A trip to Traverse City, MI, and why you should never sit on on a sandcastle... About This Page:

[All Ears]

Travelers: DH (Mark), self (Michelle)
Dates: July 28-29, 2002
Destination: Traverse City, Michigan
Reason? In search of fun.

Soooo, we decided to see if there was life outside of Disney. And much to our surprise... {gasp} you CAN have fun at other places besides Disney! Now before y'all go getting yerselves all worked up over this statement, I am NOT saying to throw your DIsney ressies and PS to the wind, I am just saying this... while waiting for your next WDW/DL trip, you can have some fun exploring other neat destinations like Traverse City...
So with all that said... here are the details of our quick little jaunt to the "place upnorth."

The alarm clock rings WAY, WAY too early on a Sunday morning. As I wipe massive amounts of eye boogers away from my eyes -- I read the clock. 3:45AM?! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] What am I thinking? My body says it is toooo early to get up. But my head says this is like a "drill" for our next Disney trip -- like a preview to make sure we can actually get up before the sun does. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] So, I roll out of bed and go to the 'puter.
Yes, I am online at [/that[/i] hour... but I need to check the weather forecast, etc. I am soooo tempted to go on to Passporter... but I realize two things: 1.) we will never leave for our trip on-time -- as I will be on-line for hours, and 2.) I am probably the only insane PP up at that hour, anyways. But then again, I could have left all kinds of threads for y'all to discover when you woke-up. Maybe next time...
So after checking the forecast, I try to rouse my DH from his slumber. This is no easy feat -- as it is somewhat compareable to waking the DEAD! After minutes of shaking him, poking him in the belly, and pretty much YELLING in his ear -- he finally awakens. He is soo not a morning person, and he does not take kindly to my methods of waking him up.
After showering, dressing, and all those other "AM Hygiene" tasks -- we load the car, and we are off. Time: 5:04 AM.
Traffic is pretty much non-existent at such an hour on a Sunday morning. This is advantageous -- as we are making GREAT time. Soon, we whip through Jennifer and Dave's stomping grounds (Ann Arbor, MI), and we are on our way...
After about 2.5 hours of driving, Mark and I switch drivers. He has been snoring this entire time, so I am looking forward to a chance to catch up on some Zzzz's myself. He does snore quite melodically to the AK soundtrack, I might add... [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
So, another couple hours pass, and I awaken. It looks like we are out in the middle of nowhere. I ask DH if we are lost. This is where his whole "man in charge" thing happens -- and he shakes his head, while looking around nervously, and then mumbles "no." I KNOW this is an outright lie, but I choose to not call him on it. I mean, eventually, he will have to sheepishly fess up -- so I remain quiet.

Sidenote: Regarding the "man in charge" thing, I am not saying every man has this problem. I am just saying my man has this problem in the WORST way possible. He is a comic's dream when it comes to this subject matter! So, I don't want to offend any of our male/female readers re: this.

But I digress... so where was I?! Oh, "lost" but seemingly un-so to the driver. So after about 10+ more miles of this, he mutters something barely audible to my otherwise "razor sharp ears." I think it resembles something like... "lost" or "not sure where we are" or maybe just a curse word or two. At any rate, the fessin' up process has begun.
Now phase two of his "man in charge" thing kicks in. Even though he KNOWS he is not where he wants to be, he will CONTINUE to drive for another 5-10+ miles! Arghhhhh! Then, he will turn around in about the 100th drive/turn around spot we pass! Double arghhhhhh here. AND then he pulls out the atlas. Now remember: it was not following the atlas properly the first time around that caused us to enter "phase 2" -- but he decides to go for another "round at it."
I, of course, say -- let's stop and ask for directions. Oh, no... I have uttered those unspeakable words. ASK FOR DIRECTIONS?! I think not... so he continues to pour over the atlas...
I then return to my "quiet stance." I know it is only a matter of time before he will have to enter phase 3 of the whole "MIC thing" (man in charge), and do the unthinkable act of asking.
Phase 3: To ask or not to ask. That is the question. He now mumbles something about maybe we need to ask for directions. Hello?! Did I not just mention that a few moments ago?! I quickly (but out of his view) roll my eyes -- and then sweetly say, "I think that is a divine idea."
So after all of this bruhaha goes on, we are finally back on track -- with about an hour of our time wittled away. Ho-hummmm...
Next up... are we there YET?!

[Shell_of_the_South]

Hey Michelle, when can we read more about your trip?

[GoofyMom]

Oh, that whole Man in Charge thing is hilarious! My guy'll do darned near the exact same thing right down to the driving past many primo turn around places! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

But, Michelle please finish your TR, I've gotta know why you should never sit on a sandcastle. [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[ 08-03-2002, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: GoofyMom ]

[infinity&beyond]

Looking forward to the rest...cuz I have NO IDEA what would make Traverse City a vacation destination!

[All Ears]

Sorry I have not been back to add more to the TR, I have been soooo busy, but I will add more. I promise! Scout's honor... [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
Michelle

[All Ears]

Okay... so here we go again...
I left off with are we there yet? And after much, much driving -- "MIC" behavior, and otherwise road mayhem -- we start to see civilization again. I was getting a tad bit worried while we were driving -- as it did not seem like there was any human life form anywhere near where we were. We did, however, pass a "wild turkey" and a rooster walking beside the road. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] Seeing Thanksgiving dinner walking roadside kinda stumped me -- but a'las, we drove on...
When our rearends were pretty much numb from all of the sitting in our car, we found Acme, Michigan. I still cannot believe that there is a place with the name "Acme." All I could envision was the Coyote from the WB cartoons trying to blow up the town with sticks of dynamite! But yes, there is an "Acme, Michigan" -- and no, Wyle was not there! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] But our hotel ressie was actually in Acme, not Traverse City. (Acme is only a few minutes outside TC)
We drove by our hotel -- a Holiday Inn Express --which looked clean and new. We both let out a big sigh of relief here... as whenever booking ressies online, we are a bit cautious of what type of place we may end up staying in. But this hotel looked to be very reputable and nice. Yeah!
So we continued driving through town... noticing all the resorts, hotels, restaurants, mini-golf courses, etc. This town was definitely created for the tourist season!
We continued to make our way to the "Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park." We decided we would tour the park, have a picnic lunch, then start touring Traverse City after lunch.
We were unsure of what to expect at Sleeping Bear. The name, well -- it does not speak too clearly, so we had to know more. And all we had to go on was a "Family Fun" magazine reccomendation...
Of course, we had another brush with the whole MIC thing again on the way to the dunes. Seems my dear hubby could not follow the mapquest directions I had so nicely printed out for him. So, we again -- found ourselves "stranded" in the middle of nowhere. With DH refusing to stop and turn around... This time, I think my patience snapped a bit. As I said, "It is obvious that we are lost. So I think we should turn around and ask for directions." I emphasized the "we" here -- as to not make him feel inferior over the whole driving fiasco.... but in saying, "we," of course -- I really meant him. A little psychological manipulation here... So, "we" turned around to ask for help. But not before driving 5 more miles, and passing 10 more turnaround spots, of course. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]
And thank you to the wonderful grocer at the grocery store that was for whatever reason out in the boondocks (perhaps placed there JUST for people like my DH -- who need to be coerced into stopping and seeking help...), we were on the road again. And we found the park.
The fog was a bit much on this day, so unfortunately our views were obstructed. There is a 450' drop off to Lake Michigan, but due to the fog -- it appeared that we were sitting "high in the clouds." So after a leisurely drive through the forest and our picnic -- we hit the road again. BTW: Our numb rears were finally regaining feeling, at this point.
So back into town, we go...
Next up, can we find a place to potty?

[DisneyDreaming]

and????? what's the rest of the story

Marylee

[McMouse]

Michelle, I just noticed your report. That is too cool... my family was in Traverse City July 7-14 this summer! My sister lives there. In fact, we drove by your hotel a couple of times while going back and forth between TC and Acme. We had a blast. It is so gorgeous there! We live in Houston, TX so the weather was such as nice change for us. Everytime we go, my husband and I just look at each other and say, "Should we just chuck everything and move here with no job prospects?" For anyone who has not been, it really is beautiful up there right on the bay of Lake Michigan with lots of pretty inland lakes too.

We did Sleeping Bear Dunes as well. The circle tour was really cool, but it was pretty foggy the day we went too and we could just make out the lake and the two islands out there. Did you climb the dunes? That was really fun (except I had my 18 month old on my hip the entire time and I thought I was going to die by the time I got to the top!) It was gorgeous up there - what a view! Anyways, I was so excited to see a trip report about TC! Looking forward to the rest of your report!

[All Ears]

so we make it back into town... and DH begins whining about needing to use "the facilities." (this is the term he fondly refers to the restroom as [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] ) So we meander through the quaint streets of TC, looking for the aforementioned facilities. We spot a "Subway." I order a beverage, while DH scurries off to the potty. (my name for said "facilities.") But oh no! The men's room is out of order! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] I tell DH to just use the ladies' room -- as these were the "onesie" type restrooms -- whereby only one individual may use them at a time, with their own locking doors, etc. I assure him I will stand "guard" outside the door -- but he declines. He thinks people will think he is some creepy pervert, so he decides to "wait."
Well, I know he will not really be able to wait -- and if he does indeed "wait," he will not be a happy camper. So I tell him we will go into another restaurant. But he does not want to -- as we will not be dining there, so he does not wish to use their restroom. He tells me, that we should just keep on "shopping."
By this point, I am getting a bit annoyed -- as he tries to rush me in and out of each shop in search of a restroom -- but whenever I spot a restaurant that would have a restroom, he won't use it! Arghhhhh!
So finally I spot a bookstore... and all is well. Both the ladies and men's restrooms are in "working order." So now we are all happy. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] DH is doubly happy -- and he is a huge booknut. So we spend the next hour or so in this store alone.
We browse through numerous charming shops -- like Venus (a lovely little cosmetics/toiletries store), American Spoon Foods (known for their fabulous jellies, salsas, and preserves), and the Nutcracker Christmas Shoppe. I then spot a scrapbook/stamp store. True bliss!
After browsing through numerous stores, and accomplishing some of our Christmas shopping. (yes, we DID manage purchase a few gifts) We feel "shopped-out." This is a bit amazing for me, the self-proclaimed "shop-a-holic," but 'tis true. So we decide to slow our pace down a bit.
During all of our "misguided" driving -- as DH would like to refer to his "being lost" as, we spotted several public access areas to the beach/waterfront.
After numerous drives around some one-way streets, and filled parking lots -- we managed to find a public parking area. Kudos to TC for having free parking on Sunday -- what a nice gesture! So, we parked, and headed to the beach.
We were shocked by the number (and size!) of the boats on the waterfront. Seems that everyone wanted to just "kick back" and enjoy the waves and the rays.
DH ran to the water like an eager little boy! He proudly exclaimed that he was going to build a sandcastle. I, meanwhile, just enjoyed laying in the soft sand -- taking in all the sights and sounds.
I knew I would not be able to "lay quietly" for long, though -- as DH would soon hound me to join him in the water or help him build his castle... but for the meanwhile, it was quite relaxing to just take a mental break from it all. While laying in the sun, I reconfirmed what I knew when I visited Hilton Head for the first time... I need to live by the water. It does not have to be the ocean (although that would be a real perk!), but I really love the feeling I have when I am there... Most peaceful and most relaxing.
Sorry to get a little deep, there... but it is sooo true. Just hearing the waves smack the land, the sound of the birds soaring above, the boats engines... I love it all!
But I digress... and soon I hear DH yelling for me to what else... come join him!
So... I then meander down to the waterfront.

[All Ears]

McMouse,
No -- I did not climb the dunes! I cannot believe you did?! [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] WOW! That is an amazing feat in itself. But what a view...
We went back the following day when the fog had cleared, and it was soooo awesome there.
TC is sooo lovely, isn't it?! What all did you see and do while there? I would love to hear what places you discovered.
Michelle