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Fireflies, General Motors, and Fudge
We just wrapped a 10-day family vacation. And yes, we survived. Really, it was an 8-day vacation since two full days were spent wrangling the kids on nine hour flying days courtesy of Northwest Airlines. We went back initially under the pretense of my father-in-law’s 70th birthday party, but we ended up using the time away as a trip to the decompression chamber.
When I tell people that I am heading to a small town in northern Michigan to visit my in-laws for a family vacation people usually feel sorry for me. Charlevoix, Michigan is a great town. The appeal? The town sits between Lake Michigan and two inland lakes, the boating, beaches, golf, small town charm, amazing white fish dinners, and a Dairy Queen like no other. It houses 3000 residents year-round, but in the summer the population swells upward of 10,000. Entire sections of the town are made up of huge lakeside mansions. Some holdovers from 100 years of wealthy vacationers from Chicago and Detroit. Some are newer summer homes built with granite kitchens and designer wine cellars. Legions of families and couples make their up every summer, summoned for relaxation and, well, relaxation. And what thanks to the masses of tourist get for supporting the local economy? Well, they are rewarded with the distinctive label of “fudgies”. Fudgies because they wander down Bridge Street popping into fudge shop after fudge shop (OK, I am exaggerating…there are really just two, Kilwin’s and Murdick’s) slobbering fudge all over themselves. The women all wear expensive sandals and carry designer handbags. The men sport their uniform: polo shirt tucked in, knee-length khaki shorts, and topsiders without socks (Paul pointed this out). The kids all look suspiciously like kids from an L.L. Bean catalog. Maybe more like kids from a Pottery Barn Kids catalog. Yeah, definitely Pottery Barn Kids. By the way…I don’t like fudge. Too sugary for me. I also feel that since I married a local, I should be able to safely avoid the disparaging scarlet “F”. My kids are locals by bloodline. For the record, though, they do like fudge. Being in Charlevoix is unlike any experience I have ever had. Because my husband grew up there, he runs into former classmates all the time. OK, so they are 43 years old and bagging groceries, but he does run into them (really, this happened). My father-in-law is a great guy who has lived in town since the 70s so he…knows…everyone. Seriously. There were over 100 people at his birthday party. Everyone knows him and likes him. Paul and I borrowed his summer jeep to scoot around town and everyone waved. About mid-wave they figured out it wasn’t him. They just looked at us, confused. Who the hell are they? But…then they put it together. They start stopping by the house. They just had to see the girls. Ava and Carmen have a local celebrity status due in large part to their pictures placed in prominence on their Papa’s golf bag. The girls are also getting to be annual regulars. This trip was Ava’s third visit and Carmen’s second. I counted, and this vacation was my fifth trip in the nine years Paul and I have been together. I have loved every visit. Each time we go back, Paul and I plot our eventual retirement escape…buy a place with a water view. Bike, hike, boat, golf. Thanks to massive motor industry layoffs and a failing Michigan economy…we’ll probably get that water view. The houses that had for sale signs when we began this fantasy are still on the market..now with a 40% drop in list price. This year, the girls were fully into the trip. Five beach days, constant spoiling from grandparents/aunts/uncles, geocaching, ice cream, candy, hot dogs, and fireflies. The fireflies. Boy, did they love to the fireflies. Even if they were totally confused on the concept. You try explaining it to a four-year-old who incessantly asks "why". And to top it all off, we get to stay in the guest quarters of a $1.7 million lake house of some friends of my in-laws. Lake view and deck. A deck perfect for enjoying morning coffee with some bald eagle watching. We go back in the summer to enjoy all of it. And enjoy it we did. When Ava started crying three days before departure about not wanting to leave…ever. It was so sweet. Watching her fall in love with Paul’s home town. By the last morning at 4:30 AM trying to get up and to the airport for our 7:30 AM flight…well, the crying and fit-throwing-about-leaving wasn’t so cute. Paul just looked at her at said “You love it so much…well, I’ll bring you back in February”. Did I mention that we only go back in the summer? 11 comments from 8 users
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posted by
Rinkus68
on Jul 10, 2008 at 09:11 AM
posted by
creatress
on Jul 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Ok, when do we leave?! That sounds AMAZING! I'm totally sold. That was really funny about the fudgies. I could picture them all very vividly. Sounds like a wonderful place to escape to if you ask me. AND you got to get away from some of the smoke and smog around here. Luckily, it started back up for you so you wouldn't feel left out. Hey! Fireflys, fires... close enough, right? I'm jelous of your R&R time. I need a vacation. posted by
creatress
on Jul 10, 2008 at 11:39 AM
Oh, and I LOVE the new family pic!
posted by
magickmom
on Jul 10, 2008 at 03:53 PM
*Sigh.....fireflies!!! You and the girls are so lucky! I keep trying to explain Fireflies to Kaity, but it's hard for her to get the concept, like you said. Being a native of Chicago, that is one thing I totally miss out here, the fireflies. :( I'm glad you had a good vacation. I'm going home in a few weeks to see the folks and go up to Wisconsin for a few days to see my grandparents. Can't wait for two things: To see fire flies and to have an Italian Beef sandwich!!! YUMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!! For those that don't know what it is, oh you don't know what you are missing, and NO it is NOT the same as a Philly cheesesteak! But as much as I miss home and talk about it, when people out here look at me and say, "How come you never moved back?" There is only one answer: "-20 below Windchill Factor" posted by
lmkoster99
on Jul 10, 2008 at 04:20 PM
Thanks for sharing your vacation memories!! I found myself drifting into another world!! Sounds like a perfect vacation! Can we tag along next time?? :) It sounds like a beautiful place! I also love the new family photo. Was that taken on vacation? Now you need to get busy scrapping!! (Who am I to talk???)
posted by
hmoeckli
on Jul 10, 2008 at 05:31 PM
It sounds like a great time! I'm glad you all made it back safely and soundly. Flying with two little girls has got to be F-U-N! And your new pic is beautiful!
posted by
SkyInMyEye
on Jul 11, 2008 at 03:25 PM
Hello Amanda, I enjoyed reading your post. I'm formerly from western Michigan, moved to the west coast 10+ years ago. I spent my first year out of college designing some of those big beach houses. I find myself day dreaming about them as I look out onto my little apartment patio! I even worked on Mackinac Island one summer.. I could tell you stories about fudgies all day long. I am planning a trip back this summer for my parent's 50th wedding anniversary. I can't wait to spend evenings around the bonfire watching the sunset over Lake Michigan! posted by
AmandaS
on Jul 11, 2008 at 05:31 PM
So glad you liked the post! SkyInMyEye and I will try not to rub it in! ;-)And...we have done the Mackinac thing. Not with the kids, yet, but maybe next year. But, I refrained from fudge. posted by
kellimwheeler
on Jul 14, 2008 at 12:11 AM
I have yet to see a firefly in my lifetime. Sounds like I should go to Charlevoix to see 'em. And I have no problem being called a fudgie. None whatsoever.
posted by
creatress
on Jul 14, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Hey! I just noticed (derrrr), congrats on becoming a "Featured Blogger!" You rock it girl!
posted by
AmandaS
on Jul 14, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Thanks, creatress. ;-)
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Okay - I'm small and will fit in a large suitcase... TAKE ME WITH YOU PLEASE!!!!!
Amanda - all I can say is - girl - when are you moving?? I loved this blog and thank you so much for sharing. I felt like I was sitting on the deck drinking coffee with you! Sounds like a wonderful place and you are so lucky to be able to go there (even if it is once a year!). Good for you AND your family for still enjoying this place! Maybe the girls can grow up there too???? (I'm a California native and if it wasn't for my immediate family - I would DEFINITELY be somewhere exactly like you just wrote about!).
Can't wait for your next trip!