Countdown to Camping!

Growing up my family went on a camping trip every summer. We loaded up the station wagon, drove thousands of miles across the US and pitched the tent wherever we stopped. Mt. Rushmore, Toronto, Washington, DC and Carlsbad Caverns were among our destinations over the years. I always looked forward to the summer vacation camping trip. Once I moved away from home I camped little, hardly at all. The purchase of our camper last year has changed that.

However, no longer do we save up our vacation for a weeks long trip, we have so far just taken long weekends to Michigan campgrounds. Our first trip of 2005 is coming in 11 days and we have work to do! We just bought a new tow vehicle and the hitch needs readjusted. I discovered that I hadn't gotten all of the water out of the pipes and I have a burst pipe to repair. I also want to find the chunk charcoal like Alton Brown used on his Good Eats show last week. There's food to buy, batteries to check and general cleaning. Doesn't feel like enough time.

The first trip this year is to a Michigan state park and for good reason: Our first trip last year, and the inaugral trip with the '66 Airstream, was also to a Michigan statepark. This one is at the tip of the thumb of Michigan. If you 're unfamiliar with this region, it's very rural, and has a couple hundred miles of lake shore. There are canoe liveries, the lake and a lot of small towns to snoop around for antiques and local diners. Not exactly jet setting, but a fun time to relax away from home. And of course, the best part of camping, campfires!