After twenty-four-plus hours and 1,143 miles, we finally arrived at our destination. I love a good road trip, so I enjoyed the butt-numbing drive. Butters and Austin didn’t mind either. They were cuddled up sleeping in the back seat without a care. But once those car doors opened, they were out and about, ready for adventure.

As you can see, Butters immediately took to the lake life and loved puttering around on the pontoon. We tried getting Austin on the pontoon, but shockingly, as a cat, he didn’t take to being surrounded by water all too well lol.

Butter’s mind expanded when he found out what fish are and that they live under the water. He became our fishing assistant by countlessly scanning the water for bass.

Summer’s in Michigan are filled with luscious gardens, thick corn fields, plush grass, cool breezes, and stunning sunsets. It was so refreshing to see greenery everywhere you look. It was also a treat for the pets getting to spend all day outside without risking a heat stroke.

Our first adventure of the trip took us into the city. We visited the Grand Rapids Public Museum where I learned all about the land of corn, cars, and chlorastrolite (the state gem). I got to ride a 100-year-old carousel. I was noticeably the oldest person riding but I didn’t care because being a kid is good for the soul.

We visited Joe’s friends and family here and there throughout the trip and I got to see what realistically living in Michigan would look like. Not bad at all my friends. Affordable living, light traffic, endless parks and trails, and just decent down-to-earth people. To my preference, it was a much-needed retreat from the hustle and bustle in Austin.

To my surprise, I played golf for the first time in over a decade and actually enjoyed it. Joe’s family can vouch for me when I say I performed pretty great for not ever playing before.

In the second week, we visited the famous Mackinac Island. It was so incredible it deserves its own blog post so stay tuned for that.

We spent a day in Grand Haven on Lake Michigan. When I say lake, I really mean beach. Huge sandy beaches, waves, and a horizon that looks as if you are looking out into the ocean. This place was so cute. I am talking about the best place to settle down in your cute little beach homes, sand castle contests, sailboats, ice cream on every corner, and strollers filled with little kids and puppies.

We spent most evenings watching the sunset from the pontoon, playing lots of card games, and eating. A lot. But in honor of our last night, we spent it around a campfire watching the meteor shower. The stars. Just wow.