South Haven, Michigan: VanBuren State Park, Bicycle Trail, Breweries

 May 2021, weekend, 2-nights

Sunset at VanBuren State Park

You can find information about this campground and the area by following this link to my previous post from our visit in August 2020. This post is mostly just to provide information about our campsite this trip; site 220. And, new info since our last visit.

Arrival and check-in

The office was staffed when we arrived Friday afternoon, and we waited behind one person. The check-in process went pretty quick when it became our turn.

Campsite 220 at VanBuren State Park
Our trailer was parked on the right; just outside this view

Campsite 220

Unfortunately, I have only one photo of this campsite. I can, however, provide a bit more information than what is listed on the reservation site. This site is spacious, level, and private. We had plenty of room for our trailer, truck, a small tent, and second vehicle.

Moon shot from campsite 220 at VanBuren State Park

Grand Rapids and West, Michigan: World of Winter and Outdoor Dining

 December 2020 - January 2021

I am sharing a few of our outside experiences during COVID-19 in Michigan. Restaurants, bars, breweries, wineries, etc. have all been closed in Michigan since mid-November. The current reopen date is February 1, 2021.

Rosa Parks Circle where ice games were set up
(photo taken before games were out)

Grand Rapids World of Winter

We visited Grand Rapids two times after Christmas; once in December, and once in late January. We were surprised to see the city so empty after Christmas. Downtown was mostly empty in January also, although the area was getting a tad busier on Saturday afternoon before we departed. 

Before our second visit, we had seen photos online of some of the ice games, such as fuse ball, and bag toss. We had hoped more of the ice sculptures might be out early (they are usually out around the start of February); however, they were not. In fact, we did not see a couple of things that were on the World of Winter calendar, even though the start date for them was before we were there: the Ice Piano (Canal Park), and Grand Illuminations (Gillette Bridge behind DeVos Hall). The Singing Tree was not lit or signing when we walked through Canal Park. The original start time for this display was 11AM, so possibly it shuts off overnight until 11AM, although it does not specify that on the calendar. We walked through Canal Park in the late morning before 11:00. Our favorite display was the interactive seesaws--much cooler than portrayed in the video above! Yes, we went on one. 😊

Blue Water Bridge in distance

South Haven, Michigan: Van Buren State Park, Van Buren Trail Connector, Downtown area

 August 2020, 3-nights, Weeknight-Weekend

Campsite 162 at Van Buren State Park. 
Photo taken from edge of site next to fire ring.

Van Buren State Park campsite 162

This is a nice large campsite with trees around most of the perimeter. The only opening is at the back corner, between this campsite and site 156. The site is level with a bit of grass. I am surprised that this site is often available when many around it are reserved. I think it is a better site than many near it. It is a 50 amp site, which we did not need. We had made the reservation before selling our fifth wheel, and downsizing to our current camper. 

Campsite 162 at Van Buren State Park.
Click on photo to enlarge it and see details.