Behind The Times

My first day back to blogging from vacation yesterday and I didn't even have time to read any blogs! My day just didn't feel complete. We were short staffed yesterday at work, so I wasn't able to take a lunch break. Boo to no lunch break not for the fact that I didn't get a break but for the fact that it's my prime blog reading time! You better believe I'll be taking that break today (maybe even add on a few minutes) and get some good quality reading and commenting time.

Justin and I celebrated our two and a half year dating anniversary last night with our tradition of dinner at P.F. Changs. Ladies, I'm obsessed with that place. Egg drop soup, salt and pepper calamari, and some crispy honey chicken... yes please! But I can't believe it's already been two and a half years! It definitely doesn't seem like it has been that long. But that's a good thing, right? Who wants to feel like they've been with the same person forrr.evvvv.errrr.?!? I love that we're still feeling that whole "newly in love" stage. PRESHHH!

Anywhoooo... the real reason for the post? Update numero dos on Yours Truly's Vaca. While in Northern Michigan, we were able to spend two nights on Mackinac Island. For those of you non-Michiganders or those of you who have no idea what Mackinac Island is, here's a little information.

Mackinac Island is a teeny, tiny island and resort area in Lake Huron between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas. The whole island is less than 4 square miles and it only takes a 8 miles bike ride/walk to get around the entire island. There are no cars on the island so tourists and residents rely on bicycles, horses, or their own two feet to get around. It's super adorable with ginormous, historical homes, quaint hotels, like Hotel Iroquois that I talked about yesterday, a downtown with (overpriced but cute) shops, and trails for days to explore!

I've been to Mackinac Island a handful of times in my life and I was excited to be able to take Justin there, since he has never been. Now, Mackinac Island isn't a place you want to spend a whole week at. It's one of those mini-trips within a trip. Two days there and you've seen all there is to see.

The best part of Mackinac Island? Renting bicycles and riding around the island. The first day, Justin and I opted for a tandem bike. I'm sure Justin regretted that decision immediately.

This picture lies. I was actually riding in the back, hence why the front seat is so high up.

Mother Dearest

Since Justin and all his 6'4 height was sitting right in front of me on this tandem bike, I couldn't see a dang thing. This means there was a lot of me screaming and yelling and telling him to slow down. He probably wanted to turn around and smack me, but he was a good sport about it. I felt like we could have come close to crashing numerous times, but my life didn't flash before my eyes until Justin decided to take a sharp turn down a gravel path. Thanks for the warning, dear! The people around us probably thought I was psycho. I was for sure we were going to crash and die as we're speeding down a gravel path with boulders all over the fricken place. Oy vey!

But it didn't stop there. OH NOOOOO. On our way to Arch Rock, Justin was getting annoyed with the slow people in front of us. I mean, I appreciated these people's caution since there were signs telling us not to speed. But boys don't follow directions, it's just not in their genes. So, what does the love of my life do? He speed past these people like a crazy person. Again, cue the screaming and yelling and choice words. I wish I had video taped our antics for you ladies. But, no worries, we made it to Arch Rock without a scrape or stitch.

 
You may be asking "Jenna, why didn't you just ride in front?" Well, my lovely bloggy friends, that's because the person in the front has to do all the work! I enjoyed my moments of picking my feet off the peddles and doing absolutely nothing but riding along. Thanks boo boo!

Day two we opted for single bikes. It was probably the best decision for our relationship. We might have need to seek counseling if we took the tandem for round two around the island. 

I'm Baaaaackkkk!!

After a week's vacation, I'm back! Even though I missed all you lovely ladies, I can't say I'm happy to be back to reality. Vacation went by way too quickly and now it's back to work and the reality that we're moving out of our home we've lived in for the past 13 years in just three and a half weeks! Do you know how much junk a family of five can accumulate in 13 years?!? This is going to be awful....

But anywho, vacation was just what I needed. A week away from the stress of the real world and work to spend with my momma and J. We traveled up to Mackinaw City, where we spent most of our time, spent a couple nights on Mackinac Island, and ended the trip in Traverse City.

While I miss Northern Michigan so much, there's one part of the vacation that I do not miss in the least bit. I told you all before I left that we were staying in a cabin that belongs to the family of one of my mom's coworkers. This coworker explained to my mom that this cabin is just a big room with a bunch of beds and no hot water. Okay, I was terrified. That description sounded a lot like camping to me, and I hate camping. But I tried to keep an open mind. I had been envisioning the worst cabin ever and had my fingers crossed that the cabin would surprise me.

Oh, and did it surprise me....

The cabin wasn't as bad as I was thinking it would be....IT WAS WORSE! Oh, ladies... this cabin was a nightmare. Just pulling up to it, I saw my life flash before my eyes. It looked like a scene straight out of a murder movie. I wanted to cry...

And while the outside was awful, the inside was worse. This place hasn't been cleaned since 1985 at least and was filled with junk. Justin had to give me a pep talk to calm me down. Here, take a look at some pictures of our lovely home away from home...

Sooooo cute, righttt???

The bedroom. Yes, my mom, Justin, and I slept in bunkbeds. So presh. The bunkbed was pushed up against some lovely curtains that seemed to be home to every dust mite in town

The kitchen. We looooved cooking our meals here. So sanitary.

Wanna snuggle up on that vintage couch?

I've never been more concerned about my health than I was when I walked into this place. I immediately pulled out the can of Lysol and sprayed down every surface twice. And that musky scent you often smell when you're in your sweet, old grandmother's attic, rummaging through old pictures was thrown in your face the minute you walked into the door. Only, that musky scent of your grandmother's attic is nothing compared to the musky smell of this place. We left the windows open all week and the scent was just as strong as the very first night. BARF!
 
Needless to say, we only slept here for two nights. I'm allergic to dust and the amount of dust in this joint had me up all night sneezing and weezing. FUN TIMES! So we bought ourselves two nights at this super cheap hotel...

Still, pretty sketchy. It kind of reminded me of the motel in the movie Joy Ride, but after two sleepless nights in The Cabin from Hell, I couldn't have cared less. I was just excited for some sleep.

But after laying our little heads down to rest at sketchy places for four nights, we were rewarded with the most amazing hotel on Mackinac Island.

Hotel Iroquois

Hotel Iroquois was originally built in 1900 as a house, but was shortly after turned into a hotel. It sits right on the Straits of Mackinaw and our room happened to have an amazing view of the water.

The view of the harbor from the hotel

To say we were spoiled to be able to stay at Hotel Iroquois is an understatement. I was in love with this place! I wouldn't mind moving into Hotel Iroquois permanently! Our room was small and quaint with the back wall full of windows looking out over the water. Justin appreciated the big TV that he was able to watch the Tiger's on while I was in love with a clean, hot shower. It doesn't take much to make us happy apparently! Our time on Mackinac Island was definitely the highlight of my week, which I'll talk more about tomorrow.

Even though the week started off pretty rough as far as our living arrangements went, it definitely left us with a lot of hilarious memories.

Happy Monday, ladies! I can't wait to catch up on all your blogs. I feel so out of the loop!

Sunday Social

This week's Sunday Social topic is near and dear to my heart. I live for vaca! If I could, I would be hopping from tropical island to tropical island daily. Some of my best memories are from vacations I took with friends and family. So what am I waiting for?!

Best trip you've ever been on?

Okay, I'm cheating because I have three...

1) Playa del Carmen, Mexico

 Don't mind my nasty brunette hair. This was my third trip to Mexico, but one of my favorites. Senior Spring Break with my favorite girls! We always talk about going back. Pretty sure it would be 20x better now that we're older (and now that our parents won't be with us...buzz kill.)

2) Germany/Czech Republic/Austria

When I graduated from high school, my aunt and uncle paid for me to come visit them in Germany for two weeks. We took weekend trips to Prague and Salzburg and spent our time touring some amazing places. I miss this trip so much! If you've never been to Europe, go!

3) Guatemala

 My Junior year of college, I took a three week trip to Guatemala as part of a class I needed to graduate. I absolutely love Hispanic culture, so I really enjoyed my time in Guate. We spent time in Guatemala City, lived with a Guatemalan family for a week in Antigua, climbed a volcano (which I hated...btw) and really just had a lot of fun. I might love this trip a lot more than I normally would because I met Justin in Guatemala.

 Best idea for a girls weekend trip?

Anywhere there is a beach!

You may think Michigan is a whole lot of ugly nothingness, but we have some amazing beaches! My high school girlfriends and I are taking a long weekend trip up to Suttons Bay later in August and I cannot wait to have a relaxing weekend with the girls. Lots of laughing, lots of fun, and of course, lots of wine.

Best idea for a couples trip?

Anywhere tropical

So romantic! Tropical vacations are the best because time literally does not exist. It's just filled with relaxation and quality time, just what's needed for a couples vaca.

Best vacation on the cheap?

 

Northern Michigan. This picture above is of Lake Michigan after my mom and I climbed the Sleeping Bear Dunes. We spent a weekend at The Homestead Resort (okay, which is not cheap) but there are plenty of cabins on the lake that you can rent. In a couple weeks, my mom, Justin, my brother and I are taking a week trip to Mackinaw City where we'll be staying in a co-workers cabin for free. It's always a plus knowing the right people!

Place you most want to visit?

Bora Bora!

This is my dream honeymoon. Staying in these huts right out in the middle of the ocean...perfection! I also wouldn't mind staying in those HUGE bungalows that the Kardashian's stayed in on their trip to Bora Bora...just saying.

Vacation necessities?

A couple cute bikinis, Hawaiian Tropic suntan lotion, sundresses, a camera, and a good book. 

Link up with Neely and Ashley to share your vacas!