So we just got back last night from 8 days away from home. Our trip began Saturday morning as we drove north on I43 towards Green Bay and Peshtigo, where we met Denny and Jean. The drive continued to Manistique, Michigan, where we set up camp for the night. Chris had made reservations thru the internet, sign unseen. The campground was beautiful. Quite the find he had with this one. The campground was very quiet and clean. The bathrooms, while very dated, were spotless. A few times when I was in there, I saw a volunteer checking out the status of the bathroom ready to clean whatever needed to be cleaned. The campground was laid out around a lake. The lake, while cool in temperature, was beautiful and completely unused! It was a beautiful Saturday and noone was on the lake, anywhere. The lake was pristine with not a single jet ski/wave runner or boat on it. The campground is a sure place to go back to.
The next morning, we took down camp with Traverse City as our next destination. Our first stop on the way was Kitchitikini Big Springs. This is a large spring with 10,000 gallons a minute gushing in thru fissures in the underlying limestone. (yeah I got it from their website). It was crystal green water that you could see all the way to the bottom of the springs. You took a raft across the spring and were able to look thru to the bottom of the spring from the center of the raft. The raft is guided across a wire by way of a large wheel. The girls took their turn turning the wheel to make us travel. Nadia took advantage of her size by holding onto the wheel traveling around floating off her feet for half the diameter of the wheel, if that makes sense. The springs was a beautiful site to see.
We then continued our trip towards Traverse City. We made a few stops including lunch and ice cream snack. We then arrived at Traverse City State Park. There was a foot bridge that took you over to the beach. Very pretty. Much different looking than the west side of the Lake, but the water was still cold. After setting up camp, we decided to walk to the beach. I was amazed at how fearless both girls were, just walking into the cool water. It was warm outside which made the cool water feel refreshing, but come on! Even Nadia just ran right into the water. Crazy. She acted like it was bath water. Never even came out telling me she was cold. I was impressed. Hannah ran out as well and continued deeper in the water with Dad and Grandpa just swimming away.
Our next four days were spend around the city. Traverse City area was a beautiful area with many things to offer to tourists. I would love to make it a destination again in the future as the girls continue to grow.
I will continue with more on our excursions in future posts.
Now I have to complete the folding of the last two, of four, loads of laundry from our trip. Till later...
