Camping with Alex

July 10-14, 2005

We headed off to Lakeport State Park for a camping trip with our older grandson, Alex. Alex is six, but will be seven in a few days.

Our campsite was right next to the playground, which was a popular gathering spot for kids. Alex spent a lot of time on the playground, trying to keep up with the older kids.
 

Alex made friends with several kids his age and spent a lot of time biking around the campground with them.
 

We had hot dogs a couple of nights; Alex cooked his own over the campfire.
 

Toasting marshmallows for dessert was another fun activity.
 

 We carry an inflatable kayak in the motor home. Alex helped pump it up; he managed to work the pump pretty well. With a little urging from Grandpa, Alex tried his hand at kayaking. But he didn't find kayaking much fun; the kayak paddle is rather large for a six year old and he found it hard to handle. Also, the Lake Huron shoreline is rather boring for kayaking. So this was a one-time activity.
 

With all that activity, Alex slept well at night.
 

Port Huron has some interesting museums. Alex is investigating the mushroom anchor for the Huron Lightship. Lightships were used in the great lakes in places where it was impractical to put a light house. This light ship was stationed in Lake Huron about 6 miles from Port Huron to warn ships of rocky shoals in the area. The light at the top of the mast could be seen for 14 miles in clear weather.
 

We also toured the Coast Guard cutter, Bramble, which was decommissioned in 2003.
 

Alex got to sit in the captain's chair and to toot the horn when a sightseeing boat passed by.
 

Under the Blue Water Bridge to Canada is a neat museum devoted to Thomas Alva Edison.
 

We learned that Edison lived in Port Huron as a child.. His first job was selling newspapers on the train from Port Huron to Detroit, so he rode to Detroit and back every day. During free time on the trip he would do chemistry experiments in an unused baggage car, until one of his experiments went awry and set the baggage car on fire!

The museum has many interactive exhibits that appealed to Alex.
 

After all this museum sightseeing, an ice cream cone is very refreshing, even if you do get it all over your face!
 

Some quality time with Grandma. Alex is providing consultative services for a video game.
 

That brings the camping trip with Alex to a close. Next we head back to his home to help him celebrate his seventh birthday.