Discover Pure Michigan

My friend Wade lives in Windsor, Ontario next to Detroit Michigan. If you have already read my previous blogs, I do like cross-border visits. We decided for a road trip in the heart of Michigan for early July. A much-needed long weekend.

July 8- Windsor to Ann Arbor.

Ann Arbor is only an hour from Windsor, and we are in a lovely university town that reminds me of Dunedin NZ and Victoria Canada. Early 20th century building, abundance of trees and independent shops. We have a late lunch at Chapala (getchapala.com) on Main Street. The margaritas are huge and strong, and the food is extremely tasty as we have Quesadillas. The service is wonderful and solemente en Espanol para me. A great introduction for our Mich gateway.

Wade and I browse the independents boutiques of Main Street and make our way to the University of Michigan campus. Founded in 1817, the university is the oldest and largest in Michigan. A nice combination of impressive building, majestic trees and small gardens. We stroll and we are stopped by wedding pictures.

It is going to rain soon (a Louis day for me) and we check in at the University of Michigan Museum of Arts and it is free!!! The collection is eclectic and for all taste. The building itself is lovely beaux-arts building and we spend 2 hours there. I appreciate the 1900 American collection which remind me of the impressionists. I also found a winter Monet!!! A great way to spend a late afternoon when it is pouring rain outside.

Time to leave the downtown for our hotel as tomorrow we head to Traverse City.

July 9- Ann Arbor to Traverse City

We leave Ann Arbor Regent Suite and hotel after a tasty buffet breakfast. Then 4 hours drive to Sleeping Bears Dune National Park in Empire. The landscape is green and hilly…Until we are at the Dune. It changes from forest to sand in 5 second. The dunes are impressive, and we need to stretch and hike after all the time in the car. There are several dunes to climbs and the effort is well worth it for the great views. Kids can climb faster than us, but it feel a great workout to try to match their pace.

We haven’t had lunch yet and we are driving to the town next to the park: Empire. We find a place to have gelato and chocolate: Grocer’s Daughter Chocolate). The gelato is refreshing, and the chocolates are sweet and to my liking. I have a sweet tooth as you probably already know…

Time for us to drive to Traverse City and explore the downtown and plan our diner. For the story, the bay is name after the French Voyageurs who made la Grande traverse…I already like that area that remind me of the South Island of New Zealand. Downtown Traverse city is full of small independent stores, dessert places and breweries. We choose to have dinner at Poppycocks new American cuisine. Wade and I have a look at the menu and it really local. We have roast vegetables as appetizers, and I have the sweet pea arancini for main with Traverse local beer After dinner, we walk around the canal beside it. Such a lovely city!!!

y 10- A perfect day in the Bay.

After my morning hike close to our hotel, it is time for my caffeine fix. We are back in Front Street for breakfast. Morsel Café has a cute patio facing the canal and tasty avocado toast. The coffee is good as well. Time to visit the shops and get local tips. The city is extremely LGBTQ friendly. I got the recommendation to swim on a small lake in Long Lake. Wade enjoy the scenic drive and the lake is warm and not too busy. I can swim all day, but we are going to have a liquid lunch soon at Bryce Vineyard and Winery.

Going to wineries is a to do list for me when I travel. I have been to vineyards in New Zealand, Australia and France. The old mission peninsula offers great views of the bay, the rolling hills and Cherry fields. I have researched the best vineyards and make my choice at Bryce as it seems to be combined wines, food and hiking. It is the best winery I have visited in my life. There is a tasting menu for 5 glasses of wines for 15 US!!! A bargain!!! We have a plate of cheese, olives and charcuteries. The staff is really attentive, and the wines are complementing each other. Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery – Contact Us – Contact Us

Time to explore the gardens and the impressive lavender field.

Back in town for our last dinner in Traverse City. Wade and I feel like healthy and local options. It is quite easy in Traverse City. I find a cider house: Taproot Cider House. I have a dry non sweet cider and either a veggie pizza or a pizza salad. Up to you to decide…We have our daily ice cream and stroll the beach for sunset. Tomorrow, a day in the D.

July 11-Traverse City to the D.

We say goodbye to Traverse City, however I want to go back in the winter as I was told by locals that Northern Michigan is a winter Wonderland. Next destination Belle Isle next to Detroit.

I have been to Detroit many times. A city that I love for the Detroit Institute of Arts, 1920’s architecture, the eastern market, Ferndale, the food, the music and the people. This time, we choose to discover Belle Isle, an island between Detroit and Windsor. It is a great place for kids as there a museum, a nature center and some beaches to for swimming. I was that kid that swim everywhere. Also, there is a public transit in the automobile town. Wade and I wonder around the Oudolf Garden Detroit: The Garden is divided into four district areas; the Main Garden, the Rain Garden, Piet’s Bird Border and the Meadows. The Bell Isle Conservatory is under renovations. That the good news as the place need a bit of love and public funds. Great potential.

We finish our tour of the isle by stopping at the James Scott Memorial Fountain, a 1925 fountain that reminds me of French and Italian fountains. That spot offer great view of Detroit.

Our next stop in Detroit is Corktown, a mid 19thcentury Irish neighborhood home to the historic Michigan Central station, the Roosevelt Park and many funky bars and restaurants. The 1913 Station has been under great renovations and will be reopening by the end of 2023. We walk about the hood and its happy hour time. Wade recommends the Mercury Burger and Bars. The place is packed by local by 6 probably because of the low price for beer. I choose the Flint Burger and a side salad with a vinaigrette. As usual in the USA, the portion are huge, and the service is perfect. Time to leave for Windsor, Canada.

Windsor-July 12

I have the morning off before I return to Toronto. I meet a friend originally from Windsor and we have a French speaking tour of Assumption Church, an important church for one of the oldest French speaking south of Quebec.

We leave the church and go east to the Sandwich Hood, one of the oldest IN Windsor as well. I have been to that area at night for beer and dinner, but never in the day. There are murals, old building and as well some information on famous French pioneers of Windsor as well. We leave Sandwich to admire views of the Detroit River before I board my train..

That was a great mini vacation, and I will go back likely for a Christmas blog.