Cowboy World!

In August we took Isabelle to Donley's Wild West Town in Union, Illinois. It's about an hour from Chicago and my sister Michelle discovered it one day driving home from work. Michelle, her husband Jim and my other sister Janell wanted to get together, so we thought it would be a great place to meet and spend a Saturday morning. I prepped Isabelle by taking her to the library to find a book on cowboys. We found The Toughest Cowboy, it's about a group of cowboys who are tamed of their wild ways by a poodle named Foofy. Check it out, it's a cute book. I also kept referring to Donley's Wild West Town as Cowboy World, so forever in our minds that is the name we will use. I didn't think Isabelle was into Cowboy World while we were there. She was a bit afraid of almost everything - pony ride, petting zoo, merry-go-round, Wild West Show (that one we should have expected, gun shots were involved) - but after we left she kept talking about Cowboy World. Even this week Isabelle has mentioned "I go to Cowboy World!" She did enjoy panning for gold (water and rocks were involved), running around the tee-pee and she liked the train ride.

Donley's Wild West Town is geared for the 3-11 age set, so I think we'll go back another time when Isabelle is a little older and can enjoy it even more. Here are some of the activities, all for $16. Ages 2 and under are free.

Wild West Show
Train Rides
Merry-Go-Round
Roping Lessons
Playground
Petting Zoo
Panning for Gold
Sling Shots
Tomahawk Throw
Archery
Pony Rides (for kids)
Mini Roller Coaster (for kids)
Mini Canoe Rides (for kids)
Hand Cars (for kids)
Tee-Pee, shops and other areas to explore

Train is coming!

She was a little nervous on the train.

Inside the petting zoo.

We checked out the ponies, but she would NOT ride one.

Panning for gold.

Just a typical Saturday for us.

Dreaming of Greece

I recently discovered the song "Mykonos" by the group Fleet Foxes. It's from their first album, Sun Giant released in 2008. So I guess I'm a bit late to game, but wow when I first heard it on the radio I had to listen to it again and again and again. Thanks to iTunes and $0.99 I can. Although the song lyrics don't reflect this, the melody reminds me of a carefree vacation. You know the kind where you're relaxing at a beach cafe with a glass of wine in hand and the wind is blowing off the water. Then of course the title "Mykonos" makes me think of my long-held desire to visit the Greek Islands. Even now I can just envision the crystal blue water and white-washed buildings. One of these days!

You can check out the song and accompanying video here: http://fleetfoxes.com/

Round We Went - Last Stop Southwest Michigan

Last Stop - Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Took a the ferry back to Mackinac City, drove south along the east coast of Michigan with a detour to see Sleeping Bear Dunes. Then made our way to Whitehall which was our home base for the last two nights before making a leisurely drive home to Chicago with a few stops along the way in New Buffalo and Michigan City. Full trip overview here.

After we docked in Mackinac City, we packed up the car and made our way south. Our first stop was to visit Sleeping Bear Dunes. It took us about three hours to drive there and when we arrived in Glen Arbor, the closest town, we were ready for lunch. We noticed Boondocks right away with it's huge deck, lots of umbrellas and better yet, it was packed. The food didn't live up to the ambiance, but it was enough to sustain us during our visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes. We needed the energy because we were about to climb the dune. It took a lot longer than we thought because Isabelle liked to stop and play in the sand. Why wouldn't she? It was a giant sandbox to her! From the top of the dune we had a clear view of Glen Lake and the surrounding area.  We were high up - about 150 feet above the parking lot at the first plateau and about 300 feet above at the second plateau. It took a lot to keep Isabelle from running down to the bottom and once again I was more worn out than she was. I heard "Come on Mommy" a few times.

On the way up!

Resting at the top.

Time to head back down.

Sand angels!

After our climb we shook off the sand and hopped in the car. We still had a 2 1/2 hour drive to Whitehall, where we were staying our last two nights. When we finally arrived at the Lakeside Inn Resort, it was getting close to dinner. So we quickly checked out our room and unpacked the car. Our room was on the second level and was fairly large. The bathroom could have used some updating, but the screened in porch more than made up for it.

Checking out the view - tip toes!

For dinner we tried to go to Harbor View Grille in Whitehall. It was a Friday night and the wait was long, so we decided to try the local fish fry at the Lake Eagles Auxiliary 3124, part of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. The fish was good, but the view and the band were even better!

Isabelle was more into the band. They played Phish! Tom was a happy guy!

They next day started with a continental breakfast at the resort and since it was too cold to take a dip in the outdoor heated pool, so we decided to hop in the car and check out Nelis' Dutch Village in Holland. I remember going here as a kid and I hate to say this, but it didn't live up to my memories. It was a bit tired and the on again, off again rain probably didn't help. Although, since it is geared for kids, all that really matters is if Isabelle liked it - she did!

First time on a carousal. Look at that posture!

She loved seeing the animals.

Choo Choo!

She went back for more!

After visiting Nelis' Dutch Village, we decided to drive over to Saugatuck. It's a popular weekend destination from Chicago and we had heard great things about it. It has tons of cute shops and restaurants, so our first stop was finding a place for lunch. I honestly don't remember the name of where we ate, but it was located right along the docks and we sat outside so Isabelle could see all the boats go by. After lunch we checked out the shops and grabbed some coffee to go. 

Isabelle fell asleep on the drive back to Whitehall, so we just kept driving. We ended up a few miles past the resort at White River Light Station. Tom and I each took turns checking out the lighthouse.

Lake Michigan and White Lake are connected by this channel.

Cloudy day.

After Isabelle's nap we decided to once again try Harbor View Grille - going early worked and we were seated fairly quickly. Dinner was delicious, but we could tell that Isabelle needed to burn some energy, so we went back to the resort and she took over the playground. The sun also finally came out!

"Welcome to my home."

Future rock climber?

Perhaps one of my favorite photos.

That evening Tom and I relaxed on the screened in porch while Isabelle dozed off. The next morning was a slow start and we eventually packed up the car and made our way to New Buffalo where we had lunch and went to an art fair. It was a great way to celebrate Father's Day!

Tom wearing his Father's Day gift from Isabelle.

Our next stop was Michigan City to see what the outlet mall had to offer. Turns out it isn't that close to the highway and there is a nuclear power plant next door.  Not exactly a comforting sight. It was getting late so we went in literally two stores and left. We made it back home to Chicago in time for dinner and Sunday evening traffic. Some things never change!

We had a wonderful vacation circling Lake Michigan!

Circle complete - Chicago!

 

Round We Went - Third Stop Mackinac Island

Third Stop - Wednesday and Thursday
Drove to Mackinac City and took the ferry to Mackinac Island where we stayed for two nights. Full trip overview here.

After our great breakfast at Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn we packed up the car and made our way to Mackinac City to catch a ferry to Mackinac Island. The condo we stayed at recommended the Arnold Line, so we found it, unloaded and parked the car in the overnight lot. We had some time before the ferry left, so we wandered around town and found a local family restaurant to have lunch. They had pasty on the menu, a U.P specialty, so we ordered a chicken pasty and a beef pasty. Both were served with sides of gravy. They tasted like a pot pie and were delicious! I mean, how can you go wrong when gravy is involved?

After lunch we made our way back to the ferry and it was time to set sail. Isabelle really enjoyed the boat ride and it only took about a half hour. We sat inside at the front of the boat, so we had a good view coming into the Mackinac Island harbor. 

Ready to board.

Enjoying the boat ride!

Once we arrived we were told our condo shuttle would be there soon, but it took awhile. In retrospect we should have ordered a taxi. So why the wait? There are no cars or other motorized vehicles allowed on the island so your options are walking, riding a bike or taking a horse drawn carriage (shuttle and cabs are under this category).  Even the UPS delivery guy uses a horse drawn carriage. 

Waiting for the shuttle. Note the UPS carriage in the background.

Loaded up and ready to go

We stayed at Sunset Condos, which was about two miles from downtown on the west end of the island. We had a nice relaxing carriage ride to our condo. We went through town, by some beautiful homes, past Grand Hotel and the last leg was through the woods. Our condo was actually one room, but it had a deck with an amazing view of Lake Huron. It worked out really well. Since the condo was also two miles from most of the restaurants, we lucked out that there were a few great options just a short walk away.  

For dinner the first night we went to Woods, a Bavarian restaurant in a beautiful Tudor mansion. It's run by Grand Hotel and the website says it's casual dining, but in my opinion the decor and prices reflect more fine dining.  Although they were very accommodating for children and the piano player even played a few children's songs for Isabelle. The food was perhaps the best we had on vacation - the schnitzel was mouth watering!

We got dessert to go and on the way out peeked in at the bar and discovered an old bowling alley, so of course we had to give it a go. Apparently it is America's oldest operating duckpin bowling alley. We enjoyed it! 

Let's bowl!

Sunset that night.

The next day we ate breakfast at the condo and then ventured out to explore the island. We decided our first stop was to walk to Fort Mackinac. Walkers beware, there is a lot of horse manure on the roads, so watch where you step!

Watch where you walk!

Arriving at Fort Mackinac. We did a lot of walking that day!

Fort Mackinac is a must-see. There is a museum, many buildings and homes to explore, reenactors and great views. We even saw a rifle demonstration. There were also a lot of Boy Scouts on duty and a few helped Tom bring our stroller down a large flight of stairs. Such gentlemen!

Fort Mackinac

Great views from Fort Mackinac

After seeing Fort Mackinac we ventured down the steep path into downtown. We were in search of lunch - all that walking made us hungry! We checked out a few restaurants and settled on a pizza place right on the main road. Isabelle loves pizza, so it was a no-brainer. Plus we got to sit on the front porch and see all the horses and bikes go by. Isabelle was just as excited to see the bikes as she was the horses. After this trip she really wanted a bike of her own. It was a good thing she got one for her birthday a few weeks later. (Thanks again Nana and Papa!).

For dessert we picked up some fudge from one of the many, many fudge shops. We sat by one of the boat docks and dug in. Next up was shopping where we picked up our required magnet, a cute shirt for Isabelle and a children's book about Mackinac Island. Getting a cab back to the condo proved to be tricky and at that point I wasn't in any shape to walk home. I need a nap more than Isabelle!

Back at the condo I took a nap, while Isabelle sat next to me watching Madeline on the iPad. Hey, a pregnant mom has to do what she has to do. Tom went for a run around the island while we rested and he had a great time. There were plenty of car-free trails for him to tackle.

Our next outing that day was to see Grand Hotel and have ice cream. Isabelle fell asleep during our walk to the Grand Hotel, so we didn't get ice cream, but Tom and I still paid the $10 per person entry free to see the Grand Hotel. I know, it kind of seems crazy to pay to walk around a hotel, but this isn't just any hotel.

View from the world's longest front porch.

Opened in 1887, visiting Grand Hotel is like stepping back in time. We wandered all over and ended up in a couple of rocking chairs on the front porch. It was a very popular area and you could overhear people talking about the movie Somewhere in Time, one of only two movies filmed on the island. The hotel even hosts a Somewhere in Time weekend for all the super-fans. I was so curious about the movie that I rented it when we got home. My review in two words, skip it.

Outside of Grand Hotel

Inside Grand Hotel - Isabelle slept the entire time we were there.

It was getting late, so we started walking back to the condo to have dinner at The Inn at Stonecliffe. It was the only other option close to our condo. We looked in the dining room and immediately decided we were under dressed, but the people who work there were so nice when we asked if we could eat outside on the portico and so we had a delicious meal alfresco (the slider trio was phenomenal!). The best part? There was a lawn right in front of us where Isabelle could run around and play. 

Who needs to eat?

After dinner we hiked to a lookout point to see the sun start to set. It was a great way to end our evening. When we got back at the condo Tom and I hung out on the deck, ate fudge and finished watching the sun set. Isabelle sang her little heart out, when she should have been sleeping. It was rather adorable.

The next morning we packed up and caught the first shuttle to downtown. We wandered a bit, grabbed a coffee at Starbucks (yes, they really are everywhere!) and hopped on the ferry back to the mainland to begin the last leg of our journey. We had a wonderful time on Mackinac Island and we will be back!

So long!

WHERE TO STAY

Sunset Condos
West end of the island at Stonecliffe, overlooking Lake Huron and Mackinac Bridge.


WHERE TO EAT

Woods
Close to Sunset Condos on the west end of the island.
For reservations: (906) 847-3331

The Inn at Stonecliffe
Close to Sunset Condos on the west end of the island.
For reservations: (906) 847-3355

Round We Went - Second Stop the U.P.

Second Stop - Monday and Tuesday
Packed up camp and drove to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We stayed one night in Manistique and one night in Curtis. Full trip overview here.

After packing up camp Monday morning in Door County, we headed to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, also known as the U.P.  We had great views of Lake Michigan during our drive and stopped to have a picnic at a roadside park.

We eventually arrived in the small town of Manistique, which is situated right on Lake Michigan. We stayed at Gray Wolf Lodge, which has the only indoor pool in the area. I have to admit, that was the draw for us. Isabelle really wanted to go swimming in a pool, but first we had to find a place for dinner. Since it is a small town and it was a Monday night, our choices were limited. We ended up at Big Boy, where kids eat free and they serve a tasty strawberry pie. After dinner Isabelle was highly entertained with the moose and teepees outside the restaurant.

About as close as we got to seeing a moose.

Next up was "swimming pool"!!! We had the pool all to ourselves and swam and swam and swam until we were all worn out.

The next morning for breakfast we went to Three Seasons Cafe, right next door to the hotel. It was full of regulars and the food was traditional breakfast fare (French toast, omelets, blueberry pancakes, etc.) and it was plentiful. We even bought a Isabelle a cute moose t-shirt that says Moosely I'm Cute.  Couldn't resist! After breakfast we took a walk along the foggy lake. We also got our first taste of the Yooper mosquitoes.

After packing up the car we drove about 14 miles east to see the Seul Choix Point Lighthouse. We took a quick tour of the lighthouse where at one point three families used to live together. Tight quarters! Tom also climbed up to the top to check out the view.

Isabelle and I both fell asleep during the next leg of our journey, but when we woke up Tom had taken us to Tahquamenon Falls State Park to see the largest waterfall west of Niagara Falls. We had a short walk to see the upper falls, but we were very glad we brought the bug spray. Those Yooper mosquitoes were out in full force! It was kind of funny to see everyone swatting/walking and carrying huge cans of bug spray. Isabelle even had the routine down. She would lift her shirt when she saw I was ready to give her a spritz.

Can you tell she had just woken up?

After we viewed the falls, we had lunch at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery, situated right by the park entrance. It was designed to feel like an old logging camp. The food was great, but for Tom the highlight was trying the flight of beer. He wanted to take some home, but alas they only had growlers, which would not keep until we arrived back in Chicago.

After lunch we made our way to our home for the night in Curtis. Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn has a large back porch and beautiful views of Manistique Lake. Our room was on the top floor, had a private bathroom and it faced the lake. It even had a nice nook for Tom and I to hang out and watch the sunset while Isabelle fell asleep. Isabelle's favorite part of the inn was the larger than life doll house on the second floor landing. It was hard to pull her away and we had to entice her with a trip to the park. 

Thank goodness for the step stool!

We found a park at the local elementary school and when it started to spit rain we went to the ice cream parlor for a little dessert before we had dinner at the inn. The service was top-notch and there were plenty of people (who were clearly grandparents) in attendance to dote on Isabelle. One even offered to buy her a stuffed animal from the gift shop to distract her from running to doll house on the second floor.  I didn't think a stuffed animal and food were a good mix, but it was such a nice offer! We had a great stay at Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn and one more important note, a hot breakfast was included with our stay and it was delicious! We also had a chance to chat with the owner and they even pulled out a bunch of toys for Isabelle to play with. It made packing up the car much easier!

You know you're up north when it's still light out at 10:08 PM.

WHERE TO STAY

Gray Wolf Lodge
6770 W US HWY 2
Manistique, MI 49854
Phone: 906-341-2410

Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn
N9450 Manistique Lakes Rd (aka Hwy 33)
Curtis, MI 49820
Phone: 906-586-6000


WHERE TO EAT

Three Seasons Cafe
6770W US HWY 2
Manistique, MI 49854
Phone: 906-341-3463

Tahquamenon Falls Brewery
M-123 Upper Falls Dr
Paradise, MI 49768
Phone: 906-492-3300

Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn
N9450 Manistique Lakes Rd (aka Hwy 33)
Curtis, MI 49820
Phone: 906-586-6000