Tracy's favorite place on earth. Tracy and her family have been going to Glen Lake/Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park since she was 2 years old. There is big water (her favorite), clear spring feed lakes, white sand dunes for miles and miles, bike trails, hiking paths, no cell coverage, unbelievable sunsets and...most importantly - family.
It actually "hurt" in 2020 when we couldn't go up and be with everyone. Not to mention, Taekwondo nationals seems to fall during the week of the 4th of July each year (with this year being no exception) so...it makes the time up there even more precious.
This year was an abbreviated version. We flew into Grand Rapids, Jimmy flew in from DC to meet us, and we were going to do it "all" in 4 special days.
Our flight was uneventful but Jimmy's was delayed over an hour, putting him in at 1am. We were supposed to go to Tammy/Jeffs, spend the night, and then head up. But, NO WAY were we showing up at their house at 2am only to have to leave by 9am. So, Kay had a brilliant idea and we got a hotel in Grand Rapids. After trying out 3 rental cars until we found one that a) the key worked b) didn't smell TOO much like smoke, we got a hybrid van that was rest right. They kids were starving so Kay ordered us all pizza. Tom was a saint and went back to pick up Jimmy once we were settled and he landed.
We were up at the crack of dawn (well, 8am when you are up to 2am does seem like the crack of dawn) and we had a great drive up to the cottage. Everyone caught up, exchanged stories and were ready to face the fam.
The 1st day was getting settled, checking out the RV (did a VRBO RV thing, VERY cool!), catching up with Grandma and Grandpa and chillin. Reece and Kara had gotten up a bit before us and it was nice to connect with Jami/Kurt/Lynn/Gary and cousins/2nd cousins. Chalupas for everyone!
Friday promised the coolest weather so Tracy, Grandma (79) and Billy did a 1.7 mile hike over the dunes to Lake Michigan, then hiked over 3 more miles on the beach to the Coast Guard station where Grandpa picked them up. It was a gorgeous hike. 15 stories, 5+ miles barefoot. Never be out done by a determined grandma.
Friday afternoon Tammy, the kids and Sue arrived - FINALLY! Georgia said "I know I can count on Kay getting us the best room in the house" very true. There was thunder (basketball contest) corn hole (bags), comparing stories of prom, graduation and 1st year of college. Lynn made Chinese Sundaes (YES!) and we started to settle in. (Tammy, Grandma and Tracy did a 12 mile bike ride and Tom/Tracy walked the 3.5 miles to town - did we mention that grandma is the beast!)
Saturday was our turn to make dinner (jerk chicken, red beans and rice with sausage and apple fennel salad) and Tammy/Jami took the kids out on an amazingly blue pontoon ride. Kay had a meltdown (think Marsha Marsha Marsha only Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy ... basically feeling ignored, left out and overshadowed by a 6'2" extroverted 19 year old who can't shut up - she has a point, I'm sure its hard but... almost booking a flight home was a bit stressful. Luckily, she rebounded and had a great time on the boat. Everyone loved Tom's food and Tammy/Jeff did the dishes - yeah!
Sunday was the traditional 4th of July parade, boat parade and hamburger/hot dogs, potato salad, chips for dinner. There was an epic battle of tips (volleying the volley ball in the lake), bags and more thunder. The fireworks on the lake on both Saturday and Sunday night were amazing, not to mention the sunsets. Kay was cheering each one, all the kids were sitting on the dock cuddled up and it was perfect.
Monday was clean up and pack up and battle traffic home. We almost didnt make our flight due an hours delay of traffic, not at all stressful. But...we all made it, got home, started wash, changed sheets and started to pack up for the Taekwondo tournament - never a dull moment.
We spent hours talking about family, dreams, struggles, love and how we all support each other and how things always work out.
Love everything about this weekend. The highs/lows, good/bad, tense/funny ... family.
XOXO
T
