I confess to being stuck in scenes from a three-day, mini-vacation my family and I took during the Memorial Day Weekend holiday. It all began …
Saturday, May 26
The beautiful shoreline of Lake Huron beckoned. My family and I loaded the car and escaped Shelby Township. Our destination: Port Austin.
Located at the tip of Michigan’s thumb, Port Austin is one of my favorite destinations. It is quick two-hour drive, offers a number of scenic overnight accommodations, and interests for everyone — including our dog, Buddy. Plus, is holds a bit of nostalgia. Throughout childhood, my dad treated my sister, mom and I to multi-week sailing cruises on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan on his 32-foot Galaxy. A common port-of-call was Port Austin. There we would rest up from a day on the lake, eat Blue Moon ice cream, play on the beach, and run into friends from our neighborhood in Rochester, Mich.
Upon arrival on Saturday afternoon, we treated ourselves to a late lunch at The Bank 1884, which is a registered Michigan and national historic site.
When I woke …
Sunday, May 27
Despite stormy weather for a majority of this day, I was lucky to capture a number of early-morning shots while walking this peaceful beach town with Buddy.
Most were still slumbering away in their motel rooms and cottages when Buddy and I set out. But, there were a few souls about.
I just couldn’t resist. After bringing Buddy back to our kitchenette for a snooze, I needed more. So, I took my steaming cup of hot coffee goodness and meandered along the shore. There, some geese and their goslings enjoyed a morning absent of people. Small-town streets remained vacant, but expectant of many future footprints, motorcycles, bikes and cars.
Later on that morning …
Frothy, violent, majestic water churned as the clock ticked toward noon. Hours prior the peaceful, glass-like waters beckoned. So, suddenly it turns. A brilliant display of Mother Nature and what she decides to unleash on Michiganders — like us 3 hoping to frolic on the sand of the state’s 3,224 miles of shoreline.
Sunday evening …
As storms moved on, suburban escapees — like myself — took time to play and to take in the views.
Monday, May 28
We lucked out. Sunshine and 90-degree temperatures greeted us this morning. So, we spent the morning building sandcastles and hunting for freshwater mollusk shells.
So, this is where my mind has been this week. Issa and Riff are done with school for the summer in just nine days. So, this brief getaway served as a preview for hot fun in the months ahead.
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Kate Parish 
No matter what time of year, or what the weather may be like, Michigan is always beautiful along it’s shoreline. I grew up in the Thumb and my grandparents live in White Rock; a quick hour and half drive from my home. I use to explore the shoreline behind my grandparents’ and neighbors’ homes. Great post and wonderful pictures! Thank you for sharing.
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Thanks for reading Stacy. Each year, my husband and I talk about taking our two on road trips out of state. But, we usually end up making our vacation plans to many of the Michigan places we want our children to treasure with us.
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I agree. My husband and I frequent Ludington State Park, but the family tradition started long ago when my grandparents moved to Michigan from Ohio. They would take their kids on weekend camping trips all over Michigan. Since then, we have enjoyed what we have in this state. Especially so when the budget has been tight these days!
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