Quick Trip to Michigan

You know, we have never really focused on Michigan as a destination for, well, anything.  Until recently.

Last fall we came home from Niagara Falls through Canada and spent a few days in Frankenmuth, Bay City, seeing the Ball Brothers in concert, having lunch at Stray Dog in New Buffalo.  Then in June we traveled to Mackinac Island with Megan and Matt and the kids, stayed at a resort close to there and made another stop at Stray Dog for nachos and fish tacos (Reuben for Gary) on the way home.

This past week we decided to drive to Michigan for a few days, just to get away from the packing, unpacking, sorting, pitching routine that had enveloped our lives for the past few months.  My intent was to finish cleaning out the house on 550S before we left, but that didn't happen.  Oh well.  The trip was a needed one, and off we went.

We left on Monday morning and our first stop was in St Joseph for an early lunch.  An Ivy Tech friend had recommended a place called Buck's Burgers and Brews, and it was a great place to start our adventure.  After lunch we strolled down the streets and stopped at several shops along the way, including a winery.  We checked out the lighthouse on Lake Michigan before we continued our journey.

Next stop was South Haven where we spent Monday and Tuesday nights.  The hotel desk clerk suggested that we go to the tourist information center for more information.  Armed with pamplets and maps we once again strolled the streets, checking out shops, restaurants, and wineries.

A drive to Holland the next morning found us with a repeat trip to the Windmill park.  It was fun to stroll around the grounds and enjoy the flowers, the birds, and the windmills on the property. 

One of the highlights for me was the stop at Crane's Pie Pantry and Winery, which seemed like an odd combination.  The restaurant was unique in that all of the seating was at tables that seemed to have been picked up at auctions or flea markets or yard sales.  None of them matched but they were perfect for the setting.  The tasting bar for the winery was behind the hostess stand for the restaurant and there was a bakery at the opposite end of the building.  My salad was great but the best thing was the Pie Flight that Gary ordered for dessert.  We sampled four different kinds of pies/cobbler with vanilla ice cream as an added treat to the warm concoctions.  It was great!

We stopped at few wineries both that day and the next and brought home a dozen bottles of different wines to try.

We also stopped at two orchards along the way for fresh peaches, apples, and plums. Another stop was at a garden center which specialized in tulip bulbs (that Sheryl for the tip on that one) and brought home around 60 bulbs to plant in our new flower beds.

Getting away for three days was just what we needed.  It is always good just to relax, refresh, enjoy some different scenery, try a few new restaurants, and of course, the wine tasting is always fun.