Roadside Chronicles: Life On The Road

Sunday, Sept 12 – Topinabee Rest Area to Burnt Damn campground in Ottawa National Forest, Michigan

 

Last night was spent in the Topinabee Rest Area at the top of the mitten top in Michigan.  We were ready to stop and had eaten dinner along the way.  Initially we were the only one there but in the end it was only one trucker besides us…that usually doesn’t happen in our world….usually there are many and we avoid this type of overnight parking.  A quiet night was had by all as he did not park right next to us.

By day we travelled route 2 along the upper peninsula (south side of it.)  We stopped at a beachside rest area to take a walk on the beach. (Thompson Rogers roadside park/no overnight parking noted….). Mali had a nice sand walk complete with rolling in sand but we did not let her get wet as we had learned that lesson a long time ago.  Wet dog and sand = equals a mess that involves us carrying a wet dog in towel to vehicle…lest she roll after the water to get it off her.  However, she won’t go in the water unless enticed with a stick and not far so we just didn’t throw sticks.  The UP deserves some more time (another trip) and some good research before that trip.  Note to self, get gas considerably before upper peninsula as it is expensive…not a surprise.  We also found that route 2 on the UP has quite a few roadside parks that could possibly be used for overnight parking if you go in at end of day.  We may try one!

 

At the end of the day we ended up in Burnt Damn National Forest service free dispersed camping.  It was our first choice and we were a bit tired of driving/sitting.   About 7 miles in on a good gravel road…although it was DUSTIER than we realized.  There were 6 sites and we found a spacious one for us and dog. Found 3 pieces of FREE firewood to add to our package of kindling/firestarters.  I also found a zucchini someone left but not going there!  Poof now we are really camping.  Dinner, walking, campfire.  Supposed to go down to 39 degrees tonight so maybe the bugs will leave.  Just a few bugs.