michigan

trip tease: m-31 in the fall.

Remember our little fall trip up north? Remember home movies? Well I made an iPhone version. Way less cumbersome than carrying those big camcorders around… haha.

I am really trying to get better at finalizing my vacation photos. I spend a decent amount of time culling, organizing, and editing- not to mention taking them. It’s important to me to get them into a format I can later enjoy. Whether that’s a blog post, scrapbook, or video, I want to have them. Our big trips are still in limbo- I took way too many pictures!- but it’s much easier to get through a smaller gallery, like this.

So without further ado, my first- of hopefully many- vacation videos. These are my favorite souvenirs. ♥

m-31 by truck.

Rocks. Sand. Water (liquid or frozen)- ideally all three combined. Surround me with these elements and I’m a happy camper. Send Dustin off in his new ride with a coffee drink in hand and a podcast or football on the radio and he’s a happy camper.

Two years ago and about two weeks earlier, we took off for a 24-hour cruise up M-22 for a breath of fresh air. Literally. We were waiting for the poly to dry on our wood floors as moving into our new home was imminent. So we couldn’t really be in the house anyway. We drove through numerous Northern Michigan towns, making stops along the way, all while in Dustin’s parent’s orange beetle.

Fast forward two years and two additional weeks. The weekend before Halloween, Dustin decided we needed to escape the confinements of our bedroom for a weekend up north. We’ve recently been quarantined to our bedroom and bathroom as the entire front of the house- entrance, living room, dining area, stairwell, and kitchen are being taped and mudded. It is very satisfying, but also very dusty. However, tomorrow (!) painting will take place and OH MY GOSH I can’t wait for that. We’re basically living in a 12 x 12’ studio apartment. So anyway, we ran away for a couple days. And rocks and sand and water and foliage and coffee drinks and podcast-ing were had.

Here are some snaps of our drive up to M-31 and time spent in Petoskey, Charlevoix, and Wilderness State Park near Sturgeon Bay.

Coffee drinks and snacks from Outside Coffee Co and we are good to go!

We stopped by my parents for a quick hello and to see all their pretty trees.

In rock heaven somewhere around Wilderness State Park.

Taking a limo to dinner, as one does.

A stroll in downtown Petoskey and our usual drive-by home hunt.

Do you see that little baby Petoskey stone?!

That other little speckly stone is a Charlevoix- aka Favosite Coral.

And a few from Walloon Lake, Mt. McSauba, and downtown Charlevoix.

Did you see Sasquatch?!

year one.

There’s no way I could do this all in one post. I tried and wrote a novel- one that has been in the works for months. It’s hard to sum up, or want to sum up for that matter, your wedding day. So for now, here are are few photos, and more will soon follow… with said novel. It is the best gift to have this documentation to look back on and trigger all the memories.

Happy first anniversary, Dustin! This year has FLOWN by. I can’t believe we said our I do’s 365 days ago. I have loved the trips, projects, and everything in between this first year has brought. To all the years to come; I love you so much. ♥

I can’t wait to post more! Oh- and our video… ♥

Venue: Michillinda Lodge
Photographer: Justine Montigny
Videographer: Gabby Hulst

a much needed beach day.

Old Mission, Michigan

As the first day of fall arrives, I don’t want to forget about this picture perfect beach day. Last month, my mom and I ventured to the tippy top of the peninsula for a much needed, quiet, refreshing day on Lake Michigan. We had snacks, went hunting for tiny treasures, and attempted to swim in the very shallow rocky waters off shore of the lighthouse. Pure Michigan perfection.

♥

four hours on the island.

Belle Isle, Michigan

What a hidden gem this is!! Or maybe it's not so hidden? But I had never been until last weekend and was pleasantly surprised! Situated in the Detroit River between Detroit and Windsor, it's a lush getaway just a hop, skip, and a jump outside these cities. And it's all free with your parks pass(!).

Dustin had his monthly drill down in the Detroit area, and my friend Collyn happened to have an artist market on Belle Isle that same weekend. It was perfect timing and I'm so glad I was able to see her and as well as explore. You can drive and park around the entire island. The weekend was busy with the artist market, but aside from that there were picnics, reunions, parties a plenty- and a wedding! And yet, I still had no problem pulling off to the side of the road whenever I found a new spot to walk around.

Some photos of my little stint and things I'll want to do next time! Of course there's a billion photos of the conservatory... but I MEANNN how can you not?!

Suggestions for you/things I want to remember for me.

  • Bring a bike. Driving around the island was great. But bikes are more mobile, and the island itself is less than 3 miles long.
  • Wear better walking shoes!
  • Explore more of the inner island.
  • Kayak the canals. 
  • Swim in the river.
  • Golf range.
  • Check out the fancy boats at the yacht club.
  • Visit the other attractions. I made it to the aquarium, conservatory, and fountain. There's also a museum, nature center, boathouse, yacht club, and "casino".
  • Don't forget the Polaroid or Holga next time.
  • Convince a friend to get married here so I can attend.
  • Squirt bottle fan. And lots of water.

I loved walking around by myself for those four hours. It was so beautiful. HOT yet windy- thank goodness. But so beautiful. Until next time Belle Isle!

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