We went on a short little trip over the 4th of July to Michigan. We didn't want to drive too far. First, gas is so darned expensive, and it's no cheaper in Michigan really than the Chicago price. Second, my wife gets car sick, and doesn't like real long drives. She would prefer to fly anywhere we can, but of course on a more or less spur of the moment trip like this, that isn't an option.

So we went to the southwest corner of Michigan. Cherries (sweet and tart) were still in season, and peaches (I think) were coming into season. Michigan wine is always in season, fortunately. :-)

There is enough to do in that corner of Michigan for us to easily spend 5 days or a little more. We started by driving to Holland Michigan, where we took the kids to a Dutch Village theme park. They have tons of craft demonstrations, and they do dancing shows (do they call it "Clog Dancing"? I can't remember...) where they teach everyone in the audience (probably around 30 or 40 people) to do a specific dance (which has something in common with the hokey pokey, so - not too difficult). They have a couple of rides, but only one operator, so that when the swings are running, the old Dutch carousel isn't. Tons of animals of the petting zoo variety. Some cute little shops where you can sample fudge and cheeses, and also watch them make beautiful candles. Tulips, grapes, and Delftware. A bunch of historical exhibits. It was a good way to spend a morning.

Later that day we rode on a "Dune Schooner", which is basically a modified truck that takes up to about 16 people on a ride over the large sand dunes along Lake Michigan's shoreline. It may have been the "funnest" thing we did there. When it was done, my littlest son said, "Can we go again?" I also learned a bit about the history of Singapore, a Michigan ghost town which now is buried under the shifting sands. Once a prosperous logging town, the businesses left when they finished clearcutting the trees along the shoreline, which led to the formation of some of the dunes. The people left, also, and finally, the sands took the town.

We spent most of a day in Saugatauk, a harbor town with tons of neat shops and a "harbor Duck", one of those land/water vehicles that tours around the area. The Duck wasn't running because of the threat of inclement weather, which later in the day became a reality.

We later hit St. Joseph, where local artists had put together a street exposition of colorful miniature boats. Near there is a bakery called "Bit of Swiss", which makes absolutely incredible pastries and desserts. It's hidden, but fortunately, we know how to get to it.

We planned on going to the Warren Dunes Beach State Park, but the weather was just too cold, believe it or not, to go to the beach. Low 60's just isn't my idea of a nice day on the beach. So instead, we hit wineries. The kids didn't mind as long as they had their Playstation Portables all charged and available to distract them. All in all on the trip we hit about 5 different wineries. Let's see: Fenn Valley (a bit north, by Fennville), Karma Vista and Contessa Wineries both near Coloma, then the Round Barn Winery and Distillery and of course Tabor Hill Winery and Restaurant, both of which are in the Berrien Springs neighborhood. We didn't do them all on the same day, but we sampled and bought wines at all five, I think.

An interesting note: Tabor Hill wines were brought to the White House by President Gerald Ford (who was of course from Michigan) and have been served there since by every administration. They're quite highly thought of, I take it, and we like several of them. They also have a very nice restaurant on the premises.

My wife did finally do some fruit picking at the Tree-mendous Fruit Farm in Berrien Springs, but I didn't go.

We hit New Buffalo (Exit 1 off of I 94) on our way home, which is a nice little harbor town with a handful of trendy shops and restaurants, then spent an hour or so at the Lighthouse Outlet Mall in Michigan City, Indiana. Then finally we finished the journey home.

More than anyone probably cares to know, but hey, there actually is a lot to do in the area. Especially if you like wine...