31 May 2025 - Arrived at Fort Custer Campground in Augusta MI + Dinner with Daughter Jennifer

 

This morning started with a lot of hugs and farewells as our Alliance FamAlly departed from the 2025 Alliance RV Rally at the Elkhart County 4H Fairgrounds campground.  We had a fantastic time but are tired after long days and lots of activities.  We were glad to learn this morning that our money raised amount had increased due to the bidding at last night's closing event, and the new total is $42,287.00.  This is a direct reflection on the generosity of the Alliance owners.  They would give you the shirt off their back, or the dollars out of their wallets! 

Doreen and I loitered for a while at the fairgrounds as our travels today were short, just about 80 mile to Fort Custer campground between Kalamazoo and Battle Creek MI.  Their check-in time was 1500 hrs.  I called and our site was unoccupied so they said we could arrive early.

We departed Elkhart at 1206 hrs and we headed north from Indiana into Michigan.  

Without stopping, we arrived at Fort Custer Campground at 1352 hrs after driving 80 miles. I had checked-in online, but we were required to purchase an non-resident recreation permit.  Our choice was an annual permit for $41 or individual day permits that we had to purchase each day, so we chose the easier one even though it was a bit more expensive.  Since our campsite is electric only we had to stop and upload potable (that's "po" like potato, not "po" like a flower pot) water into our fresh tank, but just enough for a three night stay. 

 

We made our way to our campsite, which I picked using Google Maps aerial view.  I thought I had picked one that we would have satellite visibility, but a single tree blocked our view.  No problem for just three nights.  This park is very wooded, very rustic.  The good news is my levelers worked first time!  Thank you Lippert!!!

I texted our daughter to let her know we had touched-down here and she said our grandson Lucas was out here running and may stop and see us.  Lucas graduates from high school tomorrow and in a couple weeks he leaves for Army basic training.  We are here for his high school graduation and to see him before he leaves.  Our travels will take us to Fort Sill OK where his basic training is, and his graduation there is at the end of August and we will be there for that!  I would not miss it!  We are so proud of this young man.  He is doing what I did - departing days after high school graduation for basic training.  He will have a blast.  Lucas is a very smart young man and will do outstanding as a 68W (pronounced sixty-eight whiskey) Combat Medic.  HIs goal is to pursue Ranger training and be the best he can be.  I am envious of this young man.  He has his whole life ahead of him and will meet friends for life.   He is laser-focused and will do great things!  And we will be right there to support him.

Not long after setting up our camper there was a knock on the door and it was Lucas.  My picture is not good, but we were very glad to see him!  Anyone know what Doreen's tee shirt means??

Daughter Jennifer invited us over for dinner, so Lucas headed back and we wrapped things up at the camper and headed to Jennifer's house.  They live on an acreage north of Battle Creek.  While son-in-law James grilled dinner, Lucas and sister Lindsey and I went outside and put a few rounds downrange with my Ruger Mark IV Tactical and a Silencerco suppressor!  So much fun and no need for hearing protection.  Our legislators need to get H.R.404 - Hearing Protection Act passed!  

We ran out of sub-sonic ammo, so we took the suppressor off and shot Lucas's regular 22LR ammo.

Lucas with the suppressor

After dinner, Jennifer took us out and introduced us to her "girls", her brood of laying hens.  They are relatively young and have not yet started laying.  They love table scraps of vegetables and they really love water melon!  

We thanked Jennifer for dinner and headed back to the campground to let Liberty out, but not before grabbing a selfie and a hug,  We don't see Jennifer and her family that often so we appreciate these moments!

Back at the campground we relaxed a bit and then enjoyed the evening.  It is now 7 minutes past midnight which is typical for my blog completion.  Good night all!  We have a high school mass and graduation to attend tomorrow!

Thanks for tagging along!