Bob and I spent last week in Southwest Michigan celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. We hiked, walked along beaches and piers, and ate delicious food. Bob even swam for a (very cold) second.
Here are my Beachcombing Slacks in action. They were perfect for long walks down Weko Beach. Someone in downtown St. Joe complimented me on them. It always makes me happy to have my making skills admired.
This year we hiked Warren Dunes, Chikaming Township Park and Preserve, and Warren Woods State Park. Warren Woods includes a primeval forest. The beeches were ginormous!
I didn’t take very many photos, but here’s a gallery of selfies which I imposed upon Bob as often as possible.
We missed Flick or Treat this year, so instead we watched The Last Drive In Nosferatu double feature from last season. (We saved it for vacation.)
I’m so grateful they showed the FW Murnau silent version with correct timing and original score. The first time I watched it — late 1980s early 1990s I guess — I had checked it out at The Ken Cinema in San Diego. The Ken was a wonderful theater with attached video rental store specializing in independent and foreign film. As an art student at UCSD, going to The Ken was a type of pilgrimage. Unfortunately, the Nosferatu version available at the time was not complete. It was also hilariously timed too fast, and the score was… ragtime? Not spooky, anyway. I’m glad I finally got to view this as intended, although Herzog’s Nosferatu: Phantom der Nacht is my favorite. I also love Shadow of the Vampire, which I kept thinking about while watching Murnau’s Nosferatu. They are closely intertwined. I’ve heard Robert Eggars is planning a remake with Bill Skarsgard in the lead role. I can’t wait for the release!
I found a new favorite radio station during this trip: Radio Harbor Country. (They have an app!) We also bowled again at Pete’s Cider Social, ate burgers at The Buck, enjoyed pizza at Silver Beach Pizza, breakfasted at The Mason Jar, and dined at Blackbird Waterhouse for our anniversary dinner. We’re lucky there are so many gluten-free options in the area. We also picked up gluten-free treats from Sweet Bees Bakery, like last time.
I’m mostly posting links for future reference. You would be surprised how many times we looked up our last trip to Michigan on my blog!
Oh! I picked up a souvenir skein called “Michigan October” from The Sandpiper Bridgman.
We really love this area of Michigan. It’s beautiful, waterfront, with plenty for us to do, and it’s only a 6 hour drive from home. Next time, I think we are both interested in visiting the upper peninsula!
Okie in Ohio 
Looks like a wonderful celebratory weekend! If you decide to venture as far north as St. Ignace, let me know and I’ll hook you up with some local suggestions (my aunt and uncle live there).
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Cool, thanks!
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Great post about your trip! I feel like I just went for a holiday, too! Love hearing that there were so many GF restaurant offerings. We lost a few of ours during Covid. You guys take such cute pics! The one with you both in black t’s and your hair on end is my favorite. Hey, how about you guys doing a gig as ‘The GF Travelers’ with reviews of the places that you visit!!?! That sounds smashing!
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Thanks, Sandy! Bob and I used to talk about creating a podcast where we reviewed restaurants, mainly because we think we’re hilarious.
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You appear to be a classic horror movie buff like me! I used to stay up late at night as a kid (when I wasn’t supposed to) watching classic horror and science fiction films on a tiny black and white TV.
So he swam in that cold water – yikes! Sounds like you had a fun trip and you two are an adorable couple!
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Ditto to watching classic horror on a tiny black and white tv after bedtime as a kid! Thanks so much, Tierney! ❤️
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Awesome selfies…….great to have you back!
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And do you have plans for that gloriously autumnal yarn?
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Not yet! Socks probably.
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What a wonderful trip! It sounds like just a perfect getaway – good mix of things to do and getting to relax. So glad you guys had a lovely anniversary vacation 🙂 I also stayed up late watching classic horror and sci-fi movies and then not sleeping 🙂 I love Yesferatu!
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Looks like a wonderful trip! I love that skein you bought, such beautiful colors.
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And I see what you did there with your title 😉
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You take such gorgeous photos! I loved hearing about your trip, and now I want to take a fun fall weekend trip!
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What a great trip to celebrate. Congratulations!🎊🎈🍾🎉
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Thanks Kathy!
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It sounds and looks to have been a wonderful trip. Annie says if I ever bring my husband with me to Michigan then we will all do a trip to the UP. I have not been yet.
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We saw someone paddle boarding on the lake and I told Bob how you do that, and I’d like to try someday.
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Hey Alissa just checking back in to ask if you ever feel needed? Why do I ask? Because I want you to know that I really appreciate your blog!!! Love finding a place to go on the web that is ad free and with a great variety of topics and people to check in with. It’s a little like stopping by the local mom and pop bar with or without the booze. A little break in the day where one can feel among friends. Thanks for doing that!
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Thank you Sandy. That means so much to me!
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Looks like you had a lot of fun!
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