Cliffside and Cream Puffs

 

We took three days and shot up to Wisconsin last weekend.  Here is what we learned on this trip:

Downsizing means you can pack the cooler the night before and put the entire thing in the 'fridge.  We have a very large fridge.  But the cooler is very small.  We like to cook when we camp, so this small cooler was definitely a challenge. The small kitchen, in general, was a challenge. So far, the cooking had only been breakfasts. They are easy. A half batch of homemade buttermilk pancakes is plenty for two people.  This time, we did suppers and generally speaking, they require more equipment.  I found some cute (tiny) items to help.  I have also ordered sample size spice packets from Penzey's. They should make camp life more flavorful!

Set the bed up before you leave. This worked out great! It's just the two of us and we wouldn't be using the bench seat anyway. When we got there at 10:30p, all we had to do was swivel the seats, but the food on the floor in front of driver and passenger, move our luggage to the captain's seats and pop the top. Simple! We left the bed in place the whole trip. The tray we purchased to protect the back deck worked well on top of the bed to hold the food and our luggage when we needed the driver and passenger seats. Pillows helped insulate the wimpy cooler.

 

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Fighting gravity all night is not much fun.  We need some simple way to level the van.  It can't take up much room, and needs to be in small height increments.  

 The Wisconsin State Fair is popular!  Parking is insane and all of it is far away.  After three attempts at getting in (back to car for shoe change, back to car to return items that didn't clear security) we entered the masses.  I'm a little afraid of heights, but the first thing we did was jump on the Sky Tram to ride to the far side of the park, and get an aerial view of the layout.  After a few deep breaths and some mind control, I convinced myself it was worth it.  I've been able to do ski lifts in the past, and this shouldn't be any different.  It sure beat walking to the other end of the park through a million other fairgoers.

If you are looking for really good fair food, follow the smoke.  The baby back ribs were expensive, but delicious.   

Cream Puffs must be 90% air.  They are delightfully sweet and cold and messy to eat. They are decadent and fun, but when you are done you wonder if you have really actually eaten anything.  If you are hungry, you might need to buy a 6 pack ($25 - LOL).

 

The campground is called Cliffside for a reason. We camped at Cliffside Park in Racine, WI.  It is a lovely, well tended county park with generous sized sites and plenty of shade. Restrooms are clean, a bike trail is near by, and there are Alpaca and a rooster as neighbors. We've camped there several times in the past, but always on the way to or from somewhere, without a lot of time to explore. On Sunday morning we had time to hike, and all of the trails led to Lake Michigan - but all ended at the top of an eroding 50ft sand cliff.  (Remember my fear of heights.)  I was really hoping to walk a beach and feel the water spray and hear the waves.  Sigh.

 

 

 

The local lighthouse is called Wind Point for a reason.  Still searching for a beach, we headed south to the Wind Point lighthouse.  We have also been there before.  A few years back, we got to tour the lighthouse.  My husband and daughter (both quite tall) made it to the top.  I (fear of heights) went a third of the way up and waited by a tiny window for them to come back down.  My daughter smashed her head at the top, and came down concussed.  This time, it was very windy and starting to rain, and the waves were pretty aggressive, and the beach was very rocky. It was pretty, but we were tired from poor sleep and hiking up cliffs. So much for a beach day.  

 It's called Lake Michigan for a reason.  It's not Lake Wisconsin. Wisconsin is NOT Michigan.  We really love Michigan.  Our happy place is a beautiful beach in (its a secret) Michigan. Packing a beach blanket, cabana and sun umbrella for this trip was just a little bit too optimistic, I guess.   

You can surf on Lake Michigan.  The waves were so aggressive that a guy came out and started surfing them!  I am guessing they were 3 ft waves.  He did get to stand up, but didn't ride the board very far before he was done.  Seemed like a lot of work for a little fun, but the next day the forecast was for 5-9ft waves!  We are thinking he was just warming up for the big ones. 

The small space in the Metris gets even smaller when it is raining.   Make sure you really love the person you are camping with, because you will be in each other's faces the whole time it is raining.  We are kind of spoiled by camping in our pop up trailer.  It has a king size bed at each end, with a couch and dinette in between. There is an indoor kitchen with a three burner stove, and running hot and cold water. Sounds like the Taj Mahal compared to the Metris! The awning helped some, but make sure you angle it away from the passenger window, and that you occasionally dump the puddles that collect on top.

Don't park under the light poles.  Most parking lots near Lake Michigan have giant seagulls that POOP on everything.  They hang out on top of the light poles. They are loud and annoying and messy. 

 

These lights are the BOMB!   We purchased them with indoor lighting in mind, but they are not bright enough and there is no way to attach them inside the van.  Outside, under the awning, they are perfect. They can be solid in any color, multi color, and have special effects, if desired. We clipped them on with clothes pins, and it was like an instant party!   The next day I actually got them back into the original (small) box. 

 You can retract the awning, drop the pop-top, and go back to bed!  Heavy rain was forecast for Monday, so that morning we got up at 6:30a and put everything away while it was dry, and went back to sleep for a few hours.  Because the pop-top was down, we cracked the sliding doors and front windows a bit for circulation, and kept the fan going using battery power. 

Never underestimate the value of a good night's sleep.   After three nights of not sleeping well, we were grumpy campers.  A memory foam mattress will probably be the next major purchase for the van - just trying to decide on thickness, and how to store it when not using it. Fly screens will probably be on the list, as well.  

Illinois Toll Road cameras can't read your temporary rear license plate during a torrential rain storm.  Heading home Monday, when we were just approaching I90-94, the most traffic of the trip, we hit the toll road and the monsoon at the same time.  You couldn't see the car in front of you or the semi truck beside you.  It was intense.  But we probably won't have to pay a fee for the experience. 

Never stop learning.  This was our third camping trip with the Metris.  Some things were easier, and some things didn't go as planned.  We still have a lot to learn, but isn't that the point of the adventure?