Fifth Annual Cousins Weekend

We started this annual Cousins Weekend back in 2012 and I'm so glad that we kept our tradition going now for five years in a row. I hope we can keep it going for at least another five years as family and time together is super important. We all get busy and have our own lives, but I think it is very important to take time out of our busy schedules and spend time with those that you love.

I want to recap the last five years of trips that we have made together just for my own memory's sake and to have a running list of the places we have been:

• 2012 - Soaring Eagle Casino in Mount Pleasant, MI
• 2013 - Camping at Muskegon State Park in Muskegon, MI
• 2014 - Camping at Stafford County Park in Port Hope, MI
• 2015 - Cottage weekend at Arend's on Little Gray Goose Lake in Jerome, MI
• 2016 - Camping at Stafford County Park in Port Hope, MI

We liked Stafford County Park so much that we decided to make a return trip. It seems to be centrally located for most of us. It was one of the hottest and rainiest weekends of the summer but we didn't slow us down much. It was figure that the best day of the weekend was Sunday when we were packing up a leaving. 

We did have to check up on a very distance relative in Kinde, MI that owns and operates Heck's Bar. We stumbled across this bar the last time we were in the area and had to stop again. 

It doesn't matter where we go or what we do, it is always a great time to get together with my cousins!

The Cousins Compound - Sites 12, 13, 15, 16

The Cousins Compound

The Cousins

Cousin Laura, Kathy and Jimmy

Heck's Bar in Kinde, MI

Beautiful Lake Huron

Lake Huron

Sunshine and Whiskey

I think there's a country music song for just about anything in life. Sunshine and Whiskey by Frankie Ballard popped into my head when I reflect on the long weekend back in July at Chain O'Lakes State Park in Alboin.

Every year we plan a trip with our friends and this year we decided to try some place new. We have never been to Chain O' Lake State Park and so enjoyed our time there. The weather for the weekend was just perfect. Warm enough during the day for a swim in the lake and cool enough at night for a nice fire.

My friend Don introduced us to Bird Dog Chocolate Whiskey. I didn't think I was much of a whiskey drinker until I met the Bird Dog. We had a great day of "day drinking" (other country song by Little Big Town, I might add...see there really is a country song for everything!) and forgot about reality for a while.

The park was awesome. The campsites were roomy. The lake was warm. And the company was fantastic! Here's to over 20 plus years of friendship with this group and to making more camping memories together.

The Pod on site 367

Meet my new friend, Bird Dog

From left to right: Shelby Longnecker, Brooke Longnecker
and Don Grodi

From left to right: Don Grodi and Jim Longnecker

Jimmy - the fire starter