Van style camping in northern MI

[safariobsession]

Two weekends ago i met up with some college friends up in northern Michigan (Big Rapids area) for some camping, off-roading, go-carting, 4-wheeling, etc. Camped in the Manistee National Forest and is only about 5 miles away from where we spent our college days at Ferris State. I tried to get the most out of Big Blue - the Sport Utility Van! Wish I would have taken more pictures of the action and scenery but how about a few...


My camping quarters. High and dry!


Part of the campsite. Gotta love the use of the van bench!


The tents and friend Amanda in the background.


The toy! Only about 2 inches of ground clearance! The bottom side got pretty banged up from hitting rocks and rutts.


One tire fire baby!


Friend Keith tearing it up.


Me trying to fly through the soft sand!


Back from towing/rescueing friend Justin from a rough 1 mile trail ride of death!


Out riding the trails. (Justin and Julie in their Jeep) This was a pretty steep hill and had some deep rutts.


Keith and Nicole in their Ranger making the climb.


An old car we found back in the woods. It was stripped down and had some human-looking bones in the trunk......kidding, haha.


Kevin had to get inside and pose.


Boxing in the quad and go-cart here when we headed to town.


Packed up and heading home here. Smelled a bit like gas all the way home with all the gas gone and burned through, but the few brain cells lost from the fumes was all worth it!


Was hoping to have some mud on the van for the pictures but it was pretty dry up there. Just a lot of pollen and dust covering the cars.


Getting the tunes ready for the 3.5 hour ride home.


Here's the muddiest i've ever gotten the van a couple years ago...



Nothing like camping out in the van! haha.

[ihatemybike]

Excellent, looks like a fun trip. I love van camping.

[T.Low]

Sah-Weeet! Van looks good!

I miss that area. Looks like a rockin time was had by all.

We used to go to 12 mile campground on Lake Superior between Grand Marais and Munising in dah U.P.

[WVKayaker]

love campin' pics...thanks for sharing!

[peter]

Looks like you all had a great time!!

[Smiliesafari]

The great out doors really is GREAT. Love the go kart. I built one for my grand son. Eight horsepower Kohler Magnum. Electric start and all. Way too much fun. Thanks for the pics.

[Rebel]

Great pics and looks like you guys had a ball. Thanks for sharing. Hope I'll have some fun some day soon, now back to laying this flooring. Got to keep Susan happy. Should have alot of points built up by now.

[safariobsession]

Thanks guys, glad i could share.

ooo, way up in da U.P. eh? Nice area up there too! I bet your grandson is happy smiliesafari. Go cart with electric start would be nice! Reminds me of the time i hooked up a rope and pull setup so i could pull the starter rope while sitting down, haha.

Keep earning those points rebel! That awesome van setup has got to take a lot of time away from the wifey, haha!

Everytime i'm out with the van, camping, carting people, or just driving i keep on thinking of new projects to do. It never ends! How about a table that can be inserted in the trailer hitch for tailgating...hmm!

[ryanhettenbach]

I love using the bench seats around the campfire however, I'm getting tired of the latch mechanisms getting clogged with dirt and grass. One of these days I'm going to design a portable base that the seat latches can lock into.

[LaGrasta]

Very cool pics/story. I'm heading to Yosemite in just over a week. I will try to capture "Astro camping moments" and share them when I get back.

[LaGrasta]

"How about a table that can be inserted in the trailer hitch for tailgating...hmm!" I've thought about this very thing. One of these days...

I receive a mail order catalog called Sportsman Guide. They sell a hitch mounted toilet seat, no lie. I think you're supposed to stick a 5 gallon bucket under it.

[safariobsession]

Ryan,
I've thought of the same thing and think i have a plan....



Using something removeable like this ^^ When i get arounnd to making them i'll post up some plans. It'll definitely make the bench more stable when reclining or when realy drunk!

LaGrasta,
Definitely share the pictures. Haha, i've heard of the hitch mounted toilet seat. Nice idea! Don't want to park too close to the campsite if its used tho, haha.

[phr1$k37]

Thanks for sharing! Always lots of fun when heading out with old friends. But where are the beer under the lake photos!?!?

[Moreforles]

nicely done, really showed up those amateurs with the tents

If you know who owns the property, tell them that junker is worth over 300 a ton.... if they can drag it out of there.... maybe more, looks like Chevy Nova or Pontiac Ventura 69 -74?