Friday, August 28, 2009

UP Vacation

That's Michigan's Upper Peninsula for you outa staters. Jason's dad and Joan plan a family vacation every 4 years instead of traditional birthday and Christmas gifts. The family is getting so big that the best plan is really renting a large house and going on adventures together and on our own. There were 17 of us this year. Troy his new wife and baby stayed back. Troy's new 11 year old step daughter came along and got the full Schultz experience! Lucky girl! Hahahha!

Anyway, I'll try to condense this the best I can. We left 5am Sunday morning, so that the kids would sleep part of the super long drive. We stopped at lots of rest areas and a Mc Donalds too.

Couldn't resist him stepping out of a gas station with our name on it.
We spent some time in Mackinaw City. had lunch at a fab fish joint.







Crossing the bridge is always a bit of a "thing" for me. A bit scary.




Out first stop in the UP was the Garlyn Zoo. Very nice and surprisingly lots of different animals.


These little babies were so sweet.



These babies were a bit less sweet.



Then it was to the House to see where we would be staying the next week of our lives...








Ummm...BEAUTIFUL!

We did find the there was a family of 30 -50 BATS living under the sign on the garage. The guys took care of that right away. Ewwwe gross.


Some of our outings...



Big Spring is awesome. You cross the spring on a raft that you can see to the bottom of the crystal clear water.













The 12 and under gang. We were out numbered. 10 kids to 7 adults.







Then Fayette. An old ghosts town. Absolutely beautiful.












Summer and I snuck down to the shoreline for some exploring.


One night Jason and I got away alone for a bit and he drug me down some two track to check this place out...

Uhhhh...creepy.



And its just not vacation for us if there is not a beach day. Even with the lake a mile from the house, we still needed to see our beloved Lake Michigan for a day.





Another day trip was to take a shipwreck tour on a glass bottom boat on Lake Superior.




It was really lovely. Not a lot of photos because about half way through, Grady fell asleep in my arms.
Jason was thrilled to learn that in Munising, they serve Pasties with gravy. I personally prefer the Yooper-style with lots of ketchup.



Some waterfalls there...

A different day trip to Tahquamenon Falls.



And again some falls in Munising.





Couldnt resist this one of after the kid went to bed one night. Note Brandon's tiny coffee cup. there was NOT COFFEE in there.





Pictured Rocks.



Bob, my FIL.

One of my personal favorite views;)







The Schultz Men.



Another adventure to Oswalds Bear Ranch. Very cool place. Apparently its so nice, wild bears try to get in there!








My rain drenched family with Mary the cub. As the guy was handing me my camera, Mary licked Teagen right up her face!





Nick doing his bear impression.






And here are the vacationers...
Bob and Joan.



Brandon and Laura.


Us! Jason and Jenn.

Owen( Alesha's youngest)




Jeremy, Dillon and Nick.

Jeremy again.




Jessica.
Teagen, Dillon and Summer.



The "big" girls, Celina and Rachael.

I think all I am missing is Alesha. Owen was a bit high maintence that week so I think she was pretty busy with him most of the time. I cant believe I dont have a shot of her!




Art project time...






The day we left, there was some icecream left that would never make the trip home. So it was icecream breakfast for the kids!



A well packed Jeep.

A few goodbyes...


On the way home it was between a stop at the Mystery Spot or The Deer Ranch. We went with the deer.




Great trip, wonderful time.
But as always, there's no place like home!!

11 comments:

Angi said...

wow, fun trip!! You guys did some of the same stuff we did. Was this cabin a rental? And you Have to teach me how to put my pics where I want them and be able to write under the right one. Mine never works!

Life is Love said...

Wheew...I was so afraid you were lost or something? I have been up to the bear habitat and loved petting the baby bears. What a beautiful cabin and right on the water! Absolutely looked like a ton of fun!

Kelley said...

LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!!
I have been waiting for this one! What a great trip! It brought back a lot of memories on my long trips to see my Grandparents in Houghton and Hancock. By the way, I make pasties, from scratch, and Rusty LOVES them with gravy too...and me, I prefer lots of butter and ketchup! Thanks for sharing, it sounds like a fun time!

Mandy said...

First, great to have you back, I really have missed your blogs..love'em!! Second, love all the pictures...as always wonderful beautiful! Looks like you guys had a great trip and had tons to do! I can't wait to hear all about it in person though...it's usually better!! :) See ya soon!!

Unknown said...

Makes me want to do some UP excursions. I guess I never realized there was so much to do! The ghost town looked awesome. Glad you had fun!

Julie said...

Hi Jennie,

That is so great that Jason's family does the vacation thing together. I want to do that when my girls get older. You guys did some fun stuff in the U.P. Gotta love it up there.
Hugs to the kids.
Love Julie

Theresa said...

looks like a GREAT time! It makes me want to head UP there soon! I have a question...on all adventures you took...was that just Jay, you and your kids or was it the entire clan? either way looks like fun!

Melissa O. said...

That brings back a lot of UP memories for me. Except many of those spots my parents would never stop at. We had to get to the cabin, no stopping!

Lisa said...

Wow what a great Vaction! That cabin is beautiful!! Glad you all had such a great time and have such great pictures to look back at!

Jodi said...

totally dig the tourist attire...little bandana hair scarves and big sunlasses!! the best. also GREAT pics of the scenery. usually not a fan since the real deal is always way better than the photo!! glad you're back on here...missed ya!

Shelly said...

wow what a wonderful vacation. I love all of the pics!