A little Ice Ice Baby lyrics for today's title. A few years ago on vacation I learned some very exciting news- a horrible person was leaving my school. I danced and sang, "Ding dong the witch is dead!". Not this time around. I found out someone I really care about is leaving and the person taking over is not the best for the position. Ugh. Oh well, can't ruin my vacation over it. However, I feel my reputation is on the line as I have brought one family (and possibly more) over from Bluebonnet. The school needs to be as great as I had promised this family!
On to the purpose of this blog. Our vacation adventures. We have mainly had our hotel complex to ourselves all week. Last night a few more people came and today it is just packed. People moved in right next door and are very loud. I think they are hosting a My Big Fat Greek Wedding style party on their deck. I hear loud speaking, which sounds like Greek, and we can hear each time they slam their door. So much for our peaceful spot.
We did not make it to the casino today. Hopefully that will happen tomorrow. We walked around the shops and listened to a band play country music. We tried to get ice cream, but everyone else had the same idea. I think maybe we have learned that resort towns are best to visited during the week. The weather has been in the 80s for the end of the week, so that could also to be a contributor to the crowds.
Tomorrow is our last day, so we will have to make it a good one. Stay tuned!
Friday, June 29, 2018
Thursday, June 28, 2018
Day # 9- Like a Loco Mosquito
We thought it was great that our place was on the lake side this trip. We thought it was even greater to have a deck. We thought it was greatest that the weather was so cool. While all of that seems perfect, we have quickly learned the downside. Mosquitos!!! These bastards are vicious! We dress up in pants and sweatshirts to sit outside. They don't care. We have bites straight thru our pants! We stopped sleeping with the screen open, as they can apparently still get thru the screen. Our vacation has turned into sitting and scratching ourselves like dogs.
We went back to the island today. Our first stop was the Pink Pony for a very delicious lunch. I tried something new- brisket tacos. They had a Michigan version of Cole slaw and brisket with some spicy avacodo aoli (?) sauce. So so so good!!
I don't know if it was the meal or the heat or both, but after our meal we walked over to the grass in front of the fort and laid down to recover. When we were on the island two days ago, it was cold. We wore sweatshirts. Today was much different. The sun was beating down. Nothing like Texas- there was still a cool breeze- but the amount of walking that we usually do on the island just wasn't in the cards today.
We walked thru town and down to the boardwalk. We followed it around and finally sat down and watched the waves. I had grand plans for some new investigations today, but we were just zapped.
After several hours, we hopped back on the ferry and made it back to the mainland. It is supposed to be "hot" again tomorrow, so I think it will be a day of poking around gift shops and crossing the bridge to explore the UP and try our hand at the casino
Tomorrow will be an important day to read the blog as we might need a loan to get home after the casino. So, as always, stay tuned!
We went back to the island today. Our first stop was the Pink Pony for a very delicious lunch. I tried something new- brisket tacos. They had a Michigan version of Cole slaw and brisket with some spicy avacodo aoli (?) sauce. So so so good!!
I don't know if it was the meal or the heat or both, but after our meal we walked over to the grass in front of the fort and laid down to recover. When we were on the island two days ago, it was cold. We wore sweatshirts. Today was much different. The sun was beating down. Nothing like Texas- there was still a cool breeze- but the amount of walking that we usually do on the island just wasn't in the cards today.
We walked thru town and down to the boardwalk. We followed it around and finally sat down and watched the waves. I had grand plans for some new investigations today, but we were just zapped.
After several hours, we hopped back on the ferry and made it back to the mainland. It is supposed to be "hot" again tomorrow, so I think it will be a day of poking around gift shops and crossing the bridge to explore the UP and try our hand at the casino
Tomorrow will be an important day to read the blog as we might need a loan to get home after the casino. So, as always, stay tuned!
Day # 8- Peaceful Easy Feeling
- The forecast for today was 70% rain, so we planned a down day. Did those rains ever happen? Nope. But, we stuck to our plan.
We got up, went back to the restaurant for breakfast, and then came home for our after breakfast nap. That was quickly interrupted. The hotel complex is putting new curtains in all the units and the workers chose our naptime to try to come in. I guess seeing us waking up startled also started them because they ran. We went and told the office lady that we were leaving, so bring the people in, now.
We went to Cheboygan and shopped at Walmart. So we don't have to consistently eat out, we got food we could make in our cottage.
We came back to nice black out curtains and decide on a nap "redo". We took a nice nap and this time were not interrupted.
We spent our evening reading the sequel to my favorite ghosts of Mackinac book and learning of new places to investigate.
It's back to the island tomorrow- so stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Day #7- A Soldier's Coming Home
We finally made it to the island this afternoon, but more about that shortly. First, our morning...
We like to stay up late and sleep in whenever we can. Wake up time is 5am on work days, so bedtime is early. But on weekends and time off, we take advantage of being able to sleep in. Today, however, we woke up very early for some reason. Maybe it was the bright sun coming into our cottage- it's not dark like hotel rooms. We started our day by having our coffee on our deck and enjoying the cool morning. Because we were up early we decided to go down the block for some breakfast.
After stuffing ourselves with way too much food, our plan was to take a short break and then head to the island. That short rest turned into snoring and drooling for HOURS! We usually sleep with Loren's sound machine on, so I think maybe the sound of the real waves crashing just magically put us to sleep. All in all, it worked out because we realized that all of the old folks and families would be headed home for the day while we were just starting out.
We got ready and headed for the ferry. We got a fast boat this time and made it across the lake very quickly. We poked around a few stores and then started the long uphill walk to the island cemeteries. These are the most peaceful places. One of the cemeteries is for the soldiers who fought at Fort Mackinac. It's sad to see so many graves for unknown soldiers, but we always pay our respects to them. We somehow lost hours of time exploring and realized it was after 8:00. The last boat comes back to the mainland at 10 on weekdays, but we wanted to catch the 9:00. We stopped at the island bookstore and then ran down the dock and hopped on the boat as the ferry was practically untying the lines. The ride back was choppy. The captain said there were 4ft waves. We were already in the back because we were so late, but people started moving towards the back for a smoother ride.
When we pulled back up to our cottage, there was about 100 Canadian geese on our beach. There were even some babies who didn't even have their feathers yet.
We walked about 4 miles today around the island, so now we are ready to watch TV and plan our day for tomorrow. Stay tuned!
We like to stay up late and sleep in whenever we can. Wake up time is 5am on work days, so bedtime is early. But on weekends and time off, we take advantage of being able to sleep in. Today, however, we woke up very early for some reason. Maybe it was the bright sun coming into our cottage- it's not dark like hotel rooms. We started our day by having our coffee on our deck and enjoying the cool morning. Because we were up early we decided to go down the block for some breakfast.
After stuffing ourselves with way too much food, our plan was to take a short break and then head to the island. That short rest turned into snoring and drooling for HOURS! We usually sleep with Loren's sound machine on, so I think maybe the sound of the real waves crashing just magically put us to sleep. All in all, it worked out because we realized that all of the old folks and families would be headed home for the day while we were just starting out.
We got ready and headed for the ferry. We got a fast boat this time and made it across the lake very quickly. We poked around a few stores and then started the long uphill walk to the island cemeteries. These are the most peaceful places. One of the cemeteries is for the soldiers who fought at Fort Mackinac. It's sad to see so many graves for unknown soldiers, but we always pay our respects to them. We somehow lost hours of time exploring and realized it was after 8:00. The last boat comes back to the mainland at 10 on weekdays, but we wanted to catch the 9:00. We stopped at the island bookstore and then ran down the dock and hopped on the boat as the ferry was practically untying the lines. The ride back was choppy. The captain said there were 4ft waves. We were already in the back because we were so late, but people started moving towards the back for a smoother ride.
When we pulled back up to our cottage, there was about 100 Canadian geese on our beach. There were even some babies who didn't even have their feathers yet.
We walked about 4 miles today around the island, so now we are ready to watch TV and plan our day for tomorrow. Stay tuned!
Monday, June 25, 2018
Day #6- Watching Waves Roll Off the Rocks
We are finally here! We made it to our new and improved little cottage in Mackinaw City. This year we are right on the water. We have a little deck to sit out on and can hear the waves. We plan to sleep with our screen door open to hear the sounds and to feel the cool air. As of now it is only 57°.
We had a sunny drive today. No storms like we have had during past days. We stopped in Saginaw to do some investigating. We have been watching a documentary series called Haunted Saginaw. We randomly found the film series on Amazon before we knew that Saginaw was on our way up North. There is a stretch of road- Dice Rd. that supposedly has at least 3 haunted spots. We found 2 of the 3. It was very cool to walk around places we saw such great evidence for on TV.
We had what we thought was going to be a nice seafood dinner. It was, in fact, not so nice. It was expensive and tasted like crap. On the way out, Loren stopped a big group from wasting alot of money by telling them how terrible it was.
We then walked down to an arcade where we had spent a lot of time 2 years ago when we were here. The same prizes that I played for and never won are still here. We got our tokens and were excited to pick up where we left off. No such luck. The game would stick and no longer played correctly. I guess that's why the prizes are still there.
I am not yet sure if we will go over to the island tomorrow or settle in around here. so, stay tuned!
We had a sunny drive today. No storms like we have had during past days. We stopped in Saginaw to do some investigating. We have been watching a documentary series called Haunted Saginaw. We randomly found the film series on Amazon before we knew that Saginaw was on our way up North. There is a stretch of road- Dice Rd. that supposedly has at least 3 haunted spots. We found 2 of the 3. It was very cool to walk around places we saw such great evidence for on TV.
We had what we thought was going to be a nice seafood dinner. It was, in fact, not so nice. It was expensive and tasted like crap. On the way out, Loren stopped a big group from wasting alot of money by telling them how terrible it was.
We then walked down to an arcade where we had spent a lot of time 2 years ago when we were here. The same prizes that I played for and never won are still here. We got our tokens and were excited to pick up where we left off. No such luck. The game would stick and no longer played correctly. I guess that's why the prizes are still there.
I am not yet sure if we will go over to the island tomorrow or settle in around here. so, stay tuned!
Sunday, June 24, 2018
Day #5- Not Thinking 'Bout Tomorrow
Well...except we kinda are thinking about tomorrow, but that's the next line of the song so I had to use it!
Anyway, today finds us being annoyed by rain. We woke up and had a lovely breakfast out by the pool, only to watch it start pouring. We sat around and chatted awhile, but eventually decided to go take a nap. The sun was kinda out later, so we spent some time in the pool. Good thing it's heated as it is hardly over 70° today.
After cleaning up, we headed into downtown Royal Oak for some pub crawling. We ate far more than we drank! Our last stop was a new yogurt shop that Bob wanted to try.
We are now sitting out enjoying the cool night before bed. Tomorrow we head to Macinaw City- so stay tuned!
Anyway, today finds us being annoyed by rain. We woke up and had a lovely breakfast out by the pool, only to watch it start pouring. We sat around and chatted awhile, but eventually decided to go take a nap. The sun was kinda out later, so we spent some time in the pool. Good thing it's heated as it is hardly over 70° today.
After cleaning up, we headed into downtown Royal Oak for some pub crawling. We ate far more than we drank! Our last stop was a new yogurt shop that Bob wanted to try.
We are now sitting out enjoying the cool night before bed. Tomorrow we head to Macinaw City- so stay tuned!
Day #4- Drinking Whiskey Out the Bottle
I think, at least for the next few days, my blog titles will be from Kid Rock singing about life in Northern Michigan. Well, we are not up north quite yet, but we may as well be.
We finally made it to Jen's in Royal Oak. We were greeted with bean dip and margaritas. Would have been disappointed if that didn't happen!
After our appetizers, Jen got out the pastasalad and Bob grilled chicken. Time for a booze switch. Now it is time for beers for the boys and wine for the ladies. Don't worry- you get your own bottle or 6+ pack.
We sat, ate, drank, chatted, and listened to music by the pool until about midnight and then decided it was bedtime.
It has been pouring the rain down, but we are hoping for pool time tomorrow. Jen got Loren a new "sea horse" for the pool, so stay tuned!
We finally made it to Jen's in Royal Oak. We were greeted with bean dip and margaritas. Would have been disappointed if that didn't happen!
After our appetizers, Jen got out the pastasalad and Bob grilled chicken. Time for a booze switch. Now it is time for beers for the boys and wine for the ladies. Don't worry- you get your own bottle or 6+ pack.
We sat, ate, drank, chatted, and listened to music by the pool until about midnight and then decided it was bedtime.
It has been pouring the rain down, but we are hoping for pool time tomorrow. Jen got Loren a new "sea horse" for the pool, so stay tuned!
Saturday, June 23, 2018
Day #3- Only the Good Die Young
The theme of today's blog seems to be ghosts. Luckily, we are still alive and well. Our drive was not as bad as previous day's, yet we were caught unaware by the time change. We thought it had already changed when we stopped in Tennessee. We talked about how smart Sam was to change the time automatically. No. Sam is as dumb as we are. We thought we would have 2 hrs to rest in our hotel, but that did not happen.
Tonight was our paranormal tour at Waverly Hills Sanitorium. Driving up to the place after seeing it on TV so many times was just surreal. The size of the place was amazing. We have been on many such tours, and our main complaint held true tonite- too many people who will not SHUT UP!! We just wanted the opportunity to listen and observe. At one point, Loren actually asked if everyone could just be quiet for 15 seconds. I volunteered for a scary experiment where I can definitely say I had some unexplainable experiences. Not to be outdone by the little woman, Loren also volunteered and calls BS on the "experience". Over all, neither of us regret going. We just wish it would have been the longer, smaller group, more serious investigation.
On the way back to the hotel, we saw a ton of flashing lights and came upon many emergency vehicles that had two lanes closed. Getting over into the far lane, I made the mistake of looking over at the chaos. Big mistake. I saw a man lying face down in the street. As soon as I looked away and back at the road, I hit a shoe. Sadly, I think it may have belonged to the guy in the road. Loren looked back as we drove along and saw the sheet come out to cover the guy. We talked to a girl at our hotel and she says that stretch of road is called the "Dixie Die-way". Apparently, it is not uncommon for people to step out into the road and get hit. While our hotel was nice, we heard that there are a few hotels where addicts stay and they are the ones not paying attention and killed. So sad.
I guess we wanted to interact with the other side on this trip- we got more than we bargained for. Tomorrow we want to go see Bobby Mackey's Music World- another very haunted place. So stay tuned!
Tonight was our paranormal tour at Waverly Hills Sanitorium. Driving up to the place after seeing it on TV so many times was just surreal. The size of the place was amazing. We have been on many such tours, and our main complaint held true tonite- too many people who will not SHUT UP!! We just wanted the opportunity to listen and observe. At one point, Loren actually asked if everyone could just be quiet for 15 seconds. I volunteered for a scary experiment where I can definitely say I had some unexplainable experiences. Not to be outdone by the little woman, Loren also volunteered and calls BS on the "experience". Over all, neither of us regret going. We just wish it would have been the longer, smaller group, more serious investigation.
On the way back to the hotel, we saw a ton of flashing lights and came upon many emergency vehicles that had two lanes closed. Getting over into the far lane, I made the mistake of looking over at the chaos. Big mistake. I saw a man lying face down in the street. As soon as I looked away and back at the road, I hit a shoe. Sadly, I think it may have belonged to the guy in the road. Loren looked back as we drove along and saw the sheet come out to cover the guy. We talked to a girl at our hotel and she says that stretch of road is called the "Dixie Die-way". Apparently, it is not uncommon for people to step out into the road and get hit. While our hotel was nice, we heard that there are a few hotels where addicts stay and they are the ones not paying attention and killed. So sad.
I guess we wanted to interact with the other side on this trip- we got more than we bargained for. Tomorrow we want to go see Bobby Mackey's Music World- another very haunted place. So stay tuned!
Friday, June 22, 2018
Day #2- Baby's Gotten Good At Goodbye
I am getting frustrated with trying to access my blog, but hey, been frustrated all day.
We finally ended up in somewhere Tennessee. I think it is Brownsville, but that is up for debate. We were stuck in multiple hour long traffic jams, sent on country road detours, and considered just rowing the car down the road due to the rains.
Thank God for satellite radio. We played Name That Tune on Prime Country and after having our fill of George Strait, and finally saying goodbye to him and traffic, Loren found us a comedy channel and we were able to have some laughs thru the frustration. This is already very reminiscent of the road trip with mom and dad a few years ago. Arkansas and Tennessee are on my list of worst places to drive thru.
Anyway, tomorrow is Louisville, Kentucky and our first major adventure, so stay tuned!
We finally ended up in somewhere Tennessee. I think it is Brownsville, but that is up for debate. We were stuck in multiple hour long traffic jams, sent on country road detours, and considered just rowing the car down the road due to the rains.
Thank God for satellite radio. We played Name That Tune on Prime Country and after having our fill of George Strait, and finally saying goodbye to him and traffic, Loren found us a comedy channel and we were able to have some laughs thru the frustration. This is already very reminiscent of the road trip with mom and dad a few years ago. Arkansas and Tennessee are on my list of worst places to drive thru.
Anyway, tomorrow is Louisville, Kentucky and our first major adventure, so stay tuned!
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Day #1- I Just Wanna Run Away With You
And run away we did! Today is the first day of our 2018 summer adventure. I have had one heckuva time getting the blog to load on any of my devices, but I think I finally got it. I am coming to you tonite from Marshall. Is this the “We Are Marshall” town from the movie? Dunno. Never saw it.
We got a late start today, mainly because we didn’t get up and moving. I am sooo excited about my new packing method. I got a giant duffel bag for each of us. I also got organizer packing cubes. Check them out on Amazon. They make packing easy and organized. We managed to fit all of our gear into Sam. For those of you who don’t know, when Stan died, we got a new car. His name is Sam. Sam Houston, if you want to formally address him. He is a speedy little guy and we made it to Nacogdoches in record time.
The hilly drive thru the piney woods was the same beautiful drive as ever. The SFA campus however, is hardly recognizable. We walked around a little bit and took some pictures. Then we hit the road again. It was dark and rainy, so we didn’t go as far as we had hoped. But that’s ok. We are not too far from Arkansas,
After trusty Hotwire found us a great deal on a room, we decided we should probably eat since we had coffee and jerky only today. From the looks of things, this town had one fast food place- Mickey D’s. We sat in that line for 30 min. So much for FAST food!
This is the first day since our new niece, Abigail Ann, was born that I have not seen her. I miss her already! Ok, well, not sure what tomorrow will bring, so stay tuned!
We got a late start today, mainly because we didn’t get up and moving. I am sooo excited about my new packing method. I got a giant duffel bag for each of us. I also got organizer packing cubes. Check them out on Amazon. They make packing easy and organized. We managed to fit all of our gear into Sam. For those of you who don’t know, when Stan died, we got a new car. His name is Sam. Sam Houston, if you want to formally address him. He is a speedy little guy and we made it to Nacogdoches in record time.
The hilly drive thru the piney woods was the same beautiful drive as ever. The SFA campus however, is hardly recognizable. We walked around a little bit and took some pictures. Then we hit the road again. It was dark and rainy, so we didn’t go as far as we had hoped. But that’s ok. We are not too far from Arkansas,
After trusty Hotwire found us a great deal on a room, we decided we should probably eat since we had coffee and jerky only today. From the looks of things, this town had one fast food place- Mickey D’s. We sat in that line for 30 min. So much for FAST food!
This is the first day since our new niece, Abigail Ann, was born that I have not seen her. I miss her already! Ok, well, not sure what tomorrow will bring, so stay tuned!
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