We like to try and take roads we haven't travelled. Adventures we haven't experienced. Views we haven't seen. Which is why instead of driving 24 hours straight home from the family reunion, we took 6 days. From Cassopolis, we drove up the east side of Lake Michigan. We stopped in Holland and visited an actual windmill that was transported from Holland.
We also stopped to get a picture of the Holland lighthouse. We were very shocked by the difference between the St. Joseph and the Holland lighthouses. I know it was weekday vs weekend, but the Holland shore was larger and was packed!!
We ended at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore that night. Since it was the beginning of June, as we drove north, it was progressively cooler. But it was a great night there in D.H. Day Campground. We got pizza from this little place in Glen Arbor and as we waited we drove around a little. We found the most beautiful, secluded view of Lake Michigan as the sun was starting to set. Off of Thoreson Rd we eventually got to this place called Sunset Shores and one spot had a turn around, no signs, but a well built set of stairs to the shore. If we ever go back, we'll try to find that spot again.
The campground also has access to a beach with a boardwalk out to the sand so I was able to push Evan to it in his chair a few times while we were there. It was really beautiful. And a great place when Evan wasn't being helpful as we took the tent down.
We didn't actually climb the "Big Dune" but if we had more time, we would have included it. "DUNE!" was a phrase Ryan enjoyed repeating during our trip.
Michigan is a beautiful state. So much water and so much green. We continued north to Mackinaw and the long bridge where we got to see Lake Michigan and Lake Huron at the same time.
From the advice of my Michigan source, Amanda, once we got into the Upper Peninsula, we decided to head north to the Tahquamenon "Phenomenon" Falls State Park. (The Phenomenon helps you remember how to pronounce it). This was a great idea! Not only was it a great stop to get out and exercise, because of the paths and stairs to the falls, but because Evan joined us too. And happily. He walked down and back up the many steps with all of us!
From there we found Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Lake Superior. We arrived too late to stop in for our National Park Passport stamp, but did find a short hike on a paved trail to Munising Waterfall, and drove to Miners Castle and some beautiful views of the shoreline. Then we camped near Christmas.
As we drove the next morning to our next stop, Oliver quickly pulled over and we drove through a unique sculpture garden. Lakenenland.
I was told by Amanda that we needed to try a pasty when in the UP. It was around lunchtime when we were in L'anse and it was probably our last big city before heading into Wisconsin so we tried to drive around and see if there was a sign or a restaurant advertising them. Sadly, there wasn't. We stopped to get some gas and I asked Oliver to go inside and ask if he could get any info on where to buy some pasties. He returned with one of my favorite stories from the trip. As he approached the counter and started with "I've got a random question", he was given the look of "oh great, what is this guy going to say?" And then as soon as he mentioned that he'd been told he needed to try pasties before leaving the state, they lit up and the one attendant said, "Hold on, let me call my mom. She makes the best pasties, sells them for $2.50 and I think she's got some in her freezer!" Unfortunately, we weren't sent to meet the mother because she had already left home and we were sent over to the grocery store's deli. We did find some and they were pretty good. Although I'm really curious how different the homemade ones would have been.
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