Day 5 - Alpaca’d Up and On the Road Again
September 23rd, 2025
After a peaceful night’s sleep at the alpaca farm, we headed two hours west to Holland, MI, home to the Midwest dealer for Leisure Travel Vans. Jess was having some trouble with the Apple TVs, and I had a list of questions about our 400 watts of solar power, the inverter, and some of the high-tech monitoring systems. We had called ahead the day before, and Kyle in the service department told us, “Come on by in the morning and we’ll be glad to help.”
When we pulled in at Holland RV & Bus Company, we were amazed to see Leisure Travel Vans stacked up like cordwood, alongside massive luxury coach buses—the kind entertainers and athletes use to tour the country. Kyle (who couldn’t have been nicer or more knowledgeable) had the TVs running and answered all my questions in less than an hour. With a couple of ham & turkey sandwiches made and eaten, we were back on the road.
Our next stop was just 45 minutes north—Fisherman’s Landing Campground in Muskegon, MI. The drive up Route 31 was quick and scenic, and when we arrived, Kate in the campground office had already marked our waterfront spot on the shores of Muskegon Lake (which connects into Lake Michigan). It felt more like a harbor—pristine grounds, lush irrigated grass, well-kept trees, level spaces, and even full bathhouses. The campground also doubles as a venue for concerts and community events. Kate mentioned that the town has been considering redeveloping the site into a cruise ship dock, but for now, it’s still a gem of a campground.
By the time we got settled, it was creeping toward five o’clock—so naturally we headed up the street to Lakeside Restaurant & Marina for a drink with a view. From our bar stools overlooking the marina, Becky the bartender filled us in on must-see stops: Sleeping Bear National Park, the Tunnel of Trees, and Wilderness State Park. We were convinced!
Dinner followed at Hobo’s Restaurant, where I tucked into some of the best perch fish & chips I’ve ever had, while Jess enjoyed her steak tips. Back at camp, we set up our chairs by the water just in time for the sunset.
Our neighbors, Ken and Tammy, wandered over to check out our van. They’re locals who camp here often, and Ken, a longtime trucker hauling gas nationwide, plans to buy a van like ours when he retires so he can take Tammy on the road. We poured drinks (Tammy especially liked Jess’s red wine), sat at the picnic table, and swapped stories as the sun slipped behind the water.
Another day for the books👑🚐
