Festival and Ferry for the Last Day in Southwest Michigan

 

It was the final day in Michigan for my friend, Lynn, and I. It had been a wonderful adventure along the coast of Lake Michigan. We were prepared to spend the day with even more of it.

We started with a breakfast meeting with Nick Nerbonne, Media & Digital Director at Pure Michigan. We met at The Coffee Factory for great lattes and breakfast sandwiches, and to talk about the mitten state and accessibility.

Nick is interested in making the state as accessible as possible, knowing it has to be done place by place. He’s proud of the beach chair initiative and the continued efforts. He eagerly listened to my suggestions about hotels, transportation, and other accommodations.

We went back to the Delta Hotel to pack up and check out. We still had until evening in Muskegon. After leaving our suitcases with the front desk, we walked the three blocks downtown to Hackley Park, where a Polish Festival was going on. Along the way we spotted murals and sculptures throughout the well-kept city.

The Polish Festival, a yearly event in the town, was a lot of fun. It celebrated that countries heritage, food, and culture. We watched the dancing and listened to the music while deciding what to eat from the very tempting booths.

Lynn went for a platter with kielbasa, cabbage, pierogies, and potato pancakes. She said it was authentic and fantastic. I went for something a little less ordinary, but equally good: Paczki stuffed with pulled pork.

We walked back to the Delta Hotel and relaxed for a while before it was time to leave and drive to the port. Instead of driving back to Illinois, we had decided to take the Lake Express Ferry and spend a night in Milwaukee before driving to Champaign from there.

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The ferry was large with plenty of space for me to get around in the wheelchair. I didn’t go outside, though. It was windy and I decided to stay warm inside. Lynn went out for a few pictures.

The trip across Lake Michigan was scenic and much shorter than driving. We got off quickly and were ready to start our 24 hours in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It had been a few years since I’d been there, and it was Lynn’s first trip.

I was hosted on this trip, but opinions are my own. Thanks to Pure Michigan for their hospitality.

Enjoying the Day in Muskegon

I had never been to Muskegon and, honestly, it wasn’t on my radar before. I had started hearing more about it and the representatives of Pure Michigan told me it was a lakefront town making strides in the wheelchair-friendly arena.

Muskegon has had a big resurgence from the cruise industry which has led to growth in the town. In addition to the ferries that go across Lake Michigan (which we would be taking), three cruise lines are now making stops in Muskegon: Pearl Sea Cruises, Victory Cruise Line, and Ponant Great Lake Cruises.

The town was building and improving for the influx of cruise passengers and the feedback on the port stop has been positive. This town would continue to thrive.

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Since we had a late lunch and skipped dinner the night before, we were ready for a big breakfast. Mr. Bs Pancake House was the perfect place. This local favorite has been around over 50 years. The portions were huge and the omelets, pancakes, and hashbrowns we had were delicious.

After breakfast, we went to the Muskegon Museum of Art. I was extremely impressed that this seemingly small town had such a large art museum with extensive collections. In fact, it is in the process of being enlarged even more.

While we were at the museum, we were able to see an exhibition on American artist John Steuart Curry, who was a leader in the Regionalist Art Movement. Although that exhibit was temporary, they do have quite a few pieces that are permanent by the artist as part of its over 4,000 selections.

We spent a few hours at the museum, which was easy to get around in my power chair. (They also had wheelchairs available for those who needed to borrow.)

Another place with wheelchairs to use is Muskegon State Beach. These are track wheelchairs to ride on the sand. Just like the ones at the other state beaches, they were free to use, though I suggest reserving them in advance. We had another clear day for the beach, and I was able to ride a smooth path that went almost to the actual water.

After the full day, we decided not to go back to the Delta Hotel by Marriott and instead went straight to dinner. There were many options in Muskegon, but we had passed the Bear Lake Tavern, and it looked like a popular spot. As soon as we walked in, we could see it was filled with a lot of locals. That’s always a clear sign of a good place to eat.

Lynn ordered the steak sandwich and said it was delicious. I went for their beef stroganoff, which was also incredibly good. I had it with a Cucumber Mule, which Bear Lake Tavern made perfectly.

There was a place in town we hadn’t made it to yet that was on our schedule, and it seemed like the perfect time on this warm evening, Norm’s Ice Cream. They had a wide selection of soft serve flavors, and I had my favorite parfait, with peanut butter and hot fudge!

We headed back to the hotel in time for yet another stunning Muskegon sunset. What a way to end a day.

Recap of the day...

A Sweet Day Through Holland, Grand Haven and Oz to Muskegon

My Southwest Michigan trip with my friend, Lynn, had been going well. We were enjoying the waterfront along Lake Michigan, the Dutch heritage, and lots of tasty food. We were excited to explore even more places in the region, but first we had a couple more things to see and do in Holland.

We started with breakfast at Deboer Bakkerij. This popular spot has been a staple in Holland since the original owner came from Nederland in the 1950s. Five generations later, the authentic Dutch recipes are still being made.

Everything on the menu sounded delicious. Lynn had an omelet and I, as I typically do, leaned toward something sweeter with the Blueberry Bliss pancakes. It was the perfect choice. I did my best to finish them, but it wasn’t possible since the portion was so big.

When we were done, we headed to a spot I was looking forward to while planning the trip. It is a little-known fact that L. Frank Baum, author of the Wizard of Oz, was a frequent vacationer to Holland, Michigan. Rumors have swirled around the possibility that he actually wrote that infamous  book here. A tribute to that is the Wizard of Oz Sculpture Garden in downtown.

Although the brick isn’t quite yellow, we followed it through Centennial Park and across the street to the library. There we found bronze sculptures of all the main characters in Oz. It was a whimsical way to start our exit from this creative town.

First there was another attraction to see. Windmill Island Gardens is a beautiful display of Dutch heritage among a perfectly manicured landscaping of flowers and windmills. I found it to be a picturesque site that was accessible for me to easily wheel through.

We didn’t have a tight schedule and decided to take advantage of the spare time to stop at Grand Haven State Beach after leaving Holland. It was another warm summer day along Lake Michigan. Lynn walked the beach looking for shells, stones, and gems. The heat was getting to me, and I decided to enjoy the scene while staying in a shady area.

It was already into the afternoon, and we stopped at my favorite Michigan chain, Grand Traverse Pie Company, for lunch. I could never get enough of their food, and I was excited about the stop. I had made a habit of visiting one of their locations whenever I was in the state.

Grand Traverse Pie Company has a Combo special that can’t be beat. It includes a pot pie or slice of quiche, salad or soup, and slice of pie. We both decided on the Chicken Pot Pie,  Chicken Noodle Soup, and Cherry Ganache Pie. It was all as good as I remembered. I couldn’t finish it all and saved the soup for later.

We were only a half hour from our next stop, Muskegon, where we would spend the next two nights at the Delta Hotel. It was a huge property in this small town, which offered a different atmosphere, though still on the lake.

By the time we got settled in the room, we were exhausted. We decided to skip going out to dinner and stayed in to rest. It turned out to be the ideal night to do it as we had an incredible sunset right outside our window.

Hotel Saugatuck is a Hidden Gem

 

Lynn and I enjoyed our fresh breakfast of omelets and muffins. It was delivered right to our room at Hotel Saugatuck in Michigan so we got to stay in the comfortable bathrobes a bit longer.

We wished we could stay longer, but we did decide to explore before leaving. The suites are quite big and it had a Jacuzzi tub, microwave, and small refrigerator.

We brought our luggage down to the lobby. The Inn was inviting with a fireplace and piano and the staff was friendly and helpful.

The cottages across the driveway were occupied so I didn’t get to see them, but they looked adorable from the outside.

The Michigan town of Saugatuck includes a quaint town and quiet beaches. We decided to take a drive to Oval Beach.

Lynn and I spent most of our lives on Long Island in New York so we weren’t quite sure what to expect from a Michigan beach. 

Honestly, the water was more inviting than the Atlantic Ocean, without the seaweed and waves, and with the beautiful blue color.

The other thing that you don’t usually see on Long Island is a snack bar and shop in the middle of the beach. What was the same were the people lounging and swimming, and sailboats in the background.

I sat down to rest a while Lynn walked along the beach. We had a long drive home, though, so we didn’t stay too long.

It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Michigan, especially along the Great Lakes. I wish I had more time to explore more of the towns there. There are so many great towns and beautiful beaches.

I will be back.

Luxuriating in Bay Harbor

It didn’t take me long to feel relaxed and comfortable at the Inn at Bay Harbor, a hotel in the Marriott Bonvoy Autograph Collection. 

My suite was perfect, and I had slept well. I was ready to take the relaxation to another level.

My day was wide open with the exception of the start of it -- at The Spa.

I arrived a few minutes before my appointment for the Ginger Glow treatment. 

I changed into my luxurious robe and sat down with a cup of tea in the quiet waiting area.

The Ginger Glow is one of the signature offerings at the Inn at Bay Harbor, and I can certainly understand why its so popular. I could easily rename it “Heaven on Earth.”

It began with a scrub made of ginger, with a hint of eucalyptus, to get rid of the dead cells on my skin. 

After that was rinsed off, I had a full body massaged with a ginger oil and hot stones.

The next part was probably my favorite as arthritis always has me seeking warmth: my whole body was wrapped in a warm robe-like cocoon while I received a scalp massage.

When the spa experience was done, I was ready to take a nap, but I was too hungry to do so. It was late for breakfast at the resort and 

I asked one of the drivers to take me to the Marina.

It's a free perk if you are looking to go around Bay Harbor and don’t want to walk or bike along the beach path. 

I saw a sign in front of the Original Pancake House for their famous Apple Pancake. 

I decided to go inside and, with a side of eggs for some protein. 

I managed to get through less than half of the scrumptious treat. (Of course, I brought the rest back to my room.)

I asked the driver to give me a little tour on the way back to my hotel suite.


In addition to the main lodge, there are also 35 cottages on the property. 

They are two and three-bedrooms each, and popular for family reunions, girlfriend getaways, and golf weekends.

Guests have the option of playing at the Bay Harbor Golf Club, an award winner with 27 holes along the shoreline, or the 18-hole championship course at Crooked Tree.

Golf is available in three seasons.

 In the winter, guests can do cross-country skiing and snow shoeing, or arrange to head to the sister properties, Boyne Highlands or Boyne Mountain, for downhill skiing.

In the afternoon, I took a drive to Charlevoix (about 20 minutes away). I stopped at one of their beautiful beaches before heading to the quaint downtown to visit one of my favorite Michigan stores, Cherry Republic. 

I picked up two bags of cherry goodies (especially the Cherry Fudge Sauce my daughter loves).

Brittany and Jamie came back to the hotel to join me for our final night in Michigan. 

We decided to stay on property and relax with s’mores by the fire pit in front of the beach. (I also decided to stick with some leftover cheese for dinner as I had enough snacking.) 

It’s just one of the free activities the Inn at Bay Harbor offers its guests.

Before leaving the next day, I had a delicious breakfast of Blueberry Pancakes and conversation with Erin Ernst, Director of Communications for the Boyne properties.

Then it was time to head south, back to Illinois. It was good to be going home, but I was also happy that I’d be going back to beautiful Michigan in just a few short weeks.

Relaxation and Culinary Theater in Riviera Maya

It was my third day as a guest of Karisma Hotels in Riviera Maya and I couldn’t have been more relaxed.

Every morning my friend Roberta and I had talked about breakfast at one of the Generations or El Dorado restaurants.

The room service options were just so convenient, included in the all-inclusive plan, and offered many delicious choices we couldn’t resist indulging in breakfast in bed.

I started my day with a veggie-filled omelet, fruit, a croissant, and coffee.

Roberta went to explore the El Dorado Riviera Maya properties and do some shopping while I relaxed. I was nursing an ankle injury so I was content to relax on one of the lounge chairs in the water behind our swim-up suite.

When she returned, we ventured out for the short swim to the bar for some drinks. It was a beautiful day and the water felt great in the hot sun.

We didn’t want to leave the pool area so we just ordered lunch from Palms Gourmet Terrace.

I had loved their carnitas tacos on the first day at Generations and we both decided to order them.

After lunch, we decided to head to the beach. Generations, as well as its sister resorts El Dorado Royale and El Dorado Casitas, is located on a great stretch of sand.

For my time down at the beach, I put on a tankini Eco Swim by Aqua Green had sent me. I really loved the fit and style. I was comfortable walking around in it and protected by the built-in SPF.

Eco also sent me a really comfy hooded cover-up to further shield me from the sun as I got comfortable on one of the Bali Beds on the beach.

I wished I could go in the water as I watched Roberta wading in the blue sea, but I couldn’t complain about the view from where I was sitting.

We had a very special dinner for our last night. We were lucky enough to be in town for one of the Culinary Theater Banquets at Fuentes Restaurant at El Dorado Royale, the adults-only resort next door to Generations.

El Dorado Royale invites a guest celebrity chef in for the night to work with one of their partners. In this case, it was Jackson Family Wines.

When we arrived, there was a mariachi band and wine waiting for us.

Inside the tables were formally set with a five wine glasses in front of us, one for each course.

Our guest chef was Eli Kirshstein, the Chef Partner of The Luminary, Atlanta. He was also a participant on Top Chef: Las Vegas.

Working with him as he made and explained every course was Elyse Kudo, Division Vice President for Jackson Family Wines.

While explaining everything, Chef Eli Kirshtein put his photo up on the wall with the other chefs who have put together these unique culinary events.

Here was our menu for the night:

Local Fish Ceviche & Tigers Milk

Avocado Salad*

Freemark Abbey, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2012

Beef Tartare with French Onion Dip, Caviar & Chips

Matanzas Creek, Sauvignon Blanc, Helena Bench, 2012**

Spiny Lobster with Sweet & Sour Puree, English Peas

Chicken substituting for lobster*

Gran Moraine Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton 2012

Duck Breast with Beets, Swiss Chard, Pickled Strawberries

Donna Olimpia, 1898, Rosso, Bolgheri, 2010

Cinnamon Panna Cotta with baked fruit cake, honeytuile, and a fruit sorbet

Kendall Jackson Riesling, Vintners Reserve, Monterrey County, 2013

Between courses, Chef Kirshstein and Elyse Kudo were happy to answer audience questions.

It was a fun evening, but we were happy to have an employee take us back to our suite in Generations Riviera Maya when it was done.

When we arrived, my bed was made up with a towel elephants and roses for my final night. I was looking forward to one more night of falling asleep to the sounds of the ocean.

*These items were substituted for me since I have a seafood allergy.