Friday, August 19, 2011
Yet another reason to explore Michigan...
Good Morning America votes Sleeping Bear Dunes "Most Beautiful Place in America"
Monday, August 1, 2011
Hello Harbor Springs!
My husband and I had made camping reservations months in advance and upon arriving to our campground on the hottest week of the year we quickly became disinterested. Our campsite was ideal along the lake but the water was still freezing in July. We escaped to our car in anticipation of conditioning and chose to explore the nearby sights!! But first, I was anxious to relax by the lake and read my magazines.
From Wilderness State Park we headed toward Cheboygan and quickly realized it wasn't all that exciting. Although we got lost in a book store there for quite awhile with our coffee. I discovered my new favorite book, Dreaming of Dior with pictures & stories of a beautiful dress collection the author inherited. Regardless, then we headed toward Harbor Springs next which was more than I had imagined, it was perfect!
It had a gorgeous downtown with the cutest shops. From there we were given several recommendations to eat at nearby local spots. Initially we had waited a very long time at Turkey's (everyone recommended) but seats were first come first serve and it was very small inside. People weren't fairly being seated so we won't be quick to stop in again, it seemed very unorganized which was disappointing. In search for a restaurant we walked around the marina and enjoyed seeing all the huge boats docked. Most of the menus in Harbor Springs seemed comparable so we picked Bar Harbor since we could sit down quick and have a window seat in their cool air.
A few other stops we loved there...Under the Covers Book Cellar and Tom's Mom's Cookie shop. After wandering for awhile we drove back to our campground through M119, called the Tunnel of Trees. It was the most beautiful drive I have seen in Michigan yet! This road takes you along the water through beautiful trees and we were able to watch the sun set over the water as we made our way back home. There are a few stops along the way that we were able to get out and take pictures at.
We were in Harbor Springs for several hours and thought it was just enough time. Once we came back to our campsite we felt more refreshed. We had brought back Joann's fudge as well as a card game from the toy store in Mackinaw City to set up camp for the night. That weekend I saw both the sun & moon more beautiful than EVER ! At our bonfire we could see our shadows from the full Moon's glow which was surprising & the sunset on M119 was stunning.
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| Doesn't get much better than this! |
From Wilderness State Park we headed toward Cheboygan and quickly realized it wasn't all that exciting. Although we got lost in a book store there for quite awhile with our coffee. I discovered my new favorite book, Dreaming of Dior with pictures & stories of a beautiful dress collection the author inherited. Regardless, then we headed toward Harbor Springs next which was more than I had imagined, it was perfect!
 |
| Harbor Springs Marina on our search for dinner |
A few other stops we loved there...Under the Covers Book Cellar and Tom's Mom's Cookie shop. After wandering for awhile we drove back to our campground through M119, called the Tunnel of Trees. It was the most beautiful drive I have seen in Michigan yet! This road takes you along the water through beautiful trees and we were able to watch the sun set over the water as we made our way back home. There are a few stops along the way that we were able to get out and take pictures at.
 |
Watching the sun set on our drive, M119 |
We were in Harbor Springs for several hours and thought it was just enough time. Once we came back to our campsite we felt more refreshed. We had brought back Joann's fudge as well as a card game from the toy store in Mackinaw City to set up camp for the night. That weekend I saw both the sun & moon more beautiful than EVER ! At our bonfire we could see our shadows from the full Moon's glow which was surprising & the sunset on M119 was stunning.
 |
| Tunnel of Trees |
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday in East Hills, Grand Rapids
Saturdays with your loved ones are such a blessing! If you are fortunate enough to not have to work and can play, explore, eat and adventure it is truly a precious time. This past Saturday my husband and I did just that. What began as a trip to Wealthy Street bakery for some amazing Intelligencia coffee and a cinnamon chocolate chip scone, ventured into a walk, into antiquing, into music shops, then off to lunch at Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop.
Honestly, as my husband and I walked around East Hills in Grand Rapids we were struck with how unfamiliar and exciting a place so close to home was. We found it so fun to walk through neighborhoods and see the old houses after we enjoyed breakfast in our window seat. After our exploration we worked up an appetite for lunch and ventured out again to Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop which is my new favorite restaurant on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids! As you can tell most of our adventures have stayed close to home lately in Grand Rapids. What better place to explore than home, we found a new appreciation for it that day!
Next we went to two different Antique shops in GR, my favorite of the two quickly became East Town Antiques... it's so interesting to see old things made new again and / or repurposed. They had beautiful things and we enjoyed getting to know the shop keeper. That's what is most fun about exploring a new place, the people make it alive, interesting and so exciting!
I'm coming out of my winter hibernation tendencies so you'll hear from me again soon!
Honestly, as my husband and I walked around East Hills in Grand Rapids we were struck with how unfamiliar and exciting a place so close to home was. We found it so fun to walk through neighborhoods and see the old houses after we enjoyed breakfast in our window seat. After our exploration we worked up an appetite for lunch and ventured out again to Uncle Cheetah's Soup Shop which is my new favorite restaurant on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids! As you can tell most of our adventures have stayed close to home lately in Grand Rapids. What better place to explore than home, we found a new appreciation for it that day!
Next we went to two different Antique shops in GR, my favorite of the two quickly became East Town Antiques... it's so interesting to see old things made new again and / or repurposed. They had beautiful things and we enjoyed getting to know the shop keeper. That's what is most fun about exploring a new place, the people make it alive, interesting and so exciting!
I'm coming out of my winter hibernation tendencies so you'll hear from me again soon!
Monday, April 4, 2011
Home Sweet SPRING!!
I must say the first day of Spring was officially March 20th but yesterday brought rain, hail, wind and thunderstorms here in Grand Rapids!
Regardless of weather, it's always unpredictable... I enjoyed dinner at El Barrio on Michigan St. with my husband and Mother in Law. Next, we explored East Hills and tried Rowsters Coffee House on Wealthy Street. Both amazing and the staff at Rowsters was kind enough to let us barge in since my husband and I hadn't realized they were not even open Sundays! oops.
While I patiently await Spring and come out of hibernation mode I am very much looking forward to MANY things and therefore have already begun a Spring/Summer bucketlist! On yours should be to check out Wealthy St & East Hills, I would recommend for Dinner: The Electric Cheetah, Erb Thai or Brick Road Pizza!
I often wonder what it would be like to live in a warmer climate but if it were not for our Michigan winters we couldn't fully appreciate our beautiful Spring and not to mention, SUMMER!
However, this Winter we took Mini Road trips, none of which were highly eventful but nonetheless very memorable for my husband and I. One of which took us to the Canton IKEA and for those of you who have not been there it is most definitely a destination spot and requires a road trip if you don't live near Canton, Michigan. Since we finished our basement while it was still cold and chilly outside, for an excuse to decorate it we took this fun road trip. While there, we also went to a South Lyon's Lake Street Tavern to celebrate my brother's birthday, complete with juke box music and ice cream cake.
This winter we also celebrated Valentine's Day and I planned a date day in Saugutuck, Michigan. We explored the snowy beaches which were beautiful, walked and wine tasted, shopped and finished with dinner at Restaurant Toulouse for yummy French cuisine. http://www.restauranttoulouse.com/
Needless to say, we do most of our travels and adventuring in the Spring & Summer months. In the Winter we explore restaraunts, coffee houses and have plenty of fires to keep our home warm until Spring.
Next Travel date: May 2nd in celebration of our 2nd wedding anniversary!!! I'll keep you posted on where we adventure to!
Next Date night: Concert Series at Calvin College this weekend, Civil Wars! http://www.calvin.edu/admin/sao/calendar/
Next 2 Bucket List MUST DOS:
Regardless of weather, it's always unpredictable... I enjoyed dinner at El Barrio on Michigan St. with my husband and Mother in Law. Next, we explored East Hills and tried Rowsters Coffee House on Wealthy Street. Both amazing and the staff at Rowsters was kind enough to let us barge in since my husband and I hadn't realized they were not even open Sundays! oops.
While I patiently await Spring and come out of hibernation mode I am very much looking forward to MANY things and therefore have already begun a Spring/Summer bucketlist! On yours should be to check out Wealthy St & East Hills, I would recommend for Dinner: The Electric Cheetah, Erb Thai or Brick Road Pizza!
I often wonder what it would be like to live in a warmer climate but if it were not for our Michigan winters we couldn't fully appreciate our beautiful Spring and not to mention, SUMMER!
However, this Winter we took Mini Road trips, none of which were highly eventful but nonetheless very memorable for my husband and I. One of which took us to the Canton IKEA and for those of you who have not been there it is most definitely a destination spot and requires a road trip if you don't live near Canton, Michigan. Since we finished our basement while it was still cold and chilly outside, for an excuse to decorate it we took this fun road trip. While there, we also went to a South Lyon's Lake Street Tavern to celebrate my brother's birthday, complete with juke box music and ice cream cake.
This winter we also celebrated Valentine's Day and I planned a date day in Saugutuck, Michigan. We explored the snowy beaches which were beautiful, walked and wine tasted, shopped and finished with dinner at Restaurant Toulouse for yummy French cuisine. http://www.restauranttoulouse.com/
Needless to say, we do most of our travels and adventuring in the Spring & Summer months. In the Winter we explore restaraunts, coffee houses and have plenty of fires to keep our home warm until Spring.
Next Travel date: May 2nd in celebration of our 2nd wedding anniversary!!! I'll keep you posted on where we adventure to!
Next Date night: Concert Series at Calvin College this weekend, Civil Wars! http://www.calvin.edu/admin/sao/calendar/
Next 2 Bucket List MUST DOS:
- Visit Fennville, Michigan for Salt of the Earth, wineries & homeade pie at Crane's!!
- MAY 1st, Grand Rapids Famer's Market is OPEN!!! http://www.fultonstreetmarket.org/
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