Family Vacation 2015 - Michigan

This year, we decided not to travel too far away for our family vacation. Michigan is right across the pond and we thought it'd be cool to see what the other side of Lake Michigan offered. So we did a loop around the lake. We took a lot of photos. Here's a glimpse into our trip:

Sunday, June 21

We went to church on Saturday and packed up most of our stuff already so that we could head south after Sunday school was over. First stop: Chicago where we met up with Tim's brother and his family. We walked along Navy Pier, toured Millennium Park, and then enjoyed some deep dish pizza from Giordano's. Yum!

Monday, June 22

Near our hotel in Hammond, IN, there was a visitor's center. We found this lovely statue of Flick from "A Christmas Story." Caleb hasn't ever seen the movie, but we decided to do the Triple Dog Dare. (Don't worry... I didn't actually touch the pole with my tongue. Gross!)

One of our random stops along the drive to our destination.

Stopping by Duck Lake -- it runs into Lake Michigan

Finally! We made it to Crystal Mountain. Here's our cute little cottage, Dune Grass. Thank you so much to Tim's cousin who generously allowed us to use a Family Package that she won.

Tuesday, June 23

Off of Peterson Dr. in the Sleepy Bear Dunes National Park. There weren't really big dunes here, but we could see those off in the distance.

Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

 Another stop along the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive

The Dune Climb: We made it up the first big hill, but didn't travel the rest of the dune trail to Lake Michigan. It would've been a 2-4 hour hike! 

A beautiful lighthouse

Back at Crystal Mountain -- Alpine Slide, Rock Climbing, Adventure Course, & Swimming

Wednesday, June 24

More fun on the adventure course

Canoe trip on the Platte River & Loon Lake

Dinner at The Cherry Hut: Their cherryade drink was amazing! And of course we took a cherry pie to go.

The kids LOVED the pool at Crystal Mountain

Taking the chairlift up the mountain. They had a little concert going on at the top.

Amazing view!

Thursday, June 25

Art Park

Back to the Dune Climb again... This time we went a little further. The kids were a little tired out though so we went about half-way.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Point

Friday, June 26

It's Mackinac Island Day!!! The kids loved riding the ferry.

Fort Mackinac

Sugar Loaf

Arch Rock

Lego Display

Back on the Ferry -- We chose the one that goes under Mackinac Bridge

A surprise parade -- we couldn't leave the ferry parking lot for an hour! So we just sat down and watched. 

Saturday, June 27

A beautiful sunrise while watching out the balcony of our hotel. Mackinac Island is there on the right.

Heading home.... a few rest stops along the way

Someone was pretty tired out. She fell asleep in Green Bay around 6:30pm and slept until 8:30am the next morning.