Soo much fun...

On Friday, we traveled over the Mackinac bridge and into the upper peninsula to Lake Superior State University in Sault St. Marie, MI.

Not a short journey (at times it felt ALL of the 5 hours) but the girls entertained themselves. 

While I was teaching Friday night, Chris took the girls downtown to explore. 

Don't you just love this motel sign?

After my work obligations were done on Saturday, we took the girls to the Soo Locks to watch the freighters pass through.

Watching the locks in action is truly amazing.

We were able to watch a Canadian freighter go through from an upper viewing deck.  Yes.  I did climb stairs to get to the upper deck.  I behaved the rest of the weekend though.


 We were so close, we could hear their "salty"conversations. 

We then ventured back over the Mackinac bridge towards Traverse city.

We spent Saturday evening on Traverse bay enjoying our first official beach experience of the season.




We live in such a beautiful state.

It was a lovely mother's day weekend.  A little bit of work.  A little bit of play. This upcoming week is going to be crazy with my work, attempting to get to Emma's three soccer games, and preparing for Emma's birthday sleep-over with 12 teenagers.  Home sweet home!

Déjà vu

My University is sending me to Sault St. Marie
to teach this weekend.  

Last August when we took a family vacation to
Mackinac Island and the Upper Peninsula,
I had this exact same walking cast.

This is feeling a bit Déjà vu.

 I promised my surgeon, no big hiking adventures
when I'm done with my classroom obligations.

I'm really going to behave, this time.

Pinky swear I won't be climbing
any sand dunes or waterfalls, Mom.

P.S. Happy Mothers Day weekend, ladies!

KITCH-ITI-KIPI (Big Spring) UP Day 4

On our travels back home, we traveled to KITCH-ITI-KIPI to visit the Big Springs. You can find this attraction in Palms Book State Park which is located at the northern part of state highway M-149, a fifteen minute drive north of US-2 at Thompson.






KITCH-ITI-KIP is hundred feet across and forty foot deep. It's Michigan's largest spring. This crystal clear attraction is absolutely amazing and almost prehistoric looking.

The flow continues throughout the year at a constant 45 degree fahrenheit. We were able to enjoy the attraction with self-operated & tethered glass bottomed observation raft.

Ancient tree trunks, lime covered branches and fat trout appear in the crystal waters far below.

Like many of the attractions that we visited, this was free with a state park pass. It was one of my favorite spots this past week. If you are heading to the upper peninsula, be sure to pack a cooler with snacks.

There are dozens of scenic turnouts perfect for picnics.

We're definitely looking forward to our next visit to the upper peninsula.

Such a beautiful state.

XOXO

♥

UP day 3

The winds (and temperatures) were dramatically different this morning and we were able to enjoy the glass bottom shipwreck tour.

We were able to view three different wrecks on the 2.5 hour cruise.

We spent the rest of the day traveling west to Marquette.
Along the way, we stopped at roadside beaches
to admire the view of Lake Superior.



One of the highlights of our day was watching a freighter
come into dock in Marquette.
The size of the ship was amazing.

We'll be heading back south tomorrow.
It's been a beautiful trip.

XOXO

♥