Tired of Michigan pictures? Too bad. Alright, alright, I’m wrapping it up. But Sleeping Bear Dunes is ridic beautiful, and I have this one last bit before I move on to important matters of reality like school starting and kids growing up and people to love.
People to love–my people. I feel all Moses saying “my people” but, for the record, I would totally travel 40 days in the desert for any of them.
You know what’s amazing? Kids know their people. Even if they’re usually hesitant of new faces, even if they haven’t seen these people in months and months. They can sniff out family, instantly feeling comfortable, secure, loved. I love watching it happen.
A day at “the point”–the shallow part of the lake where all the boats come to hang out
The rest of our trip was spent with family–three cottages full. Mornings were my favorite. The little kids wake up first with my dad, coffee’s brewed, bacon’s put in the oven and the “ssshh, everyone’s sleeping” admonition slowly lifted until kids are hollering and running outside, a rooster’s call to all to wake up. And they do–aunts, uncles, nieces, cousins–barely awake, dragging their feet into the kitchen, looking for coffee. Then we pile up into couches or chairs on the deck, bed head’s a plenty, and we tell stories, make fun of each other, act out as many scenes from the past as we can, diverting into the hilariously inappropriate realm often. And every morning there’s a moment when everyone’s loud and laughing, my kids in respective cousins’ laps, coffee cup number three in the works and my dad’s all call to the table for French toast about to commence (FYI: don’t make him call twice)–and I think, “This? This is special.” And because it really only happens once a year, I drink it up, oblivious to the not-so-perfect moments that naturally accompany our time together.
Musical Kayaks, Dash’s favorite game.
My nephew, Max, pulling his babysitting shift.
Lodge night. Uncle Bubby passes out pool tips and I discover that sadly, The Cranberries'”Linger” has been retired from their juke box. The horror.
One of Nella’s favorite peoples: Kaity. She gets to be a flower girl in her wedding come October.
Behold, Sleeping Bear Dunes. You can’t go to Northern Michigan without visiting the dunes. We only climbed the first one and even then, we were panting and near collapsed at the top. It’s worth it though. Completely. I hear it’s worth it to also climb the next three dunes to the water, but we weren’t about to test out that theory with kids on our backs.
little beach outside of Glen Arbor
That’s right, Dash. Eyes to the ground, buddy. Do not be distracted by the view on your left. Nothin’ to see there, nothin’ to see there.
Last time we visited the dunes, we cut our visit short and missed out on the town of Glen Arbor. Never again. This darling little town nestles so many gems within a few short blocks–cafes and restaurants, soap shops, The Cottage Book Store (think log cabin full of hidden rooms, creaky floors and books–in other words, heaven) and Cherry Republic which hosts a winery, bakery, restaurant and store with all things cherry. Cherry salsa, cherry soda, cherry wine, cherry ice cream–even cherry lasagna. Even their toilets are made out of cherries. Okay, I made that up.
The Cottage Bookstore
Walked into this store and got the most amazing individualized attention and a lavender sand blaster hand massage. I peeked out the open door out back and there was lavender everywhere–and rows of pretty tea towels drying on clothes lines. Absolutely charming.
I slipped out of dinner early on our Glen Arbor night, hoping to walk Nella and Dash to sleep in the stroller because they were–let’s go with irritable. A few corner turns led us here instead, a secret little place we found that magically reverses irritability.
And now we are home, fully submerged back into our routines, and it feels good. We really missed Brett–thankful for FaceTime and printed heads-on-sticks to allow him to hilariously appear in some of our pictures, but still–there were many “Brett would love this” notations.
Happy to be home. School starts next week. Until then…another cup of coffee.
Have a great weekend!
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Saying Good-bye to Summer and Embracing New Season Inspiration over @eHow this week.
Beautiful Kelle. I love your photo filled posts xxx
Thanks for this post, wanting to go to Michigan once in my life… Greatings from Hilde in Norway.
Such great pictures! My boyfriend is originally from Michigan, but in the few times I’ve made the trek out to Michigan, I’ve only ever seen *very* suburban Michigan. I’d love to see its more natural side at some point!
-E
I’m from the west side of the state, transplanted to the Detroit area post-graduation. But up north is truly the best place ever. I love it up there. So glad you discovered Glen Arbor! We usually go to Traverse City every year and are sure to make a stop in Glen Arbor (and eat way too many samples at Cherry Republic).
It’s really fun to see MI towns we love through your eyes. We stayed in the little bed and breakfast in Glen Arbor about 18 months ago when our 2 year old was just a baby and at first I was so worried that our baby would keep up a whole house but we sat up around the fire place with strangers and passed her around. It was heavenly. Living in MI, I take for granted the beauty of it all so thank you for the reminder of how blessed we are. Winter will be here soon enough and I’ll wish to be Naples.
I am a Michigander who LOVES your Michigan posts. We didn’t make it up north this summer, but I’m putting it on the list for next summer. Seeing Sleeping Bear Dunes brought back many good memories for me. Thanks!
Great photos! It’s funny. I lived in Grand Rapids, MI for three years and HATED it! We won’t even mention the winters there but I was only an hour from Holland Beach/Lake Michigan. The water was always icy cold even in August. It looked nothing like your photos. Obviously I should have moved further north!
I love your Michigan trips. Would love that lil store. Such great memories you and your children are making. Love all the photos.
xo
Oh, thank you for this! We live in Southwest Florida now but I grew up in Holland,MI my husband grew up in Grand Blanc, MI and we lived in Ann Arbor for several years while we went to college. I never tire of looking at beautiful Michigan pictures although it makes me a bit homesick.
Loved all the Michigan posts! My husband is from there and we FINALLY took our daughters there to meet his family after 9 years. A week at a lake house on Lake Huron was the perfect way for our girls to meet and learn all about their Michigan family. I never realized how beautiful and amazing that state is.
Well, this brightened my morning. I read it while sipping my first cup of coffee and I love how your words transported me to that cabin with your family. I admire the way you write about family, Kelle. I’m much harsher and always wish I could be the glass half full kind of daughter, sister, grandchild. This is meant as a compliment to you. You don’t sugar-coat it, but you highlight the good while making reference to bumps & hiccups along the way with grace and humor. I know that’s why I like reading your posts. Real. Beautiful imagery & photography, too. Thanks for sharing a bit of your world here in this space. It’s a generous thing to do for your readers and friends. xoxo
Yep, I understand. The connection to a place is a pretty vital one. xox
melina
As a Michigan girl I look forward to these posts, you capture the true beauty of Michigan so perfectly. Another great stop while visiting the dunes is Fishtown, the Cheese Shanty has the best sandwiches.
Feel like I was there with y’all. Looked positively lovely!
We haven’t vacationed in Michigan for years. You have me plotting a trip for next summer, starting with Mackinac. Thanks for inspiring with your wonderful photos!
I LOVE that you all visit Chattanooga (my home town) when you drive to Michigan!! I think its so wonderful to see bloggers from far away have pictures of the waterfront here in town!! Your kids are presh by the way 🙂
Gorgeous photos as always Kelly !!! Love Michigan !
Pure Michigan! THE BEST! We live less than an hour away (in Indiana) from Lake MI and have a little cottage in Three Rivers, MI on Long Lake. I never, ever tire of the beauty that each holds! 🙂 Thanks for sharing the photos and your contagious enthusiasm for the beauty!
I stopped by to say ….well…everything everyone else from Michigan has said 🙂
I started reading the blog four years ago when my crazy, spunky, giggly, wiggly, stubborn/tenacious niece (who like Nella happens to have Down Syndrome) was born. I love it whenever you do Michigan posts. It makes me happy to know that you are sharing our beautiful state with so many who read your blog! My partner and I have vacationed at the same spot on Lake Michigan for 24 years now–first alone, then with nieces who now return from college for the family gathering as well as with our three daughters. That time on the beach is just magical isn’t it???!!!
Beautiful family pictures. That has to be so much fun. I love the picture of Nella on the shore. Look at Dash’s curls. Lainey so enjoys everything. She must be such a sweet daughter. Good luck next week getting back in the school return.
We leave tomorrow morning bright and early to fly from Washington DC to MI, our home state. After a few days down state we’ll head up to Traverse City then a cottage on Suttons Bay. These pictures are great and have gotten me so excited! Thanks for sharing!
I got to go to Northern Michigan with my best friend this summer and it was incredible. we stayed in a little village of cottages on Elk Lake and it was beautiful. We dedicated a day to go to the dunes and oh my. breathtaking. but it was more than three dunes to get to the water, or at least it felt like it. hehe. anyway, i love looking at this pictures and getting excited to go back next year too!
I gotta say, you really should be hired by the tourism board of Michigan! You make me want to leave my yurt on the Lost Coast and go there!
Love the photos of your family coming down the dunes in particular but it’s all super gorgeous
Hi, i don’t know if you have tread about the little boy named ‘Gammy’,but he’s a twin from a surrogate birth.He has Down Syndrome and the bio parents wanted him aborted but the surrogate refused and is now raising him.He has a lot of health problems. But the main reason i’m here is to give you this link.It’s about how Australia has a law that allows them to refuse entry/permanent resident to any one with DS and other disabilities.
This law is still in use.The parents may try to use this when/if a lawsuit comes their way. I could not believe they have that law!.I know you are involved in DS because of your little girl so i thought you’d be interested in it.
M.H.
http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/baby-gammy-isnt-the-only-one-the-ugly-law-shaming-australia/story-fnixwvgh-1227021191521
Oh goodness..looks like such a blast! Al Roker says “My people!” too! Ha! Just love your pictures…I laugh (the photo of Dash not looking at the bikinis)& I sigh at the beautiful photos by the water with the sun doing down. I would so love to visit that little bookstore.:)
special memories captured forever. <3 this is what childhood is made of.
Stunning pictures! What a beautiful place.
Love Nellas blue dress with the white collar. Where is that from?
Love that you went to Glen Arbor! I’ve been vacationing there with the same group of girlfriends for almost 14years 🙂
Dash in the checkered one piece…SO cute!!! I want to go to that bookstore!!!!
Is the captain morgan cutie single? 😉