Mystical, Magical Michigan

From the U.P. to the charming island of Mackinac to the quaint serenity of a small fishing town along the shores of Lake Michigan, the "Great Lakes State" left us with memories to last a lifetime.

First Stop: The Upper Peninsula

Our road-trip began in northern Michigan, otherwise known as the U.P. In mid-July, the temperature was surprisingly chilly. The weather brought us overcast skies, a little rain and a high of 54 degrees. Nevertheless, we were excited to explore this unknown territory we had heard so much about!

Staying in the town of Munising, we ventured out to find adventure along the shores of Lake Superior. We took in the sights of Pictured Rocks cliffs from up above, followed winding trails through the whimsical woods, hiked to Miners falls, dipped our toes in the water at Miners Beach and ate the most delicious fish & chips meal from a local food truck.

Second Stop: Mackinac Island

This place is truly out of a storybook! All of the words you would use to describe a Hallmark movie are the exact words you would use to paint the visual picture of Mackinac Island - charming, quaint, romantic, classic, timeless, magical, and the list goes on.

The best way to tour the island would be by bike, but since our youngest son is still learning to ride his bike, we opted for the next best option: horse carriage! There is an option for a private tour, but we chose the public one, to save some money. Highlights of the tour included the Surrey Hills Museum, Arch Rock and a stop at the Grand Hotel. If you are not a guest at the hotel, there is a fee to enter into the building if you desire to look around. We decided to walk around the hotel and take in the sights that surround it.

After a day spent at Mackinac Island, we came to the conclusion that this destination would be perfect for a honeymoon, couples trip or a girls' getaway! Our kids were just a little too young to appreciate everything the island has to offer - but they sure did enjoy the fudge at Murdick's!

Until next time, Mackinac Island!

Third Stop: Fishing Town of Leland

On the northeast shoreline of Lake Michigan is the quiet fishing town of Leland. Local shops and eateries line the small town streets, but the highlight for us was the Leland Harbor, filled with fishing boats of all sizes, ready for their next big catch. The entire docking area was something out of a movie. We were only able to spend the afternoon, but an extended stay is likely in our future!

Lovely Leland

And there you have it - mystical, magical Michigan! Believe it or not, we only scratched the surface of all that Michigan has to offer. This state really surprised us, in the best possible way. It is SO much more than Detroit (the only image our Montana minds could envision). We would often comment on how it felt as though we were in Hawaii or Costa Rica - it truly had that vibe!

Thanks for taking the time to read and scroll through the photos. I hope this has inspired you to put Michigan on your summer bucket list!