TWO Michigan visits in one summer?
I would say “How lucky am I?” but, unfortunately, both of my summer visits back to Michigan have been for less-than-stellar reasons.
My Uncle Dennis lost his three-year battle with cancer late last month. I’m really fortunate that I was able to visit him and my Aunt Leslie back in July to spend some time with both of them up in central Michigan.
I was also able to make it back to Michigan again last week/this past weekend for my uncle’s visitation and funeral.
Regardless of the less-than-ideal circumstances, it was really great to spend time with my family — and to introduce Ryan to several members of my dad’s family he hasn’t met before.
My brother David and sister Kelly both met Ryan and I for lunch at Sava’s in downtown Ann Arbor as soon as Ryan and I got off the plane. From there, we went to my uncle’s visitation up in Saint John’s before heading to Reno’s Eastin East Lansing to watch the Lions season opener against Kansas City.
Which, what a win!
We made it back to my sister’s apartment in Ypsilanti after the game, and then woke up Friday morning to head to my uncle’s funeral.
After the funeral and luncheon, we all drove out to my dad’s house in my hometown of Clinton to pick up my old Ford Focus.
After that, it was back to Ypsilanti. My brother went back to his apartment in metro Detroit, and then after a quick nap, my mom met up with Kelly, Ryan and I for dinner at Buddy’s. After dinner, Kelly, Ryan and I went out for drinks at Arbor Brewing Company’s Corner Brewery.
After that, Ryan and I went back to my sister’s to go to sleep.
We were up the next morning for our four-hour drive up to Traverse City!
Similar to our trip up to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore during my friend Kendall’s wedding weekend, I wanted to give Ryan a quick little outdoors getaway during our trip.
So, we picked Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
Ryan is a little more introverted than I am, and I know he appreciates having a little bit of time to unplug during trips like this.
After our trip up and back to Traverse City, Ryan and I finished our Michigan trip with a late Sunday dinner at Joe’s in Ann Arbor followed by Monday lunch at Zingerman’s Deli and a flight back to Phoenix.
I haven’t spent much time with my uncle during recent years. It’s really hard to live so far away from family! Airline ticket prices always make it easier to spend holidays here in Arizona with Ryan’s family, and busy summer fire seasons make it difficult to get away during a huge chunk of our year.
Regardless, I’m grateful for the time I had to spend with family this past week/weekend. I’ll always take what I can get.
