Michigan: The Grand Haven, Mackinac Island, and East Lansing Edition
Each summer we return to West Michigan to enjoy the cooler temps (cooler than Las Vegas), the beaches, and the time with family. This year we scheduled three ‘chunks’ for our 10 days there.
The family on MSU’s campus with Scott taking the picture.
We started with slow, relaxing time in Grand Haven at my parents, who get everything ready for us: car, booster seats, food, snacks, beds, and toys! While there, we were able to see my aunt and cousins, spend time in the waves, walk the Grand Haven Pier and thanks to the Madsens, go TUBING! The kids and I had so much fun bouncing across the wake as Mrs. Madsen drove the boat. The water in the Grand River was so warm that spent a little extra time just swimming.
Tubing!!
Because Miles (very strangely) threw up a couple of times one night, we spent one day relaxing around their condo and it was so nice. The kids played on the hammock and we helped my Dad put his new electric bike together. I’m not sure if it is because the kids are older, but our time there felt so peaceful.
Chunk number was to travel the four hours north to visit the well known Mackinac Island. We stayed in Mackinaw (yes, they are spelled differently, which I learned is slightly complicated, but partly based on Native American roots/English roots defining themselves as well as clearly indicating which is which for postal reasons). City. One of the few times I set an alarm this summer was to ensure we caught the ferry earlier enough to get to the island, beat the crowds, and grab the 16” wheel bikes that apparently are hard to come by on the island. My goal was to have the kids biked the entire 8.2 perimeter of the island and they killed it! Yes, I may have bribed them with fudge and lollipops, but after a bit of a rough start for Miles (too many people and too much rushing from his Mom), their little legs were amazing! Enjoying the peaceful sides of the islands (where the crowds are humungous) was very nice. We enjoyed a well deserved lunch at the local brewery, Great Turtle, who is only able to sell their beer on the island. While we’re grateful to have enjoyed great weather, it was extra humid this day so while I would’ve loved to have explored the fort on the island, I know not to push everyone’s limits. Because we were so close, I wanted to cross the Mackinac Bridge. We enjoyed breakfast a quick stop to take in the bridge from the Upper Peninsula side.
Our time lapse video driving south from the UP to LP.
Our drive back to Grand Haven included a stop in Ludington, where the water was crystal clear and incredibly warm. I wish we could’ve spent more time playing in the water because it was the perfect summer afternoon.
Our final chunk was probably what I was most excited for…a stop in East Lansing, where my alma mater, Michigan State is located. I had not been back to campus in any significant way since I graduated in 2004. (I made a small stop one Christmas break to put roses at the feet of the Sparty statue the year they made it to the Rose Bowl in 2014). I loved my time at Michigan State; I made so many friends, learned from so many different types of people, had my first ‘real’ boyfriend, learned to fail (literally failed two physics tests, but still managed to earn a 3.0), and grew up so much there that I graduated and at 21 years old, I drove across the country to teach in Las Vegas.
My oldest niece, Zaina, is starting her junior year in high school so she starting her college research and my brother’s family was headed there for a campus tour; the perfect halfway point to spend time together! We met them at a super cute college campus hotel, The Graduate (they have various hotels around the country on college campuses, all their decor is themed for the nearby university). It was super cute with key cards of famous Spartans, MSU wallpaper, and a very academic setting with lounge areas decorated with shelves and shelves of books. While Zaina and Vivi watched Ella and Miles in the hotel room, the adults walked down the hall to the outdoor bar, which had fun cocktail drinks and a great ambiance. It felt so refreshing to adult conversations with Scott and Gloria. There were plenty of laughs and we shut the bar down!
The next day, we met my parents for breakfast and walked around the campus. My mom saw her old dorm (Yakeley Hall), we stopped by Beaumont Tower, the student book store, and of course, the MSU Diary Store where enjoyed some incredible ice cream made by fellow Spartans. Ella and Miles loved spending time with her cousins and I was grateful for the opportunity to show Scott where some of the best four years of my life were spent.
Some of my favorite moments in Michigan, however, weren’t these highlights, but simple things; blueberry picking and the kids helping my mom make blueberry muffins, searching for turkeys and deer in the woods, and walking to the park with Ella and Miles. The kids learned the way to the 0.5 mile distance park from Grandma and showed me the first time I went. Part of the walk is through a forest and man, did I feel all the feels walking through there. It just felt like home.
Scott has always encouraged our summer visits to Michigan; I think he enjoys our time there more than I do. For some reason, this trip was especially magical.