my birthday party

a trip to michigan's traverse bay with my favorite guy was, by far, the best thing we could have done to celebrate my birthday. we spent 2 days in northern michigan, with a few stops on the leelenau peninsula (if michigan is a mitten, the leelenau peninsula is the tip of the pinky finger). the rest of the time was spent on the old mission peninsula. the old mission peninsula is 18 miles long and 2 miles wide, and sticks out into the middle of the caribbean-blue traverse bay.

the blue of the water on this map is no lie. 


the peninsula has a ton of cherry orchards, vineyards, gorgeous old barns and cottages, 8 wineries, some fabulous restaurants, and a ton of peace and quiet. it was ideal for a childless getaway for 2 adults who need some quiet time, a few long bike rides, countless beautiful vistas, refreshing swims in a beautiful clear blue lake, and a little bit of wine. we never started the car, we never turned on a tv, we forgot about our jobs. heaven.

our first ride took us out to the tip of the peninsula, where we saw an original settler's cabin, the lighthouse, and the weirdest lake-moonscape of large rocks and cairns for over 500 feet out in the shallow wading water. obviously, we waded out and built some cairns, too.

out in the water, in front of the lighthouse, and happy as clams.

later, we biked up what felt like a million mountains to get to a few picturesque tasting rooms and drank surprisingly good wine. 

the ride back down the hills, through the vineyards, after a few sips of wine, were pretty awesome.

the next morning, we discovered the dock at our bed and breakfast . it was hard to tear ourselves away from the serenity that this dock offered.

but we did! after a run through the woods, a big pancake breakfast, and swim in the lake, we were back on the bikes. 

a hilltop vista of the lake, a vineyard, and a winery. 

cherries! cherries! miles and miles of cherry trees!

and when it was all done, back to this. 

and then, of course, back to THIS.

(this is actually from the night before we left for vacation, photo credit: matt fortney. the caption should read: the staple family celebrates a birthday at concerts on the square, and is also the loudest and most insane family at concerts on the square).

(also, thank you THANK YOU THANK YOU to the world's best nana and papa and aunt libby for providing what sounds like the most amazing experience at nana camp. those buggers were in heaven. thank you.)

if the start of my 35th year indicates how the year will go, i think i'm in for a good one. like, maybe the best one ever?

i really dig being in my 30s.