So to surprise my dad, I decided to come home in January for his 50th birthday. Of course, I could’t wait to tell him, so he was well aware of our arrival back to Michigan. It was Mike’s first time there and I was excited to show him all of the winter wonderland. First night home, as soon as we landed, we had to get ready to go out to celebrate the birthday bash. Our plane was delayed, which put me on edge, hoping we would make it home in time. Thank goodness everything pulled through and we made it in time to clean up before our fancy dinner downtown. Instead of a big bash with friends and family, at my dad’s request, we just went to a nice dinner atop Grand Rapids Amway hotel. It was a lovely celebration with me, Mike, Mom and Dad, plus Sam and Caitlin. It had a great view and the menu was filled with a bunch of stuff I couldn’t pronounce. Nonetheless, it was delicious. And even though it was a fancy restaurant, they too celebrate birthdays with chocolate covered strawberries, just without the singing and clapping.
After a good nights rest, we were off to explore the city. Making very important stops to Yesterdog, Founders (of course multiple times), coffee houses, and obligatory tattoo shops. We were even lucky enough to make it to a couple of Jack’s basketball games.. which are something I miss so dearly. The week was filled with home-cooked meals presented by my mother and copious amounts of beer drinking at all the local breweries. When it came to walking around downtown, I don’t think Mike was exactly thrilled about the cold temperatures. Though, I must admit, I have adjusted to the Vegas weather so well that now a mere 40 degrees will have me bundled up.
One very key point we had to make was to allow Mike to enjoy all the snow. The best way to do this, Jack decided, was to go sledding. We started off in the backyard.. a small hill but it got the job done. But after Jack mentioned Mary Waters park off of Leonard street- the notorious sledding hill from hell in Grand Rapids, I couldn’t resist the urge to go. After discovering the whole hill was ice, that didn’t slow down Jack or his friend Patrick. At one point I asked Jack why he was sending my boyfriend down this slippery slope headed toward a huge jump. He replied that he was attempting to kill Mike. I asked my thirteen year old cousin why. He said, “because then you can move back home and hang out with me instead.” Although my cousin was attempting murder, it was about the sweetest thing I have ever heard him say.
Beer. Lots of it. I think we took two tours of Founders, thanks to dad. I am pretty sure we drank there at least five times. We did make it to Grand Rapids Brewing Co, Brewery Vivant, Hopcat, and Perrin- but of course, Founders always trumps the deck. Mike was on a mission to tap out all their kegs and I was enjoying the delicious Solid Gold paired with my go-to sammich The Mug Clubber. Seriously, as I type this I’m drooling just thinking about it.
A belly full of food and just enough beer to think it was a good idea, we headed to Grand Haven. It was nice skies, not snowing or windy, and it was probably our best shot at getting out there during the week. Mom and Dad drove out and I brought along the cameras. Now in the twenty four years I have lived in Michigan, I have only been to the coast once in the winter and even then, it wasn’t frozen the way it was this year. So many people decided to join in on the fun of walking out on the lake so far. It was solid ice up to the lighthouse and further. Mike was terrified of falling through and didn’t trust it. His first experience with the lake and unfortunately it is frozen over- no worries we will be back in the summer to get the better views. Anyways, without any wind- Grand Haven was beautiful. It looked like another country the way the ice froze in waves along the coast.
After, we warmed up at a local brewery on main street. Best story yet… Mike saw a jackelope mounted on the wall like a piece of game. It’s antler rabbit head shown proudly on the wall. Mike asked if it was real and I looked at him like he was stupid to even ask such a thing. He didn’t believe me but my dad joined in and also proceeded to tell mike about jackelopes. Mike thought he was being pranked and still would not believe us. Without skipping a beat, the bartender moved into the conversation and started to explain the history of the jackelope and its species development. Mike was astonished and before I could let him fully believe I burst out laughing. Nonetheless, a great moment.
Plenty of time to explore downtown. Beers at Hopcat and oh my lan- the crack fries. As I type this, my mouth is watering just thinking of them. I hope everyone in Grand Rapids realizes how much delicious food they have at their fingertips.
Obligatory Michigan tattoos since we were in town. Never would I ever get this tattoo anywhere else. Shane was the artist who did my mermaid tattoo so he hooked it up at Mos. Mike even got a new one on his left bicep. When I was back out here in Nevada, I was at the doctors and the nurse asked me about my tattoo. She asked if it was a state. I guess I didnt realize that people not from Michigan don’t realize how awesome Michigan is.
I think we had three tours of Founders, thanks to Dad. Mike was able to see every nook in the brewery, from the back bottling area to the VIP private room upstairs. We were even able to go downstairs into the cellar and see some neat stuff. I don’t think Mike could be any happier.
LUCKY US! It snowed while we were in town and Mike was excited to shovel! I have to admit, I was too. Its so fun to get bundled up, strain your back, and work up a sweat. Of course, Hugo was out to help us the whole time as we finished the driveway and sidewalks.
And on the last part of our tour, Mike was able to check out ….*drum roll*…. A BOTTLE RETURN! Haha! Lucky Michigan again, we get ten cents back on our bottles- which seriously is bomb.com. So we went up to Meijer, returned a bottle of pepsi, scored $0.10, and went to buy lotto tickets. Since Nevada has the casinos, we don’t have any sort of lottery and I dearly miss scratch offs. So we bought some and somehow won. Of course, I played cashword and won $10 and Mike won too! Which is awesome because seriously, you never win scratch offs so it was a good way to end the trip for us.
I cannot believe I have been living in Nevada for an entire year now. SO much as happened in such little time. I have grown up a lot, I have missed home dearly, I still feel like a child and I call home often. I’m so grateful for my job and darn proud of myself for sticking it out when I didn’t get the job when I first moved here. As much as Nevada heats up in the summer, I am happy to have found so many wonderful things here. Don’t worry GR, I will be home soon and I miss you all so much.