Weekend Getaway

We had four days planned at a resort in WI. We took an under-the-weather Claudia to the doctor the morning we left and the Dr actually thought she had pneumonia! Yikes! Thankfully the chest x-ray confirmed it was a nasty virus instead. Our Dr. was hopeful she'd be over it soon since it had already been a few days. Too late to get our money back so we went thinking we'd go but lay low in our suite until she felt better - which just so happened to be the next day. 

 

Our sick little munchkin sleeping on the way there. 

Day 2, listening/watching a band play music on the beach. 

Riding on a pontoon boat around Elkhart Lake. 

Playing on the beach. (And, yes, every time I remove her pacifier, she finds it and takes it back.) 

Smiling for the camera. 

Swimming in the pool. 

A view of our awesome resort from the water. 

Our sleepyhead - too tired to get up. 

Michigan, Day 6: Traverse City

Our last full day in Michigan so we decided to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We tried to do a beach day but it was a bit of a fail (the water ended up being too cold and Claudia much preferred the hotel's swimming pool to lounging on the sand). We also drove the scenic parkway and did some sightseeing.

For lunch we picnicked at the beach but our dinner is definitely worth mentioning. Joe's third meal of pizza (his second was at the Jolly Pumpkin) and one of our most favorite meals while in Michigan was at The Filling Station Microbrewery. Fabulous service and food!

The famous Dune Climb. Joe and I wish we could have tried this but it would have been impossible with C. The photo does not do this justice. It was amazing to see these tiny specks of people climbing this enormous sand dune. 

Our attempt at a beach day visiting Esch Beach at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Claudia lasted about an hour and a half before beckoning us to the car.  

One of our views during our scenic drive through the national park. 

Another view during the drive. This is actually the other side of the Dune Climb.

At the hotel pool later in the day. 

Michigan, Day 5: Traverse City

We spent our first full day in Traverse City exploring the cute downtown and its various shops. We also stopped by the National Cherry Festival. We had breakfast and lunch downtown and a great dinner overlooking the bay. We ate very well in Traverse City!

Claudia and I enjoying the view from the perimeter of the National Cherry Festival. (It was a slow picture day.) 

Michigan, Day 4: Mackinac Island/Traverse City

Our last day on the island and the sun was shinning! We decided to take an 8 mile bike ride around the perimeter of the island.

All ready for her first bike ride. 

Joe and Claudia stopped along the way to enjoy the view. 

Wonderful view the entire trip around the island which took took about an hour.

After the ferry ride back to the mainland and a two hour drive, we found ourselves in Traverse City. Our first stop was to the Jolly Pumpkin for a late lunch/early dinner. The Jolly Pumpkin was recommended to me by my friend, Holly and a great place. 

Michigan, Day 3: Mackinac Island

Our second day on Mackinac Island had us eating breakfast at the famous Grand Hotel which we explored afterwards. It was also a rainy day (Claudia's rain canopy for the stroller was a wise investment) so we decided to seek cover with a carriage ride and tour around the island.

A picture of the Grand Hotel in the distance, taken on a much nicer day. 

Old photo booths still inside the hotel. Loved the classic hotel decor so much. 

One of the seating areas inside the hotel. 

Joe and Claudia sitting on the porch of the hotel. 

This is the type of horse carriage tour we took in the afternoon. (This photo was also taken on a much sunnier day.) It was cool and rainy and Claudia snuggled up against me and soon fell asleep. 

Michigan, Day 2: Mackinac Island

Many years ago, a coworker told me all about her trip to an island where she biked around because they didn't allow cars. I have long since been intrigued by Mackinac Island (pronounced Mak-in-aw) where no cars are allowed and visitors, as well as locals, rely on walking, biking or using horses to get around. I'm so glad we were able to visit this beautiful place. The biggest downside was how touristy and busy it was during the day. I think Joe and I were both hoping it would be quieter and less crowded.

Claudia's first boat ride on the ferry to Mackinac.

Taking in the new sights, sounds and smells of downtown. And when I say smells, I'm really talking about the 15 fudge shops. 

Our hotel - Main Street Inn and Suites. We loved it!! Best part of our trip. We had the honeymoon suite. 

Breathtaking view with Mackinac Bridge in the background.

Little Stone Church - one of the many little churches on the island. 

Michigan, Day 1: Petoskey

We decided to take our first family vacation as a family of three. In retrospect, it may have been very ambitious of me to spend a week in a hotel with a six month old but we survived. Our destination requirements were somewhere not too terribly far for the ease of driving versus flying and some place we'd never been. (Well, I've been to Michigan several times but never to these particular spots in Michigan.) We left at 2:20 am so as to arrive not long after C was awake for the day. Our first stop was Petoskey. Petoskey is a resort town and we enjoyed exploring the super cute downtown and marina.

Yes, we had pie. 

We didn't let the rain put a damper on our exploring. 

Our amazing pizza from Galley Gourmet. It isn't vacation unless Joe eats pizza three times in one week.