Camping fever in September

We couldn't ask for a better weather to camp in mid-September. We camped at the Platte river campground nestled in Sleeping bear dune national lakeshore. Our group campsite is located deepest in the woods, about 370 yards from the parking lot. When we checked in, the ranger informed us that as sight of bears was spotted around here, we would need to clear out all the foods from the campsite and lock them into car trunk every night before we go to sleep and while we're not staying at the campsite.
Waiting to be put in to the platte river at the outfitter. We had lots of company on the river on this beautiful sunny day.
A scene of the river packing with anglers and paddlers. At the dam, we paddled amidst hundreds of king salmons swimming around our canoe.
While approaching our take-off spot at the mouth of platte river, the view changed into a vast of sand dune against the backdrop of Lake Michigan.
Overlooking sleeping bear dune from the platte river mouth.
The temperature dropped to 40F at night, we all bundled up curling inside the sleeping bags. Still, we felt like as if sleeping in the freezer the whole night.
Love the ambience, the wilderness of this campground. Kids runnning around wildly in the woods, playing and chasing each other.
Walking on the 370-yard trail, carrying things in and out, gazillion times a day, was a "memorable" experience on this trip.
Autumn color was peeking through the canopy. This camping trip nicely wrapped up the last horray of summer.

Camping fever

The moment we arrived at the PaddleBrave campground on Saturday, the place was swarmed with people waiting to get into the river. The staff was overwhelmed with the crowd and we're asked to check into the campsite first and do the paperwork later. As we drove along the path looking for our camp site, we were once again intimidated by the sight of it was packed with campers and trailers. The first thought flashed by was this ain't a relaxing vacation I had in mind. We were a little turned off by the camp site is relatively small and closed to each other. It took us a while to put up the tarp over our tent as the trees are way too far away from each other. Thanks god that we did not give it up as a thunderstorm was awaiting for us on the second night.

After settling everything down, we hiked through the pristine woodlands along the Mason Tract, which running parallel to the Au Sable River, a mecca of fly fishing trout stream.
Back to the campsite, we couldn't wait digging into our dinner and making some s'mores.
The next morning, we headed right to the river after having a hearty breakfast. We were rather ambitious chosing the longest 5-hours canoe trip which started right off the campground, floated through the heart of the Mason Tract and ended at Smith Bridge.
This stretch of river was shallow and flowed at a steady pace. The weather was hot and humid, staying around 90F. We jumped out of the canoe to chill off in the water occassionally. Basking in the sun, we paddled and paddled. We were so toasted and our arms were sored, yet Elle had not kept her mouth shut for a minute. The moment we spotted Smith Bridge the take-out location, we felt blessed and relieved.
It's really nice that we were dropped off right in front of our camping site. The crowd had left the campground and it looked so empty and quiet on a Sunday. We wandered around the campground and ran into the owner serveral times. Elle enjoyed chit-chatting with the owner and wanted to go see him again and again, acting totally like an "uncle stalker".

The Au Sable river is flowing through our campground and there was a very nice walkway to stroll along or sit by to watch the canoes float by. Wagging our toes inside the water, Elle greated the canoeists as they passed by.
Past midnight, the thunderstorm started rolling in. The tent was illuminated with flashes of lightnings, followed by echoing booms of thunder. We could tell Elle was awaken by the thunderstorm as she buried herself and shaking under the sleeping bag. Not long after, the wind howling and the rain pouring down, beating on our tent. Elle wondered if little willies (the portable toilet closed by our tent) got blown away.

Manistee National Forest Camping Trip: Day 3

At around 5am, just about the guys awoke getting ready to their fishing trip to Tippy, the rain started falling. A heartbreaker for the guys.

The dripping sound of rat-tat-tat of rain hitting on the tents didn't bother Elle at all. She slept like a little piggy. At around 9am, the rain began to die down. Guess what the kids had for breakfast? MARSHMALLOW! I bet it's the greatest fond memory of this trip for them.
Elle met these two sisters Danielle and Izzy at the camp's playground on the first day we arrived. The big sister Danielle and Elle were clicked right away and had fun together. On the 2nd night, we saw Danielle at the lodge when we got out of the shower room. Danielle came over telling Elle they'll be leaving tomorrow and would like to meet her at the playground tomorrow morning after breakfast. Aww, how sweet of her. I totally forgot about the promise until these two sisters showed up at our campsite bidding farewell to Elle.
After breakfast, it's time for the least fun part of the trip - PACKING, especially when most of our stuffs were soaked by the rain. It seemed to take forever to clean and pack. By the time we got ready to head back to Kalamazoo, it started raining cats and dogs. We left with loads of fond memories.