Enjoying the Last Views of Winter

This weekend Ted and I were able to get away for a few days to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary (how did that happen already?!)  We spent the weekend in Petoskey at the Perry Hotel where we had our wedding reception and went to Easter service at Cross in the Woods where we were married, it was wonderful.  More on that later.

One thing we noticed this year is how many more signs of winter are still visible in Northern Michigan compared to the same time last year.  The weather was beautiful and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine, but the bay is still frozen over, large snow piles are still visible in most of the towns and buds certainly aren't popping yet. While we are reading for spring, it was fun to take in the winter sights without having to endure the unbearable cold.

{Happy Anniversary, Teddy! Thanks for always exploring with me!}

Sunflower Field

This post is completely inspired by a weekend with weather in the 70s, only to wake up to a blanket of snow 2 days later. Oh Michigan I certainly love you, but please bring on the warm weather, I am so ready for blooming flowers and unexpected sunflower fields.

Anyways, do you want to know something that was on my bucket list? It was so see a sunflower field in person. And then we saw this one and I almost cried tears of joy.  As we were driving along having a small argument over who forgot some very necessary items on our backpacking packing list (for the record, it was my fault, but I would never admit that at the time) we spotted this field and my whole little world stopped.  This is exactly what we did: stop, turn the car around, park, take in the beauty, photograph the beauty, take in the beauty for a bit longer, continue on our way, forget that small argument ever happened.

I don't even remember where the sunflower field even was.  Somewhere between Lake Michigan Recreation Area and Detroit, but lesson learned- if you see a Michigan sunflower field stop right there and take a few moments to enjoy it.  Fingers crossed we will be spotting summertime flowers before we know it ;)

Harbor Springs Winery at Pond Hill Farm

Getting ready for summertime adventures?  Be sure to add Harbor Springs Winery to your list! Two summers ago (wow, can't believe it has been so long!) during a wedding planning trip, we were driving along the Tunnel of Trees looking for spots to take photographs between our wedding ceremony and reception.  We stumbled across the sign for Pond Hill Farms and decided to stop in for lunch and a bottle of wine.  Don't be fooled, just keep following the dirt road all the way back to that rustic looking barn- and you've made it! 

The place is absolutely gorgeous.  We could have spent the entire afternoon on their patio overlooking the farm. The food was fresh from the farm, the store was full of homegrown goodies, the wine tasting was delicious and everyone who worked there was so friendly.  The whole experience was pretty much perfect in my opinion.  There is lots for families to do on the farm, or if you are like us and are just looking for some peace and quiet you can find that too.  Harbor Springs Winery at Pond Hill Farms is a must add to your next Northern Michigan adventure!

{It is certainly beautiful, wouldn't you agree?}

Johan's Pastry Shop

We are heading North this weekend! Ted's birthday is Sunday and that calls for a road trip, some skiing/snowboarding, and donuts for lunch.  One scheduled stop is a visit to Johan's Pastry Shop in Petoskey.  The morning of our wedding we had these donuts at the salon and between 8 girls we ate at least 2 dozen donuts, so needless to say they are delicious.  The bakery is quaint and friendly and in my opinion when you are on vacation there is simply nothing wrong with having a donut for lunch.  Hope your weekend is sweet!

Right Brain Brewery

Last fall during a trip up to Traverse City Ted and I made a stop at Right Brain Brewery.  It is deceiving when you pull up to the building tucked back into a neighborhood, but the brewery is in a huge space.  There were lots of board games and darts and it just had a fun atmosphere.  Of course, the beer wasn't too bad either!  We decided to try a flight so we could sample as many beers as possible and while I have to say I can't remember my favorite I do know that all of the beers were drank very quickly!  

As you can see, Ted was very happy to be exploring a new brewery! 

Seeing White

Another snowstorm to wake up to today . . . alright, spring we are so ready for you! The first half of the week was a tease with the weather almost reaching springlike temperatures and then yikes- a whole lot of snow.  But if there is more snow in our future can we all make a promise to just enjoy it?  We don't really have another choice, you know?

Old Mission Lighthouse, Grand Traverse

 I snapped these photographs during a trip to Traverse City during the first half of this week.  These photographs are a reminder that all this white stuff is gorgeous and it doesn't have to put an end to exploring.  During this trip I drove out to the end of Mission Peninsula.  As I walked out to Old Mission Lighthouse there was a silence I hadn't heard in months.  Everything was completely quiet and it was a friendly reminder that winter puts a blanket of peace and quiet on the world that we all need at times. 

So while we might be ready to break the peace and quiet of winter, let's work our best to enjoy it while it is here.  Let's go search out all of those places we love in the summer and see them covered in a blanket of snow- it might even put a whole new perspective on their beauty.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore

 I know all we hear about these days is the weather, the cold, the ice, and the snow. But in all reality- does this weather have you feeling a bit blah and so ready for a change?  If your answer is yes I am right there with you.  I find myself missing those weekend getaways that are so simple in the summer, but these trips take on a new level of difficulty when you are planning around freezing temperatures and snow storms.

One thing that helps keep me motivated during these colder months is by planning.  Ted and I always try to have a trip we are researching and planning.  There is something so exciting about searching the web, keeping track of notes, and laying out your schedule to fit everything in.  The trip doesn't have to be anything big, just something fun to plan and look forward to.  

Need an idea to get planning?  My favorite Michigan vacation and an absolute must visit- Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. So take a look at these photographs and get yourself planning!  And if vacation planning isn't in your agenda today, maybe just take a look at these pictures and enjoy all of this blue sky- the sunshine will be here soon, I just know it!