Marathon Road Trip 2024

State #3  

In addition to the friends we make, the surprises are what we enjoy most in our travels. Michigan provided both as we rendezvoused with our Maryland RV friends, Greg and Juanita, in Grand Rapids. 

Grand Rapids happens to be the home of the President Gerald Ford Museum. Not high on our list of ‘must visit’ presidential libraries, we thought we would take in a brief visit. Two hours later we concluded our visit with great appreciation of the 38th president of the USA, the only person to serve as president that had neither been elected to the presidency or vice presidency. 

“I am acutely aware that you have not elected me as your President by your ballots, and so I ask you to confirm me as your President with your prayers. And I hope that such prayers will also be the first of many ... If you have not chosen me by secret ballot, neither have I gained office by any secret promises.”

History reminds us our country is not experiencing anything that has not been experienced before. It gives us hope. 

Our love of craft beer drew us to Grand Rapids as it has been designated “Beer City USA” by national polls (USA Today, Life and Leisure, CNN and other polls.) As we brewery hopped with Greg and Juanita, we would agree.

Lest our friends and family become concerned with our alcohol consumption, let us explain Brewery Hopping. It is a bit like wine tasting. At each brewery each couple shared a flight of short pours or a 5 oz pour of the one we thought sounded most interesting. 

After tasting at seven out of the 80+ breweries, our top three choices are 

Peanuts and Crackerjack, a robust porter made with real roasted peanuts and peanut butter

A former funeral home, Vivant was the most interesting of the breweries.

Another delight we discovered was the awesome Fulton Street Farmer’s Market.

We came away with salad makings for dinner and pastries for breakfast.

As our friends headed south, we turned toward the Upper Peninsula to explore Mackinac Island.

Our first impression of the island was masses of people, bikes, souvenir shops and horse poop. 

Leaving the main street we felt like we were in a beautiful botanical garden.

 

We discovered a nice 2-mile, round trip hike 

to Arch Rock,

just enough effort to justify a beer at Great Turtle Brewery and chocolate salted caramel ice cream at Kilwins.

 

     

We both agree, the Michiganders are some of nicest people we have encountered. Hopefully this will not be our last trip to Michigan.

The Wanderer has now turned to the west.