Michigan Adventure Day 3: Tahquamenon Falls

On Monday (Day 3 of our Michigan Adventure) we woke up in our tent in Tahquamenon Falls State Park.  Our first-ever attempt at tent camping was a success and everyone slept fairly well, although we did have to move the little wiggle worms back into their sleeping bags at times during the night so they stayed warm enough.

After we woke up and got dressed, we drove over to the Upper Falls for some early morning hiking and viewing.  It turned out to be the perfect time as there was barely anyone there and the early morning sunshine looked beautiful as it passed through the mist of the falls.

Checking out a slug on the path to the falls.

Family photo in front of the falls

My guys showing me their manly chests! ;P

Checking out the "mini falls"

A dewey morning

After we had finished our hike around the Upper Falls area, checked out the gift shop and then headed back to our campsite to have some breakfast, get ready for the day and clean up our stuff before it was time to check out.

Breakfast at the campsite.  We had frosted mini wheats for breakfast and were quite entertained by the chipmunk that had snatched one of Avery's droppings and was happily eating his mini wheat on the edge of our site.

Eric also took the opportunity to fly his drone around the park a bit before we headed out...

Lower Falls from up above

Once we had gotten ready and cleaned up all of our stuff, we left the campground and headed to the Lower Falls where we rented a row boat to get over to the island for another hike to see the sights.

Avery saying hi to this "ba-by bear...awwwww"

The boys found another penny squasher and wanted to make another souvenir

The Lower Falls

Touching the waterfall

Once we had finished hiking around the island we headed back to the mainland with our boat.  Just before we climbed into our boat though we spotted a snapping turtle that swam along side us for a good portion of our journey.

Eric teaching Asher how to row.

Avery wanted in on the action too!

Daddy let them take over and do the work!

Once we were back on the mainland we got into our van and headed out in search of lunch.  We were going to go back and eat at the restaurant near the Upper Falls, but it had gotten so busy that they were no longer letting people into the park.  Thus we turned around in search of lunch but before we could find anything both boys passed out.  Instead, Eric and I ate some granola bars in the car and continued on to our next leg of the trip in St. Ignace.

Asher slept the entire way to St. Ignace (about an hour), while Avery only slept for about half of it.  Thankfully though he played quietly this time instead of scream and insisting on getting out of his seat.  By the time we did reach St. Ignace though we were all very hungry for lunch so we headed over to the local Big Boy to eat.  Being at Big Boy, I was having a hard time thinking of ordering anything but breakfast food even thought it was after lunch time.  When the boys said that they wanted pancakes though, I decided that I would go for my favorite of Strawberry Belgium Waffles and enjoy some "breakfast" as well!

Outside Big Boy I found this rock.

On the other side it said "Livonia FB" on it, which happens to be where Eric is from.

My big boys climbing on The Big Boy

...and under the Big Boy Moose

After we had filled up at Big Boy, we drove over to the nearby state park, where the rest of my family was camping for the week.  We got a site just a couple of sites away from theirs and spent the rest of the day hanging out with all of them.  We even went on an all-family bike ride (yes all 12 of us) over to the bridge look-out and then down to the beach area before retiring for the evening.

Family bike ride!

Avery at the bridge look-out

The Mighty Mac!

My family! <3

Eric and the boys looking for beach glass.

Gabriel & Grandma tossing stones into the lake.

When we returned from our bike ride, it was time for bed.  None of the boys were too happy about that fact though, so Grandma made it a little easier by letting them have some popcorn around the fire before heading off to our tents.

Avery sleeping 90 degrees to his sleeping back and mattress.

While the boys and I headed to the tent to get some sleep, Eric stayed up and rode his bike (in the pitch-black darkness with only his headlamp for light) back to the bridge look-out to get a few night shots of the bridge before heading back to get some rest, concluding our 3rd day of vacation.