Pure Michigan - Our Journey North Part 1

Back to Bay City we traveled for the 4th of July! Bay City is Eric's hometown. But this visit, we did not just do his hometwon, we made quite the expedition of our time up north. We began by visiting the Ark and the Creation Museum in Kentucky, then Bay City for family time and fireworks, then up to Traverse City for sailboating, lighthouses, sand dunes, and wineries, the U.P. for waterfalls and Pictured Rocks boat tour, Mackinac Island and Macinaw City, then back to Kentucky for a tour of Mammoth Cave National Park! 

I'll write about some of these things in individual blogs to space up and break down photos and blog length so none are too lengthy. 😘

Though, Bay City was our second stop on our trip, I'll briefly write about that here for memory sake to look back on. This was I believe our 3rd year going to Bay City on the 4th. We love it because it is a break from extreme heat in South Carolina, one of the best fireworks displays in the nation, and time with family! We spent time at Eric's parents house with one of his aunts and uncles and one of his cousin's and her children. Ellie had fun playing and entertaining everyone with her silly self. We had a cookout dinner and played games and just caught up! Eric's dad brought out the three wheeler and 4 wheeler and the kids...including kid at heart Eric...had fun tearing up some gravel. Ellie was ALL about it! She even drove while sitting in Eric's lap. He made sure she never went too fast and was safe - obviously. She is in love with those things!

We took Ellie to the Bay City festival where for her second time in her life she got to ride rides and had such a BLAST! She rode with her Nana and Papa Rollie on rides and couldn't get enough of the thrills! After the festival, we had a pic-nic lunch, played games, took naps, then went downton for dinner, then back to the river side to watch the big firework show! Ellie really loved watching the show and passed out immediately afterwards in the car. She had a big day!

We spent our last day in Eric's hometown visiting with more family! We went up to Au Gres to Eric's cousin's uncles's house...not confusing at all, right? Haha! An uncle unrelated to Eric's side of the family. We spent time with Eric's cousin and aunt and uncle, and second cousins and enjoyed playing in Lake Huron, searching for petoskey stones, laughing, talking, and enjoying the beautiful weather...which I actually found chilly at times! Ha! After our visit with them, we rode to meet Eric's parents at Eric's great aunt's house. Her home was a dream to any gardener! Her property is so beautiful and she does it all every day. She is incredibly talented and devoted and it felt like a wonderland. Then, we ate lasagna made by my mother in law, one of Eric's favorite dishes she makes and it is so evident as to why! Yum! Then to his cousin's house for fun and fireworks! 

That was our time in Bay City. Our next stop was Traverse City! To know all the amazing places we experienced there, look for the Traverse City blog post. 😁