Friday, September 30, 2011

Traverse City

Photobucket

It is time to share with you, my friends, my adventures in Traverse City, the Cherry Capital. Last year when we visited we arrived late and didn't have time to really look at much other than that pesky muskrat.

This year I was able to see a bit more of the city, which was very pleasing to me.

We started off at Right Brain Brewery, since we had just left the Jolly Pumpkin and took that scary dirt road to Traverse City.

Photobucket

I was really digging the ambiance of this place.

They had an awesome wall full of hand painted beer mugs...

Photobucket

these mugs must be for regular patrons

Photobucket

...a quirky flying buffalo sculpture...

Photobucket

...different colored walls with amazing artfully displayed designs...

Photobucket

...unique pictures...

Photobucket

...it was nice to sit on a comfy couch like a bar fly and take it all in.

Photobucket

After a few tasty brews, we walked around town. We went back to the muskrat bridge, but luckily there were no woodland creatures around.

Photobucket

Photobucket


Continuing on our walking tour I basked in the glow of some gorgeous buildings...

Photobucket


Photobucket


..looked at interesting metal "sculptures" in various windows...

Photobucket

Photobucket

I liked the snake made from a bicycle chain


...we also went back to the same hat shop we visited last year...

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

sorry excuse for a penguin hat


Photobucket

this would go great with my 'Up to Snow Good' jammies


...we continued our walking tour, stopping by the Michigan State Asylum Hospital; which, I'm sorry to say, will have to be another post.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

2Lads and a Detour

Photobucket

Of course, we had to visit 2Lads winery on vacation.

Photobucket

Photobucket


You just can’t beat their view...

Photobucket

Photobucket

Photobucket

...which is what keeps drawing us back.

entering2Lads


The interior is just as cool as the building and the view; the man and I like the ambiance.
Photobucket

Photobucket

Check out the bar; those are aluminum shavings. How cool is that?

Photobucket


The wine is pretty good as well. I ordered a flight so I could sample the different varieties.

Photobucket

2Lads

The Cabernet Franc was my favorite, so my lady and I ordered a glass and a cheese plate and went to sit at a table to enjoy our wine and each other.

2ladskiss

Photobucket

look how beautifully arranged the cheese plate is

While sitting at the table enjoying our wine and cheese, we noticed a table ad about a local brewery called the Jolly Pumpkin. Us men are all about various micro brews, so we went to check it out. It was kind of hard to find, hidden among the trees.

Photobucket

jollypumpkin

Unfortunately, it turned out to be a restaurant that served microbrewed beer instead of a brewery, and the place was packed. We didn’t feel like waiting for a table, so we decided to head over to visit Traverse City. This was probably for the best, as I had a bit too much wine at 2Lads.

passedoutjollypmkn


We ended up taking this scary, one lane back rode as a shortcut to Traverse City. I feared we would never reach Traverse City.

Photobucket


But somehow, someway, we did find our way back onto the big highway. We made it to TC just fine. And that my, friends, will be another post for another day.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Runaway Rooster

Photobucket

Once again, we visited Blackstar Farms while up north.

Photobucket



The interior wine tasting bar looked pretty much the same as last year, only it was really crowded. As you can see, the line for tastings was 2-3 people deep.

Photobucket


We just didn’t feel like fighting our way up to the bar for a tasting, especially since the wine there isn’t all that great.

Instead, the man, woman, and I wandered outside.

Photobucket






PhotobucketPhotobucket


blkstrfarms



We slowly made our way down to see the animals.









PhotobucketPhotobucket
geese
sheep











ducksPhotobucket
ducks
duck pool


piggies

piggies

Photobucket

hen house

Photobucket

horse


And, finally, I saved the best for last:

looserooster