5-day, 4-night Trip, May 2016


Frankenmuth Michigan
The area was settled and named by conservative Lutheran immigrants from Franconia, Germany in June 1845.  Germans continued arriving until the start of the Second World War.

Our first overnight stop was at Frankenmuth.  We were given a "Bavarian" dinner.  I was expecting sausage and saurbrauten.  We got fried chicken and green beans. 
There is supposedly a large Christmas market in Frankenmuth.  We were there in May.

They have an interesting clock tower depicting the "pied piper of Hamlin."
Frankenmuth wiki.


Mackinaw Island
Located in Lake Huron, at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac, between the state's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, the island has a long history.  The entire island is listed as a National Historic Landmark.

There is electricity, but no automobiles on the island.  There is a lilac festival in May.  We experienced snow flurries.
Pure Michigan              Mackinac Island wiki


Holland Michigan
Every year Holland Michigan has their Tulip festival.  Our trip concluded with a tour of Holland and the parade.
Holland is a town about the size of New Albany.  Tourism, tulip sales and farming are the primary industries.  There are some very rich people in Holland.
It was cold!  The flowers and the natives didn't seem to mind.
Holland, MI wiki              Betsy Devos summer home