Steak, Fishing & Tick Testing – AuSable Loop Campground

Join us on a peaceful camping trip to AuSable Loop Campground near Mio, Michigan, nestled right on the beautiful AuSable River. We spend the day fishing the river — including a moment where I nearly lost my fishing rod to the current! After a great afternoon, we fire up the grill and cook a juicy steak to perfection.

But the adventure takes a curious turn… While driving nearby, we spot odd, oversized tracks right in the road — too big to be human and definitely out of place. Just a coincidence, or something unusual roaming these backroads?

The trip continues as we capture a live tick and put permethrin repellent to the test in real time. Does it really work? Watch to find out and learn some essential outdoor safety tips if you’re camping or hiking in tick country.

This episode blends the simple joys of nature, good food, a touch of mystery, and practical safety advice. If you enjoy quiet backroad escapes, rustic camping, and a few unexpected surprises, this one’s for you!📺 Video Timeline — BRTN Adventure

00:00 – Intro
01:00 – Quick stop at our favorite burger joint 🍔
01:31 – Arrival at camp
02:00 – Bigfoot tracks in the sand? 👣
02:57 – Campsite tour & scenic pan
04:00 – Simple but effective tick prevention 🕷️
06:05 – Fire-making session 🔥
07:47 – Drone footage of the camp from above
08:51 – Walking tour of the campground 🚶
11:59 – Tick caught crawling on a treated boot
13:50 – Feeding the wife a perfectly grilled steak 🥩
15:23 – Fishing the AuSable River — and almost lose the rod! 🎣
18:29 – Lance 825 camper: exterior lighting demo
19:31 – The best coffee of any camping YouTube channel ☕
20:59 – Campfire chatter under the stars ✨
23:04 – Morning shoreline fishing on the AuSable
24:21 – Classic breakfast: bacon & eggs over the fire 🍳🥓
27:07 – Drone flyover of the river
27:12 – Exploring forest ranger–recommended boondocking spots 🌲
30:57 – Closing thoughts & sign-off

Want to check out the gear we're using? Here are some Amazon links — I earn a small commission if you buy through them (at no extra cost to you)!

Sawyer Products Premium Permethrin Insect Repellent for Clothing, Gear & Tents
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BLUETTI AC200L
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BLUETTI Charger 1 DC to DC Charger
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OGO Composting Toilet
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OGO Coco Coir Composting Material
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Omnia Oven Kit
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Coletti Boulder Camping Press
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Silky KATANABOY Professional 650mm Folding Saw XL Teeth (710-65)
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Keywords:
AuSable Loop Campground, Mio Michigan camping, AuSable River fishing, fishing Michigan, camping Michigan, permethrin tick test, tick repellent test, camping and grilling steak, rustic camping, outdoor safety, tick spray, Back Roads To Nowhere, BRTN camping, northern Michigan outdoors, river fishing, campfire cooking, Bigfoot tracks, off-grid camping, tick prevention, Michigan travel vlog