Okay, now the first REAL camping trip

So the boys got out of Kindergarten on Friday, August 7th. The next morning we boarded a plane (just the kids & I) to Michigan.
We had a GREAT time camping with Papa and Sylvia and Uncle Cass in northern Michigan. We actually stayed in cabins which worked out great. The boys each slept on a top bunk and there was even enough room for baby girl to sleep in her portable crib. The campground itself had lots of activities including beach access to Lake Huron, a heated pool, free putt-putt golf, and a nightly old fashioned firetruck that made rounds in the campground. They boys rode on it a couple of times and got to wear a fireman hat.
We went to the UP (upper peninsula) of Michigan one of the days. Across the Mackinac (pronounced MACKINAW) bridge and a little west on the coast--lovely time at the beach on Lake Michigan. We also made a trip by ferry to Mackinac Island. A very quaint, car-free, island where every one makes their rounds on bike, foot, or horse and buggy. We visited the Butterfly house and rented a horse and buggy for our own tour of the island. They gave us the biggest horse they had--BUD. A 2000 lb Clydesdale that stood about 7 feet tall. Huge. Bud was great. He didn't like to rush, as he too was enjoying the scenery up the coast of the island. When we got to the halfway point, most everyone dismounted for a break at the local snack bar. We were instructed to move the horse and buggy around to the field so as not to block the road. I was still in the buggy with baby girl and my brother drove the buggy around to the field. Mario, Luigi, Papa, and Sylvia had all gotten off. Well, right at that moment, another buggy came by. Bud did NOT like being passed, let alone by Pearl. (we later found out her name from the livery) Bud took off. With more than half of his load gone, he trotted as fast as he could up the hill after Pearl. Picture this--Mama & baby in the buggy, my brother trying to pull the reins to stop a 2000 lb horse, and my boys and their Papa running up the hill behind us yelling Stop! Stop!! Yeah, didn't happen. Bud had his own agenda and would slow for us, but then bray loudly and take off again after Pearl. He would not let her out of his sight. This part of the tour was a wooded area and every time she'd go around a corner, he would trot until she was within his sight again. We tried to stop him about 3 or 4 times at first and after the 4th time he got really mad and ran the fastest he had thus far. I was worried he was going to run the buggy into a tree to try to shake us or something. It was pretty scary. After that, I just said let him go, he knows the way back to the stables. We talked to my dad via cell phone and told him to ask someone at the snack bar to call the livery and have someone come pick them up. Everything turned out just fine, but let me just remind everyone that there are no seatbelts in buggies. I was nervous. My brother and I nick-named Bud "Seabuscuit". The boys had a great time riding back to the livery on a 'hay ride' that had no hay. They didn't seem to mind all of the excitement, they washed away their fears with free ice cream from the snack bar. By the time our joy ride was over, we had just enough time to grab some dinner on the island and catch the last ferry back to the mainland.
After our camping trip we stayed at Papa's for a few more days. Uncle Cass taught the boys how to fish and they had much success. We also had a campfire at Papa's house (yes, he has a permit for that) and caught fireflies. We also had some great time visiting Mimi in Michigan. Raiding her candy stash, a 3 HOUR trip to Chuck E. Cheese, and of course, bowling. FUN FUN adventures for our family. Too bad daddy had to finish up teaching his summer course and attend to some church responsibilities here at home.