Patrick's parents' 2nd home 'Up North' in Grayling, Michigan has a river running through the backyard. And a huge deck and lawn from which you can sit, all day long, and do nothing but watch the river and be perfectly content to do so. If it gets too hot, you can dip your feet in the river or if you are brave, your whole self (but it's pretty cold...). If you are feeling bored, time for a canoe trip or fly fishing on the riverboat. Every night we eat dinner and then watch the sunset over the river from the deck. It's an outdoor summer paradise.
We visit every July during the weekend of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon (it's the AuSable river that runs through the backyard of Patrick's parents home). The race, according to the website, is the longest non-stop professional canoe race and the oldest continual canoe race in the United States. It's starting point is in Grayling, just a quarter mile up from their house so the race goes right through their backyard. It's become a family reunion of sorts and Patrick's parents throw a big party for everyone to watch the start of the race.
Grayling bustles with activity during the race weekend. It's probably the biggest weekend for the town all year - there is a craft fair, a parade, a carnival and a vintage car show to celebrate the race. I've come to love visiting every summer; checking out of the busy craziness of New York City and stepping into a world where there are no pressing obligations, and time moves at the slow pace of the river rolling by. It was so hard to leave last week especially now that Fiona can enjoy the great outdoors more too...
The Bike Shop...love the window boxes!
There are a number of small art gallerys and gift shops in town...
My absolute favorite building in downtown Grayling is the now abandoned Chief Shoppenagons Hotel. Patrick's Dad says that this place used to have a nice restaurant and lounge back in the day...How cool would it be if someone bought it and fixed it up? You wouldn't have to do anything to the facade except spruce it up! It's already got major retro style.
While we were there we also did an overnight canoe camping trip with some of Patrick's friends, leaving Fiona with her Grandparents for the night. It was so nice to be out in the middle of the great outdoors for one of the first times since I became pregnant with Fiona. I miss it. I hope we can get some camping in with Fiona this fall.
Grayling, I miss you!
We visit every July during the weekend of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon (it's the AuSable river that runs through the backyard of Patrick's parents home). The race, according to the website, is the longest non-stop professional canoe race and the oldest continual canoe race in the United States. It's starting point is in Grayling, just a quarter mile up from their house so the race goes right through their backyard. It's become a family reunion of sorts and Patrick's parents throw a big party for everyone to watch the start of the race.
Another great thing about Patrick's parent's home is that it is within easy walking distance to everything in downtown Grayling. The town has a number of cute local shops and restaurants downtown including the Bike Shop,a pizza place, several arts gallerys and gift shops, a beef jerky shop (!), an outdoor clothes store and Thanks a Latte, a coffee shop with internet access. Patrick's parents don't have internet at their home and there wasn't any 3G network for our iPhones, so if we wanted internet we had to walk to the coffee shop. It was actually really nice to disconnect!
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The old single screen movie theater downtown still shows films. So cool.
Dawson & Stevens Classic 50s Diner - one of the local restaurants downtown.
The famous Goodale's Bakery makes the best donuts I've tasted pretty much anywhere. They have other fabulous baked goods too and a deli counter. When we are in town we walk here everyday to get fresh donuts for breakfast, (or lunch or dinner...).
Patrick, my canoe master.
Gotta love this TROUT graffiti.
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