Pentwater 2014

A little over two weeks ago, we ventured to northern Michigan for my family's annual trip to Pentwater.  This year's trip had a couple factors that made it unique for us - one, we rented a cottage, rather than staying in a campground (likely in a tent); two, we went from a Saturday to Saturday trip, 7 full days, giving it a true vacation feel; and third, I was actually able to not take any work with me, further cementing the trip's status as the first vacation feeling trip Jackie and I have had in almost 7 years.  All those factors, among others, contributed to simply a great trip, one filled not only with great memories, but a genuine sense of rejuvenation.  It was tough to come back.

The place we rented was called the Green Cottage Getaway, and we shared it with my sister, nephew, and niece.  I think the space worked perfectly for us - provided 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a full kitchen and a nicely spaced living room.  It also had a nice deck, a small charcoal grill, and a very nice fire pit (that we enjoyed using a couple of nights).  The cottage really made a difference this year in our experience - giving us a place to take Maia to for her naps, allowing us to do laundry easily, and even having a place to keep food prepped.  It took a lot of things that we can stress about out of the picture, made it normal so to speak, allowing us to simply enjoy our surroundings, our time with family, and each other.

Our home for vacation.

Something new we did this year was take a morning trip just south of Pentwater to Lewis Farm Market and Petting Farm.  We had never been, but the experience was just wonderful, and something we will definitely be doing in future trips with Maia.  We got up and close with goats, much to Maia's delight, and a little too close for comfort with Jeffrey the camel.  Maia enjoyed a chicken puppet show.  The place was very wide open and clean, the weather comfortable, and we ended up just having a great time with my sister and her kids, along with my folks.

"We like goats."

"We really, really like goats!"

Jeffrey, up close and personal.

Because, when you see a pig, you have to ride it.

Another morning, Jackie and I loaded the bikes up and took Maia up to Ludington State Park.  We biked a short while on some nicely wooded and shaded trails, before heading up a sandy trail to get to Big Sable Point Lighthouse.  It was a bit of difficult ride up - not necessarily long at 1.5 miles each way, but go to be very difficult bicycling in sandy terrain, particularly with Maia's trailer in tote.  But in the end, it was worth it.  It was another cool morning, and what appeared to be a very clear day to us riding up, ending up being a misty morning at the Lighthouse.  I don't know if I will ever forget the surrealism of walking around the corner of the lighthouse building, it being clear and feeling dry, and then immediately being enshrouded in mist, feeling it on my skin.  It was a very unique experience for the senses.

Big Sable Point Lighthouse

Your typical, sunny and misty day.

Looking at the Lake.

The remainder of other days were filled with many typical events of a Pentwater trip for us - trips to a small, mostly secluded beach right on Lake Michigan (including a picnic lunch with the whole family one day), lots of swimming at the pool at the campground, and trips into the main strip of Pentwater for some good food and shopping.  Maia, who started the week content to sit in her baby float, ended the week wanting to jump off the steps into the water (and very adamant about not wanting help).  I cannot adequately describe how much fun it was to see her grow during the week; and just to see how happy it all made her (even when at the beach and getting knocked down by waves).  I braved the cold Lake Michigan water to go swimming in the Lake (a yearly point of pride for me), and even allowed the kids to bury me on the beach one day (I think I'm still finding sand).

"I can get used to the beach."

"Yeah, I got this water thing down."

Catching the sand.

Just chillin'.

And the village of Pentwater remains a place, that for whatever the reason, just relaxes both Jackie and I.  When we pull of the highway and weave our way into town, we always comment that it feels a little bit like coming home.  We have no connections outside the yearly trips there for the last decade or so, but the peacefulness of the village and the lakes (Lake Pentwater and the channel out to Lake Michigan), combined with the uniqueness of it all, just connects with us.  Whether its eating at the Village Green and feeling the closeness of the water, trying to find a gift for Maia in the simply wonderful Storybrook Village shop, or simply enjoying Sherman's Ice Cream and walking along the pier, Pentwater is, and will always be, a special place for us.

Lunch at our favorite - the Village Cafe.

"There's a boat!!"

On the pier...

A place we look forward to visiting several more times with family, and continuing to share and start new traditions with Maia.