This year, we made our August family vacation somewhat close to home. We went to Northern Michigan, just a mere five hour drive away, where we found peace and tranquility in nature at a quiet mountain lodge with some fun family activities.
We found our way to a lodge near Thompsonville, Michigan, just about 30 minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakefront.
Luke and Oliver.
First thing: pool time!
Oliver not a fan of the pool photos.
Some pre-dinner relaxation our back deck.
The lodge is normally busy in the winter with skiing, but the ski lifts operate occasionally in the summer for sunset events -- perfect for us.
What a great place to enjoy a sunset!
Maybe a few too many bugs at the top than we'd have liked....
The next day, we took another set of ski lifts to enjoy a fun activity -- an alpine slide!
Tall enough? Yes!
Sweet!
Super fun slide down the mountain side.
Here we come!
Thumbs up, Oliver!
Hit the brakes, Luke!
What a ride!
More pool time!
Ice cream break! Luke.
Extra sprinkles, please! Gloria.
Another fun activity...
Archery!
These kids are naturals.
I think Oliver might have had this rigged.
A little laser tag.
These kids are always expert at couch time.
Amy found a wonderful hike to introduce us all to Sleeping Bear Dunes.
Oliver with the dunes in the background.
Chad and Amy with beautiful Lake Michigan.
Now, for another hike: hiking the dunes themselves.
It took a lot of work, especially in the August sun.
Amy telling Luke the story of how Sleeping Bear Dunes got its name.
Amy and Gloria.
Us with Luke.
Amy and Luke.
Why walk when you can just take a break here! Gloria and Oliver.
The kids became Junior Rangers.
Amy found an amazing activity for us: kayaking down the Platte River.
It was about a 2.5 hour event and the river could not have been more calm and clear. Oliver above.
Chad and Gloria. A nice gentle current helped us along so we could enjoy the view.
This nice duck really seemed to like Gloria. Of course she would!
The kayaking ended as we approached Lake Michigan itself.
Luke.
These two!
Amy found yet another great hike for us.
What an amazing and much needed trip!
