Chippewa Nature Center

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We are so sorry, but this post has been removed because it is a part of our book Napkin Dreams that details our trip around America!

The Power of the House Plant

We spent half of Mother's Day at in Birch Run, Michigan. Here we gave Patsy her presents. Now taking five boys shopping for their mom is actually a little fun. Their ideas for what to get her are interesting to say the least! We had votes for candy bars, Nerf guns and light sabres. It took most of my energy just directing them to the candle aisle!

I did have one special gift in mind though. Patsy loves house plants and she used to have a bunch of them. She gave them all away when we started our trip 21 months ago. I know this was sad for her, but in our rig with seven people and two pets, live plants were just not practical to haul along. 

So I knew that she would love to have one for Mother's Day. Sort of a thank-you for putting up with a husband who is part gypsy and fancies himself as a real life Indiana Jones! The plant represents the sacrifice she made, the love she showed her family and the next chapter of stability in our life. As I thought would happen big tears welled up in her eyes as she took the plant. It was as if she knew what the gift meant and that more would be coming once we truly "settle in" to a stick house.

Once in awhile a guy can get it right, and after seventeen years of being together, I guess a simple gift can say a whole lot and bring tears of joy better than diamonds or gold! To a great mother - my wife Patsy Martin.

We stayed at Pine Ridge RV Park during this time. Here is the campground review.

Staff - 6 - For the most part the folks were nice here, but one guy was a bit gruff. He told our kids not to go in the bathroom . Huh?

Natural surroundings - 8 - Mature trees and not in any city.

Roominess - 10 - Very big lot that we stayed in.

Facility Fun - 7 - Playground, club house, horse shoes, basketball court.

Facility usefulness - 7 - Laundromat, propane, dump, pass card security, picnic table at our site, dog run, wifi.

Bathrooms - 5 - Decent, but the showers were coin operated.

Cleanliness - 9 - Very clean.

Nearby attractions - 9 - Close to Frankenmuth, Birch Run outlets, Saginaw, Bay City and Flint.

Value - 8 - Paid $34 a night for a pull-through site with full hook-ups.

Overall - 7 - Gruff employee, coin operated showers and lots of room to walk and ride bikes!

Campground Review - Frankenmuth Jellystone

We splurged and stayed at the Frankenmuth Jellystone to take advantage of their Mother's Day activities and the indoor pool!

Staff - 8 - Nice peeps working at the Jellystone!

Natural surroundings - 8 - Mature trees and not in any city.

Roominess - 8 - Normal sized lots.

Facility Fun - 10 - Large playgrounds, indoor pool, mini-putt, game room, basketball court, planned activities, hot tub.

Facility usefulness - 8 - Laundromat, propane, dump, pass card security, picnic table at our site, dog run, camp store, exchange library, wifi.

Bathrooms - 7 - Nice, but the showers were push button and you could not adjust the temp. The water faded in between hot and cold.

Cleanliness - 9 - Very clean.

Nearby attractions - 9 - Right in Frankenmuth. Close to Saginaw, Bay City and Flint.

Value - 6 - Paid $52 a night for a pull-through site with full hook-ups. Used our Good Sams card.

Overall - 8 - Fun park, plenty of bucks!

Frankenmuth, Michigan

Sorry, this post is now a part of our book Napkin Dreams, available on Amazon.

Campground Review - Thousand Trails St. Clair

Over David's birthday we stayed at the Thousand Trails Preserve in St. Clair, Michigan.

Staff - 7 - Was pretty nice.

Natural surroundings - 6 - Lots of trees, but the place was a bit of a swamp while we were there. Poor David got a bike for his birthday and could barely ride it while we were here. Lots of mud and big puddles. I hadn't noticed a ton of rain either. Maybe they did have a bunch there and not in other parks we visited near there.

Roominess - 8 - Normal sized lots.

Facility Fun - 8 - Two playgrounds, outdoor pool, mini-putt, game room, exercise room, basketball court. A lot of it was too wet to use,

Facility usefulness - 8 - Laundromat, propane, exchange library, dump, pass card security, picnic table at our site, dog run, wifi at clubhouse.

Bathrooms - 6 - A little older for a "resort."

Cleanliness - 8 - Decent, but hard to get past the mud.

Nearby attractions - 7 - Close to Port Huron and striking distance to Detroit and Flint.

Value - 9 - Paid $18 a night for a back-in site with full hook-ups. Used our Passport America card.

Overall - 6 - I would go during the dry season.

David turns seven

This post has been removed because it is part of our new book - Napkin Dreams!

David wore his Chuck E Cheese crown for about four days -
even to bed at night!

Campground Review - Nith River Campground

During our time in Ontario we stayed at the Nith River Campground near New Hamburg.

Staff - 9 - Talked to one staff member who was very kind and gave us the PA discount our entire stay there, including the weekend.

Natural surroundings - 9 - Lots of trees and surrounded by woods, close to the Nith River.

Roominess - 8 - Normal sized lots.

Facility Fun - 8 - Big playground, outdoor pool, trails, clubhouse, horseshoes, shuffleboard.

Facility usefulness - 8 - Laundromat, propane, exchange library, dump, pass card security, picnic table at our site.

Bathrooms - 7 - Clean but the showers were cold.

Cleanliness - 8 - Decent and well kept.

Nearby attractions - 8 - Close to Kitchener and striking distance to Toronto, Hamilton, and London.

Value - 9 - Paid $24 a night for a back-in site with full hook-ups. Used our Passport America card.

Overall - 8 - Nice campground and friendly owner.

Oh Canada!

Sorry, but you'll have to purchase our book to read this post!

Poutine from Swiss Chalet

Canada Kidology to Go

The Canadian version of Kidology to Go was a ton of fun. As I was presenting the material I realized how "American" some of the presentations. Still, those who came to the seminars were quite gracious with my southern accent and American terminology and we had a great time sharing together.

My name on a sign!

Several churches from the area took advantage of this Kidology to Go. Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church was a great host and Children's Pastor Tim Bryson really made this day a quality time of training, equipping and laughter! The church also asked me to speak on Sunday morning and I really enjoyed speaking with the church on the importance of reaching the next generation. Very cool to be with our friends north of the border!

The boys got to play hockey in the church's gym! Well, floor hockey anyway.

Campground Review - Harbortown RV Resort

We found one of the best campgrounds we have stayed at in Monroe, Michigan. Harbortown RV Resort is a very nice place and affordable as well!

Staff - 8 - All staff members were very nice.

Natural surroundings - 7 - In the country, but close to train tracks.

Roominess - 8 - Nice and spacious!

Facility Fun - 8 - Big playground, pool, trails, clubhouse. Next door are go-karts, mini-putt, batting cages, arcade, and ice-cream shop.

Facility usefulness - 8 - Laundromat, free and fast wifi, propane, camp store, dump.

Bathrooms - 9 - Clean and very nice.

Cleanliness - 10 - Just one of the nicest and best cared for campgrounds we have seen.

Nearby attractions - 8 - Close to Detroit and Toledo.

Value - 9 - Paid $26.50 a night for a pull-through site with full hook-ups. Used our Passport America card.

Overall - 9 - Great campground - train is not very loud.