Clear Lake State Park -- Atlanta, MI

Tuesday morning started out with bright blue sunny skies, so we decided to pack up some lunches and the towels, and head over to the day use area of Clear Lake State Park in Atlanta, MI.  We took Casey along with us, thinking that there might be an area for her to swim, too.  It was clouding up a little bit as we headed north and east, but by the time we got there, the clouds had all blown away.

When we arrived at the day use area, there was just one other family there.  They have a shady picnic area with a shelter, restrooms and horseshoe pits, and a large sandy swimming beach. 

It was getting steamy already, so we unloaded the truck, hooked Casey up to a picnic table at the edge of the picnic area, and jumped in the water.  It was a little chilly, but felt really refreshing!

Casey was jealous that we were in the water without her, so after we cooled off a bit, we took her to an area just outside the swimming area and let her chase a stick for awhile -- she loves that!

We swam a few more times, ate our lunches, and Bryce built a sand alligator with Tom's help. 

As the day went on, more and more families arrived to enjoy this beautiful day at the beach.  The boys were getting bored after awhile, and we needed to get back in time to clean up for the RV-Dreams Pizza Buffet dinner at 6pm, so we left the park around 2:00.  On the way back to the RV Resort, we stopped in Hillman to have an ice cream cone at Lickety Splits, and to get Bryce some worms so he could do some more fishing in the pond.

The pizza buffet was really good, with salad, watermelon, breadsticks, pizza and pop.  After dinner, Nicolas opened up the dovetail door, and I was able to get a couple pictures of his "Man Cave."

We joined the rest of the RV-Dreamers under the tent then, and enjoyed dessert of key lime pie and peanut butter crunch bars -- both very good!  We sat and chatted for awhile, and made plans with Howard and Linda to float the Au Sable River on Wednesday.  In anticipation of the trip, Nicolas and Bryce inflated all of our tubes and Nick's boat -- making sure that all of them were sea worthy! Once the mosquitos started swarming at 10pm, everybody departed for their air conditioned RVs, and called it a night!  Check back tomorrow to see how our float trip goes!!