Harbor Country, Michigan

We just returned from a restful weekend in Harbor Country, Michigan. Despite predicted reports of violent thunderstorms in the area, we experienced a sunny weekend with the exception of a one-hour downpour. Ironically, Chicago got all the weather that was expected in Michigan, so we left town just in time. This was our first time traveling with a baby, so Saturday morning was managed chaos as it took us five hours to pack, load up the car, feed and change Gavin, and get out the door! Fortunately, he was a superstar babe and slept the entire way to the Michigan border. He probably would have slept all the way to the hotel except I had to stop at the outlet mall on the way. I think he caught my shopping vibe and wanted to experience his first bargains at the Baby Gap and Banana Republic, so he woke up.

So here are my South Michigan travel tips. We stayed at a great 1920's hotel called the Gordon Beach Inn and loved it. It's pretty inexpensive (go before the end of May and the rooms are two nights for the price of one) and is in a wooded area just down the road from a private beach, which is where we took the photos above. It was so pleasant, clean, and uncrowded! We also checked out their sister property, Lakeside Inn, and had a great breakfast there (creme brulee french toast, anyone?). Of course, we hit my favorite restaurant, Tosi's, and tried a new brunch place called Blue Plate Cafe.

It was a great weekend and just what our little family needed since we were all able to sleep as long as we wanted in the mornings...even Gavin! It was wonderful beyond words to have no agenda and just enjoy being together.