The sun, the sun! We were promised the sun today. So far, the sun is still a no-show. But as we approached the Grand River over lunch, my wife squealed with delight, “A ship, a ship!”. The Wilfred Sykes was just leaving Grand Haven, heading out to Lake Michigan. We of course had to stop…
Category: Michigan Road Trips
Michigan road trips to beaches, lighthouses vineyards, brew houses, restaurants sand dunes surf water unsalted vacations
October 20th: Father knows best
A beach wedding is in our family’s future as my oldest daughter is here this weekend making decisions. Today started with wedding dress shopping. There I was, rows and rows of wedding gowns, women everywhere. I did a quick headcount. Only two other males in the entire store… we were massively outnumbered… but at least…
October 5th: 101 years ago… and enhanced license
How is this for feeling old? In October of 1917, before the end of World War I, my father was born. I thought of this today while getting my new Michigan driver’s license. Michigan is one of five US states that has an “enhanced” drivers license. It is also available in Minnesota, New York, Vermont…
October 3rd: Where to take a short vacation
It was a beautiful day, the sun beat down I had the radio on, I was drivin’ Trees flew by, me and Del were singin’ little Runaway I was flyin’ Today a fun little drive right before the leaves turn led us to the lighthouse in Holland Michigan. Funny, 36 years ago when we lived in Holland,…
Sept 28th: Cool and cloudy
A cool and cloudy beach is still a beach. Time at the beach, beats work any day. Today we headed a little south for the first time, exploring Tunnel Beach north of Holland. This place must be hopping during tourist season. But today, we had it all to ourselves. Shirt sleeve weather for me, a…
Sept 23rd: Blue is my favorite color
It is overwhelming and yet comforting to contemplate the blue witnessed this summer, and the blue yet to come. Five months in, we have seen so much, and yet so much remains unseen. This week, just two hours north, we visited Sleeping Bear Dunes. A few years back, it was voted “Most Beautiful Place in…
Sept 22nd: Wine country is good country
When we lived in Oregon, road trips up and down miles and miles of hills dominated by grape vines to reach new vineyards was always an easy pleasure. My wife and younger daughter even took a balloon journey over the Oregon wine country that they talk about still. This week’s trip found us in Old…
Sept 19th: A lesson many could learn
This week we headed north to tour Sleep Bear Dunes and Traverse City. Beautiful scenery and plenty of fun, but a delightful surprise came from our choice in lodging. We stayed in a one bedroom condo at Harbor Lights Resort in Frankfort, Michigan. Off one side of our deck was this beach. Looking to the…
Sept 15th: Then came the apples and grapes
First came the strawberries, later the cherries and blueberries. Lots of u-pick opportunities. Plus all the amazing Michigan grown produce we didn’t actually pick ourselves but gathered at the farmer’s markets. Picking strawberries really wasn’t my thing… too low to the ground. Blueberries were easier. But apples! Just the right height for me. It’s Honey…
Sept 11th: Updates, updates, updates….
I will again be drilling into WordPress to hopefully rearrange and update this blog … so it looks a bit more professional and organized. Also planning to do a “scorecard” on my year of wild changes. Remember “Patrick’s Picks” that was briefly here? My son’s sports picks and team analyses are now on “laythepointspod”. Look up…