Returned to the beautiful Au Sable River cabin up north for the 4th and beyond .... this time with a different group...Jim, Cindi, Rick, Kim, their boys, Zack & Jake, and Carolyn, (Jim's sister from Hawaii) and the picture taker and blogger and traveler....that would be ME!
I decided to take a road trip while close to the upper Peninsula without a destination in mind.....my mind took me to Cadillac to see if I could find my aunt....she had just moved there and I didn't have her address or phone number... so I didn't find her. I then aimed Phoebe McGee(my RV) northwest toward Traverse City~ much to my delight! I had never been there!
Traverse City is located on Grand Traverse Bay between the little finger and the ring finger....on the map. It has miles of beautiful lakes and bays, lots of wineries, shopping, golfing, outdoor activities and the downtown is quaint. And in July, while I was there, the
was happening. I actually found a parking place and the weather was perfect...70's...so not too hot.
The Sand Dunes are breath-taking! And so is the bay!
I stayed at a beautiful KOA Park while there. The park was filled with lots of happy families there for the 4th and the Cherry Festival.
The only logical destination had to be Petoskey and Little Traverse Bay. There are a few old towns in the bay...Bay Harbor....Harbor Springs....Bay View.....all of which are pretty "monied"....is that a word? Petoskey, for me, is most appealing. I would love to be up there in the fall to see the gorgeous colors.
I think this is Petoskey but I can't remember.
When I realized I was only about 25 miles from the Straits of Mackinac .... that's where I headed. My usual stop is to take a ferry to Mackinac Island from Mackinaw City but since no cars are allowed on the island, I just stayed in Mackinaw City for the night and the next day drove over the bridge.
I was careful taking this picture.
I was going to get to Sault Ste Marie, visit, and then go back to the cabin but.... the winds kicked up so I decided to stay one more night up north. That bridge can get scary in the high winds. Sister City Sault Ste Marie, Ontario and SSM, Michigan are joined by the International Bridge...that one I didn't take. My GPS led me to an RV Park and Indian Casino called Kewadin. It was quite lovely; however, I did not go to the casino. Met some very nice RVer's and chatted a bit.
Next morning headed back to the cabin. Lots of fishing, eating, drinking, walking, reading....going on and a different movie every night, a wedding anniversary to celebrate (Cindi & Jim's). That celebration happened at an upscale family-style fried chicken place....all you can eat! We all regretted that one...good as my mama's! almost!
Before we left the cabin, we hiked to the Secret Special Forest....below are some pictures that include Cindi, Jim, Rick (son), Zack & Jake (grandkids) and me...oh & TaZzi. Such a peaceful & restful & tranquil place.
The next day we headed back to their home in Bloomfield Hills and continued our memorable time together....shopping...antiquing....eating out....remembering!
On to Ann Arbor...when I'm there, I stay with my "was-band", his wife and see lots of extended family. I was so lucky that the Ann Arbor Art Fair was going on (their 50th). I hadn't been in at least 40 years....Ruthie, Kendra, Chava and I went opening evening. Various pics of the fair I have posted below.
I had to do a drive-by while in Ann Arbor to see my old home (if walls could talk) It's still there looking 40 years older.....just like me.
For the past week, other than a get-to-gether with cousins, I have been taking some much needed R & R aka Lazy-time.....My long awaited 50th reunion is next week and I'm excited about that. Still just have a few more people to see ..... then it's to the west.....Kansas~Colorado~Arizona~then California...THE END!
