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The Wonder Luster

For Those Of Us Whose Dreams Won't Die Between 17 and 65.

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

Winter Wanderings: Travel To Traverse City Michigan

Travel | February 26, 2015

Have you ever been to Traverse City, MI? If not, you should check it out! I really enjoyed my winter wanderings there, and share some highlights of my trip.

Winter sucks, everyone hates it, which is exactly why it’s the perfect time to bust out of your cave and go exploring.  As much as I love an excuse to binge on Netflix when the weather is nasty, I had a case of wanderlust this winter and was dreading being trapped inside all season long.  A friend mentioned that I should take a trip to Traverse City, Michigan and when I learned that the city is still in full swing all year long and there were a plethora of fun wineries to visit, I was booking travel a few minutes later.

I got to stay at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa (see my review) which is a 4 seasons resort and caters to a variety of crowds.  The photo above is the view from our room. I can only imagine how gorgeous it is in summer and fall!

Over the weekend, I toured the peninsulas of the area, stopping by a historic lighthouse, hopping from wineries to Jolly Pumpkin Brewery and then back to the resort for some much needed TLC spa time and of course, a wee bit more of Michigan’s fabulous wines.

Being from the wine country of California, Grand Traverse felt like home….albeit a snowier version of the rolling hills of California, and I was very happy that I got to experience such a vibrant part of Michigan in the winter. Truly, it may be chilly, but this city has plenty to do no matter when you visit.

Visiting historic lighthouses in Traverse City MichiganSleigh Rides are an awesome treat for winter fun in Traverse City Michigan

Traverse City lends itself to relaxing wanderings.  While there we stumbled upon the coolest things- sleigh rides, dog sledding, wild game four course dinners, wine tasting and snowshoeing.  Best part of all of this? Most activities happened on, or near a gorgeous winery, which meant you could get some activity in, and still get something nice to sip on afterwards.

While trekking to one of the historic lighthouses to take pictures, we stumbled upon some fun sleigh rides and discovered that Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant & Brewery was a stone’s throw away. I knew there were a ton of wineries in the area, you can easily meander around Traverse City without a set plan and still find dozens of wineries to do tastings, but Jolly Pumpkin was an amazing find.  I’ve enjoyed their beers and had no idea they we here, it was an exciting surprise!

Jolly Pumpkin Tap Room in Michigan

In between wineries, we stumbled upon Jolly Pumpkin and stopped in for a pint.  I met some nice midwest beer aficionados and lusted over the Jolly Pumpkin Mug Club. I wish I was that cool…and I really, like, really, wanted one of those mugs for my own.

Visiting the Jolly Pumpkin in Traverse City Michigan

Friendly faces in Traverse City Michigan

I have no idea if this nice guy knew he’d end up on my blog (but I did ask him for a photo since he embodied the culture here), but this is Tito.  We chatted about breweries in the area, and I am totally sold on coming back in the summer and visiting other breweries in the Grand Rapids and greater Michigan area- he told me that Shorts Brewery is a must.  Noted.

 

Also, there was dog sledding at Bowers Harbor Vineyards. Yes, Dog sledding.

Dog sledding in Traverse City Michigan- a fun winter activity

Bowers Harbor Vineyards was hosting dog sled rides as a fundraiser for a local husky and malmute rescue.  The ladies hosting as passionate about the breeds and were braving the temperatures to give dog sled rides.

For $15, you could sled through the gorgeous hilly landscape of Bowers Harbor Vineyards and take in the sights. Truly, it was an experience worth $30+ so that’s what I donated, the dogs and the volunteers were amazing!

Dog Sledding in Traverse City Michigan. This is a jeep full of huskies

I cannot tell you how many times we stumbled upon cars with huskies inside. It happened several times and it was hilarious.  I had to take pictures- you cannot see that there were 5-6 more dogs in the car, but it was awesome.  It was like a clown car full of huskies….never thought I’d see that!

Dog sledding- a super fun winter activity in Traverse City Michigan. You'll have a blast!

Dogsled rides for charity at Bowers Harbor Vineyards.  Yes, it was as awesome as you’d think!

Bowers Harbor Vineyards Traverse City Michigan Winter 2015

Yes, there were so many wines and ciders to try throughout the day.  Traverse City, Michigan really is a fabulous destination for the thirsty in any season.  Being a California girl, I can tell you that Traverse City gives Napa a run for its money, and best of all, you don’t need to spend nearly as much to have an amazing experience with world class food, memorable experiences and lots to sip on.

After two busy days that passed by wayyyyy too fast, we meandered downtown to explore some of the shops and restaurants.  There are lots of little spots to check out in downtown Traverse City as well, I wish we’d had more time to explore some of the local flair in the downtown area.

Winter Vacation in Traverse City Michigan

Traverse City, Michigan is a colorful and gorgeous part of the country- even in the deep weeks of winter.  Wineries, spas, adventures and good food make this a spot I want to go back to again, there was so much I didn’t get to see!

I am in love with Michigan and really want to explore the areas around Illinois much more. Honestly, if you want to visit gorgeous wine country and can’t swing a ticket out to the west coast, Traverse City has something for everyone and plenty of great wines to try for every taste.

Visiting Traverse City Michigan in Winter- Stop by the many wineries. (This is Bowers Haror Vineyards, we loved it!)

 

Until the next adventure, safe travels!

Winter in Traverse City Michigan - Traveling in winter is awesome!

Have you been to Traverse City? Where should I head next?

Life is wondrous! Feed your lust for life with the tools & inspiration to help make it a great one.

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Some people just make the world a more vibrant pla Some people just make the world a more vibrant place, simply by being in it.  I can say that about these people- who make life more colorful, brighter and true just by being themselves. 

Grateful we could slow down to capture a little snippet in time for our family before we grow again. ❤️
IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelb IYKYK, bath time edition. 🛁. #bathtime #travelblogger #travel #familytravel #travellust
3 years since this photo was taken and my former k 3 years since this photo was taken and my former kidney became this guy's kidney. ❤️

I can say, I've grown to appreciate this moment a lot more as time has gone on.  It hasn't been an easy road for my recipient, he and his family have had a few health scares and ups and down, but I'm so grateful we are in each other's lives.

Chances are, you may know of someone in need of a kidney. 1 in 3 adults in the U.S., over 80 million people, are at risk for kidney disease.  While not every diagnosis leads to kidney failure, there are millions of people in this scary limbo hoping for good news.

I didn't know my recipient before this process started, but when I found I could live healthfully with one, I knew I had to try.  Donation is low-risk, my costs were generously covered by my recipient (both through insurance and the kindness of others) and I was back at work in 4 weeks.  Needless to say, it was easier than birthing a baby.

Candidates for kidney donation are thoroughly vetted to ensure the surgery, and life with one kidney are a good fit.  Trust me, your team will not ask you to donate if you have any risk factor of being in need of a transplant yourself down the road.  Testing took months and was incredibly thorough.  Your remaining kidney can do the job of two, and my kidney levels are normal and healthy 3 years later.

Even if you don't personally know someone who needs a kidney, please consider living kidney donation.  You can anonymously donate, be paired through a registry or find someone on social media who is in need, like I did.  There are literally thousands of people using Instagram and Facebook to try and someone who is even willing to get the basic tests.  You could be their person.  Have questions? I’m here for you! 

Being a living kidney donor absolutely enriched my life beyond imagination and has blessed my little family with a beautiful extended family to celebrate with.  Grateful for this day.
Life’s moments are made better with our pets. ❤️

Joey had been with us for nearly 4 years, made possible by the kind folks of South Texas Boston Terrier Rescue. I picked him up, intending on fostering him for a few weeks and ended up falling in love with his sweet spirit, exuberance for anything food related and his lovable derpiness.

Previously, he was kept in a small cage with two other terriers, all day every day and used as a stud. When he was no longer profitable, he, like plenty of others, was surrendered to rescue.  He was blind in one eye, needed teeth extracted and had skin lesions from life in a cage. 

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Adopt, don’t shop.  Support your local rescues and give your fur kids an extra squeeze for Joey tonight.
“Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked “Is this enough for you?” My husband has asked me this before. To which, I answer- life is full, wonderful, and I am grateful. 

I believe he asks because before kids, I had a very different lifestyle. I traveled to Europe by myself, started businesses, donated a kidney, ran half marathons, got my master’s degree.  I lived a full life, then too. I was fiercely independent because I had to be.

I’m still that person, but fortunately I have more people to share it with. I also have to be more vulnerable than ever.

I had years to find myself and don’t plan on losing that woman I forged. Being a mom has also helped me heal some of the hard parts of the experience I had with my own mom. (I didn’t see that last part coming.)

Being a mom can make you lose yourself.  For me, it’s helped me discover myself once more. Grateful for this day and so many days - I’m just happy to be here. 

Happy Mother’s Day everyone. I hope you discover yourself, heal what you need and feel the love today and everyday.

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