Tuesday, July 7 – We are taking a mid-summer break and traveling to Michigan for a couple weeks. Marsha has never been to the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) but this is old summer fishing grounds for Paul. He spent several weeks each summer for over 30-years with “the guys” fishing and exploring the area. Bella isn’t on this trip with us. She wanted to camp out at grandpa’s house. She isn’t to thrilled about traveling anyways.
Here is what Michigan looks like today. Yuck!
Our first stop is Lansing, MI, the Capitol. The rain finally stopped. We are staying at Sleepy Hollow State Park. We were disappointed upon arriving to find a significant up charge on the $20 nightly fee. A $4 per day registration fee is added PLUS a $9 per day entry fee. That's a 65% increase over the advertised nightly fee. Thank goodness Marsha is a sweet negotiator. She calmly discussed the matter with the gal behind the desk and was able to cancel our 2nd night's stay. Total loss $4.
The park was swarming with mosquitos when we arrived. After the rain stopped, they left us alone. The streets are paved and so are the campsites. Unfortunately, the campsites are cut in at a 90 degree angle from the street rather than at an angle, making it very difficult to back into our site. We were forced to move to a different site because we were unable to get backed in. Still, we had to park the truck on the grass next to our 5th wheel.
The sites are electric only, and the set-up is weird. There is one pedestal for every 3 sites, and a very long extension cord is needed to reach our site. We were forced to use a regular 100' extension cord and settle for 20 amp electric. Thank goodness air conditioning wasn't needed.
Site 98.
Looking right.
Looking left.
After settling into our site, as well as we could, we loaded up and headed to Lansing, MI, to tour the State Capitol.
The building is being renovated inside and out. There is some lovely work on the outside.
We choose the self-guided tour even though guided tours were available. We were free to roam the entire four floors of this beautiful building
The Senate
The House
The ceiling was very unique. Glass tiles representing each of the 50 states made up the ceiling in both the Senate and the House rooms.
The remaining ceiling throughout the building were painted with murals and interesting colors.
We spent about an hour in the Capitol building, and then walked briefly around town. We were surprised by the lack of business seemly going on in town. The Legislature is in recess until July 15 so that may explain the lack of people downtown.
We then spent some time on an auto tour of Michigan State University. We choose the car tour because of the threat of rain in the area. We already got stuck in one shower unhooking the trailer this afternoon. The University is quite large.
There doesn't appear to be any one architecture scheme, but still we found the school to be very welcoming. Of course, the athletic facilities are amazing. We found the naming of the streets interesting. The Psychology Department is located on Psychology Street, Law on Law street, and Engineering on Engineering Street…pretty unique. Can't say what happens if they move a department or need to build additional buildings.
A.W. Farrall Agricultural Engineering Hall. 
Lots of green space.
This is our first RV stay in Michigan so that's a new state on our RV map. We returned to the RV to rest up in anticipation of new adventures tomorrow. Stop back and explore the Upper Peninsula with us beginning tomorrow.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day.
Michigan was a fun place to visit. I had to work there near Gaylord off and on for several months a few years ago. Never made it to the UP but I did enjoy Traverse City, since we flew in there each time, so I usually had to stay overnight there right on the water, of course. Reminded me of Maui. Fun.
ReplyDeleteAt least you got a little sun...even if it was after you set up. Michigan state parks are like Indiana's...that daily entry fee AND registration on top of camping fees makes you feel like you're really getting ripped off. Camping in these two states' parks are no bargain. the YP is going to make up for this first night. State capitols are so interesting, aren't they? Never been to one when the legislature was in session. That must have brought a nice energy to the place.
ReplyDeleteHow exciting that you are out on the road again!! We enjoyed Michigan. We toured the University of Michigan before we did Michigan State. So Michigan State was quite a let down after the gorgeous campus of the University of Michigan. We stayed in St Ignace right on the north side of the Mackinac Bridge at a casino. it was only $10 a night with water and electric. I'm not sure if you are in the UP yet or not. Sorry the state park decided to raise the price by adding lots of extra charges, not to mention the tough parking and weird electric set up! Looking forward to your adventures in the UP!! check out our blog posts for the Upper Peninsula. We stayed at several casinos for little or nothing as we moved through the UP.
ReplyDeleteWe like "the UP". We've crossed through the northern part on the way from Ontario to Saskatchewan and back a couple of times. It's cheaper to go through the U.S. than Canada!
ReplyDeletewww.travelwithkevinandruth.com
We have toured Michigan many times year ago when we still working, lots of wonderful places to visit. Enjoy the UP.
ReplyDeleteWe found state parks in Michigan to be expensive when we were there.I hate the add on entry fees. It seems to me that state parks in several states aren't really a good deal. The park we stayed at here in New York was $23.00 a night for electric only.
ReplyDeleteWith our rig being almost the same size we'll probably avoid that one. We've managed the tight ones before but getting tired of them. $39.00 a night for only electricity is a bit steep. A complaint to the BBB about falsely advertised prices will have them posting the full prices online.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
When we were in northern Ohio a few years ago I checked about getting reservations at a state park on Lake Michigan, since we have yet to visit Michigan. We changed our minds when we saw that they charged $24/night, plus an extra $8 entry fee each for the car AND motorhome. I really want to go to the UP so am looking forward to your posts. Jim hears about the mosquitoes and has no interest!
ReplyDeleteYikes, you sound like many of our campers. Site's too small, can't back in, got any better ones. Worse crime - parking on the grass. Tee hee.
ReplyDeleteState Parks sure aren't the camping bargain they used to be. :(
ReplyDeleteVisiting a new to you state should be fun. I hope the weather cooperates.
ReplyDeleteYour site looks great but not if you have a bunch of mosquitoes to feed. Glad you're getting out and itching that hitch. A little bit of rain never hurt anyone but I'd rather those drops fall elsewhere when we're out checking the sights. Enjoy your mini vacation.
ReplyDeleteWe have toured the 'UP' but have yet to visit 'da mitten'. Now we want to visit even more.
ReplyDeleteGood to see you're out exploring for awhile. We've never spent any time in UP so looking forward to your tour. State Parks are expensive anymore with the states being so broke. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteWe love the state of Michigan and also toured that capitol building. We have been finding a significant increase in camping rates even in the National Parks. :( Looking forward to catching up with your newer posts now that we have Internet for a few days.
ReplyDeleteI understand many of the state parks are hurting financially across the US. but they are shooting themselves in the foot, so to speak, with the extra fees. I think the daily registration fee is a first for me, and it seems totally like a money grab when you're already paying for camping.
ReplyDelete