Apr 30

Traverse City, Michigan

Traverse City Sidewalk CafésTraverse City, Michigan, we had heard a lot about the Cherry Capital of the world from the Chereskins, our former neighbors in Fernandina Beach, Florida and were very much looking forward to visiting and exploring this city and its surroundings on Lake Michigan.
Sometimes we do and go so much that it makes my head spin, and the writing of our adventures becomes so extensive, that to sit down and actually write is a little daunting, but it is way past time to update my blog. So here goes…

To begin the story, we sold most of our belongings (again) and left Georgia to travel to our next stop of Michigan. Our friends threw us a lovely going away party and the next day in early August, we hit the road. Spent time with the grands and daughter for a couple of weeks. It is always a lovely adventure being with the grand kids. They keep you young and make you feel old, simultaneously.  LOL. Stored most of our items in my daughter’s new home and took off to Traverse City. Traverse is one of the busiest vacation spots in all of Michigan. I personally found it too busy for my taste, however it does have beautiful beaches, many places and nearby towns to explore, interesting history, adorable homes, fantastic restaurants and lots of outdoor activities.

I will give you the cons first because honestly, the pros far out-weigh the cons.

Cons: Where we were located ‘on the Main drag called Front Street, ambulances were constantly being dispatched to emergencies. I mean, I know this is a good thing to have available, but my goodness I have never heard SO many ambulances ever, nor as loud. It sometimes felt like Tokyo and New York on a Crossroad. It doesn’t help that even the roads are atrocious. The winter weather really beats them up and there is only a short time span (due to snow) that they can be repaired, and unfortunately that is during the busiest summer tourist months. And then the drivers….the drivers are scarier Chicago. I assure you that you had best take a good look before passing through YOUR green light because there is always someone running THEIR “very” red lights. Cutting you off in traffic is another fun game, IF you enjoy playing Mario Cart. Sadly there is a large population of homeless and drug issues. Not that they go hand in hand, but just something you cannot help but notice.

The city is known as the Caribbean of Michigan, and the most visited town in Michigan. The lake is clear, pure and there are a multitude of water sports to enjoy. Sailing, boating, fishing, paddle boarding, hunting for fossilized rocks (called Petoskey stones), sunning, swimming, kayaking and just taking in the scenery. Another popular outdoor activity is bicycling. The city boast some of the most beautiful and well maintained bike paths and parks to explore. If you don’t feel like hauling your bike with you, there are many rental companies to choose from. Continue reading

Aug 19

A Full Week of Fun, Family and Friends

david, jeabet and the kidsWe had a Full Week of Fun, Family and Friends planned around the birthday of my youngest one.
Thursday: July 27th
Early this morning we started our trek towards Michigan to visit with my youngest daughter and her sweet family.
Our first stop though was Nashville, to visit with our best friends and spend the night. We have a tendency to act like teenagers, who get all excited to visit with friends, then proceed to party too much. My good intentions of only partaking in one glass of wine went right out the window seconds upon arrival. After the first glass, then second and third……. after that, who’s counting or can??? LOL We finally all went to bed, I got the extreme giddy giggles and don’t really remember going to sleep, but I sure do remember waking up. Oh goodness, do I ever. Slow moving and a bit miserable. Our buddies slept in, we had some coffee, left them a thank you note and got on the road. Han drove, it was safer that way for sure.
Friday: July 28th
The trip from Kingsland to Nashville, the day before, had been uneventful and pleasant. However, the trip heading from Brentwood towards Michigan was complete misery. Very busy traffic, horrible fatal accidents, horrible truck driver behavior, more construction than we have experienced before, windy rain and with my numerous potty breaks, it became a very, very long day. At 5:00pm, I started feeling like a normal person and was beyond grateful. Han and I went to our favorite French Bakery and purchased two loaves of delicious warm french bread and drinks. I took over driving, as Han was getting dang tired and he really enjoyed his coffee and bread.
We rolled into Whitehall Michigan at 8:20pm and with so many hugs and kisses, I started feeling even better. We unloaded the car, visited some, set up our temporary bedroom in the basement and just relaxed with the grand kids until it was time for bed. Han and I were both so ready.
Saturday: July 29th

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May 03

Crewing at a Horse Endurance Race in Hodges Alabama

April 20th, Thursday
Woke up bright and early, in enough time to gather my items, and waited for my daughter to pick me up to take me to Hodges Alabama, where she was going to compete in a horse endurance race. She does quite a few of those every year and this one was the season closer for her called “Hodges Hootenanny” and held at “Rock Bridge Canyon Equestrian Park”. 

Friend Donna got an early start, as she was going all the way to Jacksonville, Florida. I drank probably the worst coffee in my life, but it woke me up.
My daughter “Maranda” pulled in around 8:30am (she was running a little behind) in her huge truck with the even larger 5th wheel horse trailer/camper combo. That girl of mine is something else! In the dictionary under the description of “kick ass chick”, should be a photo of her.
We loaded up and I finally got to meet the newest canine member of our family. His name is Gizmo and he is a cute energetic pill. LOL

We rolled into camp and I knew immediately that I was out of my element. See I am not overly fond of dealing with horses. Mind you they are beautiful, but they scare the crap out of me. Horses EVERYWHERE! These are not your average stable horses, they are strong and fast and sometimes overly spirited, so I figured I would need eyes in the back of my head to avoid being trampled. Continue reading

Apr 20

A Visit to Elvis Presley’s Birthplace in Tupelo Mississippi

Easter Sunday April 16th – Donna and I left for Tupelo Mississippi for a visit to Elvis Presley’s birthplace and safely arrived at our hotel. If you want to stay somewhere close to everything, but feel safe and secure, this is the place. Very nice Comfort Inn, staff and rooms.
We had a restful evening and night, grabbed some breakfast, then off to see Elvis’s Birthplace. The reason for visiting Tupelo in the first place. Last year Han and I visited Graceland in Memphis, so I was excited to see where it all started. I was definitely NOT disappointed. The home, church and area had such a peaceful serene feeling. It is absolutely worth the visit. Saw his home, the room where he was born, the car that carried the family from Tupelo to Graceland, wonderful memorabilia, lovely little museum, the church where he began his singing career and so much more. I was seriously impressed and touched by all.
They even have TV’s in the bathrooms playing Elvis videos and movies.

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Apr 15

Delightful Stay in Music City Tennessee

Dropping south from the Michigan rainy cold, we were looking forward to a delightful warmer stay in Nashville Tennessee.
Our one highlight of this traveling day was that we took the time to stop at the French Bakery in Berrien Springs off Highway 31 and had a divine lunch and a French baguette to-go. https://www.facebook.com/Baguette-de-France-of-Berrien-Springs-166193277292/
We had visited once before by ‘accident’ last year and it turned out to be just as good this second time.
Not wanting to rush out we had decided to make the trip to Nashville a two day event, rather than hurrying down Interstates trying to make it before nightfall.
So instead we spent a relaxing night in Franklin IN, just south of Indianapolis, then continued south to Nashville in the morning down Interstate 65. What we notice more and more is that US interstates these days have more tractor-trailers than regular passenger cars on the road, reason why we are trying to avoid them whenever and wherever we can, especially when you know that truck drivers are just as prone to the seductions of the mobile phone, as regular drivers. Very dangerous.

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