The Tour de Mitten began on Friday with a drive up to Grand Rapids.
Our stop in Grand Rapids was to check out the wedding venue and the famous artwork “La Grande Vitesse.” We then drove to Traverse City for the Winter Wow Fest. This festival was totally my idea and I must have said how ridiculous the 5K portion of that idea was about nine hundred times while running said 5K.
The driving portion required copious amounts of snacks. Ok, let’s be honest here, these aren’t snacks. They are sugar comas waiting to happen. At least there is a water in this photo. I probably should have just gotten a diet coke to wash it all down. Cause you know…diet coke is totally the calorie savor.
Upon arrival in Traverse City there wasn’t much by way of snow but there was this ice on the railings by the lake. And since I was triple dog dared…
After we ate dinner (Yay Mexican and margaritas before a 5K!) it was flurrying a bit and I hoped for some snow in the morning. Sure enough, Saturday morning I woke to an excited Red telling me to look outside. I squealed in delight at the beautiful white blanket that covered the ground. I’m such a Floridian.
Pre-5K we filled up on cherry pancakes, since Traverse City is the cherry capital and we all wanted to be certain we’d crap our pants half way through the race. Heh. Go read the race report HERE and come back. Yes, I’m the idiot who thought a 5K in the snow would be a great idea. Did I mention it was a 4 loop course? And no, it wasn’t in a living room, but nice thought Gatorate.
With the 4 loop race completed and with the help of a small child, I made my very first snow angel.
We did a little shopping in Traverse City and stopped to take some photos. They included this awesome hand puppet fight that Spike and I got into. There was no honey badger so I chose the squirrel and bested Spike’s porcupine with the flying squirrel attack. Flawless victory!
We left Traverse City and headed toward Lansing where we ate entirely too much sushi. Or not enough. It was one of the two. And on Sunday there was some church going and some family time with the Spikes. I’m totally prepared for the upcoming nuptials now and know everyone’s name by heart. Score!
The final stop of the tour on Sunday was to Hell which is pretty odd since we went to church and then Hell. That doesn’t seem normal but oh well. We’re all a little kooky.
I had such a total blast in Michigan and am so happy I got to see so much snow! It was perfect! I also ate and drank entirely too much and must now detox. That little 5K didn’t even put a dent in what I did. But it was vacation and it was exactly what the doctor ordered. Thanks again Red and Spike, I love you guys!
Happy President’s Day all! Lloyd and I have lots of snuggling time to catch up on.
Oh you poor dear, you've never made a snow angel before?! Well, now you have! LOL
Btw, love the huge amount of sugary snacks!!
Excellent job on the recap! The only part you left out was how you and Spike kept going on random sing-a-long tangents! LOL! Oh Boo I had so much fun with you and I am so sad the weekend flew by so fast! Thank you soooooooooo much for coming and playing in the snow with us! We love you and feel free to re-pack your bags, and Lloyd, and come on back anytime!!!
Glad you had fun and got enough snow to make your trip more exciting. Diet Coke?…that pile of junk deserved at least a Faygo pop chaser.
I am soooooooo glad that you got your snow, even kept it up north! NO one really makes snow angels….. HA
Looks like a fun trip. I'm glad you could show us Hell so we don't have to find out for ourselves.
you know, i've never actually SEEN a map of michigan, and it really does look just like a mitten. ha.
Glad you got to see some snow, lady. I was worried there wouldn't be any for you.
Two mentions in a week! I'm floating on air.
wow a 4 loop 5k? that's practically a track race. Glad you had such a fun trip! I've always wanted to see michigan like that, but so far all I've seen is the detroit airport.
Mother nature really pulled through for you. You pretty much owe her now.
Now that you have been to Hell and back, do you feel like a changed woman?
What a fun road trip!
Sounds like a great trip! I'm glad you got some snow. 🙂 I wish we had some here in DC this winter, but it is looking increasingly unlikely.
that looks like a looong drive from EL to traverse city… you sure saw your share of michigan while you were there though!
So, you made a snow angel then had to go to hell…hummm! Was great to have you here! I won sushi.
Who's head is big enough to fit into that Devil cutout?
You could fit another 4 heads in there with you……
Sounds like a good time up there in the snow and all. Hey – no details on the run itself?! LOL
aw, your first snow angel! Winter vacation success!