For several years we’ve been attending the Hayes Haunt at Hayes State Park, in Onsted, MI, located in the Irish Hills area. Camping and Halloween being two of my loves, we looked forward to the camper decorating, numerous contests and trick or treating, this year being the 15th Annual outing. Friday, October 22nd was sunny, mild and better yet, a vacation day! We pulled our trailer out US-12 to the campground in the early afternoon, the twinkles of sunlight casting shadows through the trees on the pavement. Checking in at the camp office, we found ourselves the first ones to arrive from our group, after stopping in Clinton for last minute groceries, and began to set up our camp. While we waited for the rest of our family to arrive, I borrowed a rake from DNR and cleared the thick cover of leaves from our campsites, before stringing up the lights and putting out pumpkins.
We had arrived about 1pm and noticed many campers there, but no vehicles, figuring many folks came out last night, and worked on Friday. Taking advantage of this gorgeous late fall day, we took a walk through the campground (one of many this weekend!) and also down to the lake to take some pictures while I had the daylight left, and as Saturday and Sunday were calling for a 70% chance of rain. The rest of our family soon arrived and we settled in for a campfire. I made the pudgy pies (or Hobo pies) I spoke of in a previous post, Caramel Apple and Pumpkin. They turned out very well and will likely now be a fall camping tradition!
The next morning I peeked out the blinds of our camper expecting wet pavement, but it was dry. Today was the big day for all the daylong festivities, and I’d prayed the Weather Gods would give us a break. There was a flyer distributed listing a plethora of activities for all age groups, from pumpkin painting to a coloring contest to a scavenger hunt to a donut eating contest. Later would come the costume contest and then trick or treating that night. We were incredibly fortunate, not only did the rain hold out but the day and the evening was unseasonably warm. Only a few slight sprinkles came and went during the donut eating contest, which was held under a tent. We walked the campground after the festivities to vote on our favorite best decorated campsite, and back and forth to bid on items at the Silent Auction tent.
Soon the trick or treaters came and I handed out candy from my plastic pumpkin that I used as a kid, all those years ago. On the bottom was stamped Empire Plastic Company, copyright 1968. I thought back to those years, smiling to myself that I’d kept this thing so long, bringing it down from the attic year after year, somehow still hanging on to it in my adult life. After the goblin traffic slowed down, we re-assembled around the fire ring and enjoyed our last night at camp. The rain came again, later in the evening, but not hard enough to drive us inside. We just sat around the fire with umbrellas, pulling them out as needed. Later that night I saw a flash of light above my sister’s trailer, followed by a boom of thunder, though heavier rain never came.
Sunday arrived, reaching 73 degrees! I was amazed at our luck for great weather this weekend, and we took our time packing up. Hayes was closing today for the season, and there was no checkout time. Cider and donuts were available for breakfast at the host campsite, and they encouraged all the families to take their time packing up and enjoy the day. This was our last trip out with the camper this year, and we spent our time soaking up this glorious Indian summer day that we did not expect to have! Another spectacular Hayes Haunt had come to a close, and the trailers and motorhomes began to trickle out for the ride home.
Pulling out of Hayes for the last time this year, we passed several bikes on US-12 heading east back home. Being the rather warm day it had become, Bill flips on the air conditioning and we immediately smelled something electrical. Having just replaced the blower motor in his truck, we pulled over on the shoulder to check it out, hoping for the best. I had my window down, and a few minutes later, after turning the fan on and off, I heard a rustling sound, looked to my right and saw the most beautiful dark brown horse standing at the fence. I hadn’t realized that we’d pulled off the road along a horse farm, nor had I seen this guy in the pasture when we stopped. Bill has a love for horses and it’s amazing how they are drawn to him, so it was not a surprise to see this guy standing ten feet from our truck. Anywhere we are near horses, Bill is approached by them, like they know. Luckily, he found nothing wrong with the blower motor and the electrical smelled had stopped. We continued down the road, sad to leave our beautiful friend at the fence.
Back home, it’s unpacking and getting ready for the workweek, sorting through pictures, crafting and posting this story to tell. I hope you were able to get out and savor this gorgeous October weekend in Michigan!