Vacation Re-Cap

I know you are all anxiously awaiting my newest blog, and you will be hanging on every word, so here goes.

We have spent the last two weeks in Michigan, visiting friends, family and others who claim to know us. I can’t possibly share all of our adventures, but will do my best to re-cap in a Reader’s Digest version.

The flights out were rather unremarkable, other than getting to Miluakee and not being booked on our connecting flight. Tired and cranky, we got on a flight to Muskegon, MI and then over to Flint, arriving later than we’d planned, but home, none-the-less!

My first day in Michigan, naturally, I went shopping. Since my clothes had gotten bigger as I have gotten smaller, this seemed like a logical idea and Meegan picked me up at noon and we headed for Romeo. Seven hours later, we were out of money and ready for supper. She had a softball game that night at a mosquito infested field, and I stupidly went along to watch. If I get West Nile, I’m not going to be happy….

Day two we went to Marlette in the afternoon for some swimming and a picnic at Grandma’s house. Uncle John had flown in from CA that morning, so we were taking him home. Later, we met up with Jon and Becky for a bit, and otherwise, relaxed and unpacked.

Day three we headed north to the Great Wolf Lodge indoor water park. You might ask why Michigan, a state surrounded by fresh water lakes, needs an indoor water park and the answer is quite simple. The Lakes are COLD all summer long. Mind you, we swim in them frequently, but at Wolf Lodge, it’s 84 degrees all year round. Perfect for the kids.

On the way up, we stopped at the nursing home to see Al’s Grandpa, who is looking remarkable after his stroke a couple years ago. We arrived at Wolf Lodge and met up with Chad and Marie, who were there ahead of us. This was great fun, as we (Al, I and the kids) had not met Grandchild number 6, Josh. Likewise, they (Chad & Marie and their kids) had not met Lars, number 7 on the growing list. So, cousins got to meet and play.

Day four was spent at Wolf Lodge. After lunch, one car load headed out for a drive. The babies and Eden slept, Mom and I looked out the window at the amazing homes and beautiful Lake Michigan on Grand Traverse Bay, and Al and Dad took turns chauffering. Eveunally, we made our way to Lewiston to our family’s cabin and waiting for the 2^nd and 3^rd car load of Kenny’s to show up.

Day five was spent inside the cabin, due to a mostly rainy day. In between rainstorms, the kids played in the sandbox, swung on the swings and ran around while the men cut and chopped wood. Al’s mom and dad came up for the day and we all enjoyed everybody’s company. Marie and I went antique shopping and Chad took the kids to the beach, where it was too cold to swim but we all played in the sand.

Day six, we went to Bethlehem Lutheran in Lewiston, then drove back to the cabin in the rain. Al and I got packed up and headed north to sunnier skies in Mackinaw City. Driving over the bridge, the camera battery died, so I have nothing to show for our drive north, but it was lovely. Al had never been to the bridge, so it was all new to him. The water was as blue as the sky and the bridge is as mighty as it was upon its first use in 1957. (At least, this is what you tell yourself as you’re three miles into the crossing). We tooled around Mackinaw City for a while, buying sweatshirts and wind breakers for the ferry. We drove by Fort Michilamackinac and walked the beach south along Lake Huron, then back north to where the bridge separates the two lakes. I was in my glory, staring out at the endless waters. We took the 3:00 ferry to the island and enjoyed a quiet evening walking along Mission Point and around the main streets.

Day seven we awoke in our B&B to the hoof clops of the horses beginning their day on the auto-free island. Supplies come in to the grocery stores, workers come from the mainland, a family was moving from the mainland onto the island, and all their furnishings were coming from the boat, to a dray, pulled by horses up to their home. After breakfast, Al and I rented a Tandem and biked the perimeter. What a sight to behold. I’ve almost forgotten what it’s like to look out at the water and see nothing else until the water meets the sky. We walked around for a bit and then took a horse drawn tour of the main attractions. There is a lot of history on that place, and a lot of fudge, too!! We took the 4:00 ferry back to St. Ignace, drove south over the bridge and headed back to Lapeer, stopping at the outlets in West Branch for some quick shopping.

Days eight and nine were wonderfully lazy. The kids were ready to have some alone time and we stayed around Lapeer for fear of melt-downs at any moment. Saw some friends, picked some peaches, ate supper at the Villa Pizzeria, (my all time favorite) and hung out.

On our last day in Michigan, Al’s seminary friend, Doug, and his family, came up to our house to visit. Their 5 children and our two, plus Zachary & McKenzie, all played hard for the afternoon. It was wonderful to meet them, as I’ve only had ‘internet conversations’ with Robyn, his wife, and seen photos of them. It was nice to sit in the shade, sip Sprite and chat the day away. They left as the rest of our family began showing up. We had a giant birthday party for all the August birthdays, including Grandma, Becca, Eden and U. John. Lots of food was devoured and Helene brought an ice cream cake from Moore’s in Marlette. I stayed up late cramming all our goodies into 6 suitcases and 3 carry-ons for the trip home.

Friday morning, we got up and had breakfast, then left for the airport, arriving in plenty of time for the trip home. Fourteen hours later, after a treacherous drive from Denver in the pouring rain, through construction in the dark and on roads that were not meant to hold standing water, we were back in Bridgeport.

Thank you to all who went out of their way to see us while we were home and apologies to those who we planned on seeing and weren’t able to. Vacations never last long enough, but we’re grateful to have the opportunity to take a break.

Love to all, enjoy the photos.