7/17/2021
I kayaked more parts of Lincoln lake after I packed and was getting ready to leave for Interlochen. I also stopped at the off road beach and killed a little time in the sun before I left for my hour or so journey.
When I arrived I could see lakes on both sides of me. Duck lake to the Right where the main campground lays. To the left, where I stayed, Green Lake. I check in at the main office over in duck lake, I turn around and head to my site. All excited that I’m going to be right on the lake, only to find out I was not. I eventually toured both campgrounds only to find all campgrounds were above water. And a stairway lead you down into the water. I was deeply saddened. Disappointed and thrown off. I did not read the map the way it showed. And the boat dock I thought I was by, was a road down.
I set up my tent, and had a quick lunch, as I ate in disappointment, I stared at the ground only to witness wasps digging holes into the ground. Omg. What did I sign up for? I realized that two of them were digging next to my tent so slowly I walked over and moved my tent more so under the tree and under to pine bedding. I sprayed myself and my tent with bug spray and left for my next hike.
I had to tell myself that it’s okay not to like a site because I’m only sleeping there. I have plans for my day to be out kayaking and hiking. I am only at the tent when I’m eating dinner and sleeping. Everything will be okay.
I will soon realize that I never allow myself to rest or enjoy time by the fire at my site. It’s up at 7am and go, go, go until 7pm.
My first trip from Interlochen was Empire Bluff and I walked past the lookout. I thought it was called Royal bluffs but honestly I can’t remember nor find it on the map. But I went pretty far through the trail. It was a breathtaking and beautiful trail. Now I didn’t do Sleeping Bear Dunes because I was there a year or so ago with my dad and once I’ve been to one place, I like to have a nice three or more year gap before I visit again. Especially if it is just scenic. Maybe if it was kayaking a place I’d go back?. It seems more likely than sight seeing.
After my return from Empire Bluff, I drove over to check out Duck lake, the lake from the other side of the road from my campground. Let’s just say, it was not worthy of my approval to kayak. It was very busy lake and there were a ton of boaters. I turned back and headed back to my campground lake; Green Lake. And what a beauty it was. I could see right down to the bottom. Crystal clear and full of wildlife. There were 80% less boaters on that lake than the other. And that is fine, we don’t need a congestion of people to ruin nature’s beauty. Starving and tired, for I don’t even think I had lunch that day, I headed back to camp to make dinner after only after less than an hour on the water.
