Iris Goes to Mitchigan, part I

At exactly half-way through 2006, we family of three found ourselves smack dab in the middle of some kind of party, just as we were at the exact beginning of 2006 and likely will be at the exact end of 2006. Only this party was different- instead of being with friends and loved ones in a comfortable home while Iris sleeps soundly, we were all awake, filling up our loaner minivan at a gas station bustling with hillbilly redneck activity 10 miles north of the Kentucky border just off I-75. This is how we began our vacation.

Iris cried that night until 3AM, that is after we finally found a hotel with a vacant (albeit expensive) room just after 1. 23 miles north of the Kentucky border just off I-75. But the next day turned out fine, stopping through Cincinnati so Iris could meet her only Great Grandparent on daddy's side- Grandpa M, as well as Great Aunt Melanie. The stop also allowed us to get a little rest before the next long haul. After a few hours of visiting, some ice cream from Graeters, and a messy Sky Line chili dog, we were off!

That night we ended up in Grand Rapids so Iris could meet another Great- Uncle Ken, as well as her cousin (aunt) Lisa. Our stay was brief, getting in late and leaving before noon- just enough time for them to see how fun Iris can be, happily crawling around and pulling herself up everything she could!

Trip Note #1: Unlike the NY trip, where new family members were coming out of the wood-work, the first two days of driving contained this trip's only such introductions.

Destination Marquette was reached by midnight that night, after 3 long days of driving- needless to say we were all glad to stop! Iris's sleep schedule had recovered somewhat from our disastrous first night and thankfully managed to fall back to sleep soon after we moved her out of the minivan to her new bedroom.

Trip Note #2: Let me take a time-out to shout-out mad props to our peeps Paul and Susan for loaning us their beautiful silver 1997 Dodge Grand Caravan for the trip. With the variety of the events we had in store, there was no way the ole Camry was going to cut it; a fact that I was too headstrong to acknowledge until after the minivan was offered up to us. Good to know someone else is looking out for us!

So yes, back to Marquette- it didn't take long to catch the buzz of activity going on there. Of particular interest was the new home that Grandma and Grandpa Fitz were having built, with them acting as both general contractor and clean-up crew. From what we could tell from the exposed framework, wires, and ducting, it was going to be very nice and, more importantly, close to the beach! On one day, we observed all of the insulation being installed and on another the dry wall was delivered via hoist!

Despite their busy schedule, we were able to spend a lot of time with them before and after Iris went to bed. On one special night, they stayed home with Iris so we could go out and celebrate our second anniversary! And on another instance, I got to take Mama D alone to do a special activity- cliff dive off the Black Rocks!

But there were many significant events for Iris, too.. Most importantly was her first swim in Lake Superior! Sure it was "cold", but not that cold- we gradually lowered her into the water- it was cute to see her little legs tense up at first and then become more relaxed, eventually to the point that she was laughing and splashing around! This water runs in her blood and she'll be spending lots of time swimming in it thoughout her childhood and beyond, so this was really a formality! Iris also got to walk out on the Black Rocks while being carried in her new backpack. There were also some new people to meet, like Julia, Candy, Amy, and Gabriel, who also shared all his toys with Iris during our stay- they'll be friends for a long time! Don't forget Juliet the Cat! And then there was also the 4th of July Parade down Lake Shore Drive in front of the Fitz's new home, which she enjoyed until the big fire truck blared its loud horn just a few feet away from us.. The list can go on and on!

It is tough to describe a visit there- so many good places to go, food (and ice cream) to eat, and people to see. Our visit there ended with a new focus in life- to find some way to get there! Not just "up north", or Michigan, but there!

With six wonderful days behind us and many things still on our list to do, the Marquette phase of our trip was over. And one ending led to another beginning, as our good friends Tyler, Jenny, Zak, and Fen pulled into town after a long drive from Kalamazoo. That night marked the start of the Camping phase, which I'll write about shortly..