Family Reunion in Michigan

We spent a few days last week with Matt's family in Michigan. We stayed at a house they rented in Gaylord, MI.

On Monday, we took the ferry over to Mackinac Island (aka Mackinaw Island). No cars are allowed on the island. We got to the ferry, but it was pouring rain. So, we hung out at a pizza place to wait out the rain.

We took the Arnold ferry over around 12:30. By the time we got over to the island, the weather was sunny and perfect! We really lucked out! Once we got there, we rented bicycles to ride around the island on the 8 mile bike path that circles the island.

The bike ride was very nice - beautiful weather, gorgeous scenery! I worked on snapping pictures while riding the bike. I got a few shots of my hair and of the pavement. But, I got a few that turned out ok, too!

Ready to go!

Action shot

Ruth biking behind me

The water was crystal clear

Afterwards, we grabbed a snack and a drink at the Pink Pony patio. Live music, sunny weather, the lake right by us... it was awesome!

At the Pink Pony patio bar

We walked around the main street, had some gourmet ice cream and bought a ton of fudge!

We headed back from Mackinaw Island and stopped off for a view of the Mackinac Bridge. It's 5 miles long and connects lower Michigan to the upper peninsula of Michigan.

That night we had dinner at Legs Inn, a Polish restaurant by the lake. The food was really good! The decor of the place was interesting. : )

I think this is a pierogi (???)

On Tuesday, we drove over to Traverse City and visited the wineries on Old Mission Peninsula. We went to 5 of the 7 wineries (the other 2 closed before we could make it to them, which was a bummer!) We had lunch at the Peninsula Grill. We also stopped at the Mission Point Lighthouse. So many good wines and gorgeous views! Matt and I came back with 9 new bottles of wine!

At Peninsula Cellars - in an old schoolhouse

Helen and Ruth at Bowers Harbor Vineyards

Love this vase

Wine in the making

At Mission Point

Old Mission Point Lighthouse

View from Chateau Chantal

Ruth, me and Helen at Chateau Chantal

We walked around downtown Traverse City and shopped at the Cherry Republic and the Cherry Stop. Matt picked up some hot cherry salsa, which is surprisingly really good!

We drove back to Gaylord that night and had dinner at the Big Buck Brewery.

As always, we had a lot of fun hanging out with Matt's family! Before we left on Wednesday, we played bags and enjoyed the cooler sunny weather.

Nice form John!

Ladies turn

Gerene was a ringer!

Enjoying the sunshine in the backyard

Delaney and Addison terrorizing Matt... or it may be the other way around!

View from the backyard

More pics from the weekend are on our Shutterfly site (link at the top right of this page).