Thus far we have found that we are able to book campgrounds for midweek days but the weekends they tend to fill up. This is where the whole boondocking comes in handy as we have been able to take advantage of the warm welcome of fellow RVers.
After leaving Maumee Bay we headed to St. Joseph, MI to the home of fellow boondockers. Our hosts were so welcoming, including us in a bonfire later that night....well it ended up raining so no campfire, but that was fine...We set up camp in our host's driveway, next to their camper. Their home is outside of St. Joseph and situated on 10 acres (I think that was it). Here we saw turkeys almost every day.
It was a short ride to St. Joseph. We never know what to expect as far as the type of areas that we choose to stay. This stop was a pleasant surprise as St. Joseph is a summer resort town on the shores of Lake Michigan. There are many similarities to Stone Harbour, NJ, where we used to go for our vacations.
The beach area was incredible and free. The shores are very, very, sandy like the NJ coastal areas. The county manages the beach area which has a rich history of boardwalk games, rides, and such...Although the rides and such of the past are no longer there, there are still lots of things available for the enjoyment of the beach people (beach people, they sound like aliens when I say that). There is a huge fountain/water spray for kids to run through, many volleyball nets, chairs near the bathhouses to sit, a playground, and so much more....A really lovely beach.
Along the park area near the beach there are other places designated to sit as well as historical markers along the walkway. Parking also was free...amazing in a resort town.
Wilson and I really enjoyed our stay with our hosts. Although we didn't see a lot of them, the times that we did we really enjoyed.
The Michigan Lighthouse Guide states there are 129 lighthouses in Michigan. I've seen a few different numbers but suffice it to say there are a lot of lighthouses and Wilson and I have seen many of them in our travels. The one below is off of the St. Joseph public beach. At this point in time, we're on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan which is incredibly clean...just beautiful!
Leave Maumee Bay SP, OH 9:15am - sunny 78°
Rte. (Pat) 2W►gas outside of park - Shell $2.09/gal ►280N►75S►475W►23W►94W - Welcome to MI (25.4 mi - 10:06am) ►11:15 change drivers (90mi) ►196N
Arrive - Boondockers - St. Joseph, MI 1:35pm
Miles traveled - 212
