Boyne City, Michigan: Young State Park, Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail, and Harvest Festival

September 2019, Weekend, 2-nights, Campsite 31

Above: sunset from campsite 31 at Young State Park while seated at fire.

Below: sunset from back of campsite 31 standing next to the water.

Young State Park reservations and campsites

There are three campgrounds in Young State Park, and it was difficult to choose a site beforehand, since this was our first visit. We decided to reserve campsite 31 in Oak campground, and after our arrival, we decided this is one of the better sites. After we had made the reservation, we wanted to arrive a day earlier; however, another camper was on this site the day before. Luckily, they had departed when we arrived.

Young State Park campsite 31.

Campsite 31 is on the lake, and there is a partial lake view from the back of the site (see top photo with fire pit). We would have had an even better view, if we had not backed in as far. We had hoped to park on an angle; however, there was not enough room to do this with our fifth wheel. There are a lot of trees on this campsite. You can see the white site line in front of the trees in the photo of our fifth wheel and truck (half the site is unusable because of the trees). Additionally, gravel had been brought in for this site, and placed only in the area straight into the site. There was standing water around the fire pit when it rained during our stay. 

Condition on campsite 31 at Young State Park after it rained.
Gravel brought in is visible to right of fire pit.

Des Moines, Iowa: DoubleTree by Hilton DSM

September 2019, Weekday, 2-nights, King guestroom 400

Sunrise from guestroom 400

Diamond perks, check-in, and arrival

I stayed in this hotel in 2013 as a Gold member, and received an upgrade to a suite. For this trip, I checked in online, and chose king guestroom 400, because there were no suites showing as a choice. My original reservation had been for two queen beds, because the cost of a king guestroom was more. This king room was probably an upgrade, although the Hilton benefits page says that Diamond members are eligible for an upgrade up to a one bedroom suite. I sometimes wonder if not checking in beforehand gives a better opportunity for an upgrade. I do not recall ever receiving a better guestroom during check-in after choosing one online.

When I arrived, I was told I would receive breakfast both mornings, and I had the choice of a snack bag with two bottles of water, or a beverage coupon to use in the lounge. I chose the snack bag, which contained Chex mix, trail mix, and a few candies in addition to the bottles of water.

Beverage counter in guestroom 400

King guestroom 400

This guestroom is on the top floor at the end of the hall. It overlooks the airport. The building is well soundproofed, and I did not hear any air traffic noise. I did not hear any noise from the hallway the first night, and the second night, the noise was minimal and non-intrusive.

Large safe in closet in guestroom 400

Northeast Lower Michigan: Rifle River Recreation Area

September 2019, Weekend, 2-nights, Primitive campsite #152

Additional photos and information about the recreation area can be found in my Facebook album.

Sign along the road after check-in

Advance reservations and arrival

Rifle River Recreation is 4,449 acres located within the AuSable State Forest. The recreation area includes seven lakes, three ponds, seven miles of trout streams, and four separate campgrounds. Since this was our first visit, choosing a campsite was not an easy task! Grousehaven is the only section with electricity, and this is the campground we initially considered. We have a 35' fifth wheel, which is quite tall, sometimes making it difficult to camp in primitive campgrounds with narrower roads and low branches. After a bit more research, I decided we would not have any trouble getting to any of the campgrounds. We reserved site 152, which is a primitive site in Ranch campground, and hoped for the best. When we arrived to check-in, the representative said we had a fabulous site. It is about three miles to Ranch campground from the entrance on a winding dirt road, so it takes a bit of time to get there pulling a trailer.

Ranch campsite 152.

Ranch campsite 152

This site is spacious and grassy; we loved it! I actually thought all of the campsites in Ranch campground were great. The sites that are not on the river were also grassy and somewhat private.

Ranch campsite 152.
Chairs in the distance are on campsite 153.