Up North & WAY Up North

So we decided to spend a good 6 days in Michigan; my friend was getting married Saturday-so we made a vacation out it.
Adam had never been to our families cottage and it had been 3 years for me! So after we were picked up from the airport in Grand Rapids and a stop at my Aunt & Uncles we drove 3 hours North to my quiet heaven.
4/5 of my T.C. Cousins and my Aunt Pat were already there for a cook out. We had a great time talking and eating and sitting around the campfire.  I miss that. Being with family-impromptu like, although I planned this a few months in advance.
The next day we decided to take Adam on a tour of the area. We loaded up in the car and headed to Cedar to pick up some Jerky and hotdogs from Pleva’s meats. mmmmmmm
Then it was on to Sleeping Bear Dunes Nat’l Park.  I hadn’t been since I was probably 3.  I don’t even remember.   We took lots of photos of the spectacular views and even made the hill climb.  Although Adam would have been happy climbing down and up this:

I said NO!. That is a boat down by the shore…and those are people climbing up!

Dad, Adam, me and mom at the Lake Michigan overlook

Running down the dune!

We then headed to Leland, my favorite little town, for lunch at the Damn.


 

My cousin Wyman made this fish that stands outside of the Carlson’s Fishery.

After a fun day of playing fudgy we headed to Pentwater-2 hours south.  Dad and Adam rode in the back…and had a “good” time.

The first thing we did when we got in was see the puppies. And oh were they cute!!!
   
The rest of the weekend was low key (out side of the wedding celebration!) Weather wasn’t the greatest, but we made the best of it and did what we could.

Yes that’s Joseph on the latter of the lighthouse-he’s not too bright.

Mr. & Mrs. Monton.

It was a beautiful wedding-cold, but the sun came out just as they were exchanging vows and it was perfect! The 500 guest reception was over the top and we danced until the kicked us out at 2 am!

 

It’s funny how well Adam fits in so well with my family.

Dad & Tony-Father of the Groom

Sunday the sun did come out and we made it to the beach for Joseph’s “hidden kegger” the guys had fun playing volleyball and drinking beer while I napped in the sun.

 

Overall it was a great, much needed trip and we were able to see a lot of family and friends.  It’s always nice to have time to do what you’d like.  This was our last planned trip of the year so it was bitter sweet for it to come to an end, but we do have lots more things in the future.