Northern Michigan has been home to our family for more than 30 years. Although one branch of the family now lives in Virginia and another in Grand Blanc, Traverse City is still where everyone gathers.
This summer was especially memorable. Family traveled from Virginia, Germany, England, and Scotland for Ronessa and Dom’s wedding in Marquette. The wedding gave us the perfect excuse to spend almost three weeks together making memories across Northern Michigan.
Meet the Crew
The Guys at Red Fox Run in Gwinn, Michigan
Our family adventure brought together three generations from Michigan, Virginia, Germany, England, and Scotland. Since you’ll meet quite a few people along the way, here’s a quick introduction before we get started.
The Traverse City Crew
- Marisa – Mom to Ronessa, Jeff, Patrick and Alex, Grandma to all 8 grandkids, and your storyteller.
- Guy – Marisa’s husband, known as Grandpa Guy to Anna and Bray.
- Ronessa and Dom – The bride and groom, along with Ronessa’s daughters Lily, Aevryn, and Zoe.
- Jeff and Arianna – Along with their children Maddie, Angelyn, and Ryker.
- Casey and Abbey – Guy’s son and daughter in law.
Black Rock
The Virginia Crew
- Patrick and Lauren – Owners of Dyer Lake Vacation Home, visiting from Virginia with their children Anna and Bray.
The Grand Blanc Crew
- Alex and Danielle – The baby of the family and his significant other.
Our International Guests
- Wolfgang and Gail – Dom’s parents, visiting from Germany.
- Anja, Jaison, and Ben – Dom’s sister and her family, visiting from England.
- Johnny – One of the best men and a close friend from Scotland. Patrick met Dom and Johnny while studying in Scotland for year.
Wedding Week in Marquette
Grandpa Guy, Anna and Bray on the raft at Kitch-iti-Kipi
Patrick, Lauren, Anna, and Bray arrived in late July from Virginia to begin their stay at Dyer Lake Vacation Home, or as Anna and Bray call it, their Michigan home. Since they had guests staying at the house for the first two nights, they stayed with Grandma before everyone headed north for the wedding festivities in Marquette.
Grandma and Grandpa Guy traveled with Anna and Bray leaving a day early and made a stop at Kitch-iti-Kipi along the way. It was Anna and Bray’s first time crossing the Mackinac Bridge, and they loved every minute of it. We even stopped at the Welcome Center just over the bridge where they met the giant bear. He even growled at them, although thankfully he was stuffed.
Patrick, Anna and Bray practicing their putting
The next morning Grandma, Grandpa Guy, Anna, and Bray headed to Red Fox Run Golf Course in Gwinn. They met Patrick, Lauren, Ronessa, Dom, Alex, Johnny, and the rest of the crew (who left Traverse City at 6am that morning) for some golf. Anna and Bray played their very first nine holes on a real golf course before Mom and Aunt Danielle picked them up so Grandma and Grandpa could finish their round.
The following day Grandma, Grandpa Guy, and Casey played the course at Northern Michigan University while other family members enjoyed a Pictured Rocks cruise. Everyone returned with beautiful photos and souvenirs.
That evening the kids wanted to hunt for Yooper Lites. Alex and Danielle found the perfect beach and sent us a pin. Grandma, Grandpa Guy, Anna, Bray, Casey, Abbey, Anja, and Ben all headed out for the adventure. We only found a few rocks that we think were Yooper Lites, but Anna couldn’t resist taking a swim in the cold, cold waters of Lake Superior.
Anna and Bray in the lobby at Aunt Ronessa’s wedding reception
Saturday was all about Ronessa and Dom’s wedding. Family and friends from Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, New York, Virginia, Germany, England, and Scotland gathered to celebrate a beautiful evening that none of us will soon forget.
Sunday it was time to head back below the bridge. Jeff and Ryker stayed behind a little longer so they could jump from the cliffs at Black Rocks.
None of us sane folks wanted to go.
We all left Marquette at different times. Grandma and Grandpa thought they would make great time since they left first. Instead, they stopped at a gas station looking for something to eat and discovered Wolfgang, Gail, Anja, Jaison, and Ben already there. A few minutes later Ronessa and Dom walked in too.
Apparently, there are not a lot of potty break options between Munising and the Mackinac Bridge.
Patrick’s truck made a lunch stop in Mackinaw City where everyone visited the Mack A Tron. Everyone agreed it was much bigger than they expected.
By evening everyone was back in Traverse City. Our guests from Germany and England settled in with Ronessa and Dom while the Virginia crew finally made it back to their Michigan home for the next two weeks.
Back at Their Michigan Home
Mackinac Bridge from beach in Mackinaw City
Once everyone was settled back in Traverse City, the fun really began.
There were lazy mornings at the lake, afternoons kayaking, paddle boarding, paddle boating and fishing on Dyer Lake. Grandma and Grandpa Guy got in on the fun too, paddling around the lake with the kids. Evenings were spent relaxing and planning the next day’s adventure.
The Virginia kids stayed busy with the Traverse City cousins.
We explored the trails behind the Village at Grand Traverse Commons and wandered through the shops at Mercato.
Zoe and Ryker took Anna and Bray to Altitude Trampoline Park where Cousin Angelyn works. Afterwards everyone headed to Incredible Mo’s for bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and plenty of laughs.
Grandma organized the traditional trip to Cognition in Beulah. This time only Ryker, Zoe, Anna, and Bray made the trip. We love Cognition. Between the animals, hands on activities, and reasonable admission, it remains one of our favorite places to visit with kids. The weather was questionable, and it was busier than we had ever seen it.
Anna and Bray waiting for the rat to come into their hands at Cognitions
Here’s a tip. Visit on a beautiful beach day when everyone else is heading for the shoreline.
Uncle Jeff and Aunt Arianna took everyone out on their double-decker pontoon boat on Long Lake for a day at one of the islands. The kids swam, jumped off the deck, flew down the slide and had a blast. Uncle Jeff grilled Aunt Arianna’s famous pinwheel steaks, and trust me, they are amazing! Of course, Arianna made all sorts of extras to go along with them. Nobody was going hungry that day!
They even spent a weekend at Uncle Alex and Aunt Danielle’s cabin, in an area we lovingly refer to as “Up Mid.” Alex and Danielle live downstate, and their cabin is about halfway between their home and Traverse City, where Alex grew up. So, in our family, it’s Up Mid. It’s up from their house, but not quite Up North!
A Summer Filled with Golf
Anyone who knows our family knows we love golf.
We played several rounds while we were in Marquette, but we were just getting started.
One afternoon Grandma and Grandpa hosted a family outing at Elmbrook Golf Course, our home course. Wolfgang rented a left-handed set of clubs, Grandpa Guy loaned Jaison his spare clubs, and Jaison played golf for the very first time. Under Grandpa Guy’s coaching he did surprisingly well.
Gail shared clubs with Marisa.
Fortunately they are both short.
Patrick, Anna and Lauren at the Up Mid Cottage
A few days later Marisa, Patrick, and Dom tackled The Crown Golf Course, less than five minutes from Dyer Lake Vacation Home. It was a slow start, but once everyone warmed up there were birdies, pars, and plenty of smiles.
Anna and Bray came to Michigan excited to golf, and Grandma made sure that happened. The kids joined Grandma, Patrick, and Dom for eighteen holes at Elmbrook. Since golf groups should only have four players, Grandma became the official cheerleader after the first few holes.
Watching Anna and Bray hit some amazing shots was every bit as much fun as playing.
Bray even made his very first real par.
Not bad for a seven-year-old playing only his second round of golf.
A couple of days before heading home, Grandma, Patrick, Anna, and Bray squeezed in one final round at Bay Meadows Family Golf Center. It is only about fifteen minutes from their Michigan home and is a wonderful place for families. We moved the tee markers forward for the kids, and they both played fantastically. Anna even made her very first birdie.
Our family loves golf, and it was so much fun watching the next generation fall in love with the game.
Until Next Time
Lauren, Patrick, Bray and Anna on the Pictured Rocks boat tour
As always, their time in Michigan went by much too fast.
Patrick, Lauren, Anna, and Bray were sad to leave their Michigan home and head back to Virginia, but they already know they would be back soon. Between family, golf, beaches, lakes, and endless adventures, Northern Michigan has a way of calling everyone back.
One of the things Patrick and Lauren love most about Dyer Lake Vacation Home is its location. It has become the perfect home base for exploring Northern Michigan. Some of our favorite places are only a few minutes away, while others make wonderful day trips. Whether we’re spending the day in downtown Traverse City, heading to Sleeping Bear Dunes, exploring the Leelanau or Old Mission Peninsulas, or taking a longer drive to Mackinaw City, Petoskey, Charlevoix, Gaylord, or even the Upper Peninsula, it’s always nice to come back to our Michigan home at the end of the day.
For our guests, another bonus is having someone local nearby. If you ever need anything during your stay, Marisa is usually able to help in less than thirty minutes.
The home has been part of our family’s story for years, and because Patrick and Lauren spend so much time here themselves, they make sure it is stocked with the same comforts and conveniences they appreciate. We hope your family creates just as many wonderful memories here as ours has.
👉 Plan your Northern Michigan getaway
Many guests choose to book directly with us to avoid extra platform fees and save a little on their stay. We are always happy to answer questions and help you feel comfortable with the process.
If you prefer using Airbnb, that option is available as well. We want you to book in the way that feels easiest for you.
When you are ready, you can check availability and reserve your dates below.
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