Jan 2020 (3) TRAVERSE CITY, MIGHIGAN - Wonderful Even in Winter

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After breakfast we parted ways--L&S to home and us to the Park Place Hotel in TC. On the way, we planned to meet our nephew Cory who is a fireman and EMS, rotating at several stations around the area. Today he was working at North Mission Peninsula. We were driving right passed that one and hoped to meet up for a tour and visit, but did not connect.

At noon, we checked into our favorite room at PP. I'm not telling which one, but here's the view. 

We got settled, had a pre-lunch Myers cuba libre in our room (with fixings from home), went to lunch in the hotel's Minerva's Cafe (mushroom soup and half a hoagie), and then meandered around downtown. The sun was shining bright enough to wear sunglasses, so a pleasant day.

There is about a 3-block stretch of stores, most of them open in this dead of winter. We bought reusable straws from the kitchen store. They fold up to easily carry in your purse or pocket. Stopped by the Lavendar Farm store to buy shortbread mix for us and our cat sitters, but it was closed. We saw the old Ladies' Library Building (constructed 1909). It's now a bank.

This building was of interest because I am a member of another Ladies' Library Association group, which is still going strong in Kalamazoo. Our building was built in 1879, the oldest building in the USA built, continuously owned, and operated strictly by women.

Stopped for hot chocolate in this book store to warm up. There are two independent book stores in this town!!! This one also sells handmade quilts. An aside: A couple weeks after we got home, we heard this place folded. Boo hoo!

At 5pm we meandered up to the tenth floor at the hotel to happy hour at the Beacon Bar...maybe our favorite bar in the lower peninsula. It has windows on three sides with a lovely view of Grand Traverse Bay and downtown, especially with the holiday lights still on. 

We had potato pizza for dinner. Sounds odd, but it is really delicious and we look forward to having it when we stay at the Park Place.

We reminisced over other visits in this cool city. One time we were here and there was a hot air balloon festival happening. The balloons wafted passed the Beacon's windows. At night it was even better. They all fired up beachside in colorful patterns and designs, and then floated by these tenth-story windows like huge Chinese lanterns.

The next morning we woke to no alarm, so got down to breakfast about 10am. On this last full day of the trip we were missing L&S muchly (as Trump would say) because this was Sandy's actual birthday day. But we made the best of it.

I had my fave breakfast in the world, Minerva’s Harvest Hash--two eggs over-medium on top of grilled sun-dried tomato / spinach / mushroom / artichoke veggie mix on top of hash browns. Mike had pancakes, one of his faves.

We caught up with our nephew for a grand tour of the peninsula fire station. We saw highly equipped fire trucks, fire-fighting equipment, and a Zodiac-style boat used for water rescues in the bay.

In the living quarters there were two Murphy beds for sleeping located basically in the kitchen. You had to move the table to open this one up. Here's his crew for the day.

There was an exercise room with lots of equipment to help keep in shape.

Later we had planned to go to the movies to see “Little Women” at the State Theater. Without L&S (as it was Sandy's BD request), we passed. Mike took a nap, while I did some more window shopping. Tried for the lavender shortbread mix again, but the store was still closed even though it was scheduled to be open during those hours according to the sign on the door.

That evening, we had my birthday dinner (a little after the fact) at Italian Sorellina (means little sister) on the main street.

This restaurant used to be around the corner in a more homey building and the food was great. But here the food seemed a lot lacking to our taste. We were slightly disappointed by every dish. Seems they went from traditional Italian to fancy "continental" Italian. The service and atmosphere were nice though and we more or less enjoyed our meal.

We had carrot cake for desert, without the candles. A little too much icing for me, but Mike was VERY happy.

Early the next morning we drove home. The weather was cold, but clear.

Always happy to see our cat Bella when we return home. It makes the end of a trip, not so bad. Although she is a little grumpy when we first get back. It's like, "How could you leave me for this long?!"

PS - Thanks to Renae Feldpausch for the gift certificate for one night's stay at the Park Place Hotel. This was an unexpected gift after I stage managed a play for her group called SKITS & GIGGLES in Kalamazoo.