Kayak, Bike and Brew Tour

Traverse City is awesome. What better way to explore the lovely town than a “Kayak, Bike & Brew” Tour!
It was a great day with our guide Max, who was raised here and winters in Vail Colorado, and the aspiring young couple Connor and Katie, who are vacationing before commencing the Navy Pilot School in Pensacola Florida.
We visited four breweries in town, and got there via three different locomotive means (by foot, by bike, and by kayak).
Biked to one of the newest breweries and newest areas of town, the Lake District. 
Right Brain Brewery –   try the Blue Magic Lavender Ale and the Naughty Girl Stout Cookies!
Then, biked down to the lake waters and kayaked the river to –
Rare Bird Brewery – appetizers of beer cheese and pretzels were yummy as well as the adult beverages!
Hotel Indigo rooftop – we have a rooftop Hotel Indigo in Columbus Georgia, although this one beats it hands down. 
CHEERS! 🍻🍻🍻🍻.

 

 

 

 

Lighthouses, Vineyards on the 45th parallel

Yesterday was all about the sand dunes. Today was all about wine country! We toured the tiny sliver of the 20-ish mile Old Mission Peninsula, situated on the 45th parallel, going all the way to the tip where the Mission Point Lighthouse (and the cutest tiny log cabin). Gorgeous country; not only vineyards, but the lands are full of cherry and apple tree orchards, lavender farms, all surrounded by big blue bays.
Since the first commercial cherries were planted in 1893 the peninsula has been home to thousands of acres of agricultural products including apples, hops, lavender, and of course grapes.
Connecting 10 wineries and hundreds of acres of vineyards, the Old Mission Peninsula Wine Trail offers exceptional cool-climate wines with over 20 grape varieties.  
The highlight was a stop at Chateau Chantal vineyards located high atop a ridge with breathtaking views. I went all out with earrings and fancy pants (which were highly rated by the sommelier himself, LOL!). We sampled local ciders and many grape varieties by getting two flights of three flavors each, my favorite had to be the Cabernet Franc, even though I left with a bottle of “Naughty Red”, their signature red blend. It’s a large vineyard and is also a Bed and Breakfast I’d highly recommend! 

http://chateauchantal.com