Grand Haven, Boyne Falls, & Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, MI

Michigan summers are the best! For the third year in a row, we took a trip to Michigan to enjoy our time with family and to visit more beautiful places. We started off at my parents in Grand Haven where we played in the waves the day we landed. The next 10 days were spectacular, except for one teeny tiny hiccup: Miles started throwing up the night we arrived and didn’t stop for three days! Fortunately, all the vomiting occurred at my parent’s condo or while we were outside. It took him a solid seven days to get back to his normal, energetic self.

North Shore Park, just one mile from my parents' place.

Grand Haven State Park

Manistee, MI

Orchard Beach State Park, where my Dad used to camp with my grandparents.

After a couple of days in Grand Haven, we headed north to Boyne Falls to meet my brother’s family. We stayed in an adorable AirBnB while exploring the surrounding areas. Our first day there, while Zaina was wrapping up her cheer camp, we took Vivi with us to the nearby town of Charlevoix. I’m pretty sure Charlevoix is as picturesque as it gets…I felt like I was walking around in a postcard.

Day two started off at a beautiful lavender farm (where the lavender was at its peak), where we got some wonderful family photos. We then hiked 462 steps up Avalanche Mountain for a view of Lake Charlevoix. Poor Miles, who was still recovering from being sick, even hiked all 462 steps himself. We ended the day with a family dinner out. Our last day together was spent at Petoskey State Park where the sun was shining and the water was calling.

Charlevoix, MI

Vivi selfie :)

We took a car ferry!

Poor sick Miles

Lavender Hill Farm

Ella happily hiked all 462 steps up Avalanche Mtn.

Ella telling Miles how proud of him she was for hiking to the top.

Ice Cream in Boyne Falls

Petoskey State Park

After saying goodbye to my brother’s family, the rest of us headed north to the Upper Peninsula. After taking a small break to take in the beauty of the Mackinac Bridge, we stopped at Tahquamenon Falls. The 200 foot wide waterfall is the largest in Michigan. Beautiful wooden boardwalks allowed visitors to access the falls. We experienced our first rain here and it only sprinkled on us while we walked to the falls. Fortunately, it only rained on our travel days and we had two amazing days at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Munising, MI.

We spent our first day with a quick hike to Munising Falls and then more time than we were planning playing at Sand Point Beach along Lake Superior because it was so warm (well warm for Lake Superior)! Our day ended with a catamaran ride along the lakeshore where we were able to view the gorgeous coast.

Thanks to my parents, our second day was uh-mazing! While my parents entertained the kids, Scott and I hiked a 10-mile route where the trail led us to some gorgeous overlooks. My favorite spot was the rocks along Mosquito beach where we took a dip to cool off.

Mackinac Bridge

Tahquamenon Falls

Lake Superior!

Isn't it really a visit to the U.P. without a pasty?

Lovers Leap

Bridalveil Falls

Rainbow Cave

Spray Falls

Our 10-mile hike!

Mosquito Beach

ByGeorge Brewery

Bye U.P.

After a long drive back to my parents, in which the kids did great, we packed up all our souvenirs and flew back to the Las Vegas summer oven the next day. After such wonderful summer visits year after year, it’s safe to say that we will be continuing this Michigan summer tradition. I hope we can give Ella and Miles just some of the summer memories I had growing up.