Since we were up so late last night, we slept in until 9:30am and pushed us back on schedule. We were planning on going to the parade in Traverse City for the National Cherry Festival, but it started at 11:15 and just the drive alone was going to be nearly 2 hours. We showered quickly, grabbed a bite to eat at McDonald's and hoped we could catch the tail end of the parade. The therapist Steve worked closely with at Safety Center was going to be at the parade with her two sons participating and we were hoping to meet up with them. Unfortunately, it didn't work out.
Anyway, we found a great place to park near the parade route, and to our surprise, the parade was still in full swing! I've never been crazy about watching parades on TV, but I really enjoy being part of the action in person! Here are a few snapshots of our favorite floats.
Pac Man
Mouse Trap
Crocodile Dentist
Steve's absolute favorite - The Chair-y Drill Team
We watched the parade for about 45 minutes and then decided to track down some food. We headed down to the festival and it was a much bigger deal than we had anticipated. There were carnival rides and all of our favorite "fair foods." Steve ended up getting a corn dog and the most gigantic onion rings we have ever seen! Amaya got a hot dog and I had the BEST barbequed pulled pork sandwich! Yummy! After lunch, Amaya spotted a bouncy house obstacle course that she wanted to do. I was a little nervous about her going through the obstacle course only because there were several steep climbs that required her to use a rope to get up. But, once she figured it out, she was a rock star and completed the course without any help!
Mouse Trap
Crocodile Dentist
Steve's absolute favorite - The Chair-y Drill Team
We watched the parade for about 45 minutes and then decided to track down some food. We headed down to the festival and it was a much bigger deal than we had anticipated. There were carnival rides and all of our favorite "fair foods." Steve ended up getting a corn dog and the most gigantic onion rings we have ever seen! Amaya got a hot dog and I had the BEST barbequed pulled pork sandwich! Yummy! After lunch, Amaya spotted a bouncy house obstacle course that she wanted to do. I was a little nervous about her going through the obstacle course only because there were several steep climbs that required her to use a rope to get up. But, once she figured it out, she was a rock star and completed the course without any help!Waiting her turn to go
Climbing up one of the steep "hills"
Sliding down!
Then, we decided to hit the festival. There were several stages set up with different performers. While we were there, several kids were singing in an "American Idol" style competition. We enjoyed all the stands of fresh cherries, jams, homemade pastries. I had an awesome cherry filled danish - delish!
Amaya and Steve enjoyed some homemade licorice!
Welcome sign to the Cherry Festival
Climbing up one of the steep "hills"
Sliding down!
Then, we decided to hit the festival. There were several stages set up with different performers. While we were there, several kids were singing in an "American Idol" style competition. We enjoyed all the stands of fresh cherries, jams, homemade pastries. I had an awesome cherry filled danish - delish!Amaya and Steve enjoyed some homemade licorice!
Welcome sign to the Cherry Festival
We left Traverse City in the late afternoon and decided to go to Mackinaw City to have dinner and shop. The drive was a little over 2 hours. Traffic backed up a little and Steve saw this:
Another bad accident
Needless to say, we are very thankful for all the prayers for safe travel!
Once we arrived at Mackinaw City (which quickly became our favorite stop), we found a place to eat called, the "Dixie Saloon."
The restaurant had two levels and we were lucky enough to be seated on the top floor! (You'll notice we're all wearing sweatshirts. It was pretty chilly, so we stopped in a souvenier shop first to pick up something a little warmer to wear.)
Here Amaya tries a lime for the first time...
The food was amazing.... Steve had a burger topped with onion rings, cheese, and barbeque sauce. I had barbequed ribs and Amaya had grilled cheese. (Can you sense a theme here - we love barbeque!) And of course, we ordered dessert!
Here's Steve's Peanut Butter Mousse Cake
And I ordered the Carrot Cake
After dinner, we did a little shopping. I was much more impressed with the variety of shops here than on Mackinac Island. The buildings, however, were just as beautiful!
In the middle of the shopping center was a great playground for Amaya to run off some energy.
And a little Bert and Ernie ride to go on.
Steve had overheard that there was going to be a juggling act coming up in front of the main shopping entrance. It always seems like we have the most fun when we venture off without a schedule or plan!
Amaya was pretty excited to see the juggler!
And we were forunate enough to get a front row seat!
It got very exciting when he brought a little fire into the show!
And even more exciting when he was going to juggle a knife, a torch, and eat an apple while balancing on a board! Quite amazing and entertaining!
It was a very fun and full day! We took one last picture by a water fountain and then headed back to our campsite hoping that everyone would be in bed by the time we got settled in.
Too bad we had another noisy night....
Another bad accident
Needless to say, we are very thankful for all the prayers for safe travel!Once we arrived at Mackinaw City (which quickly became our favorite stop), we found a place to eat called, the "Dixie Saloon."
The restaurant had two levels and we were lucky enough to be seated on the top floor! (You'll notice we're all wearing sweatshirts. It was pretty chilly, so we stopped in a souvenier shop first to pick up something a little warmer to wear.)
Here Amaya tries a lime for the first time...
The food was amazing.... Steve had a burger topped with onion rings, cheese, and barbeque sauce. I had barbequed ribs and Amaya had grilled cheese. (Can you sense a theme here - we love barbeque!) And of course, we ordered dessert!Here's Steve's Peanut Butter Mousse Cake
And I ordered the Carrot Cake
After dinner, we did a little shopping. I was much more impressed with the variety of shops here than on Mackinac Island. The buildings, however, were just as beautiful!
In the middle of the shopping center was a great playground for Amaya to run off some energy.
And a little Bert and Ernie ride to go on.
Steve had overheard that there was going to be a juggling act coming up in front of the main shopping entrance. It always seems like we have the most fun when we venture off without a schedule or plan!Amaya was pretty excited to see the juggler!
And we were forunate enough to get a front row seat!
It got very exciting when he brought a little fire into the show!
And even more exciting when he was going to juggle a knife, a torch, and eat an apple while balancing on a board! Quite amazing and entertaining!
It was a very fun and full day! We took one last picture by a water fountain and then headed back to our campsite hoping that everyone would be in bed by the time we got settled in.
Too bad we had another noisy night....