As a kid, I always had mixed feelings about this time of year. On one hand, I looked forward to seeing all my buddies again at school. The newness of the new school year always thrilled me. On the other hand, I would miss the pure freedom of summer. The long, sunny days filled with excitement and very little expectation from the adults. My time was mostly my own.

Today, things are different. When September is staring me down, I look outside. To the open road…and I’m ready to go. The heat of summer is starting to cool. The crazy traffic is slowing down. And the parks, near and far, have more spaces for me and mine to stretch out in the great wide open.

For me, you just can’t beat that last trip before September and fall is in full swing. Here are some spots that are close enough to be convenient (for me, anyway) yet far enough away to feed my “adventure bug”.

• Porcupine Mountains (Michigan) – The Porkies are a magical place. Located in the far western part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the area is a nature lover’s paradise. This quiet corner of the state has it all—cascading waterfalls, towering pines, breathtaking views of big water and miles of scenic hiking trails. Plan a four-day weekend and bring your binoculars and a comfortable pair of hiking shoes. Or if you prefer, a good load of firewood and a great book. Either way, you won’t be disappointed.

https://rvshare.com/state-parks/michigan/porcupine-mountains-wilderness-state-park

• Wayne National Forest (Ohio) – Located 50 minutes southeast of Columbus, Wayne National Forest feels much further away than that. Covering almost 250,000 acres, the area is a patchwork of rolling hills, open meadows and accessible forests. The area has 130 fishable ponds and lakes, so pack your rods and tackle box. The woods are laced with miles of trails too, so bring those mountain bikes. The major hubs of Ohio are all within an hour or so driving distance, so big city excitement is always an option too.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/wayne/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=6203&actid=31

• Sault St. Marie (Ontario) – It’s not often I need my passport to go camping, but it’s well worth the little extra security check to head north of the border. The Soo offers a number of camping options, so you have your choice. Several places are right on the big water; perfect for long beach strolls or even charter boat fishing. Other campgrounds are tucked into the woods, letting you enjoy some much-earned peace and quiet. Or, if you’re feeling lucky, there are a couple parks right near the casino. Make your plans early and enjoy the Soo for all it’s worth.

https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/regions/ontario/sault-ste-marie

I hope you find some time to get away before the leaves (or, gulp, the snow) starts to fall. If you do, share your stories with us on Facebook.

Enjoy!

Bob

I live in the Cherry Capital of the World (Traverse City, MI). Every year, we have the National Cherry Festival (of course). The festival helps balloon our local population from about 15,000 people to 250,000. It’s a crazy, busy summer, to say the least.

The festival splits our summer in half. As I’m kicking back, watching the Blue Angels perform their impossible aeronautics, I perform a mental inventory of everything I’ve done and plan to do over the summer. In order words, I ask myself those big camping questions that will haunt me in February:

• Did I camp before Memorial Day?
  Gotta kick start the summer in style. Our usual first camp is with friends from church and it’s a food fest—fish tacos, sushi, Tomahawk ribeyes, and yes…ribs.  We make it all and invite guests to the campground who don’t own RVs (poor souls).  We do this at a small RV park with only electric hook ups.  It gets me in the “summer groove” for good times ahead. https://antrimcounty.org/departments___services_/parks___recreation/parks/barnes_park_campground/index.php

• Did we get our biking fix?
  We love to hit those trails and there are plenty of ‘em. We head north to Petoskey and ride south on paved routes  to Charlevoix. The park is brand-spanking new and positively immaculate, with the best amenities and views (and that’s not over-selling it.) https://www.sunoutdoors.com/michigan?gclid=CjwKCAjwrNmWBhA4EiwAHbjEQOvqVfNuOgabWo_BPyW3550OhTprYAKrbDyB23Ensd0HRvbyNl_qVhoCiYAQAvD_BwE

• How about a Family Reunion?
  Does anyone else host their family reunion at an RV park? We sure do. It’s the best and most inexpensive addition I never built.  Well, okay, I did add a 50 amp plug and a 4” PVC to my septic tank with the reunion in mind, but that’s a small investment for one of the best and biggest highlights of the summer.

• Did we get above “The Bridge”?
  No summer is complete without a trip to “Yooper Land” (The Upper Peninsula, for you out-of-towners.) My blood pressure drops every time I head north across the Mighty Mackinac Bridge. The Keweenaw Peninsula, at the northern tip of the U.P., is a hands-down favorite. The deep forests and big-water views rival Maine’s coast. McClain State Park is a great home base for exploring the area’s deep history and amazing scenery. Highlights include The Quincy Mine, Copper Harbor and Calumet (almost the capital of Michigan). https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=423&type=SPRK

• …what about Duluth?
  A trip to see my grandson in Duluth, or anywhere in between, usually caps off our travel season.  Hey, it’s all about family, right? We usually hunker down in Duluth and take daily trips, like hiking Gooseberry Falls State Park and stopping at Betty’s Pies in nearby Two Harbors for a slice (or more) of their heavenly fruit and custard pies. https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/park.html?id=spk00172#homepage

That’s my summer to-do list. If I can’t hit all these highlights, it’s just another excuse to get out there next year. Whatever is on your summer agenda, I hope it’s a safe and happy camping season. Hey, hit us up on Facebook and share your stories…we’d love to hear them!

Enjoy!

Bob

Summer is a crazy time of year. Especially here in the north. The season is so full of promise and possibility…we want to experience it all. The beach. The barbecue. The long walks in nature. The stories and laughter shared around a crackling campfire. We don’t want to miss a thing.

For me, summer isn’t so much about what I do or where I go—it’s all about who I’m with. It’s about family. This time of year, I really feel the tug of family ties. I need to see the kids. I need to spend time with them…time unfiltered by cell phones, schedules and the worry of the work day. Time we specifically set aside to regroup, reconnect and really experience what we love with the people we love.

This feeling was driven home to me this past week as I passed by our local state park. The aroma of lingering campfires hung in the air. For just a moment, the sweet smell filled my car and quickly conjured up memories. A first fish held proudly for all to see. Small hands holding a sticky marshmallow. Sleepy smiles on little faces.

Wherever you go this summer, I hope it leads you to great moments and memories with your family. Make time to make it special, with the special people in your life.

Happy Camping!

It’s May in the north. A time of year we celebrate the retreating snows and fast approaching camping season. I’m usually as excited as a 5^th grader, counting down to summer vacation. But it feels different this year. Gas prices are up…way up. COVID keeps hanging around. It feels like another year that we’ll have to put that dream trip to Bannf on the back burner.

But then I pause…let’s think this through.  Sure, we’ve had to put a lot of plans on the shelf these past two years. My family definitely has. But when we look around us, there’s plenty to be thankful for…family, health, community. Not to mention, the beauty that beckons just outside our back door. So why not do a “Stay Close-cation”?

No matter where you live—rural Maine or urban L.A.—chances are there’s a state or national park within easy driving distance of your home. In fact, there are over 400 national parks and over 6,600 state parks within the U.S. (yes, I Googled it.)

Many of our fondest family memories were made just a stone’s throw from our driveway. A familiar place where the air was clean, the trees were tall, and the stars danced above the roaring campfire. We never felt like we were missing out. And knowing we were so close to home was an added bonus.

So this year, instead of waiting for things to “normalize”, make your own new normal. Hop online. Check out what local parks are to be had. Book now! And get excited about planning your adventure. Sure, you might not witness a majestic sunrise over Mount Columbia. But you’ll experience something even more precious…time outdoors enjoying what you love with the people you love.

Happy Camping!

Bob Brammer, President of Stromberg Carlson, discusses what it takes to fend off the competition, both foreign and domestic. He also walks through the lessons his company learned from almost a full year of battling COVID-19. Lesson one: Take care of your people.

Cabin fever… I’ve got it too… a famous line introducing a song on a video I watch with my kids when they were young – Muppet Treasure Island.  Well, northwest lower Michigan still has some snow and snow banks but we can all feel the heavy weather lifting, making way for blue skies and, yes, camping season!  What motivates you the most to get your coach out and prepare for the season?  Campfires, peace and quiet, or food and friends gathering for a progressive dinner?  All of it for me.

Checking tire pressure, flushing the pink antifreeze, adding things back in that freeze to the coach and finally filling the fridge.  My wife and I generally took one short trip around town simply to remind ourselves of our routines before we set out with friends and stumbled along – reviving the spring brain cells.

Bring the bikes, pack some games, meet some new people.  This isn’t the turn of the calendar for resolutions and yet it is a new beginning in campgrounds. Offering new opportunities to meet people, get close to each other, or escape a routine that is numbing your senses.  As the GoRVing ads say… “Find Your Away”

Happy Trails from the team at Stromberg!

I need routine.  Wake, do emails, read the local paper and check out Facebook to see who has a better life than me.  Read More

Winter’s coming.  That’s code for our Vice President, Plant Manager and I entertain one other with the winterization of our different RVs.  Read More

Fall camping can be some of the best. Pot roast and sweat pants season is replacing salads and bathing suits season. Campfires serve a purpose other than night illumination – heat! And the colors…where do you find your colors?

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Well, we here at Stromberg have decided our days as storm chasers are over!  This past weekend, northern Michigan experienced an intense summer storm like none we’ve experienced before, blocking many roadways and leaving most of the region without power. Read More