Midwest M&G 2009

**Sunline Fan** · 01-10-2009, 11:23 AM

Hi Everyone,

I was just thinking about wouldn't it be nice to have a midwest M&G for those who don't want to travel to PA. I would love to have one in northern MI, but I don't think many people will want to travel that far (but believe me, it's worth it)

I was thinking May 15-17, 2009.

My favorite park that I've found so far is:

Gateway Park Campground, Hillsdale, MI 49242

I'll admit I haven't actually been to the park, but I may take care of that. It's ~25 miles away. (Kathy, you still hold the record)

Anyone interested?

# Site # - Forum Name (# Attendees - real names) – Coach - (Nights Reserved)
1. Site # 20 - JohnB (2 - John & Cindy) - 2004 T-310SR - (FS)
2. Site # 21 - Sunline Fan/JDKuz (3 - Dave, Jill, & Jon) – 2007 T-286SR - (TFSS)
3. Site # 22 - Clueless Campers (2 - Dona & Charlie) - 1997 T-2363 - (TFS)
4. Site # 23 - wheatons on wheels (2 - Chris & Julie) – 1992 T-1661 - (TFS)
5. Site # 24 - _______ (?- Ron & ????? (brother of Rod)) - ??????? - (S)
6. Site # 25 - sunlinefamily(? - Rod & ????) - 2003 T-267SR - (FS)
7. Site # 105 - J&A Lima Oh (2 - Jack & Angela) - 1983 T-2103 - (F)
8. Site # N/A - Special Guest (1) - (S) (Special guest won't be eating there)
9.
10.

MENU:

FRIDAY DINNER -
Hobo Stew - Dona & Charlie
Spuds for Hobo - Chris & Julie
Corn on the cob - Chris & Julie
Fresh Bread - Jill, Dave & Jon
Balsamic Chicken/Zucchini - John & Cindy

SATURDAY DINNER -
Roast Turkey - Dave, Jill & Jon
Stuffing - John & Cindy
Mashed Potatoes & Gravy - Chris & Julie
Roasted Maple Carrots - Dave, Jill & Jon
Fruit Salad - Dona & Charlie

SUNDAY BREAKFAST -
Orange & Apple Juice - Dona & Charlie
Omelets - Dave, Jill & Jon
Breads - John & Cindy
Pancakes - Chris & Julie

Jon

**clueless campers** · 01-10-2009, 01:51 PM

Jon,
We would definitely be interested in somewhere like this

. We were hoping to go to Buttonwood but that is so far from Toledo, OH that we would want to stay more than 2-3 nights after such a long drive and since DH is out of work

we couldn't afford it. I was hoping for something to come up in the southern MI/northwest OH/maybe even northeast IN area.

**JohnB** · 01-10-2009, 02:28 PM

Jon

I looked up Hilldsdale MI. Actually not that far from Coldwater which is where we bought our 1st new Sunline.

Hillsdale is about 230 – 250 miles for us and doable on a long weekend from work. I would have to take off a work day, which is doable pending dates.

So we have interest. Dates we have to check.

As far as the campground, best is if one of us going can drive and see the place or has been there before to report back if possible.

If there is interest, I know of 3 very nice State Parks in sort of north western Ohio that would do well for a small to medium size M & G. Been to all and have tons of pics etc.

Very north west, not that far from you. Very nice.
Harrison Lake SP

More west Ohio. Very nice.
Lake Loramie SP

More west/slight north Ohio. A large state park, also very nice.
Indian Lake SP

So we seem to have 3 of use with interest which is the start of a M & G. Just need a place and a date.

John

**Sunline Fan** · 01-10-2009, 02:44 PM

It's 4.6 miles from the school that I wanted to go to and about 30 miles from the one I'm at, so I can go check it out if need be. Just will need to be after Jan. 20th when I go back there; it's about an hour and a half/92 miles from here.

For anyone else wondering distance, their website has a great feature where you can put in your address and it will tell you how far and give you a map. Click on the "Directions/Map" button.

Jon

**PTHutch** · 01-11-2009, 11:59 AM

Jon,

As JohnB indicated in the ADK M&G topic:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

... I think meets the guidelines of a M & G.

Guideline being needing at least 2….. So I guess we have a quorum.

So I guess you have your quorum here too.

Or as they say "If you schedule it; they will come"

Mary and I will even try to make it. We haven't missed a M&G yet, don't want to start now.

Hutch

**Sunline Fan** · 02-23-2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clueless campers

We just got back from a 2 hr./90 mi. trip to Gateway Park. The owners (Tim and Michelle Wilcox) are very friendly and allowed us to check out the campground. We told them we were interested in a small group get together. Michelle checked and May 15 - 17 and also May 29 - 31 would be available. They have 8 pull throughs with cable tv located between the pool and dumpstation available and also 12 back-in sites without cable. All sites have concrete pad and patio, 6 foot table, firering, elec., water and sewer. The road is gravel. Sites can accomodate slides. They have a very nice playground area with what looked like rubber chips on the ground. There is a basketball hoop, sand volleyball, and a pool that Tim said he would try to have open by May 15 although he can't guarantee that it will be warm. They are going to repaint the pool and paint and update the bathhouse. Sites looked to be about 25 feet wide. We didn't go into the gameroom. They have 2 kayaks, 2 row boats, and 2 pedal boats available for $10/hr. and 4 pontoon boats for $50/hr. They will deliver firewood to site for $5/bundle. It was getting late so we didn't go through the whole campground (missed the rental cabins, lake access and pavillion). There were a few trees in the campsite area and wooded around the edges. We followed the directions that google gave us (accessed from Gateway Park website)--that was a mistake . Sand Lake Rd. is 2 1/2 miles and then another mile of washboard dirt road . I couldn't do much over 10 mph in the Explorer and wouldn't think of taking the Sunline down it. Michelle said that she can tell us another way around when we book. She said to feel free to call (517)-437-7005 with any questions. Rates are $34/$38 a night. The $15/night off-season you mentioned is from mid-Oct. to mid-April.

**JohnB** · 02-23-2009, 09:53 PM

OK, sounds like an OK kinda place, Any one going camping?

Need to start planning. This one falls right before or right after the memorial day weekend so we have to start putting camping dates on the calander.

Anyone going?

Thanks

John

**Sunline Fan** · 02-25-2009, 09:34 AM

I edited the OP to include a list like for Buttonwood. Let's get those numbers up!

Jon

**clueless campers** · 02-27-2009, 07:57 AM

Charlie and I are planning to attend the meet and greet at Gateway Park. I need to verify vacation days I can take then we will book for Thur., Fri. and Sat. or Fri., Sat. and Sun. With any luck, we can book for Thur., Fri., Sat. and Sun. We are hoping to get one of the pull-through sites.

Charlie and Dona (clueless campers)

**JohnB** · 02-27-2009, 09:18 PM

Hi Charlie

Have we settled on a date?

On sites, you have been there, is this pic of the pull thru’s?
http://www.michcampgrounds.com/gatew...g=100_1250.jpg

Where on the map are they?
http://www.michcampgrounds.com/gatewaypark/sitemap.pdf

Ideally we can get sites next to each other. So far there are 4 of use with interest and no one yet committed. Small group maybe will grow a little more yet or we will have a small group.

If 2 of us at least sign up, well we have a M & G!!! I have to sort out the dates to see if this works. Right now leaning to the May 15 – 17 and maybe come up on Thursday 14th as the following week are already going to be out 4 days on memorial day. Will check with the better half and report back.

What date are you planning for?

Thanks

John

**clueless campers** · 02-28-2009, 02:50 PM

JohnB,

Looks like the weekend of May 15 - 17. I got Thursday and Sunday nights approved for vacation days when I went into work last night. We are planning on Thur., Fri. and Sat. for sure and probably Sun. too.

Yes, those are the pull through sites. When you enter the park, the game room is on the left and the office is on the right. The pool is past the office and sites #19 thru #26 are pull throughs. Sites #92 thru #105 are actually past #26 and more in line with the long row below the pool.

If you checked the link for their reservations, you see that you put in a request and they get back to you. There is a box for comments, so we can request sites next to each other. The only place we've been so far is Maumee Bay State Park and you pick the site you want. I think I'd like to talk with Tim or Michelle in person since I will need to verify directions.Need to avoid the dirt road and the 10 foot overpass they sent us under to get back home. Michelle said that someone lost the top of their camper on the way back from the races at MIS last year so be sure to ask for directions when booking.

Sunline Fan editted the OP so when we have our sites locked in they can be put on list like the one for Buttonwood. I'm just waiting to get a phone call through and we will book.

Looking forward to meeting you and other Sunline owners.

Dona and Charlie

**clueless campers** · 02-28-2009, 04:56 PM

Just got off the phone with Michelle. We will lock in site #22 Monday morning. We will be staying Thurs., Fri., Sat. and Sun. nights. She said that #21 - #24 are the best sites and that she will hold them for the "Sunline Group". Just tell her you are part of the group when making reservations.

Also got some more info:
1) pull through sites are 30 feet wide and can accomodate a 60 foot rig.
2) 4 showers for guys and 4 for ladies. Ladies also have a washer and
dryer and they hope to have one for the men too.
3) pavillion is behind the gameroom. There is a grill and tables that we
can use for get togethers.
4) the gameroom has a pool table, air hockey and 3 video games that
are changed periodically.
5) they do have well water but it is softened.
6) they will allow you to run a tab at the store.
7) last year propane was $17 for 20 lbs. and $26.50 for 30 lbs. and
should be about the same this year.

Let's try to fill up at least the pull through sites

Dona and Charlie

**JohnB** · 02-28-2009, 09:03 PM

Dona and Charlie

May 15 – 17th is the weekend.

Well, just talked to the better half and we are going camping with you. Yeh.

Right now it looks like we are arriving on Friday and then out on Sunday afternoon. We “might” be able to work in Sunday night too, but don’t know yet.

I just checked the map. 212 miles north for us. And I see this is not that far from Coldwater MI where we bought our first Sunline.

We will pic site 23 right next to you. I will try and call them on Sunday but doubt they are open. I have sent in the reservation form and requested site 23. I had to do it 3 times at there was a server error, but it took the 3rd time. Will see what comes back.

Well I guess we have a M & G in formation as there are 2 of us almost signed up.

A 10 foot over pass.

Ouch.

That will clip off my AC unit….. Thanks for the heads up.

Also want to talk to you about Maumee Bay State Park as we have not yet camped there but have been wanting to.

Look forward to meeting you too and more Sunliners.

John

**Sunline Fan** · 02-28-2009, 09:44 PM

My mom is too chicken to post (oh will I pay for that...), I reserved site #21 tonight online.

Now I've got work to do!

Jon

JDKuz · 02-28-2009, 10:00 PM

He who makes reservations and posts, pays the bill

Can't wait to see everyone attending the Midwest M & G in May!

Jill

**clueless campers** · 03-02-2009, 10:04 AM

I just talked to Michelle and we are booked on site #22 for Thur., Fri., and Sat. Once we get there, we may also stay Sun.

Of the 4 who showed interest, PTHutch is the only one not booked yet. I see that he's been busy lately with the t-shirts for Buttonwood.

It would be nice to get some more Sunline owners to join us. There must be more in Michigan and I've seen posts from Indiana too.

To anyone booking, please be sure to get directions around the dirt road and the 10 foot overpass.

**PTHutch** · 03-02-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clueless campers

Of the 4 who showed interest, PTHutch is the only one not booked yet.

Right now it doesn't look like we'll be able to make it.
Mary has some other conflicts that week-end.

Sorry, it would have been nice to join everyone.
Hutch

**JohnB** · 03-02-2009, 07:25 PM

We are booked. Site 23. Michelle emailed me from the online reservation I out in that 23 was held for us and then she called Cindy for credit card info.

So John and Cindy Coming in on Friday and leaving on Sunday as of right now. Trying to work in maybe Sunday night too but don’t know yet. Plan is to arrive early afternoon on Friday.

Ok is it time to go yet?

I also have to sort out this 10 foot overpass….. Does anyone know what road it is on or direction? With all the mapping/satellite software now a days I should be able to see it if we know what road it is on.

Thanks

John

**clueless campers** · 03-03-2009, 08:00 AM

John,

The overpass is on Hallett (the same road Gateway Park is on). It s about 2 1/2 to 3 miles to the east. If you are coming up 99/34, go past Hallett - turn left on East Bacon - left on North Bunn - Right on West Hallett.

Sand Lake Rd. is the dirt road. It is about 1/2 mile to the west of Gateway Park.

**Sunline Fan** · 03-31-2009, 09:09 PM

To all interested in the Midwest M&G:

I'm going down there to check it out tomorrow afternoon. I'll be taking my camera to hopefully get some pics of the sites and the park.

If there's anything y'all would like asked or checked out, let me know before 1:00 tomorrow.

Jon