How many kids?

“Alright, let's hear how many chillin's you all are bringing with you.

Birch and I, just one small 2yr old child.”

“Me and my 7year old little girl”

“I have to get closer to August before I can commit, but if I can make it, I will have my two kids, 12 (13 by then) and 8 (soon to be 9 by then).”

“I have three (ages 9, 5, 3) :o)”

“NINE? What happened?! Jenny was just little a minute ago.”

“Yep! Jenny will be nine years old on June 6th. Time flies. *sigh*”

“When I saw the thread "How Many Kids" I thought the number next to it was the number of kids. DUH! It's the number of posts. Hee, hee! Must be the peroxide seeping into my skull. ;o)”

“I've got some things I need to check on...Like cost and seeing if my boy can dump in the woods, or ae there some sort of "johns" they can use? Kerry sez I can go if it'll cost around 200... I'll have to prep the boy by camping out in the backyard, maybe some local campgrounds. Birch/Sass -- Might you guys be up fer an overnighter sometime with the kids before?”

“I'll have two, 34 and 31.

Just kidding. have a great time everyone.”

“i will probably be bringing julia (9), james (11), audrey (14 going on 21), and one of audrey's friends....what a great idea sass....we are really looking forward to this one!!”

“Q, there's an outhouse at the main campground. I was thinking we probably ouldn't stay there if we can help it, it's infested with racoons and poison ivy. I doubt Abby'll be out of diapers by then, unless some sort of potty training fairy comes along and grants my wish, lol. She's still talking about Max. =)

I would love to do an overnighter before then, or even several. We could easily spend a few Saturday nights at Greenlake campground, anytime. Just say the word!”

“A friend recommended...

Fiske's Homestead for a campsite. I've never been to North Manitou, so I'm game for whatever the group decides.

Gonzo, I have an Audrey, too! She's 5 years old. :o)

This week, I'll be ordering Wyatt's sleeping bag and a new Kelty V4 for the family. We're all looking forward to it!”

“Some of you may remember me posting about my girlfriend that I introduced to backpacking. I took for a weekend in the Porcupine Mountains and she ended up losing all her toenails. She had the time of her life and still talks about it to this day. Well, she wants to join us with her four kids!! She's a definate maybe. She has three girls ages 10, 9, and 8. She also has a little boy who will be two years old in August. This will be so much fun!!”

“I grew up on the AT and have been anxiously awaiting the day when youngest ready to enjoy. He's been great on the day hikes, even completed a 5 mile day hike. This sounds like a great way to test the overniters, over a few days -- see if he is ready for a big backcountry trip next year :-). Also a great oppurtunity for oldest not to feel singled out, being able to see other kids hitting the trail and having fun--not just me remembering a time when I dreamed of being a forest ranger.”

“schufam, How old are your children? I'm just making some notes here...

So far, 5 kids are definate and 12 kids are a maybe. Ages range from two years old to fourteen. This will be great fun! Do you think we could teach them the Southern art of Snipe Hunting?? Wait, what were those illusive birds I heard about? Chili, can you help me out with this one?”

“I have four, 18,17,14,13, but it's doubtfull all of them would want to go. None of them might, but that would just leave me free to help more with the others.

I took mine there every spring when they were little. It's a magical place for kids of any age!!!”

“Youngest is 7, will be 8 then (boy). Oldest, well he is 12, a not so much fun 12...he is going into a panic thinking of our Yellowstone Trip next year (no T.V or Radio, etc...). I keep asking myself, where did I go wrong?

I'm afraid Sunshine, I was all too often the snipe hunter growing up :-)

Quick Question...I've seen some books mentioned for this area. If someone would like to list some common birds, trees, flowers

7yo is avid bird watcher & critter finder.”

“schufam,

I have no books specific to the island but I have books that include it. I don't have extensive information but one of the books mentioned that herring and ring-billed gulls nest there. Other than that, it just mentions birds and wild flowers. If I find anymore information, I'll let you know.”

“le Subtil,

I'm certain your expertise will be greatly appreciated by many. My kids will be excited when they hear you're coming. Of course, I won't tell them until you're a definate. :)”

“So, you and the little ones are definate, Sunshine?”

“Schfam: The piping plover nests there, ospreys, loons and egrets are common sites, along with mergansers, cormorants and all sorts of song birds. It's a migration stop in spring. Birch and I hit it one memorial day weekend there and saw scarlet tanagers, all kinds of flycatchers and even an indigo bunting. It was incredible. The birdsond was so loud.

Most of the plants are the same as the rest of MIchigan. There's loads of blue flag isis' near swenson's barn. Trillium in abundance, but they won't be blooming then. The island was farmed and lumbered in the 1800's and early 1900's. There are pine and hardwood forests, meadows, old town sites and miles and miles of beaches.

LeSub, the more eyes and helping hands the better, imo. We'd love to have you along.”

“sunshine, having grown up in the south with 5 older brothers, trust me when I tell you that I can teach you all you want to know about the fine art of snipe hunting.... ;-)

I am planning on this, but will probably be up closer to time before I can be sure.”

“Yepper! I'm a fer sure, fer sure!

I've already been approved the time off and have told the kids we're going. My girlfriend and her kids are a definate maybe. She spent a good amount of time trying to get a username on TT a short while back but every name she tried was taken. We must have ALLOT of lurkers. There were names that I've never seen.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to it and so are the kids.

It doesn't look like I'll be able to go without the kids this year due to schedules and work. I'm hoping I might squeeze in a couple weekends in June with just Wyatt but it looks like I might be moving that month. *sigh*

That's why I have to get the kids out there now!. I've got to get them hooked so that they'll continue to hike as they get older. That way the hiking will get better for me and I won't have to worry about leaving them. Maybe we could plan an annual trip to a different spot every year!”

“Great idea Sunshine! Let's try and do that. Or maybe even just make an annual trip to N. Manitou.”

“Now that we were able to finalize that weekend, our next door neighbors with their 3 kids are interested. :-), Caravaning it there should be interesting if they decide to come. Their children's ages are boys 11, 6 and girl 8. I'll let you know their plans if it comes about.

Sass: I am assuming when the date gets closer more details will be available, i.e. whether we are planning a check-in or place to meet, etc...”

“schufam, I'm thinking we'll meet at the ferry, on Friday morning. If anyone wants to caravan that's fine too. We'll be starting out near Detroit. We may get a hotel in Cadillac Thursday night. Then there'd only be a short drive Friday morning.

Be glad to post driving directions if anyone needs them. They might also be in the ferry company's link.

I'll start a thread about camping choices...have some ideas already. Print out a copy of the map from the link above (in the trip description).”

“If it weren't for the 14 hr drive I'd bring my wife and our two kids. This sounds like a great trip and is a wonderful idea.

Stay away from snipe hunting. They're most active in pre-dawn hours, but if you get up early to catch them they run off from the sound of you walking. You have to get to a place early evening and stay put.”

“Dayhiker, if you have any frequent flier miles to use up we'd be glad to get you from the airport, and anything else that might help. Fourteen hours in the car is hard with kids. I actually think it'd end up being around ninteen to Leeland. It's twelve hours to Atlanta from here,(haven't been to Alabama lately) and then five up to Leeland.”

“I'm going to try to talk my brother into going with me and his two daughters (5 & 3)- Julia & Sarah”

“kewl! You're the best Uncle EVER.”

“Well this keeps getting cooler and cooler by the day. I can't wait. After Mason comes home, Max and I will be spending time in the back yeard. Sass and birch and who ever else will be camping out at local camp spots to get the kids ready. Max is pumped! He asks everday if we can go hiking today. Makes ya wanna cry :) Now, a question to all of you. I've heard that you cannot take wagons on the island. First, is this true? Second, if this is true, how does this affect your gear for the weekend?”

“Q, no wheeled anything, unfortunately.

Our plan is to set Abby up with a little backpack (she actually already has it...cheap plastic one from wallmart, she carries her spare britches and snacks in now), to carry her stuffed lamb and blanket. Birch and I will divy up the rest of her gear. It won't be too bad, as we won't be hiking long miles, and her stuff is all tiny.

I kinda planned on helping out those with more than one kidlet too. There's always a bit of room in our packs. And there'll be plenty of time to repack while we sit through the mandatory orientation w/ the rangers. (zzzz) =)”

“We too have been doing the Dry Run thing here. Went short backpacking trip last weekend, ended up in the emergency room. :-) Everyone is OK :-) but some important lessons were learned.

Oldest (the one who was injured) told me "Thank you for the best weekend in my life!"...Which just makes me feel all gushy inside.
I'm extremely excited now!”

“How cool!

Abby told me she wanted to go hiking and get a boo-boo with a stick! She must think that's the normal thing to do after my injury last weekend, lol. She's been asking to go hiking and camping alot lately. Makes me so happy!

If the weather wasnicer we'd be camping in the backyard tonight. The only state colder than MI today is Alaska! And it's raining too. Maybe next weekend.”

“I am still a strong maybe, but if I make it, it will be with three kids and Dawn in tow.”

“It's a really beautiful and easy place to hike Chili. If Dawn wants to get into backpacking this would be a perfect place for her to get her toes wet.”

“Recent developments have lead me to believe that Wyatt won't be up for this trip. At this time, I'm still planning to attend with the girls. I've already got someone who will keep Wyatt for the weekend. He does great with day hikes and a trip back home or a camp out at Auntie Sue's but he didn't do well with a long drive and greeting by friendly strangers. He'll do better as he gets older, I'm sure. :)”

“I'm sorry to hear about Wyatt, Sunshine. I do so very much understand though. I do hope you and girls can make it - we have been experimenting w/ GORP recipes.
**
Quick ?, Cammie's backpack is too long for torso & it was smallest I could find - I've tried playing with different belts from old rigs, etc... I'm thinking of having him use his spare backpack and maybe cutting out boards from an old binder to "stiffen" it up. Anyone else have any ideas? He doesn't have to carry much, but I would like him to carry his sketch pad & crayons and hydration unit.”

“Well, camelback makes a hydration pack for kids that you would probably be large enough to tuck a sketch pad and crayons in,(in a ziplock).

Poor Abby has a plastic backpack. It's from a doll. It fits her though.”

“i've arranged for vacation time so we will be able to be there....

audrey and her friend lauren (both 14) and james (12) will be making the trip....i could not convince julia to come....she is still very concerned about using the woods as a bathroom....no amount of talking could convince her to come with us....

i think we will leave central ohio thursday night and drive straight on through so the kids can sleep all night.... i am used to being up all night, so it shouldn't be a big deal....

looking forward to seeing everybody!!”

“Excellant! I can't wait to see you again D!”

“Max and I are in, what do I need to do?”

“I would say that I am down graded to improbable. While I will have the kids all next week, I have so much going on that I can't make this one. Hopefully, I will be able to make it to a MI hike next spring.”

“Ah! Shucks! I was hoping you'd help with the snipe hunting, chili. Oh, well, you can make it up to us next year. ;o)

At least you'll be enjoying time with you kids. The only thing better would be enjoying time with them AND us! --- Feeling guilty yet? No? I didn't think so.

:o)”

“Sunshine you're a pro! :) I even feel guilty and I'm going, lol.”

“Given the severe storm and the fact our office has been closed three days this week, I am not even probable at this point. Unless something major happens to free up some time, I won't be able to make it.”