Frankenmuth, MI

We started off on the wrong foot this morning but ended up having a really good day despite several mishaps. We went on our way anyway and visited so many nice places in Frankenmuth that were such fun. Bronner's is like Christmas times infinity or something. It is huge. Bigger than you can imagine unless you see it. Then there is the Bavarian Inn - Chicken that cannot be matched by anyone except Zehnder's, which is directly across the street. They have the lovely chicken shaped flower arrangement you see here.

We went to a variety of gift shops as well. There was a lot to see and so many shops to visit. We hit every one that was at all interesting and some that reeled us in and weren't interesting once we got inside.

After our feet were so tired we just couldn't walk around anymore and the shops were beginning to close we decided to go to the hotel. It was a little too early to call it a night so Troy took me to the thumb, or for those not familiar with that term (see pic to the left), he took me to Marlette where his mother grew up. It is about in the center of the thumb.

Tomorrow we are riding up the Lake Huron side of MI to Mackinaw City for 3 days.

The Henry Ford/Greenfield Village/Titanic

Traffic Jam at Greenfield Village (haha)

Today was another really packed day! We started out bright and early with a trip to Hollywood Market and bought them out of all of their Faygo, which was a must for the trip. We have to bring lots of diet Rock & Rye home with us along with Chocolate cream pie and Vanilla.

Later we went over to the Henry Ford. Last trip here, two years ago, we went to Greenfield Village and got just drenched a few minutes into the trip and barely saw even a few places. Today was just the opposite. We saw so much. That man put so much into getting together the most fascinating collection of homes, workshops, cars, and other rare items into one place. I have a really hard time picking just one favorite. I would really be remiss if I didn't say I loved Noah Webster's Library though, being a librarian in the making.

Noah Webster's Library

 Then there was the ride on the train:

Riding the Train

We also took a tour of the Titanic exhibit, which my person survived by the way. As part of the tour I was given the name of a person that actually boarded the ship and at the end I was able to look on the list and see that she survived the voyage. Pretty neat.


And finally to finish up the day we spent the evening visiting with our great friends Roland and Lynn. That was such a wonderful treat. We visited for a couple of hours and had a wonderful dinner, sat around and talked and then made our way back to the hotel.

Tomorrow we will leave the Wingate Hotel and Auburn Hills and make our way to Frankenmuth, MI.

Day 2

It is not every day that I get to have great experiences like today. It really was a wonderful day. I didn't  know that when I woke up I would spend part of my time in rooms with great works of art or on the roads of Detroit looking at once vast auto empires gone to ruins. Well, that is just how I spent my time.

This morning:

We started out on an adventure with a little shopping. Then it was off to visit with Dave and Sue, Troy's long time friends and my recent friends. We were off to adventure around Detroit with them for the day. It was some adventure too. We went riding around the areas where they grew up, and their old neighborhoods were more like burned out shells than the homes they remembered. Very sad was the comment they used repeatedly.

After we rode around the area for some time we came upon the old Packard factory. It was once a great business and a real empire of a car factory. Now it is just a real shadow of what it was and it is rapidly going away. What the vandals have not destroyed, the elements will take care of soon. I suppose eventually someone may tear it down. I am glad that I got to see it before it is gone though, even in the state it is in. Detroit once boomed!

Finally with Dave and Sue I saw the DIA, Detroit Institute of Arts. OMG! Monet, Rembrandt, Picasso, Van Gogh, Degas, Matisse, and Constable. What a great gift to stand in the room with such great works of art. I did not know that Detroit had all of that in their museum. It was such a treat that I barely kept from crying with excitement. I wish I had pictures. I did get some postcards and a refrigerator magnet from the gift shop though.

Last thing of the day, we met with Troy's cousin Jody and her husband Dan. We had a wonderful dinner and then went back to their house. We had a terrific visit with them. What a terrific way to end such a fantastic day. Day two has been phenomenal.

Meadowbrook Hall

Day 1:
We drove starting at exactly 1:21 am this morning with a few stops, until 1:28 pm today to Meadowbrook Hall. It was a really great trip. There was very little traffic, no really, people are not out in the middle of the night. It is a great time to go places. :) I really couldn't help myself. I got us up and out the door that early cause I was awake and ready to get started.

Oh and just as promised, a mention for my great friend Anu, HI from Michigan! I am finally here and having a great time so far!

We Are on the Way

It was 1:21 am when we pulled out of the driveway listening to Holiday Road on the radio.

Tomorrow is the big day!!!We are off to 16 days of fun on the road. Off to Michigan again! Hope everyone that is reading will enjoy sharing our trip with us through this blog. We are so excited that we have been packed for days and ready for weeks, ok, months. So keep in touch and we will share as much as we can along the way!
Bonnie

3 workdays left and I am off to my holiday!!! WooHoo!!!

1 Week

8 Days Til Vacation

So we have been counting down since well over 100 days. It is so close now. We are picking up the car on Tuesday and starting packing on Wednesday. We will be so ready to go! The trip is going to start Saturday morning, time to be determined by how early I can talk Troy into leaving. :) Pretty early if I have any luck. Day one will be Silver Creek to Auburn Hills, Michigan. Long way but fun. I am way too excited!!!