Do you have plans for Memorial Day Weekend?

Memorial Day Weekend is always thought of as the unofficial start to summer and with the warm weather this week if even feels like summer. I know a lot of folks will be heading to one of Michigan's beautiful state park campgrounds for a weekend of camping. The forecast would appear great for the droves of people looking to hang out at the beach. We don't have any big travel plans, but that's okay. I have a bunch of work to finish in the garden and other various projects that I want to get knocked out before we really ease into those lazy hazy days of summer.

We'll most likely have a cookout, stand and clap for the local veterans in the Memorial Day parade, and head out to one of the area cemeteries for a Memorial Day Service headed up by the local VFW. How about you? What are your plans?

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Sleep in a Tipi at Wilson State Park

Want to stay someplace so unique that your kids will talk about it years later? Wilson State Park offers such a place. For $30 you can spend the night in an actual tribal replica tipi. The 20-foot tall tipi stands on a wooden platform and sleeps up to four people. Don't worry, the park staff will have your tipi set up for you in advance. Just call 1-800-44PARKS or on the web at www.midnrreservations.com to make your tipi reservation. Wilson State Park originally was the site of the Wilson Brothers Sawmill and Company Store, which was a big part of the lumber boom in the late 1800s. Located on Budd Lake just north of Harrison, Wilson State Park offers swimming, fishing, hiking, and even a metal detection area.

Apparently metal detecting is so big at Wilson State Park that they have a designated area. Those wishing to use metal detectors are limited to the beach area only. Evidently since there was a lumber mill and other buildings previously located at the park people have been using metal detectors in the campground and other areas and making a mess with their digging.

If you go:

From S. US 27 to Harrison Exit, right 3.5 miles to park; from N. US 27 to Harrison Exit, right 4 miles to park.

P.S. Don't forget to purchase your annual state park pass for $24. A daily state park pass will cost $6, but if you are staying a couple of nights you might as well spend a little extra and get the annual pass. That way you won't have an excuse to not check out Michigan's many other state parks this summer.