Yooper Trip 2025

We finally made it to the Upper Peninsula! Getting here wasn’t exactly smooth sailing, but hey—that’s part of the adventure, right? Friday night, we pulled the RV up to the house to start packing, and in true “oops” fashion, managed to fry the wiring in the entire living room. Turns out plugging the RV into the outside outlet while the hot tub was still on the same circuit was not our brightest idea. So now the living room is dark and moody. Issue#1 on the now-growing list of things we have to deal with upon our return. Don’t worry—Issues #2 and #3 will make their grand appearances later.

We kicked off August 9th bright and early, tackling the usual last-minute scramble: packing the stragglers, taking out the trash, and finishing the dishes. All that domestic hustle before… heading to work. Because apparently vacations don’t start until after the real workday.

This was our third adventure in the Itasca. Trip #1, I had to meet her on the road (thanks, work), so I drove the tow car. Trip #2 was a North Carolina run for one of my weekend classes, so no tow car that time. But Trip #3? We brought along the mighty 1995 Jeep Rio Bravo Wrangler! What we didn’t bring: the right connector to actually hook the RV lights up to said Jeep.

So, after she dropped me at work, she went connector-hunting like a road-trip hero. By the time she and Midnight swung back around at 3:15 p.m., we were finally ready to shout the magic word: VACATION!!

We rolled into our first camping spot around 7 p.m. Saturday, only to discover that someone else had just swooped in and started setting up camp there. Classic timing. But hey—adaptability is a survival skill, and road trips are full of surprises. We grabbed the next available site, which happened to be a double, and honestly, it worked out even better for us. Dinner was a quick microwave affair, but the real feast was sitting lakeside, watching an alligator glide by as the sky lit up with a gorgeous sunset. Not a bad trade at all.

On August 10th, we packed up camp and rolled onward, bound for Tom Sawyer in West Memphis. This stop was a meaningful one: we were there to take possession of her dad’s ashes, which her brother still had. She already carried her mom’s with us, and part of this trip would be about revisiting some of their old favorite spots—scattering ashes, sharing memories, and weaving those places back into the story of our journey. Arrived at 1:30 p.m.

Of course, being so close to Memphis meant one thing: Beale Street was calling. We met up with David for lunch at Dwyer’s Burgers—messy, delicious, and worth every napkin—then wandered over to A. Schwab’s, the old-timey mercantile that feels like stepping straight into history. And since David was along for the ride, the adventure naturally included a stop at the iconic Pyramid Bass Pro Shop. Because really, what’s a Memphis trip without it?

August 11 was an early and quick practical breakfast—boiled coffee and oatmeal—before hitting the road. Our destination was the I-55 RV Park in Edwardsville, Illinois, just across the state line from St. Louis. We carved out a few hours to explore the Gateway Arch (Nat'l Park #1), wandering the grounds and taking in the sweeping views, before heading back to camp. With another early morning ahead of us, the evening was spent getting everything prepped and ready to roll towards Wisconsin. 

Vacation and early mornings are a tough mix! Up at 5:30 a.m. on the 12th, we set out for the long haul to Wisconsin, with a detour through Davenport, Iowa. Her mom was from there, so we took a quiet moment to leave some of both parents’ cremains in Vander Veer Botanical Gardens—right in the Rose Garden, no less. Yvonne would have approved.

We rolled into Big Foot Beach State Park, Wisconsin, around 5:30 p.m., barely leaving enough time to get ready for our dinner date with friends at Fatman’s in Gurnee, Illinois. Fatman’s did not disappoint: dog-friendly, delicious food, and the perfect spot to catch up with Westley and Joseph. On the way back to camp after 10:30 p.m., we even spotted a late-night UFO while looking for the Pleiades meteor shower.  

August 13th was our lucky day as we finally got to sleep in—almost 8 a.m.! Breakfast was oatmeal, which may not have been the most heroic choice for the day ahead, but it did the job. We set out for a two-hour drive into Chicago, a city full of attractions… and apparently, a serious parking challenge. After a bit of a hunt, we scored a spot with a strict two-hour limit (fingers crossed!) and set out on foot to explore the Riverwalk, The Bean, and the Bridge House.

Mission accomplished, we made it back to the Jeep without a hitch. Then came the three-hour drive back to camp, because apparently road trips demand a little endurance. Did I mention the Jeep did not come with AC? Once we were back, we cooled off in Lake Geneva and rewarded ourselves with some Wisconsin cheese curds—because after a day in the city, dairy feels like pure bliss.

August 14th arrived, and as we headed to what we thought would be our home for the next three nights, it quickly became clear: maybe an actual campsite would be a smarter choice. Some last-minute scrambling later, and we landed on a lovely RV Park in Marquette, Michigan—less stress, more chill.

We arrived just after 5 p.m. and set up without a hitch, then made a quick detour to Seiche Stones, a local stone shop full of treasures. Dinner followed at Dry Dock, where we discovered the wonders of beef pasties (pronounced “pass-teas”)—delicious, hearty, and completely worth the trip.

August 15th rolled in early (because, of course), and we had big plans to explore the Upper Peninsula and tackle National Park #2… Isle Royale. Midnight, however, had to sit this one out—dogs are not welcome. What we didn’t know? You can’t just show up like other national parks. You need a boat or seaplane reserved weeks (sometimes months!) in advance, and once you’re there, it’s an all-day adventure. Not happening this time, especially with Midnight holding down the RV.

Instead, we set our sights on the historic lighthouses and buildings scattered along the National Lakeshore. We squeezed in a little shopping, snagged some rocks from Lake Superior, and learned a surprising amount about the copper and mining processes that shaped the state. Not quite the actual island, but all still well within Isle Royale NP boundaries. So we are counting it, and we enjoyed a full, fascinating day.

August 16th was packed with waterfalls, rocks, and plenty of fun. We started the day with breakfast with Kendra at Earl E. Byrds in Munising, MI. There was a bit of a wait, but the food—and the dog-friendly vibe—made it worth it. Afterward, we wandered the town, checking out local shops and the Interpretive Center for Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, our next stop. and National Park #3.

At Twelve-Mile Beach, Lake Superior looked dramatic under clouds left behind by Hurricane Erin. Looked for Yooperlites and picked up a few rocks along the shoreline (souvenirs you can’t resist!). We skipped the 3-mile hike to the Au Sable Light Station, choosing the overlook instead, but did conquer the 168 steps down to the bottom of the falls—and back up again. Next, we visited the Logslide Overlook, walking around the top rather than sliding into the water. And—surprise!—we spotted the Au Sable Light Station from a distance.

Our final stop was Copper Harbor and the Lake Superior Overlook. She spotted a rock that was calling her name, and yes—it made it into the Jeep. On the way back to Munising, we paused at Alger Falls, then enjoyed dinner with Kendra at Cooking Carberry’s Wood Fired Pizza, where the off-the-wall creations were as fun as they were delicious. On the drive back to camp, we made a whimsical detour through Christmas, MI (yes, really!), before prepping the RV for an early departure as we began our southward trek home.

We left Marquette at 7 a.m., just as the sun was cresting the horizon. The view was stunning—and for a brief, magical moment, it felt like we were the only two humans witnessing the universe’s handiwork, alone on the highway. Took some stunning photos, then hopped back in and kept heading south.  Just before the Mackinac Bridge—the gateway from the Upper to the Lower Peninsula—we stopped to admire the lighthouse on St. Helena Island.

Crossing into the Lower Peninsula, we realized we were close to Petoskey, MI. Naturally, I HAD TO GO. We spent some time along the shoreline hunting for Petoskey stones and Leland Blue—treasures of the Michigan coast. One of my pen pals requested a Petoskey stone, so of course, I had to get one. 

After a quick lunch of sandwiches, we opted for the scenic route south on 131 rather than the Interstate, knowing there was plenty to see. First stop: Kalkaska, a quiet town immortalized in Ernest Hemingway’s The Battler and home to the National Trout Festival. Its Fisherman’s Shrine features a massive 17–18 foot brook trout with its own bubbling fountain—quirky, impressive, and totally worth a look.

Next up: Cadillac, famously visited by KISS in 1975, now memorialized with the KISS Monument. A quick detour to Reed City’s H&D Chuckwagon ended in disappointment—they were closed for Sunday—but in Rockford, we enjoyed the scenic river view at the Rockford Dam Overlook. By evening, we arrived at Ottawa Fairground Campground, ready to settle in after a day of spontaneous roadside discoveries.

Holland, Michigan, was the sole destination for Monday the 18th, giving us a chance for a leisurely morning. We started with leftovers from breakfast in Munising before heading to Windmill Island Gardens. Holland had been one of her mother’s favorite places, so we took a quiet moment to sprinkle some of her parents’ cremains there as well.

We spent several hours wandering the gardens, soaking in the colors and calm, before making a stop at Legacy Thrift. Lunch was dog-friendly once again, this time at Big Lake Brewing, followed by a bit more thrifting fun. We made it back to camp and prepacked everything just before the rain rolled in around 7 p.m.—our first real shower since the trip began. Perfect timing!

“Hit the road, Jack.” day arrived Tuesday the 19th, and we were more than ready. We left Michigan for
Indiana, bound for the final National Park on our list: Indiana Dunes National Park. This park is a bit quirky, since Indiana Dunes State Park sits right inside the National Park—essentially two parks for the price of one. We camped in the State Park, which had availability, and her park pass covered us for free entry to all the national parks, monuments, and seashores.

We rolled in around noon, but campsite setup wasn’t until 2 p.m., so we did what the locals do and grabbed lunch at Sunrise Cafe. Delicious. A quick thrift stop at Portage Resale followed before heading to site #68. Backing in was a breeze, our neighbors were friendly, and setup has been smooth sailing all trip long. Dinner was a simple affair—steaks and seasoned chickpeas, accompanied by some cleverly camouflaged adult beverages (alcohol is technically contraband in the state park). Thankfully, a neighbor tipped us off before any trouble ensued.

During the evening, we decided we’ll be looking for another RV. The Itasca is a bunk model, meaning the queen-sized bed is over the cab. Sitting up is impossible, and the ladder eats up floor space. A little window shopping later, we called it a night, hoping for a glimpse of the planetary alignment—but the clouds had other plans.

The morning of August 20th dawned cloudy and breezy, a perfect 71 degrees as we sipped coffee and planned the day. I was determined to see the 3–6 foot waves rolling in from Hurricane Erin, so we set off for the shoreline. After hiking over the dunes, we reached the very bottom tip of Lake Michigan—just in time for Issue #2 of the trip.

Midnight was living his absolute best life, darting in and out of the waves like a pup half his age. He’d chase the receding water, then dash back up to safety as the next wave crashed in. Unfortunately, enthusiasm sometimes outpaces wisdom—he twisted the wrong way in the surf and tore his right ACL. Poor guy. He’d had surgery on his left ACL just 14 months ago, and the vet had warned us that the other one was likely to go at some point.

We rushed him to Coyne Vet in Portage (cannot say enough good things about them). They took X-rays, confirmed what we suspected, and ran bloodwork to ensure he could handle the necessary meds. They promised to forward everything to his Mississippi vet and reassured us he was otherwise in good shape. Midnight may be a senior, but he’s still our wave-chasing adventurer.

With Midnight on strict bed rest, we made the tough call to end the trip early. Leaving him alone in the RV, while we carried on with the itinerary, just didn’t feel right. So, on August 21st, we pointed the Itasca south and hit the road hard. Day one was a push—over 500 miles—to Columbia, TN, arriving well after dark. I won’t even name the park we pulled into, because once was more than enough.

The next day was another long haul, over 400 miles, and somewhere between gas stations and rest stops, both vets called. Coyne in Indiana checked in to see how Midnight was doing, while Bienville, back in Mississippi, confirmed they’d received his records and asked if we could bring him in Saturday morning for a surgery consult. The answer, of course, was an immediate YES.

We finally rolled into home around 5 p.m. Friday. After a quick unpack of the essentials, we turned our attention back to Issue #1—remember the blown circuit that left half the house without power? As if on cue, Issue #3 revealed itself. While letting Midnight out in the backyard, I discovered that the August 18th coastal storm had claimed our old treehouse tree, splitting it in two and bringing it down.

Sometimes the universe makes sure you’re never short on projects.

And just like that, our Great Lakes adventure came to a close. What began as a trip full of waterfalls, stones, pasties, parks, and wide-open skies ended with a few unexpected twists. We had grand plans to squeeze in just a little more exploring, but Midnight reminded us what really matters. His ACL may have cut our journey short, but he’s family—and family always comes first.

Looking back, it feels like the road gave us a little bit of everything: quiet mornings with coffee in hand,
stunning horizons that felt like ours alone, friendly strangers who became part of our story, and the occasional “Issue” to keep us humble. Between blown circuits, fallen trees, and a pup in need of care, we learned that adventures don’t always wait for the perfect conditions—they happen right in the middle of the mess.

Still, we wouldn’t trade a mile of it. We saw more beauty than we could hold, shared laughter and stories with old friends and new, and carried pieces of the people we love most into landscapes they cherished. The road gave us memories, challenges, and reminders that home is both where you are and who you’re with.

So yes—we’ll get another RV (the Itasca just isn’t it). Yes—Midnight will get through this surgery like the stubborn, beloved pup he is. And yes—we’ll hit the road again, maybe sooner than later, because that’s just who we are.

Until next time, the trip was everything we needed it to be—even if it wasn’t everything we planned.

Final Scorecard:

• Issue #1: House power—still pending, but we have solar power and generator. If all else fails, candles make great ambiance.

• Issue #2: Midnight’s ACL—ouch, but fixable, and he’s worth every mile detoured. Surgery is on August 29th. 

• Issue #3: Fallen tree—While hiring someone to come cut the tree down won't be free, the firewood will be.

Adventure: 1, Issues: 3. 

But love, laughter, and memories? Absolutely priceless.