping, got some quality time at the beach along with my first sunburn of the year and was able to just relax after a busy few weeks AND I was able to keep up with my studies.

We all share traveling stories and experiences and I leave you with this one last question. Where is your foot? Mine is usually relaxing at the campfire, with my Pod, my favorite guy and a good beer!