Arriving in Michigan

I confess it was glorious not to be driving. Ben wanted to drive at night, so we granted his wish: drive west on the Interstate and then take US-131 north in Kalamazoo until you come to M-57.

Long ago when my brother and I were young, finding the turn from 131 to 57 could be difficult in the dark. But that was long ago and times have changed. 131 has long been an expressway, so its exits are clearly marked. Although Ben was evidently anxious, it really wasn't that hard.

And soon we were barreling across Western Michigan on that last stretch of road that always seems to go on forever. Then we passed Podunk Road and knew we were near. And then we were on Morgan Mills with the great Oak trees yawning over us. And then we passed 16 Mile Road and quickly came to that place where the woods thins out a bit just before the two-rut driveway that I have driven down so many times.

"Turn here," I said as we got near.

I rolled down the window. The cool air rushed in. The forest was silent. There was a light in the distance thru the trees. It was late, but they left it on for us.

And then we were there.

After 14 hours on the road that day and almost 12 the day before, we parked under the big White Pine, gave hugs to my mother and aunt who woke up to greet us, and grabbed our flashlights and sleeping bags and collapsed in my brother's pop-up camper.

We'd set up the tents tomorrow. Now all we wanted to do was sleep.

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