Pure Michigan!

We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Traverse City (MI). We stayed longer than planned due to the fact our truck started spitting and sputtering. At times it acted as if it wasn’t getting any gas and I told Brian I was not about to be stuck in the middle of an intersection with the 5’er behind us when it decided to stall. The part had to be ordered from Chicago and apparently the dealership is closed on Sundays so it worked to our advantage as we were able to spend more time with our grand daughter, Ciara, than originally thought. It also allowed us to explore Traverse City and the surrounding area.

I was really surprised to learn that Traverse City is a town of only about 14,000 because they have just about every chain store one could hope for. As it turns out, Traverse City is the largest city in the 21-county northern Michigan region and functions as the major commercial hub for the area. The Traverse City area is also the largest producer of tart cherries in the United States. I’m told during the time of cherry harvest, the city really rolls out the red carpet and holds a week-long Cherry Festival attracting about 500,000 visitors annually. Personally, I’m not a big fan of cherries. In fact, don’t even like the taste or smell of cherries but I do like a glass of wine now and then and the area around Traverse City is also known for it’s many wineries.

Since Ciara had already started school, yep, she’s a freshman this year, we rented a car and drove out to the peninsula and check out some of the country side and wineries for ourselves. This area on Lake Michigan is absolutely gorgeous and I can really understand why Ciara and her family fell in love with this part of Michigan. We spent a little time at Two Brothers Winery tasting wines and enjoying the view from the lobby of their winery, then taking off to drive along the coast line of the peninsula. We stopped at the Old Mission Lighthouse and hiked all the way to the end of the peninsula. Back in town, Traverse City was holding it’s first Michigan Schooner Festival that weekend so we wandered around the bay looking at the different ships.

The Old Homestead

 Other than visiting our grand daughter, the other reason we wanted to come to this part of Michigan is that Brians’ grandparents owned a summer home in Montague on Lake Michigan where he used to spend his summers as a child. Brian and his sisters used to play in the cemetery located just down the road of his grandparents house and when they weren’t raising ruckus in the cemetery, they were spending their time at the beach on Lake Michigan. With address and GPS in hand, we took off one morning and drove the 2 hour trip to the old homestead. Even though the GPS kept stating, “You have arrived.” neither the house or the street the house was located was no where in sight. About that time we came across a group of teenagers walking down the deserted road. “Ask them where the cemetery’s located,” I told Brian, “all teenagers know where the cemeteries are.” Sure enough, they directed us to the cemetery and Brian was able to locate the house from there. As it turned out, the owners were out of town that weekend but we were able to talk to the neighbor who was a little younger than Brian but definitely remembered his grandparents. We talked to him for quite awhile, walked around the old homestead and took photos to share with the rest of the family.

Lake Michigan

After eating at the Old Channel Inn which is the local tavern where his grandparents spent many of their afternoons, and yes, we were also surprised to learn the tavern is still operational, we headed to the beach on Lake Michigan. Now you know the two of us. When it comes to people, no one is a stranger and this trip to the beach proved to be no different. We ran across a couple of women lounging on the beach and started explaining the reason we were in town. “Who’s your grandparents?” “Mildred and Clyde Drake.” “Ohhhhh… I know the Drakes.” We were amazed we ran in to someone who knew Brian’s grandparents. Actually we were amazed that anyone was still alive who knew Brian’s grandparents and who could actually remember knowing his grandparents. We spent quite a bit of time talking to them but her most vivid memory about Brians grandmother was how much time Mildred would spend in the tavern and how much time Mildred would spend trying to get out of the parking lot after downing a few too many drinks. Mildred used to buy herself a brand new Cadillac every year and I guess she must have thought it was a tank because she drove it like one. Apparently, this lady would amuse herself watching Mildred plow her way out of the parking lot side swiping and backing into every car that would get in her way.

It was truly interesting listening to Brian tell me of his childhood memories; where they played, how his grandparents house had a shuffle board court, it’s own private landing strip and he even showed me the patio where he celebrated his 10th birthday with a family party. I’ve seen the old black and white photos so it was fun to see the original locations for myself.



Our Beautiful Grand daughter!



That pretty much ended our time in Traverse City but while there we were fortunate enough to be able to shop for Homecoming dresses with our grand daughter. She’s growing up so fast! Before you know it, it’ll be graduation dresses and then wedding dresses. Egads!!! Where does the time go???