Camping by the AuSable

We went camping recently up by the AuSable River.  We stayed at the Riffle River state park which had only 5 'rustic cabins' in the entire park with private heavily wooded areas - it seemed like we had an entire park to ourselves!  The cabin had 3 bunk beds and a nice wooden table and chairs and a great big firepit and a well.

 The land was owned by an automotive executive back in 1940s and was bought by the state to preserve in the 1960s.  We climbed up an observation deck where his house used to stand.

We drove to the AuSable river and canoed for over 10 miles, stopping twice to swim / float in the river which was cool and incredibly beautiful.  We were blessed with a perfect 80 degree and sunny day.

As the kids get older, it's amazing how much easier vacations have become.  Initially we were worried about canoeing, but all of the kids enjoyed paddling (Logan mostly enjoyed going along for the ride but Hayley and Evan were vigorous paddlers!) We mixed up rowers and boat combos many times and surprisingly no one got tired (except for me at the end!)  Evan and I had to 'limbo' under some fallen trees and Hayley had to jump in to save her paddle once or twice but we really enjoyed the beauty and the fast pace of the AuSable.

At this particular stop the current was crazy fast and the kids had a blast 'floating' down the river and then trying to swim back up current.

Mike made THE BEST cooking fires and meals.  We ate every meal except before our canoe launch at the campsite and made hobo pizzas, potatoes and onions, sausage, eggs and toast, and snacks of jiffy popcorn and plenty of s'mores.  We even had a pop-tart maker.  Evan commented that 'everything tastes better over a campfire' (if our pickiest eater says that - you know it's a win!)

 The path to our cabin.