I’m typing through tired eyes, with a crazy sunburn that’s finally turning into a bronze after-effect and with a sore throat that hurts every time I swallow. Every time. And seriously, I didn’t know how often I swallowed. Seriously!
My thoroughly washed babes are finally tucked into their beds and I could still smell the faint coconut scent of sunscreen when I kissed their heads, even though I thought it’d all been sent down the drain with their bath time suds.
Days are upon us where the light filtering through our bedroom windows wakes us earlier and the evening’s golden rays stretch our activity far past the usual. And we’ve been filling each moment in between the rise and fall of the sun with the remnants of a late Spring cleaning, purging through a mess of things we don’t need while I participate in one of my first ever yard sales (which if today is any indication… it’s going VERY well), making memories (the fun and the sunburn trophy worthy), and making plans… lots of plans and goals.
I happen to think that mid-year is a great time to reflect and plan, clean out and set goals, ditch the porcelain winter skin and create a summer bucket list.
And you guys, though my mind is foggy with the details of which pile is going where and the fact that my next week is planned almost down to the minute to get it all in, we also have some big news to share. So while I think of a fun and creative way to share it, though you might guess it with my next few sentences, and my repertoire of flowing adjectives seems a bit dry at the moment since my words are falling out in a random smattering onto the screen, I’m going to leave you with a question.
A question and this photo of my kids that I snapped to text to a friend while on our way home tonight (and NO, I wasn’t driving) after being home about a total of 40 minutes since waking.
Okay, so are you ready for the question?
For those of you that live in or know Michigan… if you knew this was your last summer living in the Great Lake State (or your own home-town), what would you make sure to do?
Thanks for sharing your ideas! Enjoy the mid-year rite of passage, hopefully without the sunburn, and stay fabulous!
Jamie says
I know the big news!! (tee hee hee)
Gabe and I both agree that one of our all-time favorite summer memories is driving around on the peninsula (Old Mission) in Traverse City in July, in the warm sun, windows down, breeze dancing through our hair, eating fresh washed cherries from a road side stand, tossing the stems out the window and watching the trees and the water pass by us. Breathtaking!
Jennifer says
I was just going to say that my favorite so far was a drive up old mission point, and the rest of the day in the traverse city shops followed by a day up the leelanau peninsula and ending it at the sleeping bear dunes. Old mission had a bed and breakfast called Chateau Chantel on a hill surrounded by vineyard with a view of the lake.
Fresh Mommy says
You guys, these are such great ideas!! Love it already… getting out my calendar to see where we can fit in what 🙂
Elena says
Ok, this is going to be a LONG comment! If it were my last summer here I would rent a beach house on Lake Michigan or stay at The Homestead (in Glen Arbor) or a beachfront hotel in Traverse City. We’ve rented homes on Cathead Bay (Northport) and loved it! Great for kids because the water is pretty shallow and very clear. Other great Lake MI spots are Saugatuck and Holland. Basically anything on the cost from Saugatuck all the way to Northport – you won’t go wrong. I’d also do a couples trip for the vineyards on Leelanau peninsula & Mission peninsula (you can do both in one vacation). You can stay in Glen Arbor, Traverse City, Suttons Bay – there are a ton of hotels & B&B’s to choose from. So many other things..I’d do a day on Mackinac Island, I’d do a day in Grand Rapids for all the museums, there are great museums in Detroit (DIA & Detroit Science Center), do a Tigers game at Comerica Park, etc. Hope this helps! As you can see, I love Michigan!
Adrienne says
Since I’m a Bostonian, this will just be a general thought…but I’ve moved a fair bit, so hopefully a helpful thought! If there are any typically tourisy things in the area, I’d fit them in. And I like to take a ‘favorite places’ tour with my camera, by myself, before I leave somewhere. It settles me, gives me a little processing time and leaves me with cherished photo memories.
Ashlee says
If you go to Old Mission point you have to go to “The Bowery” for dinner. They have AMAZING steaks and grow all their own vegetables.
Have you heard of the “tunnel of trees” up north? I just heard about that the other day. I guess it’s like 40 or so miles of trees that look like a tunnel.
That’s what I have to do before we leave 🙂
Christina Lusk says
Oh, Tabitha! If it were me (and believe me, it HAS been me, lol) I would sit down for a long lovely moment with my favorite tea, and soak in the joys of the most wonderous place of all… HOME But we also love the dunes 🙂
Jane says
Hi Tabitha,
My name is Jane and I’m with Dwellable.
I was looking for blogs about Suttons Bay to share on our site and I came across your post…If you’re open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Jane