First Trip as a Full-Time Adventurer: A True Michigan Summer Canoe Camping Experience

My First Trip as a Full-Time Adventurer

Some adventures take months to plan.
This one started within hours.

I had just arrived at my new home earlier that afternoon. Everything still felt unfamiliar, a mix of excitement and uncertainty sitting just beneath the surface. But by 4:00 pm, we were already on the road gear packed, dogs loaded, heading straight for the river.

No time to overthink it.
Just go.

This wasn’t just another trip.
This was my first adventure stepping fully into this life.

A True Michigan Summer Adventure

I felt like I had never really experienced a true Michigan summer adventure until this trip.

We were in the wilderness, completely unsupported just the two of us and the dogs.
Catching our own food, collecting our own water.
Swimming in the river.
Exploring wherever the current took us.

Heading out after dark for new adventures.

It was exhilarating.
All-consuming in the best way.

And somewhere in all of that, I had this quiet realization:

I knew I made the right choice to quit my full time job and start a new life with Kyle, Ollie and the Adventure Chasing family.

The Swimming Hole I Didn’t Think Was Real

I never knew a swimming hole was a real thing in Michigan.

I always thought it was something you only saw in movies—perfect water, tucked away, almost too good to be true.

But on this trip… I found one and it was right across from camp.

It was everything and more than I could have ever imagined.

Clear water.
Quiet surroundings.
That feeling of jumping into something untouched.

It didn’t feel rushed or crowded or staged.
It felt like we had stumbled into something special.

Moments like that don’t just stay with you, they change the way you see everything.

Slow Afternoons in the Hammocks

Not every part of the adventure was movement. Some of the best moments came from slowing down.

We’d hang our hammock along the riverbank, tucked into the trees, and just… rest.

Listening to the water.
Letting the sun filter through the leaves, watch the other vessels float by.
Closing our eyes for a bit before the evening picked up and we headed out for the hatch.

And those quiet hammock moments? They might’ve been some of my favorite of the entire trip and that summer.

River Canoe Camping: Simple, Raw, and Real

This trip introduced me to why I now love river canoe camping so much.

It strips everything down to the essentials:

• What you pack
• What you carry
• What you actually need

We moved with the river, letting it guide the pace of our days, setting up camp wherever felt right. There’s something about river canoe camping that you just can’t replicate anywhere else.

You’re not just visiting a place when you're tent camping on the river, you’re moving through it.

Kyle’s First Hobo Pie (A Campfire Staple)

There aren’t many things I get to introduce Kyle to in the outdoor space. So when it came time to make hobo pies, I was so excited to be the one to introduce him to them.

If you’ve never had one, hobo pies are a campfire classic, sometimes known as mountain pies, or pudgy pies they are made in a pie iron over the fire, crispy on the outside and warm and melty on the inside.

There’s something about cooking over a fire that feels instinctual.

It felt like one of those small but meaningful moments sharing a tradition that’s been part of so many of my camping trips before this one.

What This Trip Meant to Me

Looking back, this trip wasn’t about how far we paddled or what we accomplished.

It was about stepping into something new - fully.

Choosing this life.
And actually living it right away.

No waiting. No “someday.”

Just showing up and figuring it out as we go, I felt like I was getting dressed in clothes that fit me just right.

Watch the Full Adventure

If you want to see how this trip actually unfolded, you can watch the full episode here:

https://youtu.be/DLAe9bWyTAc?si=yhCot63IjyuOAael

This is where the story really comes to life.

Final Thoughts

This trip wasn’t about perfection.

It was about feeling fully present.
Fully immersed.
Fully alive!

And for the first time, it felt like I wasn’t just going on adventures anymore -I was living them.

FAQs

What is a Michigan summer canoe camping trip like?

It requires research and knowledge of the area you are paddling. Some areas of the river flow through private land or land that you are unable to camp on due to the bank of the river. You can expect scenic river bends, swimming in natural swimming holes, relaxing in hammocks, fishing, cooking meals over a campfire, and lots of bugs.

What is a swimming hole?

A swimming hole is a naturally formed area in a river or creek with calm, deep, clear water perfect for swimming or fishing certain species.

What are hobo pies?

Hobo pies are campfire sandwiches cooked in a pie iron over an open flame, filled with sweet or savory ingredients. These are sometimes known as pudgy pies or mountain pies.

Our Top 3 Hobo Pie Recipes to Try at Camp

If you’ve never made hobo pies before, this is your sign to start.

They’re one of the easiest and most satisfying campfire meals—simple ingredients, minimal cleanup, and somehow they always taste better after a full day outside.

We’ve tried a handful over the years, but these are the three we keep coming back to:

1. Campfire Breakfast Melt

Sausage, onions, eggs, and melted cheese pressed between crispy, buttery bread. This one feels like a full camp breakfast packed into a handheld bite.

2. Campfire Pizza Pie

Think pizza but somehow better. Warm, gooey, and just a little messy. This one is always a favorite at camp and easy to customize depending on what you have packed and is also great for using breakfast leftovers.

3. Stuffed Wild Blueberry French Toast

Sweet, warm, and comforting perfect after dinner or with a cup of camp coffee on an early morning.

We’d love to know—
Have you ever made hobo pies? What’s your go-to recipe?

(We might have to try it on our next trip :))

Looking for more adventures like this?
Explore more of our stories, camp recipes, and gear guides here:
https://adventurechasingoutdoors.com/blogs/outdoor-adventures