Highlight Reel 2009: Fantabulous Four Go to Michigan

It finally happened. A Faller offspring was allowed to take friends sans parent's supervision up to Michigan, and oh my gosh did we have a blast. The fantabulous four trekked in two cars all the way to Boyne City, Michigan for a fun-filled summer vacation right before school and soccer started. We toured Mackinaw Island, learned to drive and water-ski with "the practice boat," played put-put, went kayaking down the Jordan river, and had many other fun adventures. Not many college-age groups of friends actually follow through on the grand vacation plans they make during the year, so way to go us. There is so much I could write about- honestly a book- so I thought some pictures, captions, and a few quotes were the best way to capture the week.
One of the days, the four of us took an excursion from home base to visit scenic Mackinaw Island. We took the CAT (one of the ferries) out to the island and then ate lunch and did a little souvenir and fudge shopping. An epic game of Hearts and I think some Spades were played underneath the gazebo of one of the many hotels along the shoreline. The weather was absolutely beautiful, not too windy and just the right amount of warm. In order to work off some of the fudge and other goodies eaten, we went on a hike up to Arch Rock via the bike path and then through some of the forest trails. The car ride back home was as fun as the visit- we four are never allowed to drive anywhere without an awesome playlist to sing along too.

Personal Favorite Memories From Mackinaw:

Twilight Reenactments in the woods

Rachel's backward cigarette in the Western Photo shoot. Yes, I still have that picture. Yes, I will someday figure out how to get it on facebook :)

Boating fun....don't know if you guys noticed at the time or not, but I was a little anxious about the whole boating thing. Yes, I've been first mate of the various practice boats we've had up at Walloon since I was a kid, but Dad was always captain of the ship. (Kudos to you Dad, never realized how much thought and preparation goes into getting that ship to sail). Docking the boat, giving good tube rides, and pulling/teaching people to get up on water ski's aren't the easiest things. Thankfully my extremely talented, athletic, and patient friends were natural pros. All of us got up on the skis, the tube has met its match, and we all picked out a variety of possible dream houses to buy when we are rich and famous.

Personal Favorite Memories of the Boat:

The 3-way bathing suit swap

"Doing the FDR in my PFD"

Listening to hilariously crappy or old radio stations

Kayaking down the East Jordan River is a required event for any friend groups coming up to visit in Michigan. Depending on how lazy you are, it can take anywhere from 2-4 hours of paddling (or if you went as part of the kayak raft in 8th grade, 5 hours of floating) with a nice lunch break in the middle.

Personal Favorite Moments:

Making fun of the screaming chubby children we encountered on our lunch break

Sun bathing on top of the kayaks

So after all that, if you still don't believe that I have the greatest friend group of any college girl who has ever lived, here is yet another reason why you are wrong. We are awesome cooks. I'm not talking about a few frozen vegetables added into Ramen Noodles to spruce it up. I'm talking about full fledged Betty Crockers making five course gourmet meals that would put most restaurant menus to shame. That salad you are looking at is about to be drizzled with Karman's special sauce, sprinkled with flaked parmesan cheese and devoured by yours truly in under 5 minutes. I wish I had one right now. Over the course of the week each of us surprised the others with a similar meal, including one outside on the shoreline. (Bet you never had real plates and silverware at your bonfires). Between all the goodies we cooked for ourselves and the yummies we bought, I don't know how I didn't gain 10 lbs. Thank God for our morning runs and 300 Violin Orchestra!

Favorite Moments:

"Family Dinners" I'm serious about all of us living together if we are single at 40.

Being seduced with chocolate and pecan bars by the man at the Lake Street Market (also watching us eat those pickles out of a barrel....if I had a picture it would be on here.)

Sunset at Walloon, no where in the world will ever look as beautiful to me as evenings on this lake with my friends and family. (If I've ever taken you here, then you know I really care.)