An Up North Easter

I don't want a pickle 
Just want to ride on my motorcycle 
And I don't want a tickle 
I'd rather ride on my motorcycle 
And I don't want to die Just want to ride on my motorcy-cle

As sung by Arlo Guthrie. Pretty much sums up Mr. P's weekend. 

I traveled up to Burt Lake in Cheboygan, MI for Easter weekend from April 17-20 with the boy's family, and of course I brought Mr. Pickle along for the ride. It was a low-key weekend of hanging out with family and eating and drinking, but boy did Mr. P make the most of it. He pretended he was the Easter Bunny, went for a big walk, hung out with FOUR awesome dogs, caught some beautiful sunsets, played pool, and went to a spooky book store. Mr. P was beside himself. Here we go:

We arrived at the cottage just in time to catch the sunset over the frozen lake.

Of course! (wink wink)

Mr. P had a teeny tiny sip of this fancy beverage. WHOAH. Went down smooth.

Mr. Pickle played pool and shuffleboard in the game room. 

While in the game room he also ran into trouble with a fish. (What is it with him almost being eaten by other animals on every trip he goes on?!)

Coasting along. 

Mr. P photobombs the fam. Oops.

 

Plenty of ceramic doggies in the cottage. And books to read. 

Not ceramic were the FOUR dogs he got to hang out with all weekend! WOOF. He is an animal lover and as long as they don't drool on him he's cool. (He may have tasted a little of Curtis's drool, but well, that's Curtis for ya!) 

There was plenty of time to sit on the back sun porch reading, drinking coffee, chatting, and staring at the beautiful frozen lake.

A woodsy walk! With the dogs! It's nice to catch the woods on a weekend of big melting.

 Mr. Pickle visits Chillermania! in Indian River. Books by Jonathan Rand! We were MOST excited about this little pit stop.

 

 Mr. P eyes the shadows on the exterior of the second building.

 Michigan Chillers books! This little store was FULL of books by Rand.

 

Chillermania! was also full of spooky decor such as spider webs, fake puke, and these cute Frankesteins.

Mr. P's first encounter with a dead body. (I think?!)  This was outside Chillermania! so I'm pretty sure it's fake.

 You can't head up that way without hitting the local watering holes. First up was Breakers in Topinabee. A super cute place with a fun atmosphere. Here Mr. P enjoys a hard cider.

 Another night, another watering hole. This time Hoppies Tavern in Cheboygan. He tried to take a few photos but it was too sunny.

 

Easter weekend was the perfect chance for Mr. P to try out one of his latest accessories. What do you think of his new ears?! He was almost swallowed by all these jelly beans! Poor pickle. 

Happily, he survived the beans and the dogs. 

~~

Quite the opposite adventure, but he's headed to Myrtle Beach this weekend!   

After that he's got some free time. Check out his itinerary and see if he's free for your next trip! 

If you seek a pleasant peninsula...

Mr. P joined myself and four friends on a wonderful trip to northern Michigan all around the Leelanau Peninsula from May 31-June 3. We had amazing weather, delicious eats, grand outdoor adventures, a killer driving soundtrack, and plenty of laughs. Mr. Pickle was happy to hop on board as we ventured around the peninsula as we whiffed the lavender forest and stared at the stars.

Relaxing outside Michigan Artists Gallery in Suttons Bay.

Walking in Traverse City, on our way to The Cooks' House for dinner.

Before dinner we had to make a quick stop at the water and dip our toes in the freezing bay.

Mr. P was dying to see and hike some dunes. He did the Empire Bluff trail walk and this is what was at the end of it. PURE MICHIGAN!

The veg tacos at Cedar Sol hydro farm taco stand were super yum. Mr. Pickle enjoyed himself a wild ginger drink as he recooped from his afternoon hike.

 

YES! In Cedar, MI.

That same day we hiked a bit around Pyramid Point.

And more PURE MICHIGAN was waiting for us as we walked out of the forest. The aquas in the water made Mr. Pickle's heart burst out of his chest a couple of times.

Fishtown! Mr. P enjoyed walking around and shopping in the little shops.

Today! Mr. P is thinking about it.

When in Fishtown you gotta try a Chubby Mary! (Chub as in fish, as in a whole fish inside the drink glass acting as though it were a pickle or an olive.) Mr. P went with the chubless. I drank water.

VROOM VROOM! Just driving a Ferrari boat inside The Cove bar. No big deal. 

This pickle has taste.

Mr. P stayed in the most gorgeous modern farmhouse. Here he is enjoying an evening by the fire enjoying some vegan dessert, chocolate, wine, and good company.

In the Leelanau State Park we visited the Grand Traverse Lighthouse. We also visited a LEGO version of the lighthouse, which was just Mr. Pickle's size!

Mr. P wasn't creeped out by this lighthouse keeper or anything...

Mr. P met Macaulay Culkin at a creepy antique shop in Northport! They reenacted a few scenes from Home Alone, then Mr. P was on his way. (I'd like to know who is going to buy that Mac cut-out?!)

And what trip north is complete without a stop or three for some wine tastings. Mr. P indulged in some bubbly at L.Mawby, and it was goooooood. 

~~

It's been a while since I've taken the P man on a trip, so I was happy to finally get to do so again. 

He's got a pretty open summer schedule so far... 

Where are you taking him?! Let me know.

Putting the P in the U.P.

A northern Michigan trip for Mr. Pickle! Michigan is his home base, but he hasn't done much exploring in it. Immediately after returning from Paris, France he joined Darla (and James and Henry) and headed Up North to join Eby (and Ginger) for a bit of Northern Michigan fun from October 1-7. He first landed in Suttons Bay to visit Eby and Ginger at Hemlock Creek Farm and to hang with their pigs. Eventually they all traveled to the Upper Peninsula to soak in the majestic Lake Superior and visit the Tahquamenon Falls. Mr. Pickle's liver got a workout in between adventures. This was prime time for fall colors and OH MY it was pretty...
 

 

 Visiting Eby's pigs at Hemlock Creek Farm in Suttons Bay.

 

Gnome-like mischief, witnessed by ceramic pics.

Sippin' the fine Tandem Ciders. Mmmmm.

Mr. P dining with THE Henry at Towne Plaza in Traverse City. 

One of many drinks. Talk about fermented pickles. 

A stop at Deadman's Hill in the Jordan River Valley in Warner, MI.

Graffiti and trees and a pickle at Deadman's Hill. (See how it says DANG?)

DANG, Mr. Pickle, look at that view! Look at those lush colors. 

Drink stop at Dixie Saloon before crossing the Mackinac Bridge into the UP. 

Mr. P and the Mighty Mac! 

Overlooking Lake Superior at the mouth of the Tahquamenon River.

Well, it's not a gator attack, this time it's a giant bear at the gift shop! He just can't escape the sharp jaws of these critters.

Mr. P and PASTIES at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery. Typical Up North. Typical Eby.

Mr. P is helping Darla dig around graves at Mission Hill Cemetary. Darla is realllly good at finding dead people. Mr. Pickle is not so much into genealogy.

A pickle-sized gazebo!!

A pickle-sized boat! He mans the HENRY T. I wonder if Henry J was amused...

They spent a lot of time on the beach of Lake Superior near Brimley. Oh, Lake Superior, so vast.

Um, that's a lot of water.

Bacon for breakfast, of course.

Mr. Pickle visited the top of the Point Iroquois Lighthouse in Hiawatha National Forest in Brimley, MI.

Lighthousing around.

The old lighthouse light. The sign says DO NOT TOUCH. SHARP EDGES. I guess Mr. P came out unscathed.

Mr. P loves meeting other stuffed friends on his travels. This time around he met a celebrity! Smokey the Bear!! In a lighthouse, no less.

Lunch at Clyde's in St. Ignace before heading over the bridge and back home.

The Mighty Mac and the mighty Mr. P headed back to SE Michigan. 

~~

Such a fun trip with fun people. And those fall colors! Those waterfalls! Swoon. 

Until next time...