The Keepers Take A Day Off
Day 9
Conveniently enough, your day off is the day before you leave here. Oh well, we kind of are thinking of it as free lodging now after our busy week.
We started our day at the gas station/convenience store/grocery store/deli for coffee. I already used up my whole bag of Biggby coffee from last week and thought hey, let's keep the other tightly sealed up in the Lock N Lock uncontaminated by various insects.
Next, we took a leisurely drive down the peninsula to Traverse City, MI for breakfast at a place called The Flap Jack Shack. Honestly, I think The Jolly Pumpkin and this place used the same marketing firm when choosing a name for their restaurants! LOL I am happy to say that the one time I had to cover my coffee cup over with my hand was not to keep the gnats out. It was my non-verbal way to tell the roaming coffee waitress that I just couldn't drink a fourth cup. I mean, it was only breakfast. I had to pace myself.
We then made our way to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Just a heads up. It's a national park. You will pay through the nose to just drive through, which is what we thought we'd do...but my oh my were we in for a big surprise! It was absolutely spectacular! For those who are friends on my personal facebook, you've seen the photos and I'm sure agree with me. It's one of those scenic drive parks where you stop at the scenic overlooks. Basically is it a huge sand dune area. If you've been to the Indiana Dunes, this is BETTER! At one spot, we parked and hiked up a small hill and kept hearing this wind but didn't know where it was coming from and then when we reached the top of the boardwalk there were 50 mph winds! I couldn't hardly stand up straight. My time was limited. I snapped some shots and tiptoed back down the path in the rain that started blowing around. I took refuge in a pit toilet for shelter! Now, ANYONE who knows me is laughing their heads off.
When I emerged, there came Dave down the hill with his camera in hand and we jumped in the KIA and got out of there. Soon enough, the winds calmed and all was well.For the first time in my life, I didn't even think twice of opening the door of a pit toilet and heading in! LOL
Later, we shopped in Glen Arbor, MI at Cherry Republic and had some lunch. It was so delicious! We also stopped in Cedar, MI and another small town that had a quilt shop. You may be shocked to hear it was my FIRST quilt shop stop the whole trip so far.
Finally, we made it back to Traverse City, MI and shopped at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Believe this or not, they revamped this gigantic old insane asylum into shops and condos. It's a little creepy to me but from the outside from what they've done looks remarkable. On the inside along the bottom floor they have made little unique shops. I didn't really get a great vibe from this place. There were photos of the old place, pictures of patients...I don't know. I couldn't work there. It really was weird to me. In addition, who would buy a condo at an old insane asylum? NOT ME, thanks. I wouldn't sleep a wink! Oh, so to top it off they give tours of old tunnels that are you guessed it...HAUNTED! Mr. Quilter Cook was all excited to sign up to go, too. But unfortunately, the tours are two hours long and the next one starts tomorrow at 10am. Too bad. Besides, I just didn't know how he was going to get all the way back to the lighthouse afterwards. I sure wasn't sticking around that long! NOPE. Not there. There's an eerie feeling about the place. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
By that time, it was time to get back home again. On the way, we visited a winery and had some dinner. Upon our return, we have packed our stuff as much as possible in the car and prepared for our departure at 8am. We have a schedule to keep and 6 lighthouses to visit tomorrow!
Oh, I can't close tonight before reporting to my son Mark Mossner that I CLIMBED TO THE TOWER! (Please note, for clarification I DID NOT say I climbed INTO the tower), but I poked my head up inside. It still counts.
We also spent some time on the beach since we had it all to ourselves. We said goodbye to our little spot on Lake Michigan and the lighthouse. It's a bit sad and I really wanted to do something in appreciation for the week.
So, I grabbed my trusty straw broom and swept down the steps of the lighthouse, down to the beach and the boardwalk one last time.
We can't leave the place looking shabby now, can we?
This experience will not be forgotten. Which reminds me. I get to write our story in the OFFICIAL logbook of the lighthouse tonight.
It will be my honor.
The Quilter Cook
P.S. Stay with us on the vacation by checking the blog! We have many more adventures before we return to Madison on Saturday!
Later, we shopped in Glen Arbor, MI at Cherry Republic and had some lunch. It was so delicious! We also stopped in Cedar, MI and another small town that had a quilt shop. You may be shocked to hear it was my FIRST quilt shop stop the whole trip so far.
Finally, we made it back to Traverse City, MI and shopped at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons. Believe this or not, they revamped this gigantic old insane asylum into shops and condos. It's a little creepy to me but from the outside from what they've done looks remarkable. On the inside along the bottom floor they have made little unique shops. I didn't really get a great vibe from this place. There were photos of the old place, pictures of patients...I don't know. I couldn't work there. It really was weird to me. In addition, who would buy a condo at an old insane asylum? NOT ME, thanks. I wouldn't sleep a wink! Oh, so to top it off they give tours of old tunnels that are you guessed it...HAUNTED! Mr. Quilter Cook was all excited to sign up to go, too. But unfortunately, the tours are two hours long and the next one starts tomorrow at 10am. Too bad. Besides, I just didn't know how he was going to get all the way back to the lighthouse afterwards. I sure wasn't sticking around that long! NOPE. Not there. There's an eerie feeling about the place. I couldn't get out of there fast enough.
By that time, it was time to get back home again. On the way, we visited a winery and had some dinner. Upon our return, we have packed our stuff as much as possible in the car and prepared for our departure at 8am. We have a schedule to keep and 6 lighthouses to visit tomorrow!
Oh, I can't close tonight before reporting to my son Mark Mossner that I CLIMBED TO THE TOWER! (Please note, for clarification I DID NOT say I climbed INTO the tower), but I poked my head up inside. It still counts.
We also spent some time on the beach since we had it all to ourselves. We said goodbye to our little spot on Lake Michigan and the lighthouse. It's a bit sad and I really wanted to do something in appreciation for the week.
So, I grabbed my trusty straw broom and swept down the steps of the lighthouse, down to the beach and the boardwalk one last time.
We can't leave the place looking shabby now, can we?
This experience will not be forgotten. Which reminds me. I get to write our story in the OFFICIAL logbook of the lighthouse tonight.
It will be my honor.
The Quilter Cook
P.S. Stay with us on the vacation by checking the blog! We have many more adventures before we return to Madison on Saturday!
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