I never intended Enjoying the Small Things to be a travel blog, but I guess these last few posts have been a little Great Weekends with Samantha Brown-ish. Well she’s my favorite, so onward. My great excitement for the things I love often overflows to this blog, and this state, these summers and Michigan adventures are a huge part of it. It’s been so much fun capturing a little bit of it, so thank you for coming along. Part of the charm of these adventures comes from the fact that we don’t live here. Our home in Florida is where it all happens, but my, is it nice to have a magical place for our season of crop resting before the next planting.
Our little amateur fish experience led us to the big dogs last week–a part of Michigan I haven’t seen since I was a little girl.
We took a day trip to Leland, Michigan–a small coastal town located on the Leelanau Peninsula between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau. A historic fishing village known as Fishtown remains active in Leland for commercial fishermen, its docks, old shanties and smokehouses open for guests to explore as well as some charming gift shops.
We stopped first in Suttons Bay for some shopping, another sweet lake village about fifteen minutes south of Leland.
We all loved their Bayside Gallery, an outdoor garden shop doubling as a colorful museum. We said lots of “Pretty! No touch, Dash.”
The kids loved The Princess and the Pirate store full of toys and books.
I’m not normally a dark beer drinker, but I’ve fallen in love with this smooth beer from the Upper Peninsula called Widowmaker.
Our favorite part of Suttons Bay–the library that overlooks an inlet of Lake Michigan. The sky was all moody blue while we were there, the air was crisp, and it felt very much like a storybook day considering the setting made up for most of the storybook. We were happy to indulge as its characters.
Pulling the kids off this playground after 45 minutes was not pretty.
On to Leland. “Okay, this is my new favorite Michigan town,” I announced for now the fourth time. So many favorites to keep track of!
We were welcomed to town by a large table displaying an impressive selection of Petoskey and Leland blue stones, all collected on Leland’s shores by a young man who will no doubt be a great entrepreneur someday. They were reasonably priced according to size and fabulousness–we bought three. Also, I could see the little cogs turning in Lainey’s mind. Screw lemonade stand–shells! Rocks! Beach treasures! The ante has been upped.
First Fishtown stop: Dam Candy for penny sweets and ice cream.
Then Diversions for hats. The entire ceiling of the store is covered with hats–sailing hats, captain hats, sun hats, newsboy hats, straw hats, any hat you can imagine–all for sail.
A group of fishermen on a boat started cheering for Dash and held out their hands for fist bumps. He was thrilled.
Also thrilling: nice fishermen who let little boys help out with the chores.
There are some fantastic artsy shops along the dock as well as beautiful home, clothing and craft shops on the main street downtown.
Photobomb.
Lots of outdoor eating (great for nap stops)…
Bookstores, rock shops…
A must visit: Benjamin Maier Ceramics, a local artist’s gallery–beautiful simple pieces, reasonably priced.
I like Leland graffiti.
…happy place, happy day.
Meg says
Looks like a wonderful, restful place to spend the day! I love wandering little towns and popping into shops, stopping for ice cream, just soaking up the atmosphere . . . one of the greatest parts about traveling: lots of meandering, very little hurrying. 🙂
Amber yanovich says
Leelanau area is my favorite, favorite Michigan spot too!
Amy says
You are doing a beautiful job capturing the magic of Northern MI! We were there last week, and your posts are bringing back such special memories of all the places we loved, too. Yes please (and thank you) for ETST’s new travel section 🙂
Reenie says
~ fishermen + Dash + sailor hat + fist-bumps = too cute!!
All photos are adorable and you look fab Kelle.
🙂
Lisa says
Oh, please, don’t even think about skipping the travel portion of your blog! I enjoy every single moment so much. (And how I wish I had your inventive nature!) The fishing story had me laughing-out-loud, for real…not just a meaningless lol. You, and your adventures, remind me to live fully. (I marvel at how much you can do with three kids!) Thank you for sharing it all.
Carly says
And now I want to go there. …
BEverly says
Such a happy post. Kept me smiling to the very end.
Thanks!
Nicole says
Looks like a beautiful place! I have to say, all these Michigan posts are inspiring me to make a trip. 🙂 I could definitely use a reprieve from this southern heat and humidity!
Donna says
I don’t know how you’re still getting Lainey to put up with pictures. I can hear my 7yo in my head when I tell her to hold still for one pic…’Come on Mooom! Stop!’. You’ve got a very patience girl right there.
Renee says
I live in Traverse City, so Leland is not far from me. My son’s name is Leland, actually. We love to visit Fishtown every summer. My very favorite shop is Tug Stuff – clothing with Leland’s name on it! This was a fun post to read. 🙂
Jen says
My husband has gone here every summer of his life! This will be my 14th with him. . .a happy place to be sure! Can’t wait to be there soon! I love your photography and the way you captured these moments!
abby says
*adds Fishtown to places to visit*
Alyssa @ Sweetly Tattered says
My husband grew up in Michigan so many of our summer vacations were spent in the Upper Peninsula. Now that we live in Arizona, we haven’t been back for a while. I’m hoping we can go back soon because all these spots look so fun!
http://www.sweetlytattered.com
Caitlin Weaver says
So cool! I love your Michigan posts. We moved to Michigan a couple years ago, so it’s great to discover some new places we should check out!
Jenn says
I’m a Traverse City res., so I’m loving seeing all my Northern Michigan stomping grounds here 🙂
Katrina says
Wow, you sure take your kids to some pretty neat places! Making some great memories 🙂
Em says
Kelle, my husband and I went to Fishtown many many years ago as one of our stops in Michigan.. I consider it my favorite too.. Thanks for sharing these photos! Makes me want to visit again soon..
Shawna Walton says
I’m in Traverse City, too and actually heading up to Leland today to look for more Leland Blue stones and Petoskey stones, of course. I love it up there!
Melina says
I get you, girl. I love my life in Asheville with my husband and my own house. But I think about Vermont all the time, where I was raised. I wake up confused sometimes that I don’t live there….because, after all, I always planned on it. Always. And somehow I made a choice (to visit Asheville) that led to another choice (to stay for a while) that led to a good choice (I ought to ask that redhaired guy to the fair) that led to the best choice (yes! or I do! or whatever) and now we live here. Wait- hadn’t I just been visiting? I go home as often as possible, and just like you I explore (just me, no kids yet, often with the dog, however) all the nearby towns, and I love them all, it’s easy to be smitten with all the towns you never really lived in because they’re not messy yet, sort of like how all the boys seemed perfect until you got to know them) I know that and still my imagination carries me to some pretty far off places…(I’ll just live in that house on the corner, I’ll do the morning shift at that bakery, my kids will play quietly by the harbor every day, everything will be wonderful and serene.) Anyway, what I’m trying to say (longwinded) is that I love your Michigan posts. I love domestic travel. I love your sentiment here. One thing though- girl, you gotta get down with dark beer! Coffee porter? Mocha stout? Hello!!! Come visit Asheville, I’ll pour you something dark.
Jen says
Great pictures. Very vibrant.
Daina says
I love all of your posts, especially the travel ones! I also love Samantha Brown. It looks like you guys had a wonderful time!
Jessica says
Looks dreamy! And I freaking love Samantha Brown. I always said she has the worlds best job!
Elise L. McNeese says
I summer in Leelanau- and know it’s splendor. Beer is great, but the wineries are fab!