Brown Family Beach Vacation

This year's destination was the Hale House on Green Lake in Interlochen, just outside of Traverse City.  (That was a mouthful, huh?)  It was a cozy beach cottage on a private lake that gave us the opportunity to check out the town of Interlochen, but we were also able to go into Traverse City to get to know it better too.  It was lots of fun.

A few shots of the house from the dock looking back.  Apparently the Hale House was owned by Mr. Hale, who was a beloved instructor at the Interlochen School for the Arts.  He lived here for years even after retirement, and then the house went into disrepair.  The couple who own it now bought it and refurbished it completely.  It was quite the transformation.  What started out as basically a one room beach shack, is now 3 bedrooms, 1 bath, enclosed sun porch, and huge great room that includes kitchen, dining, and living room.  Very clean, updated, and comfortable.

We got here Thursday evening, and got some dinner at a local restaurant in Interlochen called "Hofbrau".  After that, we got some groceries from Tom's Market, and went back to the house to settle in.  We had a campfire the first night too.

Friday morning, we woke up to rain.  However, it just allowed us the chance to curl up and read, listen to some of the classical music on the Interlochen radio station (hosted by musicians and students at the school), and make some breakfast.

Eventually the rain let up, and the sun came out.  We were ready to explore!  We went into Traverse City for some lunch and to walk around the shops on Front street by the beautiful Grand Traverse Bay.  We got lunch from the Grand Traverse Pie Company, and yes...we all got a big 'ole slice of pie!  Delicious!

We heard about a cool place that was called the "Village".  Apparently, it used to be the Northern Michigan Asylum for the mentally ill.  Such a cool, old building couldn't just be torn down, so after relocating the hospital somewhere else, they refurbished it into loft space (top floor), offices (middle floor), and shops and restaurants (basement floor).  It was really neat to wind around the basement hallways to the different shops with walls lined with gallery art pieces.  Cool, yes!  A little creepy too, you bet!

After exploring Traverse City, we wanted to get back to the beach cottage and get in the water!  By now, the sun had warmed up and was calling our names!

The water was really choppy, and leisurely floating on the tube wasn't as relaxing as I thought it would be.  I was paddling for dear life that I wouldn't get caught up in the dock over there.

This is what made these 2 the happiest.  They brought home a pretty good collection of shells and other creatures.

This one was the tube antagonist.  She kept trying to push me out further, and would laugh at me when I washed up onto the shore, but at least we could laugh about it together. 

This is what I was looking forward to...just hanging out and relaxing on the beach with the water and the fresh air.  It was heavenly.  We grilled some dinner that night, and then watched a movie together before bed.

Saturday morning we decided to explore Interlochen. Unfortunately the school was closed for cleanup between sessions, so we were in charge of our own explorations.  The school is definitely impressive, and funded by some pretty big benefactors.  We were kind of amused to discover that it was designed by our good 'ole buddy Alden B. Dow.  Is there anything he hasn't touched in the state of Michigan?!?  I wish we had been able to attend one of the daily concerts, or toured the writing house or art galleries.  Ah well, at least we know what to do the next time!

The main courtyard

Huge covered outdoor ampitheater...that window opens up to Green Lake, and you can see the Hale House from it.

3 stars are born...I love how Parker is doing a ballet pose in the middle there.

Dow Fine Arts Gallery

The Writing House

After Interlochen, we had some more beach and water time until lunch.  After lunch, we decided to go and see the Mission Point Lighthouse on the peninsula.  It was a beautiful drive through vineyards dotted by small fruitstands along the way.  You could see the Bay on either side of the car, and felt like eventually the road would just end...which it did...at the Lighthouse.  We got out to explore, and were so glad we did.

We discovered the rock castles...I guess some people make sand castles, but here there is a tradition of forming rock castles with river stones.  It was so cool.  The girls loved it!

We found out that you can apply to become a light house keeper, where you stay for a week in the lighthouse and basically man the front desk selling tickets and t-shirts (no kids allowed).  In the evenings, you have the whole place to yourself...um, I think Mark and I know at least one thing we may be doing in our retirement.  :)

After this, we grabbed some freshly made gelato in TC on the way back to the house.  It was life-changing.

That night, we just enjoyed more of the beach, made a simple dinner and ate outside, and then Mark built another campfire.  We toasted marshmallows as our way of saying good bye to summer, the beach, and making memories as a family.

We cleaned up Sunday morning, and drove back home.  I've never had that feeling of just not wanting to go home before...usually I'm ready for my own bed, a hot shower, and clean clothes, but not this time.  I just didn't want it to end.

I still don't.  There has been something really miraculous and magical about this summer.  I feel like we are all changing and becoming happier people.  I feel like our family is becoming stronger and closer.  I just don't want all of this to end.  So often with the business of the school year, and the stress of work and callings and social agendas, we lose the magic of being free, together, and relaxing.  I guess I just fear we are going to lose that a little bit.  I sure hope not.

I hope you have all had amazing summers as well!