78 Michigan Parks: Lake Port State Park #57

Juliet complained of some pain in her tooth, so I set up an emergency appointment for her, unfortunately it was a few weeks out.  Not too long after, Grace was complaining of pain, but Juliet said her pain had resolved, so I simply switched the appointment over to Grace.  A few days before the appointment, Grace said her pain had resolved, but William had a tooth that was bothering him.  So, I called one more time to change the appointment over to William.  Since it was due to be a short visit, Emily, Grace, Juliet, and Avia all came along so that we could go on an adventure afterward!

We made the quick walk over to Palmer Commons to drop off batteries, writing utensils, and printer ink cartridges in the recycling receptacle.  We also learned that they would recycle dead cell phones!  So those can now be added to our stash.

Ultimately, the dentist didn't see much, but indicated that his tooth enamel is quite thin, which we already knew, and that he would probably have these aches until he had crowns covering the teeth or implants replacing the teeth.  = (

Once the appointment was over, we joined back together to head out on our adventure.  After looking at the map, Avia said she was game for a six-hour thumb tour, so that we could hit four state parks!

The first stop was Lakeport State Park, which Emily had visited earlier in the summer with Abby's family.

The parking lot was a bit of a walk from the beach, and it was an overcast day, but we enjoyed walking along the beach, even if the wind was a bit chilly.

We saw a couple of groups collecting rocks from the beach, and found a few pretty ones ourselves!

Emily said that she thought the water was lower, because when they were there, the rocks were covered at the top edge of the water, but for our trip the waterline was below the rock barrier.

I found a pretty waterfall to send to Billy.

And then all the kids wanted in the picture too!

The twins found a surfboard shaped rock!

Facing south, as we were on the American side of Lake Huron.

On our way north, to the next State Park, I found my first ever fully touch screen gas pump.  I didn't like it.  This was on the backside, I took it while mine was pumping, so that I could show off the octane rating selection, which disappears once you start pumping.

Avia searched the map for a quaint ice cream shop, and found one in Port Austin.  The downtown area was super cute and very pedestrian friendly!

Everyone got something tasty, and it was a short trip to our next state park!

later days

edit 8-17-25: backdated for continuity.

If you want to see all the ones we've visited so far, here are the links to the posts:

Tahquamenon Falls #15
Keith J Charters #33
Silver Lake State Park #49
Muskegon State Park #50*
Newaygo State Park #51
PJ Hoffmaster State Park #52
Grand Haven State Park #53
Ionia State Park #54
Sleepy Hollow State Park #55
Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area #56
Seven Lakes State Park #58
Holly Recreation Area #59
Algonac #60
Holland State Park #61
Island Park State Recreation Area #63b
Highland Recreation Area #64b
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area #65
Dodge #4 State Park #66a
Bald Moutain State Recreation Area #66b
Fort Custer Recreation Area #69
Waterloo Recreation Area #70a
Pickney State Recreation Area #70b
WJ Hays State Park #71
Belle Isle Park #72
Van Buren State Park #73

Lake Hudson Recreation Area #77

Sterling State Park #78

Snowy Dentist Trip

Billy started his new job on December 2nd, and our insurance also started December 2nd, however, we weren't in the system yet, so I had rescheduled all of our early December appointments, but only rescheduled to late December for this one.  And, of course, this would be a snowy, gross day to drive half-way across the state!

I picked William up an entire hour earlier than usual, which is hilarious, because he had an early release at 11, which is the normal time I collect him for a 1pm appointment in Ann Arbor.  I don't have any regrets though, I would rather be terribly early, than running late.

We had enough time to walk over to the building with the recycling containers, (we bring writing utensils, batteries, and ink containers there to recycle,) and eat a leisurely lunch in the atrium! They've updated the museum since the last time we ate in there!  And they are working on the other side.

And, sadly, they did away with the medieval tooth worm display, and now have up retro dental info. = (

I was planning to make a crock pot meal for dinner (because after a long drive, I really don't feel like cooking,) but Billy vetoed that, and was going to order a pizza.  Well, since the roads were only okay, and the snow was falling again* we left Ann Arbor, with only a quick stop at the thrift store.**

Once we got close to Lansing, I had William message Billy to order the pizza.  Because we were so close, we needed to use up some time.  We did so by going through the car wash and stopping at Carl's to buy some root beer!  = )

The carwash has some colorful soap, to be sure!

We had no issues, and the only issue we saw was a car fire near Jackson, and it was on the opposite side of the interstate, so it didn't much affect us at all.

I told the dentist that we almost didn't come, but she was glad we did, and William got his appliance put on, and we have our next appointment scheduled!  No state park adventure this time.

later days

 *at one point in my drive, my hand started having the pins and needles, because I was holding the steering wheel so tightly.  Definitely a white knuckle drive!

**which I couldn't even enjoy, because the snow was coming down too hard, and I was concerned about our drive home.

12-22-24 backdated for continuity.

78 Michigan Parks: Seven Lakes State Park #58

The day after William's birthday, he had a double dental appointment in Ann Arbor.  First up was a 3D scan for his orthodontist to get the full picture for his long-term treatment.  It was a short procedure, so I was really glad that we had a second appointment to make the drive worth it.

Our next stop was his regular dental clinic to get some fillings in.  That procedure was a little longer, but the day was fair and it was still early, so we went on an adventure!

We were navigating to a different state park, but I saw the state park sign on the interstate, so we followed the signs to Seven Lakes State Park, excited to see a lake or two, presumably.  We snuck in a sign picture, while I parked in a no parking zone (shhhhh!)

Sadly, when we rushed back to the car (not that anyone was going in or out) we saw the closed sign. = (  Sure enough, on google it advises that they are indeed closed at the moment.

If we are given the chance, I'd like to go back, but I'm marking it off the list for now.

later days

If you want to see all the ones we've visited so far, here are the links to the posts:

Tahquamenon Falls #15
Keith J Charters #33
Silver Lake State Park #49
Muskegon State Park #50*
Newaygo State Park #51
PJ Hoffmaster State Park #52
Grand Haven State Park #53
Ionia State Park #54
Sleepy Hollow State Park #55
Holland State Park #61
Island Park State Recreation Area #63b
Dodge #4 State Park #66a
Bald Moutain State Recreation Area #66b
Fort Custer Recreation Area #69
Waterloo Recreation Area #70a
Pickney State Recreation Area #70b
Belle Isle Park #72
Van Buren State Park #73

Sterling State Park #78

backdated for continuity: 11-12-24

78 Michigan Parks: Sterling State Park #78

We enjoyed our time at Belle Isle, but really wanted to fit in a second state park, so we drove, southwest into the sun, to get to Sterling State Park, off of Lake Erie.

They had a proper sign. lol. 

As we pulled up, the parking lot was mostly empty, but the view was stunning!

I have never seen such a beautiful moon rise!  The colors were surreal!

The pictures don't even come close to doing it justice.  I took soooo many pictures, because it was just so astounding!

Goose prints!

The moon was HUGE!!! It just didn't come across well on the camera, but it was breathtaking.

The kids could have happily played here for a good long while, but when we exited the interstate, we saw a sign for a National Battleground site.  We thought, why not, while we're here?

But one more picture of Lake Erie in the moonrise.

These pictures are also a bit misleading, it was proper dark at the Battleground.  It was also getting cold.

William in front of the moon, holding a pretend gun.

The building on the battle ground site was permanently closed, so we headed over to the new site.  Sadly, we were caught by a stopping train, and waited there a looooooooooong time.  But we did find the new site, and I do love my signage, so here they are by the official sign!

At home, a few days later, I used my CD scratch remover (that may or may not be older than Alice) to fix the Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakal DVD, without success.  We were able to skip chapter one, which was mostly company logos and things, so they got to watch the rest of the film here!

It was a long day, but made for quite the adventure, and none of the kids fought me when it was time to get up the next morning!  This project is making for quite a few fun memories! = )

later days

If you want to see all the ones we've visited so far, here are the links to the posts:

Tahquamenon Falls #15
Keith J Charters #33
Silver Lake State Park #49
Muskegon State Park #50*
Newaygo State Park #51
PJ Hoffmaster State Park #52
Grand Haven State Park #53
Ionia State Park #54
Sleepy Hollow State Park #55
Holland State Park #61
Island Park State Recreation Area #63b
Dodge #4 State Park #66a
Bald Moutain State Recreation Area #66b
Fort Custer Recreation Area #69
Waterloo Recreation Area #70a
Pickney State Recreation Area #70b

Belle Isle Park #72

Van Buren State Park #73

edit 10-26-24: backdated for continuity. 

78 Michigan Parks: Belle Isle Park #72

We finally got Grace and Juliet's CSHCS insurance to reapprove their dental care, for some reason during their July renewal, it was removed, so I had to reschedule their August appointment.  Luckily for us, Avia was back, and came with us!

Lunch and Dinner sandwiches for all!  (Well, not the big girls who ate hot lunch at school.)

While waiting in the lobby, the kids knocked out their multiplication.  It was going well until they started playing Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakal. They got good reports overall, but since William is about to start orthodontic treatment, they want to fill in some tiny cavities.  And he also has to get a scan before starting, so we have lots of dental appointments on the calendar.  Originally, we had three in two weeks, but his orthodontist wanted the scan done before his treatment, so we moved that out, and were also able to reschedule his fillings for his scan day.  I'm really thankful for the spaced out appointments!

Our first adventure stop was Salvation Army.  Amazingly, they found a copy of Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeakal on DVD.  For $.50 Avia bought it for them.  Juliet also found a birthday gift for William!

On the way to Belle Isle, William tried to figure out the DVD player with verbal help from me and Avia.  He did get it to work, but the DVD had a scratch that no amount of jean rubbing or toothpaste application would fix.   = (

We ended up going through downtown Detroit again, but at least this time it made sense. After a few wrong turns, we made it to Belle Isle!  

Looking Southward toward Canada. (so weird!!)

We stopped at the fountain,

saw an old anchor from the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

Walked around the outside of the Maritime Museum, since it was closed,

Read things about the war of 1812,

Learned a little about the Canal System on the island,

And found a brown sign with white lettering that said Belle Isle!!!!  Okay, so it's not the usual type, but was the closest we could get, they didn't have the other type of sign. = (

We also admired the leaf prints in the sidewalk.

And found some corporate art, before heading south.

It is a very nice island, and we had beautiful weather for our visit!  It would be easy to spend an entire day or maybe two or three to explore all the offerings of the island!

later days

If you want to see all the ones we've visited so far, here are the links to the posts:

Tahquamenon Falls #15
Keith J Charters #33
Silver Lake State Park #49
Muskegon State Park #50*
Newaygo State Park #51
PJ Hoffmaster State Park #52
Grand Haven State Park #53
Ionia State Park #54
Sleepy Hollow State Park #55
Holland State Park #61
Island Park State Recreation Area #63b

Dodge #4 State Park #66a

Bald Moutain State Recreation Area #66b
Fort Custer Recreation Area #69
Waterloo Recreation Area #70a
Pickney State Recreation Area #70b
Van Buren State Park #73

edit 10-26-24: backdated for continuity