Mike and I decided that because we are having a baby so soon into our marriage (almost a year to the day we got married!) that we were going to take a little vacation for one last hurrah at being a twosome. Being that we did just get married and we are having a baby, we decided to keep it local and inexpensive. We actually saved change in order to take our trip. That’s practically like taking a free vacation!
Now, I have been saving change in a red piggy bank since I was about eight years old. My family went to an arcade where my brother (six at the time) dominated everything that gave out tickets. He had so many that the prize counter was his for the taking. I, on the other hand, was choosing between an eraser and a temporary tattoo. My brother, feeling sorry for me, got me a red piggy bank that I have kept all of these years. The change grew in it slowly, and then more rapidly as I began working and then got married. Mike and I filled that bank up and decided that whatever we did with the money, it had to be fun. Seeing that we saved almost $600, it was going to be really fun!
So, this weekend we took a three day trip up to Traverse City, MI. We had the best time starting from the drive up there. We had gotten into a fight the night before (yes, we do fight once in a while…), and the drive up was so nice talking and laughing together about how ridiculous we are sometimes.
We checked into our hotel, and went out to eat at Apache Trout Grill. I love food, and I’ll eat just about anything, so it is rare that I stumble across a meal that stands out to me as amazing. Their rainbow trout was amazing. Go here. It is so worth it. Bonus: you get a great view from the water almost anywhere you sit.
Mike and me taking a closer look at the great view of the water.
Afterward, we walked around downtown stopping in little shops and sampling cherry products (as this is what the city is famous for). The best was a jar of cherry preserves we tried at Cherry Republic. We had to buy it. Here we are in the store. I don’t mind making a fool of myself in public. I think I am converting Mike as well!
Later that night, we went to Mackinac Brewing Company. Mike and I love breweries and wineries, and unfortunately I am unable to partake in these as of late. I didn’t want Mike to miss out though. He had an IPA and I had a great water. We also LOVE to do crossword puzzles at the bar. I know, crazy twenty-somethings. But, it’s our thing, and we love it, so we did it.
After the brewery, we went to Moomer’s Ice Cream. It was voted best ice cream in America by Good Morning America, so of course we went there every night. That is three times, people.
You might think we are odd, but after ice cream we went back to the hotel to watch tv. We don’t have cable, and this was vacation. So, we watched an hour of mindless crap, and it was glorious!
The next day consisted of fishing and Sleeping Bear Dunes. I was determined to catch a fish as I never have before. Mike just throws his line in the water and they come to him. I, on the other hand, am a complete genius at catching seaweed. You know what? We did not catch a thing! Not even when I tried using my bubble gum as bait. The gum did however catch a bush, a tree and the dock. That’s more than Mike caught with his real bait, so I guess I won that round. We had to leave once it got so cold that I was making ugly faces. If you can zoom in on the second pic, do so. My face is worth the laugh.
Here is an iris farm we saw on our way to the dunes.
Taking a break after thinking it was a good idea to hike the dunes while pregnant.
That night, we went to two other breweries: Right Brain Brewery and North Peak Brewery. Again, they had great water and crosswords.
Our last day consisted of church, Dish for lunch (including more crosswords), Fustini’s Olive Oil tasting and the Dairy Festival down the street from our hotel. It was a small little festival – perfect for our last day in town. We walked around the tents, got some Moomer’s and then headed back home. Not before we saw the most perplexing part of our trip though. The entertainment at the Dairy Festival was a belly dancer. I wish I would have got a picture of this, but let me paint one: dozens of children lined up, mouths open, staring at a half-naked woman gyrating what God gave her. It was the most bizarre thing I have ever seen. Not sure I would have been cool with Ellen seeing that…whatever.
Here’s an old, abandoned insane asylum on the grounds of the festival.
So, we made our way home, and both agreed that it was a fabulous time. We recognized that it was the last time we will ever be able to pack lightly and be spontaneous on a trip. We relished every moment of it, and now we are even more ready for our little Ellen to come.
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I swear you don’t look 8 months pregnant! You look great and I’m glad you guys had such a good time together before the little one arrives. :)
I agree. You look great. I think Ellen is going to be a cute little peanut.
I am so glad you had such a great time! The weather looked perfect and it’s looks like you guys found some really great spots! xoxo
congrats! what a fun idea!
Hope you all are having fun!
you are so funny AND entertaining! i love ur blog, thanks for making it so creative. (btw i love ur mom)