Extended Weekend in Traverse City, MI

Independence day fell on a Thursday so, of course, we were going to take Friday off and make a trip of it. We decided to head all the way to Traverse City, MI because it is super awesome. It is one of our favorite places for a quick getaway and is one of the upper midwest's best kept secrets. Our friend, Lydia, came along, too. I am so glad she did because it helped Inga and Mommy from getting on each other's nerves too much. 

We left Thursday morning and pretty much just drove all day long. We camped at Interlochen State Park in the Green Lake rustic campsites. Those were pretty much the only campsites available in the Traverse City area during the holiday weekend. We have camped there before a few years ago and the sites are perfectly adequate. It is also a great location for visiting Traverse City and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Since it was Independence Day, people were setting off fireworks late into the night. Inga did not go to sleep until nearly 11pm. Yikes!

Throwing rocks into Green Lake

Climbing the stairs down to Green Lake

The next day we visited Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. We drove along the scenic drive and stopped for a hike along the dunes between Glen Lake and Lake Michigan.

Fox and Ornery enjoying the sunshine

Inga and Daddy enjoying the sunshine

Dunes about 400 feet above Lake Michigan

Group photo!

 After the little scenic drive with all the crowds, we bypassed the dune climb and headed for Glen Haven and the beach. Glen Haven is an historic fishing village. No one lives there, but it is part of the park. The beach on Lake Michigan is a natural beach with sand, rocks, and crystal clear water. Inga was totally fearless in the water and charged right out into the lake. This is great except she can't swim so we really had to keep an eye on her. Eventually, she got too cold to keep swimming (water temp was maybe 62˚F) and just played with all the rocks. You really had to be careful on that beach and watch for rock throwing toddlers. This is my new favorite Lake Michigan beach in the Traverse City area.

Toting her buckets down to the water. 

Nap time

Lydia was packing heat

 After the beach we drove a little while to let Inga nap. Lydia and I did a quick wine tasting at L. Mawbry winery, which specializes in sparkling wines, on the Leelenau peninsula. After that it was time to head back to camp for dinner and bedtime. Bedtime was also late this night due to more fireworks.

Learning the art of the selfie

 On Sunday, I had reserved tickets for an afternoon ride around Grand Traverse Bay on the tall ship Manitou. It is a replica tall ship built in the 1950s that sails around Grand Traverse Bay for tours and overnight trips. It has 2 masts and 5 sails. Lydia and Sam helped raise the sails while Inga and I shouted "Heave!" Everyone had a super fantastic time. Lydia operated the wheel most of the trip and chatted with the crew. As we pulled up to the dock, Inga said, "Wan boat home," which means something like want to take boat home or want a boat for home. Either way, it made Daddy's heart go pitter-patter. I just told Inga we lived in the wrong part of the country and we would just vacation in northern Michigan again.

Enjoying the breeze off the water

3 spokes to starboard!

 After the boat ride, we again drove to let Inga take a nap. We took Lydia to the tip of the Mission Peninsula since she had never been. Sam and Lydia explored the old mission while Inga and I napped in the car. We then hit up Chateau Chantal winery and Lydia did some wine tasting while Sam and I enjoyed a glass on the boiling hot new patio. It was a nice patio, but needed some serious shade! Continuing our day, Sam dropped by two health food stores and left some Wiley's Finest literature and a samples. Then we had dinner at the North Peak Brewing Co. They had fantastic lake perch and walleye. But, wait there's more, we strolled along the Traverse City beach and Inga proceeded to run into the water. I ran back to the car and grabbed her swimsuit. She swam and played until about 9pm. We thought we'd stay for the fireworks (yes, more fireworks) that ended the National Cherry Festival, but it was just getting too late for Inga.

Playing at the Traverse City beach

Our return journey was a little longer due to traffic on I-75 between Bay City and Flint. We had such a great time. It was partly because it was sunny the entire time and back home it had been raining everyday for about 2 weeks. Northern Michigan in summertime is about as good as it gets.