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wibornz

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So I spend time looking for cool places to camp. I use Gaia and look specifically for trails that end at a river, or a lake. I look for places that are accessible by only one trail. and dead end at said lake or river. So I was following the coast of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and found a spot that I though warranted driving for 6+ hours to get to. We were going to go to Drummond Island, with a group of our friends. 4 of them came down with covid, (they are all good now and are over it. two were un-vaccinated, two were vaccinated) Another couple had the front axle seals go out in there JKUR so they and their two friends were out. With our group down from 12 people to 4 people and only two Jeeps, it was the perfect time to go look for that spot. So last week on Wednesday we loaded up and took off.

There was an added bonus. My bud Bill that if you follow any of my other Jeep traveling post you will know as the driver of the Punk'N JLUR brought his girlfriend with him..... I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but I have known Bill for almost 30 years, He was divorced about 15 years ago and while he has had some fuck buddies, and girls that he would hang out with, this is the first time we have ever met one of the girls and this is the first one that he has ever called a girlfriend.

SO we left the Lansing area and headed north. We stopped off at a small lake up by Grayling for the first night of camping as we got a late start. Wanted to have time to enjoy the camping and cook a good meal.

Get there just in time to catch sun set through the trees.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629890256663


In the morning we are greeted by some fog over the lake and it made for a pleasant morning.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629890345316


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629890746175


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629890393079


Off we go to the UP of Michigan crossing the Mighty Mac

Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629890779315


We stop along the trail for lunch on the hood of JLUR. Is there a better way to have lunch then on the hood of JLUR along side a trail while in the shade about 40 yards from the shore of Lake Michigan?
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629890601531


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629890659869


So we start scoping out scoping out some of the places that I though looked like a great place to camp. My first choice was open, It is about 10 miles by trail off the main road. Back in the woods of the UP with no one around..... No one.

This is our first look at it.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629891092596


Yes that is the shore of Lake Michigan in the background. We are right on the lake just in the woods and out of the wind. There are zero bugs. Winning we are.

The water is beautiful and there are rocks sticking out of the water. Note the T-shirt says it all.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629891463903


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629891540369


I think it was a trap.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629891585232


Set up camp and start cooking. The dinner meal is shredded beef and shrimp tacos with cheese, onion and mushrooms topped with Chipotle sauce.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629891785911


My wife baked, yes baked a pineapple upside down cake at camp. The smell was incredible, as I slide my Glock onto my waist. There is a lot of bear and cougar activity in the area.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629891996781


It was incredible and even more so as it was baked while we were camping on the shore of Lake Michigan. This is living. We were all excited to try it and it was amazing. It was a wonder that I was able to get a picture before they cut into it.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629892116996


After dinner, I flew the drone and we took a walk on the beach to burn off some of the calories from dinner. It was so nice to finally meet Bill's official girlfriend. She fit in well, she loves drag racing, Jeeping (she owns a 2019 white JLUR) and loves to camp plus she is low drama. So big win for all of us.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629892373364


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629914972733


We watched the moon come up through the trees.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915049848


Then stepped out to watch the moon rise over the lake.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915087178


The next morning we headed out to run trails for about 6 hours.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915207123


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915298279


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915353817


Found another cool camping spot on a inland lake. It was big enough to fit abut 10 to 15 campers on the site. Had a nice fire ring, good view of the lake and a rock to flex on.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915447768


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915517178


The trails were easy for the most part, just trails through the woods. There was some mud here and there, but mainly just a relaxing trail run with good sights along the Lake and in the woods.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915639726


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915723831


This would be another sweet camp site next to an inland lake too.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915786970


A few more drone shots from our main camp spot.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915957158


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629915977768


You can see the camp spot with the Jeeps at the bottom of the pic and the shore of Lake Michigan at the top of the pic.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916020611


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916060482


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916094979


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916118052


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916136699


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916187443


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916220866


We walked out on the sand bar. It is nice not having to worry about sharks and having fresh water.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916274971


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916329717


As the light faded behind the trees.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916398918


Up early and caught these shots.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916481516


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916550275


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916599855


After sunrise, we hiked about 2 miles north on the beach to the mouth of a river that spilled into Lake Michigan. We were told that it was common to eagles catching fish there in the morning.

Sadly there were no eagles, but we saw many signs of bear and cougars.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629916967013


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917012105


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917064290


apparently bears also shit on the beach. This is about 100 yards from our camp.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917131547


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917203061


We did head out and do run some trails at night.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917276598


The moon on Friday
night was bright coming through the trees.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917336402


Saturday we broke camp and headed back to the lower peninsula to one of my other favorite camp spots.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917462596


I was up early, cut some more wood, built a fire before the rest of the crew got up. Of course I put coffee on even before you ask. Duh...
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917545846


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917590405


She looks innocent and sweet, but she will full send your Jeep and twist axle shaft, jump the Jeep, get it suck in the mud and dam near flip it over backwards. I would suggest you NOT let her drive your Jeep. She drives mine and it cost me and it makes me have to wash it often. Just saying.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917752194


Breakfast at camp, we are roughing if. Eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, sour cream, tomatoes and onions with flat bread, or a croissant. Then of course my wife baked up some raspberry type breakfast pastry.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629917898952


Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629918009971


Then back to reality Sunday as we packed up and headed home. We were home just long enough to drop the camper and then meet up with our local Jeep peeps for some ice cream.
Jeep Wrangler JL WTF I went Camping again 5 days in Upper Michigan.  picture heavy.. 1629918120679


It was a nice way to end 5 days of camping.
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JL MADDOG

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That looks like an awesome time! Just the sort of thing I am looking forward to!
 
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wibornz

wibornz

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That looks like an awesome time! Just the sort of thing I am looking forward to!
It was a nice easy chill 5 days. Some Jeeping, some hiking, some great food and great friends doing cool stuff together. The way it should be.
 

Dale's Jeep

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Our state sure is beautiful. Wife and I are going to Mackinac Island in October to send a couple nights. That place to me is the best place in the world. I'm so glad i moved back to Michigan after i retired from the Army i hated living in Oklahoma.
 

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wibornz

wibornz

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Our state sure is beautiful. Wife and I are going to Mackinac Island in October to send a couple nights. That place to me is the best place in the world. I'm so glad i moved back to Michigan after i retired from the Army i hated living in Oklahoma.
Very cool. We will be heading to Wisconsin over the holiday weekend and may stop on our way back and spend the night on Mackinac Island. Kind of our loose plan. My wife wants to walk and bike the island.
 

Dale's Jeep

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Very cool. We will be heading to Wisconsin over the holiday weekend and may stop on our way back and spend the night on Mackinac Island. Kind of our loose plan. My wife wants to walk and bike the island.
We will be there the 7th-9th.
 

Jamrock

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Good stuff as usual.

I like the Flagstaff E-Pro trailer. Which model is it?
 

Krondor

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Great trip!

Need to visit the parents up in Michigan and go play in those woods. :like:
 

gato

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Living life, man. Awesome pictures and adventures. Very happy for you and yours.
 

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xaugievike

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Super cool.

I need to get this rig outfitted for these kinds of trips.....
 

Jamrock

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Super cool.

I need to get this rig outfitted for these kinds of trips.....
The requirements for this type of trip shouldn't be that great. No big rocks or steep hills from what I can see. Most of the camping stuff seems to be contained in the trailer.
 
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wibornz

wibornz

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We will be there the 7th-9th.
You will miss us again. There will be a bunch of us headed to Drummond Island on Sept. 23 through the weekend. We plan to camp on the shore facing Lake Huron.
 
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wibornz

wibornz

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Super cool.

I need to get this rig outfitted for these kinds of trips.....
For Jeeping in Michigan, you don't need anything special, maybe a winch, a stock rubicon is capable enough for 95% of the trails in Michigan. You don't need a camper, bring a hammock or a tent, sleeping pad and a sleeping bag. build a fire to cook over and you probably already own a cooler. Pack that Jeep up and go on an adventure. Make a plan, and make it happen.
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