Holland
I went to the Tulip Festival once in college, so Kate and I made plans to go. She'd never been to Holland, let alone the Tulip Festival! I looked at the site the night before and it said that although many of the tulips in town were done, we should buy tickets to the Immersion Garden. We did, and I'm so glad! For $12, we walked around and admired gorgeous raised beds of tulips, and they had giant displays about the history of tulips. So enjoyable AND educational!
After seeing that, we walked to Windmill Island to see the street organ (fascinating and old!), and we walked up into the windmill. This was a first for me, and when you walk outside on the balcony, it really feels like it's going to hit you in the head. You can stand RIGHT next to it as it whips by! We loved this - and the view. There's a lot of historical information to read in there, too.
We walked around town and then went to eat downtown, and we both had lamb burgers. Totally worth going to the Tulip Festival - next time I'll try to time it when all the tulips are in bloom!
Detroit
Kris and I went with his work event to a Tigers game. Now with the new rules, games get out at such a reasonable time! It started at 6:40 p.m. and was over by 9:15 p.m. We walked around the city, going in and out of places that were open. There were so many people out. We stopped in Astoria Pastry Shop and ended the night at The Old Shillelagh. We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn, which is walking distance from the Tigers stadium and Ford Field, and a nice hotel.
Birmingham
I'd never been to Birmingham. I went to visit my friend Andie, and she took me on a four-mile walk on trails through the woods, through neighborhoods, by ponds - all so nice. We walked to downtown from her house to get coffee and eat lunch. The downtown had an upscale feel, and I wondered why I've never been here before?! I'll definitely go back.
Higgins Lake, Mid-Michigan College, Lake George
I went to Higgins Lake with my friend Rondi and her family, who had a place on it. It never disappoints. Clear, full of fish, and nice people around it.
My mom suggested we go on trails at the Mid Michigan College campus, and it was great. Elevation, 10+ miles of trails, through the woods! They are also bike trails, so you have to watch out, but totally worth a drive.
I had no service in Lake George. The big X! We went to the public beach (very small) and had ice cream (very big) at The Depot. It's amazing how many lakes Michigan has like this one...the internet tells me Michigan has 11,037 that are over five acres.
Mount Pleasant
This weekend, 11 friends and I went kayaking on the Chippewa with Chippewa River Outfitters. It was a lovely 2-3 hour jaunt with lots of laughing. It was $25 per kayak - seemed totally reasonable. We then ate at The Cabin, where they treated us so nicely and even gave us a pizza they made on accident!
And more to come!
