Lock down. These two words have summed up our life for the past four months. We have had hundreds of conversations with our children explaining that we could not travel this summer as we typically do, and that besides trips to the library with face masks on and occasionally seeing local family, we would be home all summer. However, unexpected circumstances required that we travel to Michigan on short notice.

It has been four years since we have been to Michigan, and we didn’t have much time for our usual vacation activities because of other obligations. However, we were able to squeeze in time for a few hours of fun during our four days in Michigan.

On the Fourth of July, we traded our usual warm summer beaches for the sand dunes and cold waters of Lake Michigan, going to a remote beach about which only locals know. The landscape along Lake Michigan is breathtaking. Sailboats dotted the horizon and people relaxing in boats were enjoying the warm summer day.

With the lake at your front and huge sand dunes at your back, there are gorgeous views no matter where your gaze lands. The kids, not being accustomed to northern lakes, strolled in for a few minutes, and then sat on the beach shivering with purple lips. However, my youngest stayed in the water with me, saying over and over, “This is SO refreshing.” She definitely took advantage of the opportunity be in the water and swim, while my other kids sat looking bored. After staying an hour and a half, we decided none of the kids (besides one) seemed to be enjoying themselves, so we went for a drive through Michigan’s farm country and some of its small towns, then headed back to where we were staying.

A few days later, we met some people at Russ’ Restaurants in Grand Rapids for lunch. Russ’ is a family owned diner and is unlike any that we find where we live. I had been telling my husband since we arrived in Michigan, that I really wanted some good fried fish. Much to my surprise, Russ’ had fried perch on their menu. Knowing how much I had missed good fried northern lake fish, I savored every bite.

Since it was our last day in town, we also decided to go to our favorite buffet in the entire United States, actually the only buffet I like: Pizza Ranch. The self-serve buffet style that we are used to was replaced by cafeteria style service. When we first walked in I was a little concerned that the workers would discover how much food I truly eat at buffets. The restaurant was essentially empty, with very few patrons, but any fears were quickly alleviated because the skeleton crew at the restaurant was doing an excellent job of helping where needed, so whoever was available gave you food when you wanted it. In my mind, this made it so no one realized that I ate about seven plates of food. Relieved, I was able to settle in and enjoy the experience…as much as you can enjoy how you feel after eating seven plates of food!

Besides their unique pizzas, such as their Texan (taco) pizza, the thing that I love about Pizza Ranch is that if there is a specific type of pizza that you want from their menu that is not on the buffet, many franchises allow you to order the pizza and have as many of the pieces that you desire brought to your table, while putting the remainder on the buffet. Because of this, you are able to have your favorite types of pizza, fresh each time you visit. I was a little saddened that Macaroni and Cheese Pizza had been taken off the menu, but with so many other options to choose from, I definitely enjoyed the experience.

We finished the day meeting a friend at Thornapple Brewing Co., enjoying a local beer made from hops provided by West Michigan Hopyards. It was a great way to end our last day in Michigan.

This definitely was not a typical vacation for us, but we managed to squeeze in a little fun and good food. With our bleak view of no or minimal travel until the summer of 2022, this short trip, though in many ways stressful, was also a welcome relief for a family of six tired of being stuck in the house together with nothing to do. I am thankful to have had this short trip, even if it was nowhere close to the typical vacation that I would have planned…