Stefani's Parents August 2011 Visit

Stefani's parents came for a visit/vacation. We were quite the Michigan explorers while they were here. 

The Monday of their visit everyone minus Joshua headed to Petoskey. We ate lunch at Grand Traverse Pie Company, picked up some wine at the Mackinaw Trail Winery store, bought T-shirts at the Life is Good store, and hung out at Bayfront Park. Joshua was then able to meet up with us and we headed to the Wineries of Old Mission Peninsula. We had tastings at Peninsula Cellars and Chateau Grand Traverse. The tastings were free and the wine was quite good. When we were finished tasting we had dinner at our favorite Traverse City restaurant, Mackinaw Brewing Company. On the way back to Onaway we found the Largest Cherry Pie Plate in World.

Tasting wine at the Peninsula Cellars.

The crazy yummy apple wine we bought. 

The gorgeous view of the vineyard at Chateau Grand Traverse. 

This is in the book Weird Michigan. We had to find it!


Tuesday we headed to the Upper Peninsula (the U.P.) of Michigan. It was Stefani's parents first time crossing the Mackinac Bridge and going to the U.P.. We went to the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. The boat tour of the locks was at the top of our "to do" list. When we finished will the tour we ate at Antlers. Antlers has gotten recommendations from people we know and various books. The food was quite good and the atmosphere was fun. 

We are on a boat!


Wednesday we headed back to the U.P.. We went to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise, MI. The museum was pretty interesting. The Great Lakes has a long shipping history and with that comes some crazy wrecks. While we were there we had the opportunity to stick our toes in Lake Superior. Stefani has a life goal of dipping her toes in each of the five Great Lakes. So far she is three for five. We also had pastys in the U.P.. They are the insides of a pot pie with the outside of a calzone. (Click on the word "pastys" to find out more information.) After we explored the shipwreck museum we headed to Tahquamenon Falls. Seeing the falls has been something we have wanted to do for a while. We were happy to get the chance. 

Stefani's feet in Lake Superior.

Joshua's feet in Lake Superior.

The lighthouse at the shipwreck museum complex.

 Stefani eating her first pasty.

Joshua eating his first pasty.

Stefani's parents, Kelly and Ted, with Lake Superior in the background. It was super windy that day.

Stefani and Joshua with Lake Superior in the background. 

Tahquamenon Falls, these are the upper falls. Simply beautiful!

It was great visit. We really enjoyed the down time and getting to explore more of Michigan. Thanks Mom/Kelly and Dad/Ted!


God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani

Circuit Meeting and Soo Locks

There was a circuit meeting in Kinross, which is about 15 minutes from the Soo Locks in Sault Ste. Marie. Stefani decided to join Joshua at the circuit meeting and then go check out the Locks. The weather was gorgeous up until the end of our time at the Locks. We saw two boats go through. One was one of the tour boats.

 Being Welcomed. Although, if we went under the sign we would be on our way to Canada.

The Locks from one end to the other.


The next pictures show a tour boat that goes through the locks. Watch as the boat rises....

Bye tourists!

Next time we go we will be on a tour boat. 


God's Blessings,


Joshua and Stefani

North and East Pastors' Conference 2011

Joshua and Stefani took a "working vacation" to go to a conference on Drummond Island. It was Stefani's first time to cross the Mackinac Bridge and be in the Upper Peninsula. These conferences are a great time to learn and catch up with other Pastors and their wives.

The bridge up close and personal.

The view of Mackinac Island from the Bridge.

Bye Bye Lower Peninsula.

Thanks for the welcome!

Waiting for the car ferry to take us to Drummond Island.

Welcome to Drummond Island!

Welcome Michigan District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

The cabin we stayed in.

The sunset on our last night there.


If you enjoy the wilderness and can stand not having internet or cell service for extended periods of time then we would definitely recommend Drummond Island.

God's Blessings,

Joshua and Stefani