(Just Pics) - The Uncles Trip, Part 1: Michigan

Because we are spoiled and like to travel, and because our family is spread out across the country, we spent two weeks on vacation with our brothers and their families in July/August. First we visited Uncle Brian and Aunt Jen in Michigan, then flew to Rhode Island and took the ferry out to Block Island to stay with Uncle B, Aunt Zahavah, and new baby cousin Hazel.

So first, Michigan or bust!

This girl LOVES to fly. Always demands the window seat. I'm a nice mom/wife so I take the middle.

Arrived in Detroit.

Brian, Francie, and Alex getting the truck ready for our roadtrip up north.

Visitng Lou's (Jen's dad) farm/property - horses, goats, sheep, cows, llamas, blueberries and more.

Roadtrip! Francine was obsessed with the new booster seat we got her for the trip.

Or rather, welcome to the UP.

One of many family ice cream stops.

Our cottage in Saint Ignace was nothing short of epic - first of all, it was right on the lake. But more importantly, and memorably, each room had a theme! Seriously, this was a surprise, and a point of serious humor, to all of us. Francie insisted that she and I stay together in the Chippewa room together.

Alex stayed in the English Flower room all by his lonesome - and his vanity + tiny perfumes.

Morning coffee at the cottage, with the 

Family walk along Lake Michigan.

Some of us were running.

Mama and her Bean.

Alex, Francine, Brian, Jen.

Ferry port to Mackinac Island! The island is not even 4 square miles, a resort destination on Lake Huron. No cars or motorized vehicles are allowed on the island, and the streets are overrun with bicycles and horsedrawn carriages. It is also famous for its fudge, of which we partook plenty.

Gearing up for an island bike ride.

Gorgeous scenery.

Francie and Aunt Jen.

All 5 of us! Despite the only 8 mile bike ride, we stopped a whole heck of a lot for photos and vistas of Lake Huron.

Good times with Uncle Brian.

Annnnd, all 5 of us again!

Nice views.

More ice cream.

And coffee stops.

The boys went for a mountain bike ride through the middle of the island.

No ice cream here, but waiting for the ferry back to the mainland of the Upper Peninsula.

Buh-bye, Mackinac. I would really like to see you again.

Extra special ferry ride under the bridge.

An evening swim in Lake Michigan. Alex covered 3 of the 5 Great Lakes all in one fell sweep - Huron, Michigan, and Superior, I believe.

Magazine photo anyone?

I think some s'mores were had at this cottage firepit.

More driving further north to Tahquamenon Falls.

"Hiking."

More Tahquamenon Falls.

Reading in the Chippewa room!

Driving back south to Ann Arbor.

Catching lightning bugs at Brian and Jen's place in Ann Arbor.

Bringing back sooooo many feels about my childhood memories of lightning bugs from summers in Indy. Her face is just priceless!

Tractor time. He actually did work.

I just used Big Blue for a joyride to get the mail.

Check out that form.

This guy drove not only the tractor but a real live TRAIN in the same day. He said it was a good "man day." When I say he drove the train, I mean he actually choo-chooed the horn and drove the engine through an intersection with cars and all.

Apparently Francie had the chance to drive, too, but was a bit freaked out at such freedom.

Needless to say, we had an epic first portion of our Uncles' Tour, and are beyond grateful for cool brothers marrying cool ladies and living in interesting places and being game for adventures with these three Closemans!