Road Trip!

Walking along Lake Michigan in Milwaukee

Playing with cousin Logan on the beach at Lake George Resort,
West Branch, Mi

Hanging out with Grandpa & Grandma Gray

Peeking out the door of our cabin

Had to make a pit stop to do some wine tasting in Rose City, MI
on our history tour of the West Branch area

Enjoying the beach

Mike's parents, 3 sisters and their families at the resort

Our family

New Glarus Brewing Company

Trying on clothes for Godfather Matt's upcoming wedding!
(this picture was taken today - I couldn't resist including this pic of my little man in a suit)

Last week our family returned from our first big road trip together. Our destination was West Branch, Michigan to help host and celebrate Mike’s parents’ 50th wedding anniversary party. We started out on Tuesday at 6:00 pm and drove the 5 ½ hours straight to Milwaukee. Miles slept peacefully in the back the whole way. Wednesday we explored Milwaukee. We spent the day at Lake Michigan enjoying the beautiful sunshine, toured the historic Pabst Mansion, walked around the Milwaukee Public Market and had dinner on the riverfront downtown. Miles was an absolute champ being trekked around on our road trip adventure.

Thursday we took the 6 am Lake Express Ferry out of Milwaukee, across Lake Michigan, and landed in Muskegon, Michigan. Oddly, the ferry was recommended to us by a used car sales man on our search for a new vehicle (no, we didn’t buy the Acadia from him but he was very nice). The ferry cut at least 4 hours off of our drive time and was great because Miles could toddle around the boat, sit on our laps and not be restrained in a car seat for so long. Once we landed in Michigan we drove the remaining 3 ½ hours to West Branch where we stayed at Lake George Resort with all of Mike’s sisters and their families. The resort had cabins 10 feet from the quiet lake with a nice beach, paddle boats and a row boat to use and a horseshoe pit. Mike’s immediate family gets together rarely so it was wonderful to have some of them meet Miles for the first time and spend quality time together as a family. We enjoyed many good meals, sitting by the water and relaxing. Mike and Mariann, Mike’s parents, also led us on a driving tour of the places they were born, got married, etc. It was nice to see the history we hear so much about. About this time Miles really started motoring – he is now walking everywhere, completely independently!

That Saturday we hosted a party to honor Mike and Mariann and Miles got to meet many extended relatives for the first time. Sunday came too quickly when we all said goodbye for now and went our separate ways – some to Alaska, others to Oklahoma and Arizona. Mike, Miles and I headed back to Muskegon to take the 11 pm ferry across the lake to Milwaukee. Unfortunately, the ride home was not as smooth as the trip there. Poor Miles was an overtired and seasick baby – it was a rough ride. We arrived at our hotel downtown Milwaukee about 1 am and I seriously thought I had entered the twilight zone. After an exhausting journey so far that evening we arrived at the hotel to find gobs of people partying and milling around drinking while loud Irish bands played in the courtyard and the lobby – Irish Fest! Luckily, the 16th floor was quiet and we collapsed that night in our beds.

Monday we took time to explore Madison and walked up and down State Street and ate lunch outside at a little Italian restaurant. We then took a detour to New Glarus to see the New Glarus Brewing Company and so Mike could buy beer. We then drove about 5 ½ hours to home. While it was good to be back we all had a great time on our first official family road trip. I wonder where we’ll go next!