Author: marniesteve

Michigan Summer with Poppy, Family, & Friends

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We’ve neglected our regular blog posts in favor of enjoying the summer here in Northern Michigan. Between our new puppy Poppy and a slew of visiting family and friends, it’s been a busy few months. Now that we are on the back side of Labor Day and beginning preparations for fall travels, we thought it was about time to provide an update on our summer fun.

Poppy
When we last posted we had just returned from a two-week exploration of Italian highlights with our niece Brynn. Within 24 hours of arriving to the USA, we picked up our new 10-week old baby Poppy.

A smiling couple holds a small toy poodle puppy in a cozy indoor setting.
Picking up the new baby
A close-up of a small toy poodle puppy with curly fur, being held in a person's hands. The puppy has big, dark eyes and a playful expression.
Sweet face

She is a sweet toy poodle that is ALL puppy. Much of our summer revolved around introducing her to new toys, places, friends, and adventures. You can see from the photos how much she changed just over a few months.

A playful toy poodle puppy named Poppy lounging on a sofa with a blue blanket.
Happy girl
A toy poodle puppy sitting on a rug, looking out of a doorway, with a blue toy and a rock nearby.
Watching the world
A fluffy toy poodle puppy sitting next to a small white poodle on a couch, with greenery in the background.
With brother Bob
A woman sitting on a chair outside, holding a small toy poodle puppy in her arms, smiling at the camera.
First haircut
A toy poodle puppy named Poppy lounging in a lavender field with purple flowers in the background.
Sunning at the Secret Garden
A woman sitting at a restaurant, happily holding her toy poodle puppy, both enjoying their time together.
First brewery visit
A small toy poodle puppy with a curly coat, lying on light-colored flooring, wearing a blue harness.
Growing up

Family visits
This summer we were lucky to receive numerous visitors to our lovely, adopted city of Traverse City, Michigan. First to visit was Steve’s brother Brian and his entire family (plus partners) plus Steve’s parents, Judy and Larry. In total there were 14 of us together for the 4th of July week.

A young couple sitting by a campfire in a forested area, one wearing a black shirt and the other in a brown hoodie, with colorful adirondack chairs in the background.
Elise & Jarrot
A man and a teenager sitting on a couch with two small dogs, one of which is being held by the man. The couch is covered with an orange blanket, and there are soft drinks on a nearby table.
Steve & Nate
A group of four people sitting on a deck in front of a house, enjoying a summer day. One person holds a puppy, while others relax on chairs and chat.
With Judy and Larry
Two men standing side by side in a living room, both wearing matching shirts featuring an American flag. One man is wearing a white bucket hat and camouflage shorts, while the other is wearing a grey cap and light-colored shorts.
Brian & Steve
A family photo celebrating togetherness and patriotism, featuring adults and children dressed in red, white, and blue, with some wearing hats and holding a small dog.
Brian’s clan: Lydia, Hannah, Chanel,Nate, Heidi, Brian, Elise, and Zach with Larry, Charlie & Judy
A family photo with four members posing outdoors on a wooden deck, wearing red shirts with patriotic themes and holding small American flags, accompanied by a toy poodle in the man's arms and a small dog on the woman's lap.
Happy 4th!
A family gathered together outdoors, wearing matching patriotic clothing with American flag designs, smiling and posing with two small dogs.
With the Green 5 Grandkids
An elderly woman with gray hair and glasses, wearing a red shirt with an American flag, stands next to a teenage girl in a blue shirt with 'USA' printed on it. The girl is wearing a red hat with white stars and is holding a small dog. They are outdoors, smiling, with trees in the background.
Lydia and Grandma
A woman and a man sitting together, smiling, against a wooden wall. The woman wears a shirt with an American flag design, while the man wears a cap and a dark shirt.
Brian & Heidi
A large family gathering celebrating the 4th of July, with individuals holding small American flags and smiling, surrounded by a rustic wooden structure.
The whole gang

Our time with Brian’s clan included the usual excursions like golf, lighthouses, farm markets, dune climbing, and wine tasting.

A selfie of two men in a golf cart, smiling. One man is wearing glasses and a gray cap, while the other has a short beard and is wearing sunglasses and a patterned shirt.
Larry & Brian on the course
Four men standing together on a golf course near a commemorative stone plaque, with a pond and trees in the background.
Brian, Larry, Nate & Jarrot
A woman standing in shallow water at the beach, smiling while holding a pair of black shoes and a tote bag.
Judy on the beach
Two people, a man and a woman, holding baskets of strawberries at a farm store with fresh produce visible in the background.
Steve & Judy at the farm market
Three young women posing together on a rock in shallow water, wearing swimsuits, with a cloudy sky in the background.
Green girls: Hannah, Lydia & Elise
A group of five young adults enjoying a sunny day in a grassy area, sitting on chairs. One person is holding a bag of donuts while others are relaxed and smiling.
At Shady Lane with John, Hannah, Gibson, Zach, & Jarrot
Group of friends and family sitting outdoors at a vineyard, raising glasses in a toast, with green trees and a rustic building in the background.
Drinking with Grandma
A group of four people enjoying drinks outdoors, with a mix of glasses on a table in front of them. They are seated on chairs in a grassy area, with trees and a building in the background.
Toasting her 80th
Group of friends and family enjoying drinks outdoors at a vineyard in Northern Michigan.
The wine tasters at Shady Lane
Two young women relaxing together in a hammock, smiling happily. One wears sunglasses and a crocheted top, while the other is dressed in a white halter top.
Elise & Hannah
Three young adults pose together outdoors against a blue sky with clouds. They are dressed in casual summer outfits and smiling, with a lush green field in the background.
The big ‘uns: Hannah, Zach & Elise
A person performing a handstand on a sandy surface with a scenic view of trees and blue sky in the background.
Lydia conquering the dunes
Two individuals stand on a sandy dune with steep slopes in the background, under a clear blue sky.
Lydia & Jarrot at the bottom of the dune climb (not pictured: Steve)

It was fun to have everyone together, especially since we got to celebrate Judy’s 80th birthday!

Three women sitting at a table in a restaurant, each holding a drink and smiling at the camera. The interior features wooden accents and stone walls.
Toasting Judy: Elise, Lydia & me
A group of people enjoying a meal together at a restaurant, sitting around a wooden table with drinks and menus.
The birthday celebration
A woman sitting on a couch, holding a drink, surrounded by two young men who are also toasting with their drinks in a cozy living room setting.
Zach & Gibson having mimosas with Grandma

On the heels of Brian’s visit we welcomed my sister Mickie and my niece Lauren and her “boyfriend” Caleb. Together we hit many of the same spots (dunes, wine, shopping). It was a fun, busy few days.

Three people posing in front of a colorful mural in Traverse City, Michigan, showcasing the city's name and cherry imagery.
Welcome to TC!
Three women sitting on a bench in front of a colorful mural that says 'Greetings from Traverse City.' The mural features vibrant colors and cherry motifs, representing the local culture.
The blondes: Lauren, me, & Mickie
A woman playfully poses with a vintage cartoon character statue while holding a piece of candy, showcasing a fun moment in a colorful store.
Mandatory stop at Rocket Fizz
A couple stands together in a lavender field, smiling and embracing each other, surrounded by blooming lavender plants.
Lauren & Caleb at the Secret Garden
Three women smiling together in a lavender field, with purple lavender plants stretching behind them under a blue sky.
Me, Lauren & Mickie at the Secret Garden
A couple kissing inside a photo frame that reads '45th Parallel Old Mission Peninsula Michigan' against a backdrop of a beach and water.
Old Mission Lighthouse
A young couple posing together in front of a vineyard sign, with a scenic landscape of vineyards and rolling hills in the background.
Mandatory stop at Chantal
A group of three people sitting at a wooden table on a sunny day, enjoying drinks at a winery. The background features trees and a building.
Wine on the deck
Two women smiling for a selfie outdoors, wearing sunglasses. They are seated on a patio with grass and trees in the background.
Lauren & Mickie
Two women enjoy wine tasting at a vineyard, holding a sign that reads 'Wine + Gossip are best with you'. The background features a chalkboard with wine-related text.
Me & Lauren at Peninsula Cellars
A young couple enjoying ice cream together at an outdoor setting, smiling and posing for the photo.
Mandatory stop at Moomers
A couple standing on a sandy dune on a sunny day, with a slope leading up behind them where people are climbing.
Bottom of the dune climb with Lauren & Caleb (Steve not pictured)
Three women smiling and enjoying a sunny day on a boat, with a lake in the background.
Sailing Lake Charlevoix
Three individuals smiling together on a boat, enjoying a sunny day by the water.
Caleb, Lauren & Mickie sailing into Lake Michigan

What we didn’t know was that Lauren and Caleb had a secret. A few weeks after returning home to AZ, they surprised us all and got married! So, unbeknownst to us, we kinda celebrated their honeymoon here in Traverse City! Congrats kids!

A couple smiling and embracing each other in a sunlit outdoor setting, captured in black and white.
Congratulations to the newlyweds!

Next to swing through town was Steve’s brother Gary and his two kids Brynn and Hudson. We were sorry sister-in-law Kristy couldn’t make it to share in the fun. The group went fishing one morning and caught a bunch of lake trout and Brynn and I spent another day shopping in downtown Traverse City. The kids also did the dune climb with Steve, which was his third time in three weeks.

A group of four people, two adults and two children, posing together outdoors with trees and parked vehicles in the background.
Brynn, Gary, Hudson & Steve
Two men sitting on a fishing boat with fishing rods in the background, enjoying a sunny day on the water.
The fishermen: Steve & Gary (not pictured: Hudson & Brynn)
Two men posing together inside a decorative frame that reads '45th Parallel Old Mission Peninsula Michigan' with a beach and water in the background.
Gary & Hudson
A young woman holding a small brown puppy, posing in front of a sign reading '45th Parallel, Old Mission Peninsula' with a scenic view of the lake in the background.
Brynn & Poppy
Three people stand in front of a sign for Chateau Chantal winery, surrounded by colorful flowers on a sunny day.
Mandatory stop at Chantal
A man and a boy grilling fish outdoors next to a camper, with a lush green background.
Hudson & Steve cooking up their catch of lake trout
Two young people smiling and standing together on a beach covered with pebbles, with a scenic view of the water and shoreline in the background.
Brynn & Hudson at the bottom of the dune climb (not pictured: Steve)
A family poses together in a wooden photo frame at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, with two small dogs in their arms and a scenic view in the background.
Exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

We had a quick visit from my cousin Red and Judy. He was in town to watch his granddaughter McKenna compete at Flintfields, the world-class equestrian center that’s right next to our resort. We didn’t get photos of the group but McKenna was a big winner, which was fun to see.

A young equestrian stands between two horses, proudly displaying ribbons on their halters after a competition.

Mitch made his second visit to Traverse City in early August and stayed with us for a week. We kept busy with visits to farmers markets, a distillery, wineries, and a day on a pontoon in Torch Lake with our neighbors Norb and Linda. Mitch got to know the neighbors and a good time was had by all!

A group of six friends sitting together under a covered porch, enjoying drinks and snacks, with a recreational vehicle parked in the background.
Happy hour with neighbors
A selfie of three people smiling at a market, with food stalls and tents in the background.
Interlochen Farmers Market
A group selfie inside a distillery or brewery, with three individuals holding drinks and smiling. Wooden barrels stacked in the background create a rustic atmosphere.
Iron Fish Distillery tour
A group of five people enjoying a day on a pontoon boat in a serene setting with green foliage in the background.
Exploring the Chain of Lakes
A group of five people enjoying a day on a boat in a scenic lake, with trees and hills visible in the background.
Mitch, me, Linda, Norb & Steve
Two people standing in shallow water at a lake, enjoying summer drinks. A boat is anchored nearby with more people in the background.
Mitch & Linda at the Torch Lake sandbar

Mitch was also helpful around the house, helping Steve with the installation of new furniture and a few other projects.

For the fourth summer our dear friends Dave and Peggy Armstrong joined us as part of their summer vacation. We were excited to show them a few of our favorite parts of Traverse city. The guys caught lake Michigan salmon, Peggy and I hiked, and of course we visited the wineries with Kunio and Michelle.

A man on a boat holding a large fish, with a cloudy sky and water in the background.
Early rising fisherman
A smiling man holding a freshly caught fish while standing on a fishing boat. The water is calm and the sky is overcast.
The big catch! Lake Michigan salmon
Two women smiling for a selfie on a wooded trail surrounded by greenery.
Hiking at Grass River
A smiling couple seated at an outdoor table in front of a winery, surrounded by green vines and greenery.
Wine at Left Foot Charlie’s
A group of six friends posing for a selfie in a vineyard, smiling and enjoying a sunny day with fields of grapevines in the background.
Kunio, Michelle, Peggy, Dave, Steve & me at Brys Estate
A group of four people enjoying drinks at a table outdoors, surrounded by umbrellas and a coastal setting.
Chocolate and Cheese wine tasting at Brys Estate
A couple stands smiling in front of the Chateau Chantal vineyard sign, with lush green vineyards and a clear blue sky in the background.
Mandatory stop at Chateau Chantal for wine

Our summer was also dotted with fun social events here at the Traverse Bay RV Resort including a fun progressive dinner and numerous happy hours. We also made two trips to Shipshewana, IN. Once to have a new refrigerator installed and once for the National Grand Design Rally where we had additional repairs made to our home on wheels.

A smiling man in a floral shirt cooking on a grill outdoors, surrounded by colorful platters of food, including snacks and fresh fruit. In the background, an RV is parked.
Grilling pineapple for the progressive dinner
Three adults enjoying drinks while chatting in front of a recreational vehicle, with one person seated and two standing.
Progressive dinner cocktails with Steve McKelvy
A smiling woman wearing a blue apron and a colorful floral dress stands at the doorway of a home, holding a container in her right hand, with a table set outside adorned with a colorful flower lei and a bottle.
Working the progressive dinner
Two men holding drinks while standing on a patio, with a small dog at their feet.
Paul & Steve celebrating their work at the progressive dinner
A woman sitting on a couch holding a colorful drink in a festive glass, wearing sunglasses, a yellow top, and floral shorts, with a person beside her.
Happy hour with Mary
A man sitting in a camping chair outside a trailer, waving and smiling, with a book and a cup on the ground beside him.
Hanging out at the National Grand Design Rally in Goshen, IN
A man wearing a colorful apron stands in a kitchen, holding a drink while preparing a pancake on a griddle.
Making his last pancake of the season

The summer fun is not quite over, but we are winding down and getting ready to head east for the fall marathon season. More blog posts are forthcoming, so please stay tuned!

Brynn’s Italy – Part Three

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Two weeks in Italy is a whirlwind! We had an amazing time with our niece Brynn, and the last few days were just as packed as the first.

Colosseum
Enjoying Rome

After leaving Amalfi, we spent our last three days in Rome. Our main goals were the Vatican and the Colosseum. Both are super popular, so we booked guided tours.

Colosseum
Sistine Chapel

First up, we visited the Vatican Museums. Our guide explained the sculptures by Michelangelo and the huge paintings by Rafaello. The three-hour tour ended with the Sistine Chapel. By then, we were exhausted, but we still loved the incredible work Michelangelo did on the ceiling and thought it was cool to be standing where popes are chosen during the conclave.

Vatican Museum
Inside the Vatican Museum
School of Athens

After lunch and some shopping, we joined our private guide Tatiana for a tour of St. Peter’s Basilica. We started in St. Peter’s Square and learned about the pope’s regular visits and the history of the huge complex we’ve seen on TV.

Since we were in Rome during a Jubilee year (a once-every-25-years celebration), there was a lot going on. The Jubilee also provided us with the rare opportunity to walk through the Basilica’s Holy Doors.

Holy Doors
Holy Doors only open during Jubilee
Basilica altar
St Peter’s Dome
The faithful

Inside the basilica, we were amazed by how big it is and all the art and treasures. Michelangelo’s Pietá, carved in polished Carrara marble, is truly stunning.

Pietà

While we were in the basilica, we saw a procession of pilgrims and a mass led by red-robed cardinals. Some of the side chapels were also being used for services.

On our second full day in Rome, we explored the legendary Colosseum. Our amazing guide Paolo brought the ancient arena to life by telling us what a day would have been like for ancient Romans who came to watch the show.

Learning to fight like a Gladiator
Brynn won the fight
View of the lower levels
Resting on ancient marble columns

After exploring the Colosseum from all sides, we went to see the Roman Forum, the ancient city that includes the tomb of Julius Caesar. 

Palestine Hill
Site of Caesar’s cremation
Roman Forum
Walking through the Forum
Arch of Titus

The remainder of our time in Rome was spent shopping the cute shops around our hotel in the Monti neighborhood and eating one more plate of pasta, one more gelato, and one more look at the incredible Colosseum.

Colosseum at night
One last plate of pasta

As our Italian adventure came to an end, we were grateful for the opportunity to share the beauty and value of travel with Brynn. 

Brynn’s Italy – Part Two

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Our second week in Italy was as busy as the first. If you missed part one of this three-part blog, you can catch up here. Last week we arrived in Rome and explored Cinque Terre and Florence. In our second week we checked out the beautiful Amalfi coast and key sites in Rome.

Cooking at Amalfi Heavens Gardens
Positano

Because we covered so much ground, this post will summarize the first half of week two and we’ll finish up the trip summary with a part three. 

We took the train from Florence to Salerno, which is the town on the southern end of the Amalfi Coast.

Train travel is fun!

At first we weren’t sure Salerno was a good choice as it’s not actually on the Amalfi Coast. However, our travel agent’s recommendation was spot on, as being based in Salerno made it easy to explore the coast as well as Pompeii, yet rest in a less touristic city.

Salerno waterfront

On our first day we took a day-long boat tour of the coast that included stops in Positano and Amalfi, along with three swimming breaks, lunch, prosecco, and lemoncello.

Prosecco to start the cruise
Spectacular Amalfi coastline

On a beautifully sunny day we cruised the colorful coast, admiring the famed lemon groves and hillside towns. Stopping to swim in the turquoise water of the Mediterranean was also a highlight.

Thinking about jumping in
She jumped!
Swimming in the Mediterranean Sea
Fiordo di Furore

We found the towns of Amalfi and Positano to be overly crowded with tourists. While the towns are spectacular, we were happy to return to quiet Salerno in the evening. 

Lemon gelato in an Amalfi lemon
Strolling Amalfi Town
Positano beach
A welcoming place!
In crowded Positano

Another highlight of our time in the Amalfi area was a half-day cooking class at Amalfi Heaven Gardens. This top-rated experience lived up to the hype.

Touring the gardens
Ready to cook
But first, wine!
Expert chef

We toured the terraced gardens and picked vegetables for our meal. Then, we worked with the chef to prepare an elaborate meal of fresh salads and appetizers, including stuffed zucchini flowers and eggplant bruschetta. 

Steve is supervising
Filling zucchini blossoms
Our creations

The main course featured gnocchi which we made by hand. Brynn got to smash the potatoes, and we all got to roll the small potato balls into the traditional shape. 

Gnocchi masterpiece

Our meal, which was prepared in an idyllic setting overlooking the Amalfi coast, finished with homemade lemoncello and cream puffs. 

Lemoncello
Cream puffs

The staff was entertaining and the day just flew by.

On our final day in Salerno we navigated the train system to reach the ruins of Pompeii. On my birthday, we were guided through the vast complex by our incredible guide Rafaela, who is an expert archeologist at the site.

Rafaela was incredible!
Ancient fast food restaurant
Preserved paintings in a large home
Incredible art, preserved by ash

She was able to show us the most important features of this lost city. We saw the extensive homes, public baths, and key temples of this early Roman city, frozen in time. It was a great way to finish our time in the area while checking one more thing from my bucket list. 

Exploring the Forum
Plaster forms of victims
Brynn & Steve at Pompeii
Plaster form of preserved dog

Our time on Amalfi coast was punctuated by daily stops at the local gelateria where Brynn always got lemon. We spent our evenings the way locals do, strolling the waterfront and watching the sunset. The Amalfi coast is as magical as they say. 

Exploring Salerno’s narrow streets
Salerno waterfront
One more lemon gelato

And our story is not over yet. In the next post we’ll give you a report on our time exploring Vatican City and ancient sites in Rome, including the Colosseum.