photo by Halley
This summer, Micah and I plan on visiting his maternal grandfather and step-grandmother up in Michigan. It’s pretty far up, the top of the southern, State-side peninsula. (Random question: why doesn’t Canada take the northern half? It makes sense.)
That’ll be a long drive from DC, but we’re going to meet up with my brother-in-law and sister-in-law in Delaware (or maybe they should come here), along with my other sister-in-law (so basically Micah’s brother and sister and his brother’s wife) and do some 2-car carpool thing, I think, because we all have small cars. It’s still being worked out.
Today we got a lovely e-mail from the grandparents saying “By the way, we’ll send you money for gas!” What a generous gift! I had been looking forward to this trip because I’ve seen gorgeous pictures of the house and I love hanging out with my in-laws. I don’t know the grandparents too well yet, but they seem fun.
I’ve also been dreading the trip a bit. I’m not much for vacations (more on this next week) and the thought of getting off work at both my jobs combined with the added expenses of traveling was stressful. I didn’t want to think about it and tried to push it from my mind.
But a simple offer, one less thing to worry about (especially given the way gas prices keep rising, making it hard to budget…will they be at $4 or $3.50 or $6 by August?) makes everything so much better. I think this will probably the 2nd most beautiful place I’ve visited.
And one thing I know about vacations is that I prefer to stay with family. And without a lot of touring. So bring it on!
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I think gas prices are going to come down. I predict less than $3.25 in August. Mark it down. 🙂
I jokingly tell friends and family that they if they MUST buy me a gift, a gas card would be fine.
I doubt they think I’m serious, but honestly, I think useful gifts like that are the best.
Probably because Ontario is big enough already. I mean, it already takes 24 hours just to drive to Manitoba…
They offered to pay for gas?!?!? Oh, they are truly the most wonderful grandparents in the world. I simply cannot wait. We will call you this weekend to chat about visiting you all soon and perhaps we can figure out plans for the Michigan trip as well.
Oh, and I was thinking: either we could consider renting a larger car to drive (I may have a discount with Budget after the moving van rental last summer), or perhaps we could see if we could swap out one of ours for the MIL’s car, so we could just drive one car all together. We could save money right there if we only had one gas tank to fill up.
I like useful gifts like gas cards too, if I had a car
But how sweet of them!
I went home for my Grandma’s birthday in April and they sent me gas money for the trip. I definitely appreciated it, but felt guilty, after all it was here birthday and she was giving ME a gift…
Grandparents are fun – enjoy your trip.
Another random question: Why doesn’t the part of the UP (Upper Peninsula) over Wisconsin become part of Wisconsin? They’re all Packer fans up there anyway 😉
Northern Michigan is beautiful in the summertime!! Enjoy your trip! 🙂
Take it from a native, Canada wouldn’t stand a chance. The populace of the Upper Peninsula is more heavily armed then the entire Canadian Army. As the home base of the Michigan Militia, I doubt the American army would find the Upper Peninsula easy to take over.
I think I ran across that tangentally in another book (namely the Michigan Militia), but it didn’t really stick.
Mrs. M, you and Micah, Mrs. Nathan, and Nathan should all swing through our town on your way home. We’d love to see you guys!! Really, think about it. 🙂 And you’d get to see the fwuffy!! 😀
ps – I think Tim’s only bitter about Yuppers (this word comes from “UP”) because an ex-girlfriend was one! 😉 Seriously, though, see if you’ll can fit us into your plans. 😀
Northern Michigan is beautiful; I think you’ll be glad you made the trip.
Hello,
I live in Michigan — although a lot farther south than where you are headed. Our state is so beautiul — you will be amazed! If there is anyway you can take a day trip to Mackinaw island– it’s a sight to see.
Hunting is a very popular activity in our state and the previous commentor is probably correct — the UP is better armed. Unfortunatley the UP (and most parts of northern Michigan) have very little in the way of jobs so many residents hunt to put something on the table.
Take Care and enjoy your trip,
Trixie
Sounds like fun! I’ve been dying to go to Isle Royale!
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