First, a freebie breakfast in the hotel lobby. Coffee was good and they had crispy bacon...rare to get at these hotel buffets.
We all refreshed and decided to take a walk through downtown Traverse City. A really nice man on a nearby park bench gave us parking advice. He said if there is a silver button on the meter, just push it and you get 30 minutes free parking. And then he proceeded to throw two quarters into our meter!! I think his current hobby is to inform visitors on this generous issue, as a big T.C. ambassador. I agreed to send him this pix but, darn, lost his email. Thank you, kind sir!
It was a casual stroll with the ladies using walkers leading the way. We managed four blocks before heading back to the car. We mostly window shopped with an occasional person darting into an interesting store. The Cherry Republic store was the exception. We all bought something from the cherry influenced and infused products. Among us we bought cherry candies, wine, candles, salsa, and more.
Along our way we found this Little Free Library. It was a miniature of the Traverse City State theatre with the film festival featured on the marquee. So cute!!
After that, we hit the road up the Mission Peninsula (on the east side of Grand Traverse Bay). At that point, it started to rain lightly, but it did not dampen our spirits. Our first stop was Chateau Chantel's tasting room. We all tried our faves and some new options of wine and hard liquors produced by that winery.
As we shared and compared tastes, we enjoyed the views of the vineyard and the bay in the distance.
Next we checked out the Harbor View Nursery and lavender shop. It was actually just a little shed along the road, but was so glad we stopped. The aroma was fabulous here. We all bought products of various types. Mike and I bought lotion and lavender infused shortbread mix. As an aside, we made this back home and it was scrumptious. A definite must stop in the future.
We couldn't wander the fields because of the rain, but took a quick run out to their drying barn. Heavenly aromas here, too.
Our last stop of the morning was lunch at the Old Mission Tavern. We actually weren't very hungry, so most had a light snack. Mike passed altogether. I had a cuba libre (Myers's rum and coke with lime) and a shrimp cocktail appetizer.
This tavern is also a gallery for local artists. After lunch we wandered that area. Here's my sis acting all sexy-pouty!
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If you have visited any of these places, we would love to hear your comments. Or send us recommendations of places we should not miss.