Mermaid's ocean: Michigan Holiday!!!

So last year by a fluke of accident I came across this campground on the beach in Covert Michigan. We stayed there a couple of days last year and loved it so much we decided to spend a week there. Well our race schedule this year has been skewed so instead of a Labor day race we had a fourth of July race and thought what better way to start a vacation then on the holiday so we get those few extra days.

Hubby worked the events and didn't race but he did ride with me during a heat. Thanks to Marlin for this picture.

So after racing the Godfrey's were kind enough to invite us over to their house for fireworks. Thats MY Godfrey getting fireworks ready!

Did I mention he's a rocket scientist? Can't beat fireworks put on by a rocket scientist.

The 3 day event was cut down to two days so now what to do? Luckily the DeWitt family had room for our envoy at their family lake house...if it has an elevator in it, do you still call it a "house"

It is still under construction but has the most amazing views of Lake Michigan. Can't wait to see what it looks like once completed.

Our first meal in Michigan was at the Azul Tequila and I must say it was yummy!

The Fourth festivities continued with fireworks and a bonfire on the beach.

We love to eat local and were told to try this greasy spoon called the Hot Spot in Coloma. Adam wanted to see what they would do if he ordered the free wi-fi but he forgot to ask because the food was so darn good.

So we had a goal to hit some wineries we haven't visited. Yeah I know that sounds funny, what winery have I not drank at in South West Michigan. Well my dears, Contessa Wine Cellars is one. It is on the drag of two of my favorite stops so I never stop by.
The wine bar has a great view on top of the hill and there is a sweet cat to pet. My favorite was their port.

Speaking of two favorite stops along the road, here is the chocolate garden. I must heavily suggest you get the chocolate drink mix. It is the best thing in the world that involved chocolate.

Second stop is Grandpa Cider. They have the best cider in the world. You can even get it flavored. I love honeycrisp cider and a cider doughnut.

Here is another winery we've never stopped at before. Karma Vista Vineyards, has a beautiful setting and looks like they are building another site for events. The wines have music related titles.

Is this a sign that I need to be living in Michigan?

One more day at the beach with the DeWitt family before heading out to the camp ground. Of course no beach visit is complete without wine.

So here is our happy summer home for the week at Covert beach. The township owns it but I guess back in the day it's where everyone went to get high. It really is a nice area. They have primitive camping as well as modern camping with water and power hookup. I love our site because the bath house is 5 yards away for the ability to still take a long ass shower plus I don't know what they put in the water, it is sooooooo soft, I wish I could bottle it up and take it home because our water softener does not do the job.

Our walk to the beach. I could get use to waking up to this everyday.

Adam proving that he does have a romantic bone in his body

I decided I must now collect driftwood for craft projects, this was way to big but still pretty.

South Haven is a beautiful town with one of my favorite light houses. I have created my new bucket list topic and it is to visit all lighthouses of Lake Michigan. That is 105...I've seen like 6.

If your in town and want to try a fun place to eat, you have to go to Idlers. It's a boat turned into a restruant. I had the Chum Bucket which is their verison of a Bloody Mary. It had bits of shrimp in it, very yummy. I ordered the BLT the T was fried Green Tomatoes. Hubby had Chicken sanwhich that was yummy.

I have been a long time cider fan and was happy to find alcoholic cider at Mcintosh. My favorite is the semi-dry and you must try their Ice-Wine, which is still made of apples! After a tasting I suggest grabbing a mug and sit outside on a rocker and just enjoy the beauty of what we can do with apples.

I cannot get enough of the beautiful sunsets that I was able to witness. Very awe inspiring.

The ongoing joke now is...aw this was my first broken leg trip to covert, to the winery, on the beach :( Being broken forever is not fun but I guess it can be funny.

What is this you see? Why it's a bunch of fish eating food. This is a must see the Wolf Lake Hatchery. This DNR facility raises 6 types of fish for reintroduction back into the Michigan lakes and rivers for continued sport fishing and guranteed survival of the species.

Take a tour of the hatchery so you can see how they raise the fish, feed them, then grow them in the raceway before release into the wild.

The whole tour is free but I suggest getting fish food and feeding the fish, it is crazy how wild they go!

So if you know me my favorite wine is St. Julian. I'm a proud wine club member and was happy to go pick up my shipment, plus a little bit more for research.

I love the signs that are posted everywhere. I do have a problem with the flags though. There is a Michigan State University flag (go Spartans) but no Purdue flag (Boiler up) Come on Nancy, represent!

I'm always amazed at copper stills and the science that actually goes into not only making the liquor but in creating the still.

I've been to the main winery several times but this was the first time I actually got to watch them bottle and boy was that cool. Yeah I'm that girl that geeks out when watching, "How It's Made"

When in Paw Paw there are some things you must do, go walk around Maple Lake....

Get ice cream from Sugar Bear....

And a new find, get some brew at Paw Paw Brewing Company.

I forgot to take a picture of my favorite Chinese resturant (outside dads cooking) at Chinn Chinn's but 1- I was hungry, 2-I was a little buzzed, 3- for the first time ever didn't have to wait in line. Go at 3pm on a Tuesday must be the secret.

So a belly full of wine, brew, and chinese leads to this beautiful sunset.

Every spring the hubby wants to take me to Holland to see the tulips, it is very beautiful there I can see why he wants to go. We at least got to check out the amazing windmill. I will warn you, we went the to gift shop saw the flour to buy but decided to not carry it around on our tour, we will buy it on the way out. Came back 2 hours later...completely sold out. The one thing to get from the Dutch Windmill and they were sold out!!

Hubby is not convinced that wooden shoes are the way to go. I keep telling him my Danskos are the most comfrotable shoe ever but I'll never convert him.

This wind mill is the last one to leave Holland. Holland windmills are considered a national treasure and cannot be taken out of the country. This one came over in the 60's, it was built around the 1700's. The mill is an actual working mill and is run by a woman, not just any woman, she is the first foreign woman to be certifed by the dutch in flour making.

The dance is cute but the girls are so NOT excited to be there.

I love this design and want to incorporate it into our tiny home.

Windmill language was interesting to learn.

Looking down to the mill floor from the fourth floor.

Cedar shingles meant a prosperous mill.

De Zwaan = The Swan

Can you see me? This was a very cool trip, you can explore the gardens and learn the history of the Dutch people in Michigan. We went to the Dutch village afterwards...WARNING...unless you have children don't go. It's like a dutch Chuck-E-Cheese.

After wanting to pull my hair out from the Chuck-E-Cheese I mean Dutch Family Village, we decided to try a local brew. I had an amazing mixed greens salad with salmon...I'm drooling just thinking about it.

While in Holland we thought we would continue our Lighthouse tour and go check out Big Red but first we climbed Mt. Pisgah

It's like 249 steps to the top but the view is amazing. We had to go here to find Big Red because apparently Big Red is located in a gated community that will only allow vistiors 3 days a week and we went on a non allowed day.

So we had to go around the other side of the channel to see it. I like it, reminds me of a more New England style lighthouse

Coming back we hit Saugatuck Michigan. We were here back in exactly 3 years ago when I picked up my beetle in Grand Rapids!!!

Adam decides to be McGuyver and use an old antaenee for his brat stick.

Oh yes another beautiful sunset.

More research at Fenn valley

Again in search of cider. Virtue is awesome! Not for the sweet minded though.

If you are hungry you must get pie from Cranes. Some of the best ever!

Loving Michigan sunsets

Kayaking day!

Took a tour down to the power plant

Worked up an appetite which meant eating at my favorite place for pizza and schooner of Ace cider.

The best pizza!!!! Ever I mean ever!

Even pizza man agrees.

Can I say how amazing the sunsets are?

Agriculture tourism is huge in Michigan. I mean where else so they get the yummy produce for the wine? Some of the best blueberries are from DeGrandchamp farms.