Hello and Happy Monday! Today I am coming to you after a spontaneous, yet perfectly timed weekend in Northern Michigan with friends.
We stopped by a backyard bonfire hang out with another group of friends on the way home, and didn’t arrive back home until the wee hours of the morning. So, I took the first part of today to unpack, regroup, and get ready for the day and week of travel ahead. I apologize for the delay!
First things first, I want to give you all virtual hugs for your sweet comments, texts, and messages of concern regarding a few subtle hints I threw out last week. I hate being so lame and vague with what is currently happening in our lives right now, but I would feel silly blogging like absolutely nothing is going on, either. For now, I have to leave it at that, and I promise to share more details when I can.
Please know that your support means the world to us!
A Spontaneous Weekend Up North
Piggybacking off of what I just mentioned above, last week was nothing short of an emotional roller coaster for Scott and I. We planned on taking the weekend to hang low, and I was looking forward to a couple of lazy days around the house. Instead, I spent my Saturday morning working at the gym, and before I even got back before Noon, Scott had other plans for us.
Relaxing. Here!
Our dear friends, Alex and Alex invited us to join her family and spend the rest of the weekend with them at their cottage in Maple City, Michigan. Who were we to turn them down?
Almost exactly a year ago, I made the four hour drive up to Alex’s family cottage for a Girls’ Weekend with her and a group of work friends. It was so great to hang and unwind near the water, and I knew Scott would love taking in the experience with us this time.
With a late start, I threw a couple of swimsuits and casual clothes into an overnight bag as soon I walked in the door from work, and we were on our way Up North a few minutes later.
We arrived at her cottage around 4 p.m., which was just enough time to take in some sun and enjoy a few laps of tubing and boating around Lime Lake. I didn’t to snap any photos, but we had such a great time!
Tubing is always scary, yet exhilarating for me, and I even got some battle wounds on my elbows and the backs of my knees this time around. Even so, I’m pretty sure I was grinning from ear to ear the entire time.
We loved being out on the water with her family, and it took me right back to growing up near a lake with my own. My dad cherished his speed boat when I was little, and my family spent close to every weekend tubing and knee boarding whenever possible. I absolutely loved those days out on the lake!
After a couple of hours on the boat, we headed back and changed to grab a quick dinner on the way to a hike. Alex’s family had been coming to a little grocery store across from Little Traverse Lake for years and years. Market 22, however, has transformed into a completely new local market that serves quality products and an impressive fresh and local menu.
Market 22 has a great variety of convenience store items as well as a full retail selection of beer, wine, and spirits. There is a coffee shop type of atmosphere in the front where you can enjoy a cup or even eat dinner in. It was the first time Alex and her family had been in after a couple of years, and they were highly pleased with what this (now) family-owned small business has turned into.
There were plenty of delicious-looking options to choose from off of the menu, and Scott and I split a cup of chicken jalapeño soup to start.
Most of the boys ordered sandwiches, and I took advantage of the Detroit-Style pizza. We heard they were fantastic! I ordered the veggie with gluten-free crust, and it might have been the best gluten-free pizza I have ever had.
We all chuckled when it came out, though. My one $8 order came as a set of two! I didn’t fight the chance at leftovers. 😉
With extremely full bellies, we drove over to Pyramid Point Trail to hike up to an overlook I had only heard amazing stories about.
It was about a ten minute loop up to the top, and I was considerably winded from the steep incline.
We arrived to the top with about an hour to spare before the sunset and took in some incredible views.
The scenery around us overlooking Lake Michigan was truly breathtaking.
I was completely content taking a seat and hanging up top to watch the sunset, but of course, my crazy husband and friends had other plans. Alex grew up descending down the huge bluff, and somehow the two of them convinced me and her fiance, Alex, to join them.
I would be lying, however, if I said I wasn’t fearing for my life every step of the way. I knew the closer we got to the bottom, the longer we would have to struggle to climb back up!
Apparently, the bluff was much easier to take on years and years ago, before climbing up and down became a popular activity for the more adventurous visitors. Today, it is much harder to safely walk down and climb back up, and to be honest, I would never do it again.
I’m not sure exactly how far the drop off is, but Scott guessed it to measure at least 325 feet. You can see him and an ant-sized Alex at the bottom from this photo that I took from about halfway down!
We took our time taking in the serene environment once we finally made it down to the bottom. Lake Michigan is a beautiful, beautiful place!
The sun was starting to set, and the water was clearer than any other lake I’d ever remembered.
I could have easily stayed there for hours!
Eventually, we took a look back to the top of the dune and knew it was going to be a real challenge to climb to the top. Alex said she used to walk it in a snake-like pattern all the way up. This time, we had no choice but to climb on all fours and pull out our inner Spider Man moves to scale up to the top.
It was quite scary, and I definitely don’t recommend anyone reading this to do it!
While the challenge was fun, the dune has eroded enough to make it highly dangerous to descend down and climb back up. I was really proud of all four of us for making it back to the top, but I’m not exaggerating by saying I was nervous we would have to call for help at some point. It was so crazy!
We all made it back to the overlook in under a half an hour, and I practically kissed the sand on my final reach up. Scott showed his appreciation for the end of our climbing journey in other (more dangerous) ways.
(He’s insane. I know.)
We took in the views a while longer and admired every drop of the setting sun in the horizon. Pyramid Point has to be one of the prettiest places to see the sunset across the globe.
I can’t believe this view is just across the state from where we live, and I’m so glad we got to experience it.
Thank you to Alex and her family for showing us this Pure Michigan treasure!
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Thanks to you for stopping by! If the day allows, I’m hoping to be back later this afternoon with highlights from the rest of our weekend Up North. Have a very Happy Monday!
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
How beautiful! It sounds like it was just the weekend you needed! When I am going through a rough time I always want to lay low, but sometimes a distraction is the best.
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
Wow Lake Michigan looks beautiful! I hope you’re having a better week this week! <3
Brit
What a gorgeous weekend. I’m glad you were able to have fun with Scott and your friends. That dune climb looked intense! Still sending you positive energy and prayers today 🙂
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries
Looks like the perfect weekend of relaxation and fun with those you love. I am just catching up on blogs and want you to know I’m thinking of you. I’m not entirely sure what’s going on, but sending you hugs and keeping you in my prayers. Feel free to email me any time if you need anything at all! xo
lifewithniki
What a breathtaking view… the sky literally looked like a rainbow! What an adventurous weekend, that pizza looked awesome too- cheese and olives are my saviors <3. Hope everything is going well for you!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood
Sounds like something my husband would insist on doing…. men. Hope everything goes well, glad you got to get away from whatever is happening for abit!!
Ashley @ A Lady Goes West
Sounds like a perfect getaway, just when you needed it. And I’m such a nervous “tuber” so I don’t really enjoy it either. The pizza looks delish, and the climb looks terrifying. But you guys conquered it together! 🙂
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
My goodness, that climb looks insane!!! I’m glad you guys made it safely! It does look so pretty there!
Torry @ A World Without Wheat
it seems like this weekend getaway came at just the right time – hope everything is okay and that this weekend is a little less stressful/emotional
Nicole
I love Pyramid Point! My hubby and I got engaged there – it’s gorgeous! 🙂 I hope things look up for you this week!
renaissancerunnergirl
So happy you got to get away when it was exactly what you needed!
Heather
Much needed, much appreciated. <3
Kris
I live 8 miles from Lime Lake! Great to read about you enjoying my area!
Heather
Oh fun, you live in a beautiful area!
Rifat
I have learned huge knowledge from here. I am waiting for your updates