Hard to believe it's 2008 already and we've already begun planning our summer trips. Looks like our long trip of the summer will start in late June and last for 3 weeks. We'll be starting in Hagerstown, MD and then up to Boston, MA and then who knows ... we havn't decided yet.

Our first trip will be Memorial Day weekend in Tawas State Park in Tawas, MI. It's only about 2 hours or so from our home, but the girls and Sonja have school through Friday and Sonja has to be back in school the following week finishing up. So, we didn't want to go too far for the first trip out.

It's hard not to get too excited once we start making plans ... we still have school and work until the summer that has to be done.

If you are thinking about RVing this summer and don't yet have a RV you might try renting for your first trip. We've got some links to RV Rental companies we like...

Michigan Motorhome Rentals ... Maryland Motorhome RV Rentals ... Virginia Motorhome Rentals

Today was a celebration day in our family. Ashli, turned 12 today and boy did she want everyone to know it:) It never ceases to amaze Sonja and I how God made each child of ours w/ unique personalities. So, we did the best we could to make the day special for Ashli. Julia, Jenna, and I got up early (9am) and headed to the local flower/gift shop for a balloon and flowers. When we got back to the campground we had a special breakfast treat (cinnamon buns), then the girls went swimming with some friends they had met.

Early afternoon we packed up and headed out for the day. First to Oswalds Bear Ranch. Back in 1984 Mr. Oswald, a native of Bay City, MI, started taking in wounded or bears needing a home. Now, he has 27 bears ... cubs, youngins, and oldins. A very well kept place to visit. Slow paced and lots of bears to see.

Next we headed off for Sault Ste Marie to see the Soo Locks and eat a fish fry at a restaurant Sonja had been to with some friends a couple of years ago. The Locks were neat to see. They had a couple 1000 ft. vessels come through ... man are they long.

Tomorrow we head for Indian River and stay there a few nights. 

We took off for our adventure to the Upper Pensinsula of Michigan. We are lookin forward to meeting some 'yoopers' as they are called ... so the people that live up here are called. You know what they say ... when in the U.P. do what the Yoopers do. That's not exactly how it goes, but this Michigan and the Roman Empire is thousands of miles away and years in the past.

This was a much shorter trip only taking us 5 hours instead of the 10+ that our last trips took. Getting to the U.P. from home was mostly all highway until we crossed the Mackinaw Bridge. Both Sonja and I were amazed how desolate some stretches of road were on our way to the KoA in Newberry. It seemed like we could drive for miles without seeing another car or house.

Once we arrived and checked-in (Newberry, MI KOA) we discovered that we were a day late and were scheduled to arrive yesterday. Go figure. Ever been late for your own vacation?

Looking forward to spending the week with each other and experiencing the great outdoors.