Our first destination on our summer vacation was Niles, Michigan, where Alan's Mom, (Grandma Elva) and Step Father (Grandpa Miles) live. In order to get to Niles, we flew into Chicago, rented a car and started what was suppose to be an hour and a half road trip to Niles. As we got out of Chicago, and got on the turnpike we saw a sign for Fireworks, and pulled off, because according to Alan, you can't purchase bottle rockets in Michigan, and what a great thing that would be to have at our little cottage on the lake. We found out that the store was closed, but looked up ahead and found a White Castle. Sliders and Fry's, yes we got em, ate them down, and loved them... Funny to say it was one of the most satisfying meals I had the whole trip. Strange because I never eat fast food, and have not had White Castle for at least 10 years or so. Must have been the two plane flights, in which we only ate sun chips, waiting for luggage that didn't arrive and trying to find the rental car place, that contributed to such hunger and satisfaction. Of course Chloe and Blake loved the idea of mini hamburgers !
After filling our belly's we headed down side roads trying to get back onto the turnpike, and ended up driving through parts of Gary, Indiana. Eventually we made it back onto the turnpike and just after passing South Bend, we ended up in Niles.
By the time we made it to Niles we had been officially traveling for 13 hours... man were we tired... luckily we had a few days to rest and enjoy the river that Grandma Elva and Grandpa Miles live on, and off course their hospitality. I loved those sloppy joe's and fresh corn Elva !!
We got to ride on the Pontoon boat, the kids got to go fishing for the first time...unfortunately the only thing biting was sea weed, either way it was still loads of fun. Grandma Elva, also has an amazingly beautiful garden. She was the president of the Niles Garden Club at one time, and it shows in her landscape. I really didn't get enough pictures of her house and her yard, but we did get a few of the back which leads down to the river. Take a peek below...
Captain Chloe....
Skipper Blake...
Just waiting for the Big One !!
How Sweet, Grandpa Miles teaching Blake how to fish...
Beautiful Rock Waterfall, Miles and Elva built...
The lush green pathway down to the River...
Mom and Son enjoying a morning at the Niles Playground...
Lots of Love for Grandma and Grandpa....we miss them already !
Next Post...our Rustic Cottage Stay
6 comments:
such a beautiful place, the lake, the path, the waterfall...so green!!...until February that is...I love the names Miles and Elva, by the way...looks like a great trip...and you gotta have White Castle every now and then as part of the American experience!
What a georgous place. Great pictures...especially love the one of Chloe in the hat and the one of Dad and the kids..cute!
What a beautiful place. I am sure I have driven through there 100s of times on our Iowa-Michigan drives. When we first moved to Iowa we would do the 12 hour trip twice every year. My sister and I were crammed in the back of a Mazda hatchback.
Good Times.
Great pictures, that ride by the river, beautiful.
Soggy life jackets...ew! It is splendid to see you guys...I miss you!
What a beautiful place! I love Captain Chloe - both the children are just gorgeous. It makes me look forward to our upcoming family holiday.
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