Michigan 2002 Summer Vacation
Uplegger Cottage ** Mackinaw City area ** Frankenmuth
The strategy this time was to combine a trip to Natalie's sister's cottage with a trip to the Mackinaw City area. We've traveled to this area several times -- and will travel there several more as it's relatively close by and has so much to offer.
DAY-BY-DAY NOTES
Friday August 9th -- Travel Day
- Trip to Canadian Lakes
- Left early, arrived earlier than hosts and wandered the area
Saturday August 10th -- Cottage Fun
- Go Cart fun
- Boat 'n Beach
It's always fun to visit Aunt Liz and Uncle Jim's cottage. This year was especially fun as rather than fitting it into a weekend, we combined the trip with our August vacation. That worked well and would do it that way again.
Sunday August 11th -- Cottage Fun and Travel
- Kids go horseback riding
- Departure after Lunch
- Late afternoon arrival in Mackinaw City
- Traditional first stop in park by Bridge
- Check in at Grand View Resort
- Kite Flying
- Dinner in Mackinaw Crossing
- Late Evening Fire
After taking the kids on a short horseback ride in the morning, we left the cottage and headed north, arriving in Mackinaw City in the late afternoon. We made our traditional stop in the park by the Mackinaw bridge -- then generally took in our surroundings.
Monday, August 12th -- Michigan's Upper Peninsula
- Crossing the Mackinaw Bridge
- Tahquamenon Falls (Upper and Lower)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
- Lake Superior
- Rain
Having concentrated in the Mackinaw City area in the past, we chose this time to spend a day on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Our main destination for the day was Tahquamenon Falls which -- while not quite Niagara -- were definitely worth seeing. Although having done so once, I most likely will not go back.
Tuesday, August 13th -- Mackinac Island
- Arnold Ferry
- Carriage Tour
- Arch Rock
- Fort
- Oysters at Horn's Bar
- Wandering down Main street
While Mackinaw City and the surrounding area are a worth the trip -- we just couldn't go all the way to Mackinaw City and not spend a day on Mackinac Island. As the kids get older, the island gets more and more enjoyable -- next time, I'd like to stay on the island at least one night (which we haven't done for six years, before Alyssa was born). We would probably skip the oysters which were just ok -- nothing great. When visiting the fort, the restaurant on the porch overlooking the city, has an incredible view (our picture here doesn't do it justice) and good food (it's run by the Grand Hotel) -- it's a don't miss stop.
Wednesday, August 14th -- Day at the Beach
- Explored and enjoyed the beach
- Relaxed Poolside fun
- Miniature Golf
- Shopping
- Back to the pool and beach
- Dinner at the Lighthouse Restaurant and Lounge
- Night time visit to Mackinaw Crossing
A big part of this trip was to be relaxing by the water -- and the Grand View Resort was a nice place to do so. We stayed in their condo unit -- which included a separate bedroom and a kitchen. This allowed us to have meals in the room saving us money, and making meals less a concern. However, I expect we got lucky finding their single condo unit available the week we wanted to vacation.
Thursday, August 15th -- Travel Day/Frankenmuth
- Frankenmuth River Place
- Riverboat is broken
- Bavarian Inn Lodge
- Chicken Dinner
- More lodge fun
Rather than go directly home, we thought it would be nice to have one last short destination close to home. We chose something fun and familiar, the Bavarian Inn Lodge in Frankenmuth, Michigan. While we still enjoyed the lodge, we found it is definitely more a cold weather destination than a warm weather one.
Friday, August 16th -- Travel Day
- Junction Valley Railroad
- Outlet shopping
- HOME!
This trip reminded me how much fun we can have right here in Michigan.
