Phillips Ponderings: Family Vacation to the U.P.

We went up for our family vacation this year...okay make that we went to the U.P. For all you non-Michiganders that stands for the Upper Peninsula.

We loaded up the car Wednesday night and took off Thursday morning. We decided to make Mackinac City our stopping point for the day and cross the bridge on Friday. Joel had booked a hotel, but they actually called us saying they were closing so we got moved to another hotel for the same price, but this one had a little water park included. It was so great. When we arrived in Mackinac, our first stop was the bridge for some photo ops and then headed to our hotel. Kyper loved the shallow pool.

Anja at one of our pit stops. (Actually I think we only had one stop--we have rock star travelers!)

Kyper set up in the back seat--it is perfect we put the chair down in the front of him, so we can set the computer up there and create a bench for his toys using the pack and play.

Anja, happy to be out of the car, by the Mackinac Bridge

Family photo with the bridge

Momma, Kyper and Anja under the bridge.

Daddy and his kiddos.

Anja liked the lazy river at the hotel. I think they went around at least 5 times!


Kyper enjoying wet hair

Tim, Melanie and Judah joined us on vacation. They got to the hotel right before supper on Thursday night. We had adjoining rooms, so it was a perfect set-up and we were able to play cards while the kids slept in the other room.

Friday morning, we hit the water park one last time and then headed out. Kyper was pretty excited about crossing the bridge...but I think Joel was more so. We headed straight north to the Sault Soo Marie to see the Soo Locks Friday afternoon. Most of us got to see 1 freighter lock through. Joel stayed longer and saw 3 go through. We also walked downtown. Not a ton open since it really isn't peak tourist season in the U.P. but I got one or two souvenirs. (just ask Joel...he always ruins his Christmas surprise) We ate out that night at a place Joel remembers going to a lot when he was younger--Antlers.

Crossing the bridge

Tim and Judah anxiously awaiting a freighter

Anja and Momma

Kyper watching the big boat lock through

Anja chilling at the hotel.

Saturday, we went to Tahquamenon Falls. It was so nice! We really couldn't have asked for better weather. We started at the Upper Falls and then Tim, Judah, Melanie, Joel and Anja hiked the 4 mile trail to the Lower Falls. It would have been 8 miles round trip and we didn't think Kyper would be up for that., so Kyper and I met them with the van at the Lower Falls. I know they had an enjoyable hike and I also got some great one on one time with Kyperman. We colored in the van for a long time and also went out and explored a bit of the Lower Falls while they were hiking. We found a little dock and Kyper threw sticks in the water. I told him I loved hanging out with just him and a little later on he returned the sentiment and told me that he was having fun being with me. I think it was some needed momma/Kyper time. The other crew felt bad for me, but I wouldn't have traded that time for anything. I also told him he was a good big brother and asked what he liked best about being a big brother. His answer: waterfalls. Okay so we were looking at waterfalls and maybe it was too deep of a question for a 3 year old to answer. :)

Upper Tahquamenon Falls

Family Foto Op

All smiles on Dad's shoulders

Kyper thought Anja looked cool doing this

My little hiker girl (North Country Trail sign)

Tim and Judah aka beavers

Kyp at the lower falls

Lower Tahquamenon Falls (this is one of Joel's artsy fotos capturing the flow of the water)

Point Iroquois Light

Tim cooking dinner in the hotel parking lot

We returned home on Sunday, but not after stopping by the Locks one last time. On our way home we also stopped at Frankenmuth. Bronners, a huge Christmas store is there. Neither of us had ever been there and we wanted to look for a First Christmas ornament. Since it was on our way home, we decided to go for it. We made it a fairly quick stop, but you could spend a long time in Bronners just looking at everything.