Michigan Family Vacation 2021

The kids joined us for a fun family vacation in Michigan around July 4th. They flew into Traverse City and we spent two days there before returning to our house.

We stayed in a VRBO condo in the Commons - the old Traverse City Insane Asylum, now renovated into private residences, shops and restaurants. What a history the place has! Samantha and Emily refused to sleep in their bedroom on the top floor - said it was creepy and probably haunted! 

 Roger and I purchased electric bikes earlier this summer so the kids rented some and we biked from Traverse City to Suttons Bay on the Lelanau Trail - about 20 miles around the bay and through beautiful countryside. We stopped at Shady Lane Cellars and sampled their great wines and then rode on to Suttons Bay for lunch. Our tired butts forced us to load our bikes on the shuttle bus back to the city! 

The family loves Dr. Pol, the veternarian's show on TV, so a sidetrip to his office for a picture was on their bucket list! Dr. Pol was not working that day so they had to settle for the sign!

Judy took Eddy family pictures for us on Saturday over at McCourtie Park. Wish I was as photogenic as my granddaughters!

D

Our neighbors always put on a great fireworks display so we all had dinner, sat on our deck and enjoyed  our private show on Saturday night. Since the kids live in big cities in Texas, they were impressed that we didn't have to pack up and fight traffic in order to celebrate the holiday!

Sunday saw us at the Hanover July 4th Parade - a real taste of rural America! Roger and Emily decorated Uncle Bud's tractor and rode it in the parade. Not to be left out Megan and Samantha decorated our bikes to ride! We had lunch at the Heritage Center and then rooted for Duane and Bill at the tractor pulling contest!

We had an old fashioned ice cream social for the Hewlett family on Monday afternoon. So good to see them all!

Tuesday was a sad "take them to the airport" day! But, we made lots of memories to sustain us until next time we are all together!

Fall and Winter 2020

We enjoyed several days in Hot Springs with Carlos and Megan in October. So nice to spend quality time with them! We played golf while they went hiking one day and we rented a pontoon boat and toured Lake Hamilton another. Happy hours, delicious dinners and cards!

 November and December were spent in Houston for birthdays and holidays! Probably the last year for Halloween for the girls but Megan will always have fun!

Kyle and Heather have purchased land to build a lake house on Lake Buchanan near Burnet, TX so we travelled to see it. It will be lovely when finished but probably a long project to complete. 

Heather got a paddle board for Christmas - a great toy for the lake house!

Heather was busy making and selling "Hot Chocolate Bombs" for Christmas gifts! What a big hit!

Roger's birthday gift was a fishing trip on Lake Buchanan and what a fun day! The fish were biting and the whole family was reeling them in! Still have some in the freezer!

We came home in January instead of staying at Travelers World in San Antonio. Safer from COVID in rural Michigan and we spent the winter remodeling the basement into a family room/suite. Still waiting for furniture but it looks great!

Summer 2020

Don't know why this never got posted! Senior moments!

 It has been a quiet summer here with all the COVID restrictions. We have stayed home and primarily just spent time doing outside activities. 

We sold our Buick Enclave and bought a new Buick Envision - downsized and love all the new safety features.

Finally, in late August we went to Charlevoix and Petosky with Ray, Mel, Judy and Marilou for a few days. Camped for 2 days and then Roger and I moved to the Edgewater Inn for 2 nights. We rafted around Lake Charlevoix, played golf and rented electric bikes for a day. Stayed safe by being outdoors! The Edgewater is right on the small lake that separates Lake Charlevoix and Lake Michigan so you can sit on your balcony and watch all the yachts and sailboats come and go. Relaxing!

We just got back from Mackinac Island with our friends Lee and Cindy. We stayed at the Grand Hotel and played golf; road bikes around the island and had a great time. Check that one off our bucket list!