Posts tagged camping

Backpacking with the Boys on Grand Island in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

When I decided to join my younger brother and his friends for a four-day hike covering 20+ miles on Grand Island in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, there were certainly some known quantities involved. I knew, for example, that spending the night on an island in Lake Superior in October would potentially be a frosty affair, thus packing plenty of layers and proper gear, including a sleeping bag capable of insulating my body in 35- to 40-degree weather, was a must. I knew that it would be extremely dark out there once the sun went down, which could possibly provide awe-inspiring glimpses of starry night skies, but also allow the imagination to run wild…

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenOctober 15, 2026travel, travel guide, travel advice, travel inspiration, travelspiration, travel tips, travelogue, travel recommendations, travel ideas, travel diary, travel bucket list, backpacking, hiking, hiking gear, camping, camping gear, the great outdoors, Mother Nature, outdoors, outdoor adventure, hiking trails, Lake Superior, Grand Island, Michigan, Upper Peninsula, U.P., Munising, Green Bay, Wisconsin, Great Lakes, Great Lakes State, Mitten State, autumn, autumn travel, autumn getaway, autumn inspiration, fall travel, senescence, backcountry, black bears, Pictured Rocks, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Grand Island National Recreation Area, Henry David Thoreau, Hemlock, Shelter Ridge, Little Duck, camping trip, rustic camping, Muldoons, Muldoons Pasties & Gifts, pasties, Grand Island Ferry Service, hotty toddy, North Beach, Hemlock Beach, Bane, Milky Way, stargazing, Yogi Bear, Boo-Boo Bear, Yogi and Boo-Boo, Game of Thrones, Rains of Castamere, Trout Bay, Murray Bay, euchre, Eddie Rabbitt, I Love a Rainy Night, Williams Landing, guys trip, outdoor recreation, outdoor gear, cold weather, fall, fall getaway Comment

The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 2

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part Two, which covers 32 counties alphabetically, from Hillsdale to Muskegon.

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenJuly 29, 2022travel, Michigan, travel advice, travel guide, travel guidance, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel ideas, Great Lakes State, Turnip Rock, Great Lakes, The Mitten State, mitten state, Hillsdale County, Tri-State Marker, Billingstown Ohio, La Tierra Sanctuary, hiking, hiking trails, Houghton, Houghton County, Mont Ripley, Upper Peninsula, Upper Peninsula Tours, Copper Harbor, Copper Country Falls Tour, Michigan Tech, Michigan Technological University, Portage Lake, The Portage, skiing, snowboarding, winter sports, the great outdoors, outdoor adventure, outdoor recreation, winter travel, winter getaway, summer travel, kayaking, canoeing, Mackinac Island, Huron County, Port Austin, Port Austin Kayak, Port Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Thumb, Ingham County, Michigan State Capitol, National Historic Landmark, self-guided tour, lighthouse, Ionia County, Saranac, Iosco County, Tawas Point, Tawas Point Lighthouse, Tawas Point State Park, fishing, Midwest Cape Cod, Lower Peninsula, migratory birds, bird watching, swimming, camping, Iron County, Ski Brule, Nordic trails, Wisconsin, sleigh rides, family trip, family-friendly, family vacation, Isabella County, Mount Pleasant, Soaring Eagle Casino, Bucks Run Golf Club, Jerry Matthews, Quarry Grill, Bucks Run Putting Island, Golf Digest, Golf Digest's Places to Play, Jackson County, Falling Waters Trail, Aaron Dimick, People for the Parks & Trails of Jackson Michigan, Cascades Waterfall, Kalamazoo County, Air Zoo, Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum, Portage, Flight Innovation Center, amusement park, Michigan's Adventure, Wildwater Adventure Park, Kalkaska County, Skegemog Lake, Skegemog Lake Wildlife Area, Torch River, biking, mountain biking, Kent County, Grand Rapids, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, Frederik Meijer, Japanese rock garden, The New York Times, 52 Places to Go in 2016, 52 Places, 52 Places to Go, Auguste Rodin, Ai Weiwei, West Michigan, Keweenaw Peninsula, Keweenaw County, Isle Royale, Isle Royale National Park, Manistee National Forest, Huron-Manistee National Forest, Lake County, Bear Track, Old Grade, Gleason's Landing, Bowman Bridge, Shrine of the Pines, Pere Marquette River, Lapeer County, Lake Inn, Lake Nepessing, Lapeer Country Club, craft beer, Up North, Northern Michigan, Leelanau County, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Fishtown, Leland, Lenawee County, Michigan International Speedway, Faster Horses, MHSAA, NASCAR, NASCAR Cup Series, Livingston County, Schell Family Farm, Parshallville Cider Mill, Spicer Orchards, cider mill, Ghostly Grove, Lansing, Detroit, Fenton, Pinckney, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Oswald's Bear Ranch, Newberry, black bears, Upper Falls, Lower Falls, Grand Hotel, Arch Rock, Macomb County, Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, Ford House, Albert Kahn, Lake St. Clair, Cotswolds, National Register of Historic Places, Grosse Pointe Shores, Manistee County, Sleighbell Weekend, Sleighbell Parade, Ramsdell Theatre, Victorian Sleighbell Parade, beach, beach life, beach day, beach getaway, Secret Garden, Aaron Burden, Marquette, Marquette County, Sugarloaf Mountain, michigan.org, Pure Michigan, Yooper, Mason County, Ludington, Ludington State Park, Saturday Night Live, SNL, Stefon, Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, Big Sable Point, Big Sable Point Lighthouse, Nordhouse Dunes, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, MTV, Dan Cortese, Mecosta County, Ferris State University, 13th, Ava DuVernary, Jim Crow Museum, Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia, Menominee County, J Wells State Park, Green Bay, Menominee, Cedar River, Midland County, Herbert Dow, Dow Gardens, canopy walk, forest canopy walk, Pines Home, Missaukee County, Lake City, Airbnb, Lake City Family Diner, The Patio on Main, Rustic Hog Barbecue, Rustic Hog BBQ, Monroe County, Sterling State Park, Toledo Ohio, University of Michigan, walleye fishing, James Monroe, Montcalm County, Frugthaven Farm, Klackle Orchards, Klackle doughnuts, Thunder Bay Resort, Montmorency County, Hillman, elk preserve, murder mystery weekends, golf, golf course, Muskegon County, USS Silversides Submarine Museum, Hackley and Hume, Hackley and Hume Historic Site, Shivering Timbers, rollercoaster, theme park, waterpark, two parks for the price of one, White Lake, Whitehall, Muskegon, day trip, daytripping, day tripping, day tripsComment

The Mitten State of Mind: One Thing to See or Do in All 83 of Michigan's Counties, Pt. 1

Michigan is full of majesty, mystery, and might, each of which comes in many forms. This three-part series highlights just some of what the Mitten State has to offer, county by county. Welcome to Part One, which covers the first 29 counties alphabetically, from Alcona to Gratiot.

Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenFebruary 8, 2022travel, travel guide, travel advice, Michigan, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel recommendations, travel tips, travel ideas, travel planning, travel appreciation, travel guidance, travel junkie, travel bucket list, Great Lakes State, Great Lakes, Escanaba, Upper Peninsula, mitten state, Chippewa County, Tahquamenon Falls, Tahquamenon River, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, Mother Nature, the great outdoors, outdoors, outdoor adventure, Grand Traverse Bay, Grand Traverse County, Alcona County, Churchill Pointe Inn, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, lighthouse, Lake Huron, Hubbard Lake, Lower Peninsula, Alger County, Pictured Rocks, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Lake Superior, kayaking, Allegan County, Oval Beach, Conde Nast, Conde Nast Traveler, Saugatuck, Lake Michigan, Alpena County, Thunder Bay, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Lady Michigan, Shipwreck Alley, shipwrecks, Antrim County, up north, Torch Lake, Torch Lake Monster, Arenac County, Charity Island, Charity Island Lighthouse, Saginaw Bay, bird watching, Baraga County, Mt. Arvon, L'Anse, hiking, biking, jogging, cross-country skiing, cross country skiing, Huron Mountains, Barry County, Gilmore Car Museum, history, Bay County, Saginaw Valley Naval Ship Museum, BaySail, Benzie County, Inspiration Point, Crystal Mountain, Thompsonville, Frankfort, Beulah, Crystal Lake, Platte Lake, Berrien County, Warren Dunes State Park, camping, Branch County, Capri Drive-In Theater, U.S.-12, Binder Park Zoo, Calhoun County, Wild Africa, Cass County, Dowagiac, Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, Charlevoix, Charlevoix County, Charlevoix the Beautiful, Beaver Island, Beaver Island Hideaway Campground, Beaver Island Music Festival, Cheboygan County, Mackinaw City, Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, Black Mountain Recreation Area, off-roading, snowmobiling, cheboygantrailways.com, Sault Ste. Marie, Soo Locks, St. James Harbor, St. James, Cops & Doughnuts, Clare County, Clare City Bakery, Clinton County, Uncle John's Cider Mill, US-127, Mid Mitten Cider Fest, Fall Craft & Gift Show, Crawford County, Hanson Hills, Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling, Grayling Winter Sports Park, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, tubing, winter travel, summer travel, disc golf, archery, mountain biking, Midwest, Delta County, Escanaba in da Moonlight, Jeff Daniels, Fayette Historic State Park, Northern Sun Winery & Vineyards, Ludington Park, Little Bay de Noc, Dickinson County, Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort, Pine Mountain, ski jump, Eaton County, Dimes Brewhouse, BrickHaven Brewing, Sanctuary Spirits, Dimondale, Grand Ledge, Emmet County, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Genesee County, Flint, Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, Stepping Stone Falls, Saginaw Street, TripAdvisor, architecture, Anthony Bourdain, art, murals, Gladwin County, Hard Luck, ghost town, Au Sable State Forest, nailhed, Gogebic County, Big Powderhorn Mountain, Big Snow Resort, Blackjack Mountain, Indianhead Mountain, Traverse City, Old Mission, Old Mission Peninsula, winery, vineyard, Gratiot County, Fred Meijer Heartland Trail, Alma, Greenville, Montcalm County, wildlife, nature, travel junkiesComment

6 Tips for Running Your Business From the Great Outdoors

You have a business to run, but that doesn’t mean you have to abandon your passion for the outdoors. Maybe you’ve heard, but remote work is kind of a big deal right now. A recent report estimates that 36.2 million Americans will work remotely by 2025, so it’s wise to look into startups that you can build and sustain wherever you are in the world. It’s easier than ever today to enjoy camping, hiking, or exploring without disrupting your company’s operations.

What It's Like to Fly Over Lake Michigan in a 9-Seater (& How You Can, Too!)

Airplanes come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s not every day you find yourself aboard a nine-seater headed over one of the largest fresh water sources on the planet. That is, unless you decide to enlist the services of Cape Air, a smaller airline with routes in various parts of the U.S. and the Caribbean.

North America, Michigan/Indiana/IllinoisLogan T. HansenMay 20, 2021travel, travel guide, travel advice, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel tips, travel recommendations, travel ideas, travel planning, travel safety, travel deals, travel guidance, travel hacks, travel hack, Cape Air, Cessna, Cessna 402C, flying, airplane, Lake Michigan, Northern Michigan, Chicago, Chicago O'Hare, Manistee County Blacker Airport, Barnstable, Massachusetts, Illinois, rural airport, Ludington, Ludington State Park, Nordhouse Dunes, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area, Mother Nature, outdoors, the great outdoors, nature, Manistee, Manistee County, Mason County, County Line Road, hiking, camping, picnicking, nature study, studying nature, flymanistee.com Comments

Unique Gift Ideas for the Outdoor Travel Enthusiast in Your Life

If you’ve got a nature lover in your life, your holiday shopping just got a little easier. There are plenty of functional and thoughtful things to buy for people who love the outdoors. Whether they prefer glamping in comfort or roughing it with little more than a tent, any outdoor enthusiast will appreciate a gift that makes it easier to get outside and connect with nature.

How to Get to Greenland Without Taking Out a Second Mortgage on Your House

Since the invention of the flying machine, getting to far-off destinations has become easier than ever — and yet, there are still significant barriers you may come up against when attempting to travel to certain parts of the world.

Europe, North AmericaLogan T. HansenFebruary 26, 2020travel, travel advice, travel guide, travelspiration, travel inspiration, Greenland, travel tips, Europe, North America, Nuuk, Air Greenland, Air Iceland, Pitcairn Islands, Tristan da Cunha, Pacific Ocean, Reykjavik, Keflavik, Keflavik International Airport, Akureyri, Greenland Travel, Kangerlussuaq, Copenhagen, Canada, U.S., United States, cruise, hostel, Inuk Hostels, Hotel Nordbo, Kulusuk, Oqaatsut, Nanortalik, Budget Your Trip, budget travel, cheap travel, Northern Lights, Disko Line, Disko Bay, Blue ice Explorer, Arctic Umiaq Line, Sarfaq Ittuk, cruise ship, cruise line, air travel, Ittoqqortoormiit, South Greenland, Nordic Visitor, Quark Expeditions, cross-country skiing, cross country skiing, the great outdoors, snowshoeing, biking, kayaking, hiking, outdoors, outdoor adventure, adventure travel, adventure, adventure tourism, camping, rustic camping, dog sledding, dogsledding, fishing, penny pinching, save moneyComment

5 of the Most Romantic Places to Visit in the Midwest

As all traveling fiends are aware, sometimes getting away for a while is the perfect remedy to get you out of whatever funk you might be in at any given time. The same could be said for couples who are feeling bogged down by the daily routine.

North AmericaLogan T. HansenFebruary 6, 2020travel, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel advice, travel guide, Midwest, couples travel, romantic weekend, romantic getaway, seasonal affective disorder, Midwestern, Midwestern U.S., Indiana, Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells, Michigan, Saugatuck, Douglas, Holland, Grand Rapids, French Lick, French Lick Resort, French Lick Springs Hotel, West Baden Springs Hotel, Larry Bird, NBA, Bloomington, Sin City, Las Vegas, spa, spa treatment, massage, relaxation, hiking, outdoors, the great outdoors, LGBTQ, Lake Michigan, Kalamazoo Lake, Oval Beach, Saugatuck Dunes State Park, Hotel Saugatuck, The Hotel Saugatuck, cabin, cottage, vacation, vacation rentals, Sundara Inn and Spa, Sundara Inn & Spa, Waterpark Capital of the World, Mirror Lake State Park, sunset, sunset dinner cruise, Wisconsin River, TripAdvisor, waterpark, waterparks, Hocking Hills, Ohio, Hocking Hills State Park, zipline, ziplining, waterfalls, prehistoric caves, camping, Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls, Glenlaurel Inn, Rockbridge, Logan, Lead, South Dakota, Terry Peak Ski Area, Deer Mountain Ski Resort, George S. Mickelson Trail, cross country skiing, cross-country skiing, skiing, snowboarding, winter, summer, Spearfish Canyon, Spearfish Canyon Lodge, Black Hills, Spearfish Canyon Scenic Byway, outdoor adventure, romance, romantic, romantic retreat, Valentine's DayComment

Ontario, We're Onto You: Scoping Out Fall Getaways Along Lake Superior's Northern Shore

Whenever I pull up Google Maps and peer at the vastness that is Canada, I cannot help but wonder what in the world is up there. I mean, just think about it: Canada is the second-largest country in the world by land area (behind only Russia) but when it comes to population density, it ranks very near the bottom at 228th.

North AmericaLogan T. HansenSeptember 26, 2019travel, travelspiration, travel inspiration, travel guide, travel advice, Canada, North America, Ontario, The Great White North, Wikimedia Commons, Agawa River, Lake Superior, Lake Superior Provincial Park, Sault Ste. Marie Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, Thunder Bay, Lorri's Country Kitchen, McCauley's Motel, Goulais River, Havilland, Hiawatha Highlands, Heyden, Trans-Canada Highway, Misty Mountain Fly Shop, Havilland Shores Drive, Airbnb, Stay Canada, Canada Stays, canadastays.com, Hideaway at Lake Superior, cabin, cottage, Cottage Summer Vacation Paradise, Harmony Beach, Harmony Beach Resort, Harmony's Hideaway, Bet-Cha-Wana-Stay Deer Cabin, Bet-Cha-Wana-Stay Moose Cabin, Batchawana Bay, Batchawana River, Batchawana River Provincial Park, Pancake Bay Provincial Park, Ontario parks, Montreal River Harbour, Michipicoten, ontarioparks.com, Mother Nature, outdoors, camping, fishing, rustic camping, rustic, cabin in the woods, fly fishing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fall, autumn, fall travel, autumn travel, road trips, road trip, road tripping Comments

10 Things I've Learned From Being a Travel Blogger for (Nearly) 10 Years

Writing and travel are two of my greatest passions in life, so you’d think combining them would send me into a state of euphoric delirium. The truth is that being a travel blogger means I am constantly thinking of ways to make content out of my travels, which can be draining at times. When you’re in a new place experiencing new things, it’s generally best to simply be in the moment and enjoy it, but there is always a little voice in the back of my mind reminding me that these posts don’t write themselves.

One Spooky Town to Visit in Each of the 6 New England States

Sporting some of the best fall foliage anywhere in the nation, New England is kind of the place to be when you start to feel that crisp, crisp air creep back in. The color-changing parade that falls across the region like a patchwork quilt every September and October is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws for anyone looking to put a fall getaway on the books, but let’s also remember that this is spooky season, and New England is hardly wanting in the arena of things that go bump in the night. From haunted houses and hotels to ghost-riddled cemeteries and ships, you can scare your pants off properly six ways to Sunday.

The Unassailable Allure of the Great Ghost Trains of Maine

Hidden in the 17.5 million acres of forest spread across the state of Maine are a number of abandoned sites. These include vacant paper mills, deserted homes, old forts, and underground bunkers. But one of the most interesting things you’ll find in the woods of northern Maine are a pair of long-forgotten locomotive engines, rusting away in the middle of nowhere.

7 Michigan Cider Mills That'll Help You Get in the Autumn Mood

I hate to be the one to break it to you, but summer is pretty much over. Pumpkin spice-everything is already lining the shelves at your local grocery store, the pumpkin-shaped Reese’s have sprouted from the soon-to-be leaf-littered ground, and, perhaps most importantly, football season is underway. Instead of fighting it, why not just turn the page and delight in all that the autumn season has to offer?

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