Traverse Bay RV Resort

A Daisy of a Summer

/ marniesteve / 1 Comment

We still have a few more weeks here in Traverse City, Michigan at our version of “summer camp.” Our home at Traverse Bay RV Resort is truly our favorite place to spend the summer. 

Outdoor seating area with a grey sofa, coffee table, and a red umbrella, surrounded by green trees and an RV in the background.
A sunny garden scene featuring a pot of vibrant yellow marigolds in the foreground, with a hanging basket of light yellow flowers nearby, and a wicker chair to the right. Lush green bushes and trees are in the background, along with a glimpse of a driveway.

This season was punctuated with the usual TBRV activities. We coordinated and served breakfast four times for 100+, rode many miles on the bike, won at trivia, and spent many, many evenings enjoying happy hours with friends. 

A group of four women smiling and working in a kitchen, wearing aprons and gloves, standing behind a table with several pots and cooking utensils.
Our incredible breakfast servers
Two women working in a kitchen; one is smiling and wearing a red apron, while the other is preparing food at a counter.
Me supervising breakfast prep
Three individuals grilling outdoors under large umbrellas, with food on the grill and a grassy area in the background.
Steve grilling on 4th of July
A woman joyfully raises her arm while opening a gift at a gathering, surrounded by other attendees at a table with snacks and drinks.
Winning
A group of five people sitting in camping chairs, smiling and holding drinks outdoors, with a cooler nearby.
Year-End Celebration

Our buddies Michelle and Kunio along with Norb and Linda, Kari and Paul, and many others make our time in Michigan extra special. Together we celebrated birthdays, holidays, and just being in this beautiful place together.

A woman and a man enjoying wine tasting at a vineyard, seated at a table with various wine glasses, overlooking a lush green vineyard landscape.
Michelle & Kunio wine tasting at Brys
A picturesque vineyard landscape featuring rows of grapevines, lush green trees, and a distant view of a lake and rolling hills under a blue sky.
Winery views near home
A woman holding a young girl stands next to a decorated cake for a 60th birthday celebration. The table is adorned with party items, and several adults are visible in the background, while a camper van is parked behind them.
Michelle’s birthday
A group of six people smiling and posing together on a patio, with a large RV in the background and trees around them.
Marnie’s birthday

We were lucky to have visits this summer from some of our favorite Arizona peeps. Sister Mickie came to visit for the third summer in a row and our dear friends Dave and Peggy visited again as well. It’s always fun to have visitors to share our paradise with. 

A man and woman smiling in front of Moomers homemade ice cream shop, featuring a wooden exterior and a sign with a cow logo.
Dave and Peggy at Moomers
Two women smiling together outdoors on a sunny day, with green grass and trees in the background.
Sisters at Chateau Chantal
A smiling woman sitting on a sofa with a small, fluffy dog next to her, outdoors in a garden setting with trees and a shed in the background.
Aunt Mickie and Poppy

Every week around Traverse City there are festivals, events, and live music. Catching our favorite band, TC Knuckleheads, is a regular activity. 

A woman in a red shirt with a heart design is smiling and holding two cans of beer at an outdoor gathering, with people socializing in the background.
At TC Knucklehead Dave’s block party
A group of people gathered around a table at an outdoor venue, enjoying drinks and snacks, with live music in the background. The setting features colorful chairs and a blue building adorned with flowers.
At Mt Holiday
A group of people sitting around a table outdoors, enjoying drinks and food in a forested setting.
At Hop Lot
A live band performing at Shorts Brewing in Bellaire, featuring musicians with instruments, vibrant decorations, and promotional signs for TC Knuckleheads.
At Shorts in Bellaire
Group of friends enjoying drinks at a table under a yellow tent, smiling and socializing at an outdoor event.
At Shorts at Logan’s Landing

This summer we made sure to hit the National Cherry Festival, the Cedar Polkafest and the Elk Rapids Wine and Food Festival. And the crew we hang with always makes it fun!

A couple poses together in a red decorative frame that reads 'NATIONAL CHERRY FESTIVAL', with a festive background of people enjoying the event.
National Cherry Festival
A group of people enjoying a gathering outdoors by the water, sitting in folding chairs, toasting with drinks, and smiling. A musician is playing a guitar in the background.
Elk Rapids Wine and Food Fest
A dog leaping from a platform into a swimming pool, with a young woman on the platform and spectators in the background.
Air Dogs at Cedar Polkafest
A woman smiles and poses beside a humorous sign that reads 'TENT POLES ARE NOT FOR POLE DANCING! PLEASE FIND OTHER WAYS TO DISAPPOINT YOUR FATHER.'
Cedar Polkafest

Mostly, this summer will be remembered as the summer of Daisy. After our trip to Alaska with Nate, we stopped in Butler, MO to pick up our newest family member.

A man in a red shirt holds a small brown puppy, gently touching its face as the puppy licks him. The background features a wooden wall with a calendar and a framed photo.
First kiss
A person holding a small, fluffy, brown puppy with curly fur, wearing a smartwatch on their wrist.
First cuddle
A small, fluffy reddish-brown puppy with curly fur, standing on green grass, wearing a purple leash.
First portrait
A cute, fluffy brown puppy with curly fur, sitting on a table in a room with green walls. The puppy has big black eyes and a small nose, and is being held by a person whose hand is partially visible.
First vet appointment

Daisy Norberta Verde (named after our friend and neighbor Norb) joined us at eight weeks and just under two pounds! Eventually she’ll grow to around five pounds, about the same size as our beloved Bob. 

A woman sitting on a chair outdoors, smiling and resting her chin on her hand, with a small sleeping dog on her lap. The background features green trees and an outdoor grill.
First happy hour
A smiling man wearing sunglasses holds a small, fluffy brown puppy in his arms while sitting on a wicker bench outdoors on a sunny day.
Meeting Uncle Kunio
Two small brown poodles play on a pile of soft toys, one holding a light blue toy in its mouth.
Playing with sister
A close-up of a small brown poodle with curly fur lying on a couch, resting its head on a gray surface, looking directly at the camera.
Being sweet
A small, brown puppy relaxing on a person's lap, partially tucked into a green sweatshirt. The puppy has a yellow collar and is comfortably being held by the person's hands.
Belly rubs at another happy hour
A small, fluffy brown dog lying on its back on a soft, brown blanket, wearing a harness. A blue and white stuffed toy is nearby.
Who me?
Two small poodles sitting on a red and black blanket, each holding a stick in their mouths.
Sisters sharing

Daisy joined her sister Poppy for a fun Michigan summer filled with treats, cuddles, kisses, and some wrestling. The two of them are thick as thieves and very popular around the RV resort. We are so in love with our new baby. 

A small, fluffy dog peeking out from between two cushions on a couch.
Peekaboo
A small brown poodle puppy lying comfortably on a soft bed, holding a playful toy drink with a straw and a lime slice.
I love my margarita
Two small poodles sitting inside a playpen with blankets and toys.
Poppy and baby sister
Two small poodles sitting among a pile of colorful stuffed toys and a black container, one holding a stick toy.
Sharing all the toys
A small, fluffy brown puppy lounging on a gray couch, with a chew toy nearby and a backyard setting in the background.
I’m getting bigger!

And as our summer comes to a close we are planning additional travels and adventures this fall before returning to Arizona for the winter. Stay tuned and we’ll keep you up-to-date on Steve’s quest to run a marathon in all 50 states!

One Month in Michigan

/ marniesteve / Leave a comment

When we bought lot 38 at Traverse Bay RV Resort last August, it seemed like FOREVER before we would be able to enjoy our little slice of paradise. After ten long months, we finally arrived to our “new to us” summer home. We are ready to experience the quintessential northern Michigan summer. 

View towards Grand Traverse Golf Resort
Lot 38 = Home
From our “garden”

Within hours of arrival, our friends Kunio and Michelle escorted us to a resort-hosted Margaritaville party. What a fun way to get introduced to this wonderful community! 

Kunio, Steve, Michelle, and Marnie

Within a few days they took us to their favorite winery, Brys Estate Vineyard on the Old Mission Peninsula and to Moomers Ice Cream, which is now our favorite place on Earth! We are so lucky to have such great friends here to help us navigate the important stops. 

Tasting tower at Brys Vineyard
Windy day at Brys
Moomers!!

Within a week our first set of visitors arrived. Steve’s parents Judy and Larry came all the way from Arizona to join Steve’s brother Brian and his family here in Traverse City. In all there were 11 of us here at one time, and every day was a new adventure. 

One of many meals together
Zach and Grandma Judy
Nathan and Bob
The golfers: Nathan, Steve, Brian, and Larry

One day Lydia and I went zip lining, and on other days, we went shopping in downtown Traverse City. The group stayed at the Tamarack Lodge, situated on the beach of Grand Traverse Bay, so we hit the water with the kayaks, played sand volleyball, and roasted s’mores over the fire. The boys played golf on three mornings.

Steve teaching Lydia to paddle
Ready to zipline!
One of six lines we zipped
S’mores on the beach
Brian, Nathan, Larry, and Steve on the course

Torch Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in northern Michigan. Our day on the double decker pontoon, complete with sun deck and slides, was a blast. We took turns on the jet skis, took the paddle board out a bit, and plunged into the still cool water as the day pressed on. Even though there were some mean sunburns, everyone seemed to have a blast.

Marnie and Nathan
Steve and Brian
Judy
Elise on the jetski
Judy and Larry are all smiles
Captain Steve
Gibson, Zach, and Lydia
Gibson and Zach
Nathan and Heidi
Larry and Heidi
Steve getting ready to take the plunge

Our visit to Sleeping Bear Dunes took the group out to the massive dune climb, but on a cold and windy day, no one took up the challenge. We did get a great group photo of almost everyone from the overlook.

At Sleeping Bear Dunes: Heidi, Marnie, Steve, Elise, Lydia, Zach, and Gibson

Traverse City has been abuzz with activity for the past few weeks with the National Cherry Festival taking place while the crew was here. We watched the Blue Angels in the air show on Saturday afternoon while Lydia rode ride after ride after ride at the carnival. I made it one time on the Tilt-A-Whirl and gave up my riding privileges. Spending Lydia’s 12th birthday at the festival made for an extra-special celebration.

Brian and Steve

After most of the crew departed, we were lucky enough to have a little time to spend with Zach and Gibson before they caught their flight back to Chicago. And what do two 25 year olds want to do for a few hours in Traverse City? Wine tasting, of course! We visited Chateau Chantal and Mari Vineyards before the boys caught their flight home. 

Zach, Marnie and Gibson
The boys

The day after Brian’s crew left, we welcomed my cousin Mitch to Traverse City. He left 115 degree temperatures in Phoenix and seemed happy to be here in our 75 degree weather. Even the occasional rain shower didn’t seem to dampen his spirit! In our week with Mitch we visited wineries, hiked in Sleeping Bear Dunes, walked through the Cherry Festival, and checked out numerous local breweries and distilleries. Steve and Mitch also participated in the Cherry Scramble Golf Event as part of the Festival. 

Getting a beer
Our first winery of the day
On the golf course
Empire Bluffs Trail
Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor
At the dune climb

Mitch’s visit coincided with Independence Day, so he was able to join us in the resort’s activities. Our day began with a parade in which I had the honor of riding in Kunio and Michelle’s cart. Even Bob sat out to watch the parade of over a dozen spectacularly decorated vehicles pass by. 

Ready to celebrate the 4th!
Lining up for the parade
A multi-generational affair
Some people go all out
Wasn’t our cart festive?
Bob watching the parade

When we haven’t had visitors, we’ve been enjoying our new community, participating in happy hours, the book club, the ladies luncheon, and volunteering at the community breakfast. We’ve taken the kayaks and bikes out and hope to do even more of that as the summer rolls on. Up here there’s a festival, event, or farmers market nearly every day. We try to get out as much as possible to enjoy the activities, but there’s just so much to do! 

Evening festival on River Street
National Cherry Festival
Shorts Brewery in Elk Rapids
Paddling on Elk Lake

You can be sure there will be more updates ahead, when we can find the time to sit down to write! Hope your summer is going well!