Day One
Early June meant my eldest daughter’s graduation. A family trip to include my Mom, kids, and husband, this was a larger group than usual and required a bit more planning and a lot less activity. We flew directly into Traverse City Airport. It’s a tiny airport with 4 gates. I adore the small, easy to maneuver airports and prefer using them when cost and time allow. We picked up our large SUV rental directly at the airport steps away from the baggage claim and a few feet from the exit doors. We were given a free upgrade from Enterprise, and the people at this location are always so sweet.
We drove about 20 min to our Air B&B and checked in. A little outside of downtown Traverse City, but an excellent location for us. We had 4 bedrooms and two bathrooms, one of each on the main floor perfect for my Mom to be able to get around. It was an older, less updated rental than we have found on the rental site previously, but it worked for our needs. We met the kids at Jimmy John’s and spent an afternoon catching up. Before calling it a night, we stocked up on groceries at the local grocer, Meijer.
We invited the kids over and made a full breakfast…bacon, eggs, fruit, pancakes, coffee, juice, etc. We didn’t have long, and we readied ourselves for my daughter’s high school graduation. It was located in an outdoor venue situated about an hour from our temporary rental. It’s a scenic location done in an outdoor amphitheater. They hold many concerts in this arena as well. It’s right on a lake surrounded by trees. Even in June, it was chilly enough to require jackets. Of course, hours of the day were spent taking photographs of the large, extended family who had gathered to celebrate. Later in the afternoon found us with some freedom to explore the delightful historic downtown. Lunching on pastys at Cousin Jenny’s Cornish Pasties is a treat not found everywhere. Like a handheld pot pie of sorts with gravy in squirt bottles.
Day Two
Traverse City has a big mall and chain stores, but downtown feels nothing like the shops of today. With ample parking located near both the Grand Traverse Bay beaches and the shopping, it’s ideally situated for an afternoon stroll in beautiful weather. We found a parking spot, and everyone made their way down the main street individually choosing to explore further anything that piqued their interest. I found a custom bath store; Great Lakes bath and body, inc; my youngest daughter’s favorite store is the Cherry Republic. Traverse City is the cherry capital; it even features the cherry festival in summer drawing vast crowds. You can see the “snow” as I jokingly refer to the cherry blossoms as they’ve fallen on the sidewalk. Between the ball pit and samples, my family could while the day away here. My oldest son enjoys Popkies gourmet popcorn store, and we never fail to bring a unique variety home with us. The Grand Traverse Distillery is right up my husband’s alley, and everyone enjoys the different knick-knack and clothing stores. There’s always something interesting to catch your eye downtown. If you make a visit ensure to stop in the Captain’s Quarters and to say “Hi” to my son. Let him get you fitted for a new suit or show you a tie to dress up your own apparel. While Traverse City is decidedly casual, with so many excellent restaurants and wineries in the area dressing up is right for the occasion. A stroll along the waterfront watching the sunset can’t be beaten here. There are public restrooms, a marina with kayak rentals, a playground, and free use hammocks. Swaying in a gentle breeze under a tree-shaded canopy while I watched the kids make castles was a perfect end to our day.
Cherry Republic 
Pasty 
summer “snow”
Day Three
Rise and Shine. The weather was warming, and I could get out of the house for a run earlier today. We stayed just a 1/4 mile from the VASA trail. A scenic, tree-lined outdoor trail system that is perfect for hiking, biking, and just about any other outside activity. In the winter; one can snowmobile and even bring fat-tire bikes. There are numerous trails, and the fee is by donation. During early June the trees and flowers are all blooming, and on a weekday morning, it is just the birds and me. For a Florida runner, the humidity is nearly the same. We are still close to water, after all. The temperatures are decidedly chillier and the hills massive. It is a pleasant but challenging run. I return to the rental and shower while everyone else has breakfast. Time to pick up the kids and head to Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Park about an hour’s drive north. They are open 8a-6p in the summer, and it’s $25 for a 7-day pass. This is also a national park, so the America the Beautiful pass is good at this location. Real restrooms and a visitor’s center beckoned us first. We settled on a national park coin and a pin.
I debated picking up a shirt, but we had no extra room in the suitcase. The three of us had managed to fit everything for a week into two carry on bags. I insisted on a couple family photos in the dunes and then Mom went to find a comfortable picnic table spot and the rest of us kicked off our shoes and made a mad dash up the top of the first dune. Halfway through my lungs were on fire, and my legs felt like lead. I barely made it to the apex. When I arrived, I realized I was only maybe a third of the way to what was really the top. This park goes on for miles. The girls delighted in rolling to the bottom and running back up again. My husband and I climbed further up and admired the 360-degree view. On the way down again the girls stopped to make mermaid tails in the sand. Hours later, sand dusting every part of our bodies; we piled back into the SUV and drove the rest of the park’s beauty. With numerous pull outs for pictures or sightseeing, we took our time admiring the nature around us. One pull-out area was an additional hiking path, reachable from the previously visited dunes but in a much more relaxed manner.
We were able to take the boardwalks down to the water’s edge and experience a catch in our breath on the vastness of the Great Lakes as they came into sight. We were sad to leave, but it was dinner time, and we had had a long day. Tonight’s dinner was extraordinary. My friend since middle school lives here as well and we met up with her and her husband at Hopscotch Brick Oven & Taproom. The seafood pizza with smoked shrimp, lobster, garlic, and corn was outstanding as was the avocado salad. My husband wasn’t a fan of the poke. Maybe it was a fluke, perhaps his time spent living in Hawaii made him a poke snob. I was so full I didn’t have room to try any of his dinner. While they don’t have a children’s menu per se, we were able to find something suitable for their dinners. We started the meal indoors then as the weather cooled we headed outside. This is the fun part. A fire pit and games made for an entertaining evening for the kids while the adults engaged in years old conversations.
Day Four
This morning’s run took me along the Tart Trail. Another town initiative to keep people active and reduce carbon footprints in town. It is a paved, mostly flat trail that runs through town. I started near the village of Acme running into the middle of town back along the waterfront. As a prize, I was able to watch ducklings all splash around in the wave-less lake. There is a bridge going over the main road connecting the beach to a campground and is an excellent height to get a decent view. The campground connects back to the trail. One interesting bit about the trail is as you move along you’ll find the planets in our solar system laid out in proper distances. It’s fun to run along between planets if you keep going far enough. The old restored houses in the downtown area are worth a gawking at, and you can do that via bike, car or your own two feet, but get off the tourist spots and check them out.
Today we are making a road trip to Mackinac Island. Pronounced Mack-in-aww. It’s several hours drive north and one ferry ride over. No cars are allowed on the island so when you de-board you’ll find many bike rentals ( you can bring your own too), horse carriage rides, and even horse carriages you can rent and drive yourself. There are a plethora of B&Bs to choose summer, but only a handful in winter. Of course, the Grand Hotel is the grande dame of the resort scene here boasting the longest front porch in America with views of the Mackinac island bridge and the great lakes. Thousands of tulips in all colors found blooming around the resort are a spectacle to behold. Our first stop is for lunch. Instead of wasting precious time in a restaurant, we filed into a local grocer and ordered custom made hot sandwiches and a big bottle of lemonade to enjoy at the park located directly across the street.
The fort is situated high on the green hill above us where we watch the ferries rolling into town. Lunch done; we strolled along admiring the post office, old churches, and magnificent bed and breakfasts. Our time comes, and the private horse carriage ride we booked previously is ready. Away we go! Our guide is friendly and knowledgeable. He points out the sights along the way and shows us both the town and the country. There is a multitude of hiking and swimming as well as biking that can be done here all summer. We ask instead of a round trip to be let off at the Grand Hotel and make our way inside. A tour is $5, and we enjoy the front porch, admire the tea room, and debated buying ice cream. Our favorite, though, had to be the gardens. A couple steps down, and there are games of lawn bowling, a fountain, and bushes shaped into a horse and carriage. We wander back towards the prime shops of town and wave as bikers head past us. The homes along this path seem grander and more massive than earlier, and the shops are welcoming. We peruse until we’ve each found a souvenir and settle for that ice cream before getting back onto the ferry to make the trip back to our rental. The days pass quickly, and we have dinner and go to bed.
Day Five
More beach time, this is, after all, a relaxing trip. The kids all lie out in the sand or splash in the water as we soak up the sunshine enjoying every bit of summer. After a time we opt to check out the play area. Even my oldest daughter and I get on the equipment. Unfortunately, as school is still in session, the water fountains aren’t yet turned on. Rock hunting is a popular activity in our family, and with Petosky down the road, we make a trip to see what treasures behold us. We find a glut of Charlevoix stones, a few petoskys, and some other marked rocks. Sunset in northern Michigan is breathtaking.
Day Six
The wineries are calling our names. The peninsula in this part of Michigan is home to several hundred wineries and lavender farms offering free or low-cost tours. The lavender farms are in prime season yet, but the wineries are more than welcoming. Many have patios for dining as well. The weather here is nearly identical to that of the wineries in Europe and produces most of Michigan’s wine. Despite only touring a handful of places the rolling hills and vistas are enough to entertain ourselves. The lighthouse located at the 45th parallel is a short, easy hike and not too crowded. There is an old schoolhouse and more clear welcoming waterfront footage on the boardwalk. Many visitors remove their shoes and take a walk on the beach. The final treat of our trip is, as always when we visit, a trip to the Grand Traverse pie company for cherry crumb pie. Not their only choice, but the one I always choose. Local cherries in a glorious mixture of sugary crumbled warmed just enough and spritzed with whipped cream. One can order a full meal here is desired, but I’m only here for the pie!
Eating Around 