Summer in Michigan
Surprise summer trip to Michigan! For those of you new to this site, my son and I are on a journey to visit all 50 states in the US before he graduates from college. He is beginning his sophomore year in high school so we currently have 18 states and 7 years left to accomplish our challenge.
As the end of last school year was approaching, I began to feel like I wanted to take a trip. We already had our annual vacation to the Florida Keys planned, but I wanted to fly somewhere. I was also feeling like it would be a good idea to take my son away for a week to remove him from the allure of playing video games.
So, I began checking on cheap flights, using Booking.com in June from Ft. Myers to - wherever we had not visited yet. Denver was a good option. I began putting together a travel plan and asked my husband how he would feel about us taking off for a week. My plan was to surprise my son with the trip the following week. Initially, my husband's response was - "Sure, sounds like fun". Then, as I was prepared to hit the MAKE RESERVATION button on my airline app, he spoke up and said, whoa... when are you planning this for?
We began discussing the logistics of us leaving the following week. My husband is a charter boat captain and June and July are very busy with 12-hour fishing trips. The truth was, the timing was not ideal. If my son and I had left town during that time, our 2 dogs would be left at home for at least 16 hours each day. So, that was not going to work.
Let's Go to Michigan
A few weeks into the summer, I still had the "bug" to go someplace new. And, honestly, I still really wanted to surprise my son with an unexpected vacation. Sometimes, for me, the anticipation of a surprise is as exhilarating as the THING itself.
So, I began looking into "cheap flights in July". Again, I used Booking.com to find these flights. Cleveland, Ohio came up as an option. We still had Ohio on our list of states to visit. As I began trying to find things to do in Ohio, I wasn't finding much that interested me. Part of my process in planning our vacations; always keeping in mind that we're on a journey, is to maximize our exposure to new states. Therefore, I opened the map of the USA and realized how close Cleveland is to Michigan. I could turn this trip into a 3 state visit.
A new idea popped into my mind. Two years ago we'd visited Minnesota and took a day trip to Duluth where we were able to stand on the frozen Lake Superior. As I began to try to put a game plan together while looking at the map, I realized that in this one week vacation, we could also see Lake Erie, Lake Huron, and Lake Michigan. This reality provided a new challenge for me. Now I felt that we would have to visit and stand in the waters of each of the 5 Great Lakes.
Ohio to Michigan to Indiana
I had decided we'd fly into Cleveland and drive North to Michigan. One of my employees is from Michigan so I asked him what we "should do" or "should see". Immediately, he suggested going up to Mackinaw City and definitely going over to Mackinac Island. As soon as I looked into that suggestion, I knew that that would be part of our itinerary.
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Waiting for our flight to Cleveland
After a few days/nights in the Mackinaw area, our plan was to drive down to Traverse City on the western coast of Michigan. A friend suggested visiting Sleeping Bear Dunes so I made sure it was also included in our schedule. From there, I decided to include Indiana during this vacation. Remember, maximizing our state visits was always in mind when planning our trips.
When I realized that there were Amish towns in Northern Indiana I made sure to include a visit to one of them before flying back home from Cleveland. I've always been fascinated by the Amish lifestyle, especially how they live amongst the general public with all of our technology and modern ways, etc. Therefore, I booked a hotel in Shipshewana, Indiana for the end of our vacation.
Heading to north Michigan
Driving north from Cleveland had a profound effect on me. I was born in Illinois and moved to Florida when I was 10. I spent 6 years in Minnesota after high school and have always felt (even though I've spent more years in Florida than anywhere) that I am more at home in the North.
There was a moment while driving North on I75 where I just felt at peace. I felt very blessed in life and was so happy to be right where I was at that moment. It was a strange feeling that washed over me while driving. Side note: I75 begins in South Florida and is the main Interstate running through my hometown of Naples, Florida. I thought that it was interesting that we were on the same interstate 1500 miles north.
Mackinaw City, Michigan
We stayed at Hamilton Inn Select Beachfront in Mackinaw City. The location was perfect with Lake Huron on the backside of the hotel. I was a little disappointed that our room was not located facing the water since I'd decided I wanted to be sure to visit all 3 Great Lakes while we were on this trip. However, the hotel was very nice and close to everything we wanted to do and see while there.
The first night we arrived we did some shopping in the quaint markets that were nearby. As per our usual, we were able to play a round of miniature golf. The atmosphere was beautiful, being so close to the water. We had dinner at The Hook Lakeside Grill which was also waterside. All around, the views were beautiful in this vacation town.
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The Hook Lakeside Grill -
The Hook Lakeside Grill
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Animal Tracks Miniature Golf - Mackinaw City -
Miniature Golf game - Animal Tracks Mini-Golf
The following day we took the ferry over to Mackinac Island. Star Line Ferry was right next door to our hotel so we were able to walk over to board our ferry for the enjoyable ride to the island. Our weather was perfect, the views were beautiful and we were excited to spend the day on Mackinac Island.
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View of our hotel -
Mackinac Bridge - Longest Suspension Bridge in the world -
Mackinac Island -
Lighthouse on Lake Huron - Mackinac Island -
Mackinac Island, Mi
Mackinac Island
The island definitely felt "touristy", but in a very quaint way. People weren't in a hurry. The shops were adorable. There was a LOT of biking and walking because No cars are allowed on the island. However, most of what there was to see and do were easily within walking distance. Fudge is very popular in this area and there were several fudge shops to get plenty of tasting in.
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Main Street - Mackinaw Island -
Mackinac Bridge -
Mackinac Island, Mi -
Mackinac Island, Mi -
Mackinac Island, Mi
We walked up and down Main Street and did some shopping. I had planned to spend the day on the island and was a bit concerned that we'd run out of things to do. Therefore, I asked one of the shop owners for some suggestions and he mentioned visiting the Butterfly House. We bought tickets from him and made our way there after enjoying the shopping and sights.
Butterfly House
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Butterfly landing on my shoulder -
Pretty Butterfly -
Beautiful Butterfly -
Beautiful butterflies
After lunch, we decided it would be fun to take a Horse & Buggy tour through the island. I'm always so happy with the information I get from these types of tours. This one was no exception. Our tour guide shared much of the history of the island. He also explained how they bring many of the horses to the island from the mainland during the tourist season. I would say this is a "Must Do" when visiting for the first time!
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Mackinac Island - Horse & Buggy tour -
Arch Rock - Mackinac Island -
The view from Arch Rock -
Mackinac Island Horse & Buggy tour
We headed back to the mainland and had some fun that evening since we were scheduled to leave Mackinaw City the following day. I had won at mini-golf the night before so my son wanted to try to redeem himself. There was also a Zip Lining course that we both wanted to try. I also needed to document our visit IN Lake Huron. Dinner and fun were on the agenda for our last night in Mackinaw City.
Lake Huron
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Lake Huron - Mackinaw City -
Lake Huron
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Nonna Lisa Italian Restaurant - Delicious Pizza -
Zip Line - Adrenaline Falls, Mackinaw City -
Zip Line - Adrenaline Falls, Mackinaw City -
Zip Lining in Mackinaw City -
Zip Line - Adrenaline Falls, Mackinaw City -
Zip Line - Adrenaline Falls, Mackinaw City
Mackinac Bridge
Driving over the Bridge was recommended, so before leaving this quaint vacation area, we headed north, before heading south to Traverse City. According to Wikepedia, the Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere. The bridge essentially goes over where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet, west to east, respectively.
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Underneath the Mackinac Bridge -
Mackinac Bridge - Lake Michigan to the left, Lake Huron to the right
Traverse City, Michigan
I spoke to a friend earlier in the summer who had recently been to Michigan. He said that we "had to check out Sleeping Bear Dunes". He had called to ask me about my vacation to Alaska last summer. My first comment when describing that vacation is about the beauty. That's what prompted him to tell me about Traverse City and the dunes. Therefore, I was excited about this stop on our trip.
I have to say that I was a bit disappointed with Traverse City. I've been told that it's a tourist town and most people are there to enjoy Lake Michigan. I'm just not sure what else is the allure to this city. I found the lodging to be very overpriced, and not very nice.
If not for the plans to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes, (as well as the same-day cancellation policy - 100% loss of payment), I would have kept driving and found someplace else to stay for that night. We checked in to our hotel room and headed for the dunes.
I'm not in great shape! I should have known after how difficult the hilly streets of San Francisco were for me to manage earlier this year. These Dunes were brutal! The incline, especially in the soft sand was very difficult to traverse! But, we enjoyed the adventure!
Sleeping Bear Dunes
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Climbing the Dunes -
Top of 1st dune - view of Lake Michigan -
The bottom of the Dunes -
Top of the Dunes -
Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, Michigan
Lake Michigan
We had to find a spot where we could get wet in Lake Michigan, before leaving Traverse City.
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Lake Michigan - Traverse City -
Lake Michigan, Traverse City, Mi
Shipshewana, Indiana
I was very excited to be heading towards this Amish town. I've seen movies and read books about the Amish, but I'd never seen them in person OR been to an Amish town. My curiosity is how they live amongst the general public. Do they judge those of us who do not live like they do, with our electronics, etc.? How do the youth feel about seeing the general public - are they happy to be growing up Amish?
I plan to learn more about the Amish and hope to answer some of my questions. We checked into our hotel on Saturday at 4:30. When I asked the desk clerk about things to do, he pointed out that the Amish do not work on Sunday, so in this Amish town, nothing would be open on Sunday. Also, most of the shops would be closing around 5-6:00 that day.
I was initially upset with myself for not thinking about that when I set up my itinerary. However, when I really thought about it - I couldn't have rearranged anything. So, I grabbed the room key, ran out to the car and told my son we had 30-90 minutes to find some shops that might be open.
Amish Life
We did find a little street with some cute shops as well as a General Store that was full of odd and interesting things. I felt like we accomplished what I wanted to. After shopping, we drove around hoping to see some of the locals in their element. It didn't take long! We saw women, young and older, riding their bikes home. There were also plenty of families in their horse and buggies riding on the streets. It was all so fascinating to me.
I realized, that although I now needed to come up with something to do on Sunday in Cleveland, the night in Shipshewana, Indiana was probably enough to satisfy my curiosities and encourage me to do some research to understand more.
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Van Buren Hotel - Shipshewana Indiana -
Amish family heading home -
Amish families in their territory -
Ice Cream stand - Shipshewana, Indiana
Cleveland
This was difficult - finding something we'd both enjoy in Cleveland. My son really had no interest in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame. When searching "things to do" in Cleveland, that was the main thing that kept coming up on lists, as well as museums and the West Side Market for food. The zoo was also on the top of the list. We're not exactly foodies, so the West Side Market didn't interest us and we both feel like - Seen one zoo, seen them all.
Truth be told - it was the end of our vacation and our energy level is typically much lower by then. Therefore, we decided to walk down towards the waterfront to explore. We saw the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and marveled in the beauty of Lake Erie from the shoreline of Cleveland.
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Rock & Roll Hall of Fame - Cleveland, Oh -
Waterfront Cleveland -
Waterfront Cleveland -
Waterfront Cleveland
We could see Lake Erie from that location, but we had to be able to step into Lake Erie. On the last morning of our vacation, we found a park where we could park and walk along the beach and get wet in this, our 3rd Great Lake visit.
Lake Erie
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Lake Erie - Cleveland, Oh -
Lake Erie - Cleveland -
Lake Erie - Cleveland
We had a lot of time to kill on our last day since our flight was in the evening. What else was there to do but find another miniature golf course. We found Sweeties Candy Company that had a mini-golf course attached. The golf course was nothing special (and it was REALLY hot that day), but the candy company was HUGE! We'd never seen a candy store so big.
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One last miniature golf game -
Sweeties Candy Shop (Warehouse) - Cleveland, Oh -
Hundreds of soda flavors at Sweetie's Candy Shop -
Old Fashioned Car in the middle of the candy warehouse
While this was not an impromptu vacation, per se, it was not on the radar just 2 months prior to taking off, which added to the joy of taking this trip. We had a great time and were able to check 3 more states off of our map. I would definitely recommend Mackinaw City for anyone who has not been there before!
With Serenity,
Check out some of our other vacations as we visit every state in this great country!