Tag Archives: outdoor

Review – Frankenmuth Jelly Stone Park

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We had a great Holiday weekend in Frankenmuth this year at the Jellystone park located right out-of-town.  I wasn’t looking forward to going to this park, but it was the only place we could get reservations at, and I called back in January.  I was pleasantly surprised at everything.  The park, the town, the weather, and our neighbors.  Yes, the neighbors that live behind us ending up being next to us at the campground.  Everyone was friendly, the park was clean and had a good setup for kids – and bonus: Indoor Heated Pool!  (Because you never know the Michigan weather)

They had a large playground for the kids, newer cabins, activities during the day, ice cream cart that went around selling ice cream bars, putt-putt (but the greens were horrible, filled with pine needles) laundry facilities, and mostly blacktop roads.

The only downfall of the park was the extremely small lots. Our awning was literally hitting the camper next to us and our water hookup was at the base of our neighbors camper stairs. You would think when laying out these things, they would have took this into consideration. We had to bring our own fire pit due to a city ordinance, but that’s not the parks fault.  They do have community fire pits available.

What I Like What They Offered
Activities for the Kids •
Pool •
Full Hook Up •
WiFi •
Cable •
Playground •
Grocery Store •
Ice Cream •
Paved Roads •
Paved Pads
Grass Lots •
Shade Trees •
Friendly Campers •
Friendly Staff •
Overall Clean •

Frankenmuth was quite a surprise.  There’s a ton of little shops, all with unique things to pick from.  The doggie Olympics was very busy.  There was a pet parade, dock dogs (which is my son’s fav) and something that looked like an obstacle course for the dogs.  There were dogs everywhere, so if you don’t like them, like my hubby, you should stay away on this weekend.  He actually did quite well walking around there with all the dogs.

We stopped at Tiffany’s in town for lunch and I highly suggest the perogies.  They were awesome, and had to fight my son off the last one. If you don’t eat quick around the boy, you will starve :-)   I had the Ceaser salad and it was good.  My daughter got butter noodles and they were all homemade, and delic!

There also was a hot air balloon festival and topped it off with fireworks and a balloon glow on Sunday night.  The balloon glow was amazing.  They set up about 15 hot air balloons on a field, all tethered to the ground.  Then they would light up the balloons with their fire heaters, and take turns to make them ‘twinkle’.  So glad I made the fam pack up and hike up to town to see this.  (I’m a sucker for fireworks)

The weekend was a great time and we had fun. Have you ever stayed here before and what do you love about Frankenmuth?

(Images: Frankenmuth Jellystone Park, Tiffany’s Food & Spirits)

Proof He’s Mine

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We found this great little cupcake shop in Frankenmuth, called Sugar High (and is so appropriate)

Ted bought one of their German Chocolate cupcakes and while eating it dropped his fork. So needles to say, he had to stop eating and was carrying the remainder in it’s little plastic care package. (It was so good, I’m a little surprised he didn’t use the 5 second rule and pick up the fork). He handed the cupcake package to my son, who didn’t hold it with the care of his dad. It was sideways, frosting smeared on the container, just a mess. Ted took it back from my son, and shot him a look. My son, without missing a beat rattled off ‘well you should have held your precious cupcake then’. We were shocked and couldn’t help but laugh. That’s My Boy!

What things have your kids said/did that caught you off guard? (But of course, had to laugh)

Boo Boo, Here We Come

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It’s finally here, the day the kids have been waiting for all winter, BC (Big Camper) is coming home. She’s sitting in the driveway, now cleaned and mice free (thank god!) It’s amazing how dirty something gets sitting in storage. The kids have ransacked their bedroom, found old toys from last summer and reliving those memories. And now the start of another season, and more memory building.

This year we’re headed to Jellystone Park in Frankenmuth, MI.


It’s our first time there and hoping for the best. There’s a Hot Air Balloon Festival, Doggie Olympics, and Fireworks on Sunday night. The kids will be in heaven.

What are some of your best Memorial Day vacation memories?

Review: Harbor Town – Monroe Mi

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All I can say about Harbor Town is We Love It!  It’s what we measure all others against.  We’ve been there about 6 times over the last two years. It also helps that it’s close, I’m not a good car traveler.  (Who would think?  I buy a camper and I hate to ride in the truck)

What brings us back is the staff.  They are so friendly, hard-working and keep the place in shape.  Crazy Christie keeps the kids busy, there’s usually Pizza and Cotton Candy on Fridays, to go along with games in the clubhouse. Saturday they start early around 10am and keep the kids busy all day. (Field sports, dunk tanks, candy bar bingo, magic shows, balloon animals, clowns, games, and let’s not forget the chocolate slip and slide.  And if they don’t like any of that, there’s a great heated pool, playground, and family fun center next door with complete with go karts. We usually hit those a few times, now that my son can drive one on his own, we must race. My daughter just giggles at every turn, and it just makes me laugh so hard.

Saturdays nights are my favorite, so many people out walking around, chatting with others, and Christie is the DJ in the pavilion with a variety of music. If you’re a gambling man, there’s even a 50/50 raffle to spice things up.  My mother-in-law did win once and it’s usually a pretty good amount.


What I Like What They Offered
Activities for the Kids •
Pool •
Full Hook Up •
Playground •
Grocery Store •
Ice Cream •
Paved Roads •
Paved Pads •
Grass Lots •
Shade Trees
Friendly Campers •
Friendly Staff •
Overall Clean •

The only thing on my wish list there, is the need for more trees.  If your camper is parked East/West you get sun all day and night.  We try to get site 141 which faces north/south so you get some shade in the afternoon.  You can see more and make reservations at their site here.  If you do go, please let me know what you think of the place.  I have heard their Halloween weekend are great too!

(Images: Harbor Town RV Resort)

Review: River Ridge Resort – Stanwood, MI

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My son wanted to go camping for his birthday, and we’ve been wanting to explore the west side of Michigan.  Searching online brought me to River Ridge Resort in Stanwood.  The photos sold me:

Who wouldn’t love that pool!

Great landscaped sites with paved pad and firepits

Great new playground where the kids spent a ton of time.

When we got there, they greeted you at the gate to escort you to your site and help you back in, which was cool with me, I’m not the best with directing. It was the prettiest campground we’ve ever camped at and tt’s positioned at the top of a hill and overlooks a large river. There was plenty of fishing and boating happening in the river. They have golf carts for rent and we got our use out of it the day we rented.  I think my daughter loved it the most, she wanted to drive but at 3, we all figured that wouldn’t be the best decision.

There was a very nice club house that overlooked the pool, basketball court, shuffle board, and 78 steps down to the river – Yep we counted as we climbed.


We Like They Had
Activities for Kids
Pool (Heated)  •
Full Hook Up  •
Playground  •
Grocery Store  •
Ice Cream  •
Paved Roads  •
Paved Pads  •
Grass Lots  •
Shade Trees
Friendly Campers
Friendly Staff
Overall Clean  •

We only talked with a few other campers, most kept to themselves.  We joked with one at the pool, the water was really cold, but recieved strange looks.  Secretly wondered if it was a secret society ;-) Overall, it was a nice place, but wish the other camper’s we’re friendlier, they made us feel like we were very much outsiders.  His birthday was great by the way!  I’ll share the adventures of the electric scooter in another post.

You can learn more about River Ridge here and if you do stay let me know how it was.  Maybe it was just us.

(Images: River Ridge RV Resort)