Visit to Michigan :)

A couple weeks back we went to Michigan to visit Grammy and Papa and the cousins. We had a great time, got to see some new things, and went to the Venetian Festival in Charlevoix. Here's some pics of our mini vaca :)

On the way to Michigan - it was brrrr cold that day!

Here is a Burl on a tree at the Landslide overlook. This one is medium sized and has a monster mushroom growing out of it - its about 18 feet up the tree. Burl wood is really expensive and very unique - thanks for the little history lesson mom :)


Grammy and Papa at Landslide with Ella.

Beautiful Jordan Valley, Michigan.


This is at the Jordan Valley scenic drive - unfortunately the roads weren't graded yet and we didn't make it very far on the drive before having to turn around.

Ella sporting the pink and orange butterfly semi truck at the festival - wants to be just like her Papa Lonnie :)

The giant slide - first time going on it and she did it all by herself!!



Ella, Papa, and Mommy have a slide race! Papa won - check out the air he gets on that last bump!!!


Ella on the Elephant ride - it surprised her because it not only goes around in circles but also up and down. She giggled the whole time :)

Getting ready to go on the School Bus!

She had so much fun!

Beautiful car :o)

This car was pretty cool, it goes from road to water - used in WWII - they traveled from Florida with this car on their boat - they have a special hoist to raise and lower it on and off the deck. The boat was massive!

Yay for treats from the clown!

Juggler on stilts - he kept letting the kids run through his legs.


Veteran bikers - Ella loved hearing them rev their engines.

We were able to finally catch the resident deer and her babies out during daylight. They still have their spots!!

Ut oh, mommy heard me.

Ella in Alden by Torch Lake.

Ella, Papa, and Gammy.

Eating a super delicious lunch at the little diner in Mancelona (we're definitely eating there again!).

Grass River Natural Area

The whole area has a boardwalk running through it for you to explore - it encompasses a large area and connects Lake Bellaire to Clam Lake - which connects to Torch Lake - which is why this area is called Chain-of-Lakes. There are more that feed into this system.


Some tree that normally doesn't grow in these conditions but lives here because of some special soil composition present in the Grass Lake Area.


Grass Lake



Boardwalk out to the visitors dock - you can dock your boat and hike and use the facilities.

Ella and Papa checking out the crystal clear water running through the tributaries.


Ella, posing on a big rock :)

We also visited Rugg Pond Dam - this dam was used to power the whole Kalkaska area at one time - it was recently reclaimed and turned into a nature area.








The water came out with such force!


Top of the pond.

Winston :)

I finally beat mom at chinese checkers - we've been playing a couple games every visit for the last 4 years or so, and every stinking time she beats me - so I finally won!!

Ella in play-doh land.

Its her favorite pastime at Grammy's house.