Pentwater 2016

A couple weeks ago, Jackie, Maia, and I headed up to northern Michigan for the annual trip to Pentwater. Whenever we take this trip, I always have to explain to people where Pentwater is (10 miles south of Ludington, which most people have at least heard of); and I mention that my Dad's family has gone there for years (and that we often run into various relations during the week. Well, this year I talked with my Dad and we figure that his family's first trip to Pentwater was in 1956. So, with the occasional skip and what not, our family has gone to Pentwater for 60 years. Pretty cool.

And for those wondering why a family would go there for such a long period of time...let me just share an aerial of the area, showing Lake Pentwater connecting to Lake Michigan via a channel that is open to the public, right to the beach on Lake Michigan...

Lake Pentwater, and the channel out to Lake Michigan.

In any event, we headed up this year, and in a change from the last two years where we had rented a house for the week, this year we stayed in an travel trailer of my parents (anything's better than tent camping!). It made for a different experience this year, but it was nice to have the easy access to our own space; but also quick access to family and the wonderful pool at the campground (Hill & Hollow).

Our first day was spent with some time down at the pool, and celebrating our niece Bree's 6th birthday (time sure does fly). The big hit was a flying unicorn (?) toy Bree received from the grandparents. Ultimately, it was nice to have the opportunity where Maia could spend time playing with her cousins Gavin and Bree, have them all be with their grandparents, and see aunts and uncles as well.

The cousins (almost impossible to get a pic of all 3)

The following day, we headed south a little ways to go to the Lewis Farm Market & Petting Zoo, a place we visited for the first time a couple of years ago and is quickly becoming a tradition within the Pentwater tradition. Maia saw goats, llamas, donkeys, and otherwise generally just ran all over the place trying to feed each and every animal and take it all in.

"GOATS!" But can't stay too long.

The baby (couple hours old) Jackie and Maia tried to convince me to buy.

Another must stop for us is the children's toy and book store located in downtown Pentwater, Storybrook Village. The store, for lack of better words, is simply awesome (Jackie wants to move to Pentwater to run this store). It has tons of unique toys and books, and is set up to allow kids to play with the toys in the store while shopping (always a plus). In addition, the store also has a big room that is utilized as a story time center, which Maia got to partake in this year in very excited fashion. She first did her own "show" with a dragon, and later participated in a program where she got to be the monkey "swinging" as it did the "boogie woogie oogie." Simple, good fun.

Maia's dragon show.

The room and crowd for the "boogie woogie oogie" show

Maia making the monkey swing

Ultimately, Pentwater wouldn't be Pentwater without time at the beach and the pool; and we tried to take advantage of that on multiple occasions. While it was windy that made for some fun with waves out at Lake Michigan, it was plenty warm that made relaxing in the water all the more pleasant.

Our view of Lake Michigan when at the beach.

My two favorite girls enjoying the pool.

And as we have done for so many years, on our last night, we go out to the pier, and just soak in the view and feel of the Lake, regardless of Sun or clouds.

All in all, it was another great trip, and it continues, year after year, to be special and meaningful to both Jackie and me; and something we are very glad we are able to share with Maia. She's part of a family that will be in their 6th decade of going to this small little lake town in northern Michigan; and that is something worthwhile and meaningful.