We stopped at Beans to Brew on our way out of town for a Chai and a bagel to go. Our next stop (3 hours later) was Sleder's in Traverse City for lunch.
Then we started a tour of 3 different vineyards. I have never done this before. I really enjoyed it. Mark had been to all of them before on a "work" trip. He had actually arranged it all for work when the plans that they had for sailing got canceled due to rain. The first winery was Bowers Harbor. At each stop we were able to taste 6 different wines. This was great for me because I enjoy a glass of wine now and then but I never know what to order. Mark usually orders for me. Now I have a little more knowledge of what I like and what I don't like.
Next we went to Chateau Chantal. This vineyard had the most amazing views. It is located high up so you can see for miles and with all the colors right now it was just beautiful.
Here is a view from the drive as we were leaving.
The last winery we visited was Chateau Grand Traverse. I must have consumed to much wine by then because I was enjoying myself so much I forgot to take pictures of it. Wink! We arrived to this one just in time to join in on a tour. It was very interesting to see the whole process of making wine.Here is a picture from a roadside "Kodak moment" spot. Mark enjoys asking random strangers to take our picture. At least the wife of the man Mark asked was laughing also.
After we were done "touring" we went to do a little shopping. I love walking downtown Traverse City.Then it was off to the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa to get checked in and to change our clothes for dinner. We weren't in the same room as last time so our view overlooked the parking lot, but out past that... still gorgeous.
We had a wonderful, delicious dinner at Amical. It is a bistro downtown. I highly recommend it but don't forget to make reservation. Mark had made us a reservation earlier in the day while we were shopping and it is a good thing. We heard the hostess tell someone who came in without one that it would be an hour and a half wait. Yikes! That was at 8pm at night. We were seated within 10 minutes and we arrived 5 minutes before our reservation.
Mark waited patiently for me to get ready Saturday morning. The fact that there are hunting shows on the TV makes it really easy for him to be patient with me.
The next morning, after sleeping in without hearing kids (heaven), we went back downtown to the bookstore for Chai and a bagel. My hubby knows what I like. Then we did a little more shopping (big sales at Kohl's) and headed for home.
Here is a picture of the golf course Mark was planning on taking me to on the way home. I would have loved to do that but I had left off my wrist brace (still not completely healed from breaking it this summer) and my wrist was already bothering me. I didn't want him to pay the money if it was just going to aggravate my wrist more.
We stopped in Rockford to have a late lunch at Reds on the River. It is a beautiful restaurant and it lived up to what people have told us about it.
Then back home to my kids. I am so proud of how well they got along and behaved while we were gone. We left Zack in charge. He took the girls to the football game Friday night. Then Saturday morning he took them to Grand Video and let them pick up a couple of movies to watch. I had my doubts about leaving them home overnight alone but Mark thought Zack was capable of watching them. He was right.A wonderful weekend had by all.
Smiles!
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