As is typical with my family, we usually opt for some meals in and some out. After getting some essentials at Kroger, we made quick egg bacon and cheese sandwiches on sourdough English muffins! (Thanks, Jim!) We then headed out for the hour-drive to Frankenmuth, MI aka Michigan’s Little Bavaria. We started out in downtown Frankenmuth and sampled coffee from The Harvest, small pieces of fudge and various baked goods, dips, preserves, and breads in the various small shops (mind you those later portions were FREE!)
Luckily, we walked a LOT and worked off some of those free samples. We were sure to take Charlie’s picture at every chance we got (pictures forthcoming). He loved just strolling around – the day was GORGEOUS!!
We then decided to take a boat ride on the Bavarian Belle. After tearing Charlie away from the waterfall (no picture because he wouldn’t look at the camera, but kept turning around to see the waterfall), we made our way onto the ship. With the first loud horn, Charlie made his sad face and started sobbing! We were prepared the next time – singing and covering his ears. He loved seeing the MASSIVE paddle pushing us around, the waving water, and the swimming duckies! For his first boat ride, he did GREAT!
In the interest of making it in time for lunch, we headed to Zehnder’s (America’s LARGEST family restaurant – famous for their chicken dinners). Since we were there for lunch, Jim and Momma got open faced chicken sandwiches with mashed potatoes (with some for Charlie) and I got the Hazelwood turkey sandwich on a croissant with creamy cabbage salad – YUMMY!). Everything was excellent and we ended up with some delicious baked goods (cinnamon bread, a MASSIVE cinnamon roll, a free sourdough roll of bread (big), Christmas gifts, and 2 packets of coffee) and peanut butter chocolate CHEESE for Poppy as a souvenir.
The final stop for the day was WITHOUT A DOUBT my FAVORITE! We ended up at Bronner’s Christmas Store – the largest in America! With over 1.7 football fields of decorations, we were there for HOURS – literally. We bought Christmas ornaments – each got a FREE ornament, and snagged a few presents for people as well! Charlie was enamored with the lights, large displays, and Santa’s workshop. He even TALKED to Santa on the Santa Hot Line and his eyes lit up as if he knew who he was!! It was definitely THE stop of the day for me and I would go again in a heartbeat!
We were all pretty tired by the end of the day and Charlie drifted off to sleep…we got sandwiches from Tubby’s and are ending the night just relaxing…our BEST vacation day yet!
The big ole boat
In his own seat
Hanging in Santa’s Workshop
Chattin’ it up with Santa – giving him the Christmas list already
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