I (Tracy) just got back from 6 days at my favorite place in the whole world. Really. Sleeping Bear Dunes. Not to rehash history, but cliff notes version ... I've been going there since I was 2 and my folks have a cottage.
This is the 2nd time that "the girls" have gone by ourselves (no kids or spouses) AND it was over Father's Day! I think this is the 1st time in 35+ years we've been with Dad on Fathers Day!
It was awesome. Gorgeous, relaxing, adventurous, maddening...you know...family vacation.
We did a new hike to the base of Pierce Stocking and Tammy/I climbed the whole thing for the 2nd time in our lives (45 degree angle, 450 ft up, which is a 45 story building) You can't even see the bottom when you are at the top. CRAZY!
We also toured Keiths (the caretaker that helps my folks and is also my Dads best friend) wild flower pasture and his brothers lavender farm. Their family is original settlers and the road they live on is only inhabited by family members - Simek Rd. Crazy!
We also did all the obvious stuff, sunsets, bike rides, ice cream, happy hour, Thai Massage (thanks Julie! ), and read books. Plus, the annual, long lasting argument with my mother about her needs and my desire to create a new narrative for my role in the family. I tried to be kind and firm and....I'm sure we'll have the exact same discussion next year.
I missed the kids, Tom and the dog but...this place makes my heart sign with happiness. One of the few places and actually truly relax.
I can't wait until we can spend longer, uninterrupted time at the cottage in the future.
Big love to my athletic, adventurous, crazy, maddening, family. I love you to bits.
New hike around a lake that borders Lake Michigan on the way to Pierce Stocking 
Julie and MOm 
Aspiring to climb PS 
Our butts going up PS
Sunsets are then best 
Yes, it is that steep 
We did it! 
Oh .. Solomon walked the runway in Paris, again. 
The kids nailed Tom's fathers day gift 
Billys brand new girl friend Juni 
The Hickeys 
A kazillion tadpoles 
Keiths wildflower pasture 
The lavender farm 
These really ARE dutch cookies, its been confirmed by the Sistermens 
My favorite wild flower, an indian paint brush (although I"m sure that's that the official name and absolutely isnt politically correct) 
Little Glen is SO clear 
The International Studies Alumni Society article on Jimmy 
