Happy Campers!

Our camping trip this year was to the shores of Lake Michigan.

We tried spending as much time as possible on the shore if only as a way to avoid being in the forest (where the campsites were) where the mosquitoes were incredibly thick and aggressive. There was a swamp/marsh area just off the campground and to aggravate matters, the forest was separated by the water (and the breeze!) by a very large embankment.

The red welt under his poor eye is one of dozens of the total family bite count.

Taking the beach way back to the site instead of the bug-y road. You can tell how it was, trees up on the left, water down on the right.

On our way to the beach again, coming out of the woods scratching a fresh bite on my head.

This was most definitely the place to be!

We really enjoy the fact that our fun state park trips are also inherently educational. Although I sometimes tease Lance a little for his love of reading every sign and his habit of swerving into every historical marker spot. ;) (But it's just joking. He doesn't know I secretly like it that he's a

little nerdy that way.)

Plus, I think I am, too, because you can see our children have been genetically programmed. They fell in love with this sign and stood here for at least ten minutes studying it, asking questions, and gazing out into the water looking for the sunken ship. That's just about all they've talked about since then, a full investigation has been launched on all sunken ships in the Great Lakes, and bedtime stories are dictated to include a ship that sinks.

Our campsite in the woods. Notice the TENT. (I'm very smug about that.)

And just a side note on the screen tent over the picnic table. At Lance's insistence, last year was the first time we'd ever used one. I bawked at it because, "You're camping! You're supposed to be out in the open! Why go from one enclosed thing to the next all the time?!" But this time, I admit, it was a good thing we had it or we wouldn't have been able to enjoy any of the time spent at our campsite thanks to the cloud of mosquitoes that was visiting for the duration of our stay.

(Thanks Honey, good thinking! -this time- )

I LOVE CAMPING!