The popular television show “Good Morning America” recently did a segment on what is looking like some of the popular summer vacations and activities for people and families in the upcoming months.
Thanks to the vaccines, things are more upbeat this summer in terms of people feeling a little safer about getting outside for some fun activities. However, they stressed that many will be still keeping safety in their mind and staying closer to home in these “vaccications”.
One thing that the “Good Morning America” piece said would be big this year is camping, and early reservation numbers from campgrounds around the state of Michigan show that is already taking place. Those who have trailers can feel especially safe in this activity, but campers of all kinds know that being outside leaves them at less risk of catching COVID-19.
Manistee County has plenty of great camping opportunities for those who want to explore the outdoors. One in particular that will have a new look this year is the Orchard Beach State Park that is scheduled to open at the end June after undergoing some upgrades.
The reason for the late start at Orchard Beach this year is the $1.5 million effort that took place late last year to move the 850 ton shelterhouse off the edge of Lake Michigan to a safer location in the northern part of the park. Massive erosion over the past several years along the Lake Michigan shoreline threatened to send the historic structure over the edge, but capital outlay funding from the Department of Natural Resources paid for the move to save the historic structure.
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If you haven’t taken a ride by the park in a while, you should see how everything is coming together in this exciting project. The park has always been a favorite draw for people around the state and Midwest to visit, but even more so after the renovations.
Now for decades to come, future generations of people who have camped at Orchard Beach State Park over the years can come and enjoy a historic building that maybe their grandparents, great-grandparents and possibly great-great-grandparents enjoyed.
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The fact of the matter is people still don’t feel safe at some of the traditional summer gatherings and festival events. However, some smart marketing by local officials could draw lots of people to Manistee’s version of “God’s country” for summer camping and fun outdoor activities.
Those of us who call this place home realize we live where others vacation.
Here in Manistee County we are blessed with an abundance of outdoor activities for those looking to wash off some of the cobwebs from our COVID-19 winter of discontent. It’s like getting a doctor’s prescription for fun things to do that the whole family can enjoy.
What is even nicer is with the vaccines doing a great job of protecting older people, it allows grandma and grandpa to join in the camping and outdoor fun with the rest of family as well this summer.
There are plenty of hiking trails to explore, and lots of good of good biking opportunities from one end of Manistee County to the other. Locals and visitors are able to enjoy day excursions that can be based out of a campground anywhere in the county and offer everything from hiking in the woods to along the shores of Lake Michigan.
And speaking of Lake Michigan … is there a bigger selling point than that to anyone wanting some outdoor fun? Be it swimming, boating, fishing or just watching some million dollar sunsets, the possibilities are endless.
Out in the Manistee National Forest on the other side of the county is the opportunity for hiking, canoeing, mountain biking or tossing a line in the river for some great fly fishing.
What is nice about all of these activities is they aren’t just for the people from other areas to come and enjoy. It can be a close-to-home day of fun for local residents just as well, and one where they can just pack a lunch for a day outdoors.
In these tight economic times, there is more good news about getting out and enjoying the outdoors — many of the activities don’t cost a cent. There are camping fees, but much of the rest to enjoy — the water, trails and scenery — is totally free.
The even better thing is the special memories it creates for families and the quality time they spend together. It is a pretty good bet that in years to come the kids of today will recall swimming, fishing, hiking and sitting around a campfire much more than sitting inside in front of a television set or computer.
The big challenge is getting the actual incentive to get up and do it. So whether doing something in our own backyard of Manistee County or getting out to one of the other great campgrounds around the state, make it a summer to remember.
More importantly it will improve the disposition of the entire family who have all endured so much over the past winter and year with COVID-19. We all need to enjoy that pure fun of being a kid or just young at heart more than ever right now.
Slowly, but surely we are coming back from this COVID-19 nightmare. Nothing can help your mental disposition more than a good dose of sunshine on a warm day.
So start planning your outdoor activities right now for the upcoming summer months. It’s something you will enjoy long after I see you again on Monday.
Ken Grabowski is the retired associate editor at the Manistee News Advocate. He can be reached at grubba65@yahoo.com.
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