A Few Magical Days At A Magical Lake – Higgins Lake, MI
But magical things were about to happen and not just once but three times in a row (there’s that three thing again).
Having grown up in Asia I’m not a stranger to this phenomenon. I mean the humidity in Asia is infamous, and when I was a kid we moved north from Singapore (which is pretty much smack on the equator) to Hong Kong (on the Tropic of Cancer). That’s when I discovered the bliss of actual seasons and the transformative moment in fall when humidity drops. So, you’d think I’d be used to it, right?
But I’ve been completely spoiled by my adult years, most of which were spent in dry Western US. I’d totally forgotten the switch, filed away the memory in the dark archives of my brain and entirely blanked on how it made me feel. I could breathe again, I felt like hiking again and I wanted to spend my entire day outdoors. It was like tasting ice cream for the very first time. Frikkin’ awesome! The tease only lasted the few precious days we were in the area (summer humidity has come back with a vengeance since), but Fall had shown herself and now I know she’s not far away. Oh, I can barely wait!
I’m not sure if it’s the extra hot weather which has squeezed more people into less spots, or if folks are just feeling better about the economy and getting out more, but RV camping has been the most packed I’ve seen since we started on the road almost 7 years ago. I love that families get out in nature (I don’t begrudge them that. it’s how I grew up too, after all), but it sure does make our kind of RV travel more complicated. Summer RVing is just crazy.
We’ve got one more “big hurrah” (Labor Day itself) before everything calms down, but it’s literally right around the corner. I can smell the freedom…
The third magical thing was a local discovery thanks to our friends. Matt, Tracie and their two young kids are old-time friends of ours from our time working in the Tech Industry in San Jose, CA. They’re both Michigan locals (born and raised), and moved back here from CA several years ago. Spending time with our buddies was a big priority for us when we came to MI, and Matt had been teasing us for months with a special place that he wanted to take us to. He’d grown up taking his vacations here, and he had some sweet memories that he wanted to pass onto his two kids. Plus it was off the tourist trail aaaaaand dog-friendly. How could we resist?
For RVers there are two state parks to chose from, one at each end of the lake, both similarly rated. For our stop we chose the southern-most one South Higgins Lake State Park (review coming). This particular park has TWO dedicated dog beaches and we were able to snag a spot literally steps from the dog area. Pure WheelingIt perfection!
We arrived on a sunny, comfortable afternoon to a nearly completely empty campground and setup our or rig on our enormous site within view of the water. Within seconds of jacks down we’d walked the 15-feet to the shoreline with Polly and had our paws in the water. What a sight! The shallow, sandy shoreline is aqua blue and stretches for what seems like a quarter mile out. Then, the bottom drops and it turns a dark, rich royal blue that stretches for miles more. It’s so quiet that you feel continents away from everything and the gentle lapping of water against the sand is so relaxing you literally feel like you could just sit on the beach and veg forever. At the height of summer this place must be a total zoo, but at that moment it was literally paradise.
It was hard to tear ourselves away from this relaxed spot, but more friends were calling aaaand another lighthouse (of course). This time we’d be hitting the right side of the MI “mitt” and squeezing our beastly dimensions into a rather tight spot. That story coming next….
Looks like you’re getting closer to my beautiful Commonwealth of Kentucky! The weather here will start to change next month (Sept). We’ve been stuck in hot, humid, and stormy weather the past few weeks! But, October is amazing here! Our favorite time to camp! I hope you stop by our Bluegrass State for a visit! Might try and catch up to you. BTW…remember me telling you my students with disabilities like to see your posts and pictures? Well I let them start looking at them as soon as school started back. They love the lighthouses!
Yes I remember!! And YES Kentucky is on our travel plans!! We’re hoping to be there around Oct. I will most definitely check in with you.
Nina
That’d be great! I live in the north central part of the state right on the Ohio River. Our favorite fall campground is up in the mountains near Morehead, KY on Cave Run Lake. It’s a short drive and considering we are both teachers, that’s a plus for sure!
Gorgeous. Do you edit your photos or is the lighting really like that?
I’m in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan right now and the waterfalls and harbor have been beautiful. (UP WI was amazing, too!)
I’m also excited to see the shift in campers. I boondock almost exclusively, yet the places I visit have been getting quieter in a pleasant way. I’m happy when I see so many people out enjoying them and I’m happy when it’s just a few.
Cheers!
I do minimal editing on my photos except for my multi-exposure stuff (where I combine photos -> that takes more editing). Mostly I just adjust the levels, saturation and such to make them clearer. For sunset shots I will typically do a tad more to bring out the colors/contrast and I will occasionally do some HDR too, but I try to keep it natural. The colors really were very intense in person.
Nina
Oh yeah, I literally went from a tank top one night recently to fleece pants and wool socks the next. LOL. It’s moderate here today after lots of rain last night. I’m so excited for Fall!
Ahhhh…to wear a fleece again…I can’t wait!
Nina
Since June 1, we’ve been camped at Honcho Rest Campground at Elk Rapids, MI, just south of Higgins Lake. We leave this Sunday, 9/4, heading south toward home in Texas. Yes, yes, yes, the area lakes are amazingly blue and clear. Elk Lake and Torch Lake are also local beauties. Safe travels.
Goodness we camped right by you!!! I was really amazed at how clear and blue Higgins Lake was. My friend had told me it was nice, but it was better than I expected. Definitely worth exploring the “innards” of Michigan to see them!
Nina
We love Michigan, but never heard of this place. It sounds just perfect for us–thanks, and thank your friends for us!
The air in Michigan smells so sweet. Here at the foot of Mt. Ranier even Joel says it smells like wet dirt. Ha!
Gail
There’s those MI sounds too. At sunset all the insects come alive and sing all night long. That’s a sound you definitely don’t get out West.
Nina
I LOVE that you are loving my beautiful home state and look forward to reading about the rest of your time here!
We’ve really been enjoying it so far. I’m hoping we get another few weeks of exploration before we head further south. It aaaall depends on the paws 🙂
Nina
Welcome to Michigan!!! Would love to know what is on the rest of your itinerary for our wonderful state!!! We have a place in the “Thumb”!!
Lovely to hear! We’re not exactly sure of our next itinerary. The cat gets another blood-test this week and much depends on the outcome of that. Plus we’re doing a bit more rehab on the dog. So, we’ll be stationary for a few weeks while all that happens. After that we *may* do a quick tour of the left-hand side of the “mitt” or we may head east, or we may head south. Very jello I know! If we make it to the thumb we will def look you up.
Nina
We were “birding” up north and spent only a day at Higgons Lake. So beautiful and so blue….reminded me of Tahoe without the background mountains! Fall and open campgrounds yea! Have not had The Lark out since April…meeting two friends from London Ontario and heading to “near North” this coming week. They will be pulling airstreams. Can’t wait…so glad you enjoyed Higgons Lake…it is a gem.
I’m hoping the weather breaks permanently soon. Forecast is showing another heat/humidity wave this coming week, but then a possible cooling thereafter. If that happens it’ll be wonderful for RV camping!
Nina
Michigan looks lovely!
We’ve been extremely fortunate this summer that we’ve mostly avoided crowded campgrounds. It’s been very quiet the past month in the Sawtooth NRA and we’re loving it!
We’re definitely missing the Sun Valley area right now, especially that nice, dry weather. We had such a good time in the month we spent there. The aspens should be starting to change soon which will make it even prettier too.
Nina
Some of them have already started changing over the past week. It’s been dipping down into the mid 30s at night!
Lived in Michigan all my life and still have not made it to Higgins Lake. Great review, thank you for sharing. So jelly of your RV lifestyle.
I don’t think we would have discovered this place either if it hadn’t been for our friends. Love that I can show you something new, even in your own “back yard” 🙂
Nina
We have not explored much of the interior of MI either. Great to see another beautiful spot.
There are lots of hidden lakes in the interior…and a few cool towns too. We’re spending the next ~3 weeks at another “interior” spot and are enjoying some nice brews & food. Lots of diversity here.
Nina
I really love that last sunset shot. Reminds me so much of our time in Michigan. I love the whole state and you are capturing it beautifully.
Wow – Those lesser known spots are what I dream about. Getting off the beaten track and learning about an area? So jealous. 9 months before we hit the road hopefully. I grew up in Arizona and love winters there. Summer is ok if you have an Evaporative cooler or strong AC but not advisable in a tin can
Enjoy – you are giving us food for thought – thank you!
Jim Jones
I love these off-the-beaten-tracks spots too. Sometimes we discover them on our own, but often it’s friends or readers that lead us to them.
Oh, and we love Arizona in the winter too, but would never take “the beast” there in summer. These RVs can only really cool 20 degrees from max, even with both ACs running. That’s nowhere close enough for AZ heat.
Nina
Alpena is my highlight on the east side of MI probably due east (maybe a little north) from Higgins Lake. Nice town, great shores, sunken ships and museum… and light houses. Sure to be special events taking place this weekend.
Come to Chicago, kids are back in school and the lakefront is our front yard.
With our goal to be in New England in early Fall we skipped Michigan this trip, wanting to give it more time when we visit. And this lake looks like a dream!! You sound like you were “on vacation” :-)) We got a minute’s reprieve from the humidity earlier this week and you described it to perfection – canNOT wait for cooler temps. Your sunset is so lovely.
I love your blog especially your photos. I came across it when I my wife and I decided we would be fulltimers in retirement in a few years. I was especially interested in your posts on solar. Now, I spend time reviewing your travel and campground reviews, making note of places that sound interesting to visit when we hit the road.
It looks like Polly is recovering nicely from her surgery. I can empathize with you, our lab, Truman, had TPLO surgery on his left leg in May and he is now scheduled for his right leg next Tuesday.
Keeps your posts coming for those of us not yet able to enjoy the freedom of the road. Safe Travels.
Really hope your boy’s surgery went well? So tough to go through it twice, although I know it’s common (they say when one side goes, there’s a 50% chance the other side goes within a year). Best of healing to him!
Nina
Taking notes. Will be up there soon. I sat out this summer for the first time and may make a habit of it to avoid the crowds. Thanks for the scouting reports!
Thanks again for finding another spot for us to visit on our trip to the UP.
Glad you got a bit of relief from the heat and humidity—that first taste of fall is invigorating for body and spirit. As much as we want to travel east (including Michigan) I’m not looking forward to heat/humidity/bugs/crowds. I need to toughen up, haha! Or somehow figure out how to do all of our travels in the east during September/October. 🙂
I totally hear you. It took us years to get our butts out here and humidity + bugs were definitely part of the delay. It’s been on and off since we hit MN…some really hot sticky days and some more comfortable. This week has been particularly bad, mostly due to mosquitoes. But hopefully it’ll break soon and we’ll get that sweet fall weather that we all love so much.
Nina
Did a road trip through Michigan years back; slept in our car. The mosquito’s were the size of mayflies and incredibly voracious. Even with the stifling heat/humidity, we were forced to roll the windows up leaving only a crack for oxygen. Hunkered down fully clothed with head under the blankets.
In the morning I found I had dozens of bites on the soles of my feet–the only exposed area.
Yeah, when those mosquitoes come out they are TERRIBLE monsters. We’ve actually been quite lucky with the mosquitoes in MN/MI so far. It’s not been bad except for the last few days here in Ann Arbor. The UP was OK as was Higgins Lake (no bugs at all while we were there). I think the *worst* time of year for bugs is Spring, but I’m no expert.
Nina
Looks like you have the same site we used to get when we would camp there with our Goldens. Did you back up to the activity field?
Love South Higgins, Nina!
We camped at the site closest to the dog beach. Site #469. It was awesome.
Nina
It’s been a long time since we have been to Higgins Lake. Thanks for the pics. Glad you were able to get a site that was large enough for the “Beast”. So many of the Michigan state parks are quite busy during summer months and many have few if any sites that can handle a beast. Many of the popular parks, particularly along Lake Michigan are booked immediately when reservations open 6 months in advance.
Looks like the humidity is going to take a nice break for a few day. Enjoy it!
If you are still around Ann Arbor, be aware of U of M football Saturday. You don’t want to get caught in game traffic.
Yes, thankfully the campground was mostly empty when we were there. We did notice there were a rather limited number of big rig friendly spots.
And cheers for the warning about game day. We know it’s big here and will keep off the roads as much as possible.
Nina
What a neat little spot! How perfect for Polly to have her own swimming pool right out the door!! Beautiful location to reconnect with friends:) Glad it cooled off a little for you. We finally have a three day reprieve from the humidity and it is glorious!! More heat and humidity returning this week:(
Yup it’s returning here too 🙁 We just had another 3 nice days, but looks like it’s coming back with a vengeance this week. Really hoping the weather breaks permanently soon.
Nina