Frankenmuth - Michigan's Little Bavaria

When I visit Michigan, most of my time is spent in the southwestern area -- either in Grand Rapids or at our Latvian camp, Garezers. While I've made a few trips to northern Michigan (such as this one), there are many areas of Michigan I have yet to explore. One was the town of Frankenuth, which is known as Michigan's Little Bavaria. Because my sister and I both speak German and we as a family lived in Germany for a year at one point, we have a love of most things German. So, we a short family trip to Frankenmuth was planned. (Our mom did point out that we had both visited it a few years ago -- when we were about 3 and 4 years old!)

Located in the eastern part of the state, about half-way between Flint and Saginaw, Frankenmuth was settled in 1845 by immigrants from southern Germany. We arrived at lunchtime, and immediately headed to the Frankenmuth Brewery to eat. Having been founded in 1862, it happens to be the oldest brewery in the entire state.However, the building in which the brewery is located is relatively new, as the previous building was destroyed by a powerful tornado in June 1996. We all enjoyed our meals (enormous portions!), though the sauerkraut which came with the bratwurst dinner was underwhelming.

The brewery

The bratwurst

After lunch our plan had been to walk along the town's Main Street, but the uncomfortably chilly temperatures and off-and-on precipitation put a damper on our plans, so instead we headed to Bronner's, which bills itself as the world's largest Christmas store. This does not seem to be an understatement. We drove over in two cars, then had difficulties finding one another in the store itself -- even with entrances marked "The Southeast Entrance", etc. As I later learned from the website, the store is the size of one-and-a-half football fields. 

Welcome sign: Latvian is in 2nd column from left, Lithuanian in 2nd from right.

The store's thousands of Christmas tree ornaments are categorized into rather specific categories. Whether you are looking for something sports-related, or maybe a food or beverage-related ornament, you have plenty to choose from here! And to help orient you, store maps are available!

Every nook and cranny of the store is Christmas-themed, whether it's a choir of caroling teddy bears...

or Santa Claus himself...

Today the town of Frankenmuth is home to about 5,000 people and offers wholesome (maybe because the original founders were conservative Lutherans who apparently came to the U.S. to try to convert others) family fun. My sister, brother-in-law, and the kids stayed at Zehnder's Splash Village, which is popular with families as it has a two large indoor water parks. Because we didn't need a water park, my mom and I stayed at the Marv Herzog Hotel, which I can highly recommend. Each room has a balcony - with either a view of the river or of Main Street, plus amenities include parking underneath the hotel (nice bonus on this visit as it did ice overnight), an evening happy hour, and an enormous breakfast buffet in the morning.

After enjoying our wine, cheese, and other snacks during happy hour, mom and I met up with the rest of the family for dinner. Frankenmuth has two large competing restaurants, both supposedly famous for their fried chicken dinner. Confusingly - or helpfully - they are located across the street from another. We chose to eat at the Bavarian Inn. 

All of the portions were gigantic - whether for the kids' meals, appetizers, or dinners. My broiled chicken was surprisingly moist and flavorful, and my sister and I both particularly enjoyed the cranberry relish side dish, which was a mixture of cranberries and apples. With its German heritage, the restaurant does offer some German dishes as well -- the apple strudel dessert was absolutely delectable.

The next morning I was happy to discover Harvest CoffeeHouse, which certainly has the best caffeinated beverages in town. Soon it was time for me to head to the airport for my flight home, but I certainly would not mind returning to Frankenmuth in warmer weather!

Butterflies and Flowers at Meijer Gardens

While I have many visits to Meijer Gardens under my belt -- including at Christmas-time and in the summer more than once and fall, this was my first experience with the hugely popular butterfly exhibit. It snowed the day we visited, which led to scenes like this with vibrant spring flowers inside, and large snowflakes outside...

and this, from the warm and humid conservatory where the butterflies live...

Once inside the conservatory, it was easy to forget the bone-chilling temperatures outside as colorful butterflies of various sizes flitted about the bright greenery and lovely flowers, enchanting young and old alike.

Enjoying rotting fruit. These butterflies had bright blue interior wings -- but were impossible to photograph while flying.

If you look closely, you can see a bit of the blue!

Upon exiting the exhibit, we had to spin around in front of an employee to ensure that no butterfly was trying to hitch a ride out on us!

We spent some time in the other conservatories, as well.

No idea what this is -- but it's so cool!

Checking out the caterpillars -- not so easy to spot!

An explosion of colors and scents!

My new favorite flower - so intricate, so beautiful!

These goofballs also enjoyed our Meijer Gardens visit!

A Wintry Spring Visit to Michigan

This winter's most exciting event was the arrival of my fourth niece. I planned an early April trip to Grand Rapids-- hoping that winter would be over with by then. Once that date arrived, however, I found myself stuffing thick sweaters into my suitcase, as my hopes had been dashed and the forecast was calling for cold, snow, wind - and more cold. I sat at the Baltimore airport sweating and feeling overdressed in the warm muggy Maryland temperatures, but landing in Michigan reminded me why wool sweaters and down coats are so useful. Nonetheless, it was a great visit during which I was able to experience two Michigan firsts -- seeing the butterfly exhibit at Meijer Gardens, and visting the state's "Little Bavaria" - Frankenmuth, about which I will write separate posts.

Naturally, my time with the family included lots of cuddles...

Back in DC my time is once again monopolized by working and commuting, but I'm hoping to find time for an outing or two in the coming months. In the meantime -- I hope you're enjoying your spring, and stay tuned for a couple of posts about the Michigan adventures!

Visiting the National Zoo

The National Zoo is a part of the Smithsonian Institution, and as such charges no admission fee. Due to that fact, plus its relatively convenient location near the Woodley Park Metro stop, and its hugely popular pandas, the Zoo is on many tourists' lists as a place that should be visited. On a recent chilly spring Saturday, a friend convinced me to join hordes of tourists for a visit to the Zoo. Because - after all - who can resist the promise of cute animals?

The Zoo's most famous inhabitants are located near the entrance of the zoo, and attract huge crowds. While we did not spot baby Bei Bei, who was born in August 2015, we were treated to the sight of two of the other three pandas spending time outside.

Pandas spend much of their day eating, as they typically consume between twenty and forty pounds of bamboo every day!

Afterward, we stopped and said hello to the elephants.

Then, searching for warmer temperatures, we explored the Small Mammal House, which is actually quite fascinating as one is quite close to the animals, plus many of these creatures are not that well-known. Many of the animals were enjoying a lazy Saturday...

And then my camera's battery died. Love it when that happens! By this time the zoo was overrun by tourists, plus it was time to find lunch....

Washington's Cherry Blossoms

Washington is famous for its cherry trees which line the Tidal Basin and bloom every spring, attracting visitors from near and far. Cherry blossom time holds special meaning for me, as it always beautifully reminds me of my move to Washington, which happened in the spring seventeen years ago in the week that the trees were showing off their radiance. 

Although it was not yet peak bloom, last week a friend and I walked down to the Tidal Basin one evening after work. The scene was lovely -- and crowded.

We began our walk in Foggy Bottom, making our way down 23rd Street to the Lincoln Memorial, where President Lincoln always sits keeping a watchful eye on the tourists and the Washington Monument.

We continued by walking past the Korean War Memorial, then crossing the street near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and almost the entire way around the Tidal Basin. It was a gorgeous evening.

The iconic view on Wednesday.

And that same view on Friday, as photographed by my friend Inta Skinkis.

The local NBC station's meterologist, Doug Kammerer, was doing the weather forecast live from the Tidal Basin.

Cherry blossoms and people everywhere...

After our stroll around the Tidal Basin, we began walking toward a Metro stop, but decided to pause at the foot of the Washington Monument. The view and the evening were so lovely that we stayed to watch the sun set behind the Lincoln Memorial. I love spring in Washington!

Updating

Life is what happens while you're making other plans. I can assure my dear readers that I have planned to write a blog post or two since the last one, but somehow that plan has not come to fruition. Due to work, winter, and my commute there isn't even that much to write about, but here are a few updates for you...

Entertaining visitors...A friend from overseas was in DC for a couple of days, so we made sure to enjoy life in the big city -- we ate seafood at Old Ebbitt Grill, we caught the movie "45 Years" at Landmark E Street Theater, and we enjoyed a brunch in Alexandria before she had to fly off again. Another friend from out of town came to stay with me for a few days -- she essentially invited herself for a visit after reading several of my blog posts about museums that she wanted to see. She did a great job of covering a lot of territory. On Friday while I was at work she hit up the Renwick, then the Postal Museum, and after that the National Museum of American History. On Saturday she and I visited the Phillips Collection (inconveniently my camera battery died, but I will write about the museum and its current exhibit another time -- I bought a membership for the year, so plan to return relatively soon) after which we gorged on a three-course bottomless mimosa brunch at Kellari Taverna (courtesy of Groupon). Then she went to do even more museum-exploring while I took care of some other things. On Sunday we did some necessary girlfriend things - a bit of shopping, plus enjoying dinner with great friends..

Working...Yep, not much I can say about that.

Commuting...Metro is terribly infuriating at times. However, I have lots of dedicated reading time!

Enjoying...the fact that the day is slowly becoming longer. Seeing more of the sun is exciting! One gorgeous sunny weekend day a friend and I visited Great Falls Park, which is on the Virginia side of the Potomac (as opposed to the Maryland side about which I write frequently). Instead of entering the area from the NPS site, we hiked there from Riverbend Park. The hike was muddier than expected, but it was very enjoyable to walk right along the river and to once again see the falls from the other side.

The river was very high, and the falls impressive.

Planning...This weekend I will attend the Washington Wizards game -- for the sole purpose of seeing Latvian superstar Kristaps Porzingis play as the Knicks visit DC. A Latvian acquaintance organized a big seating section -- there will be over 100 Latvians and friends-of-Latvians in attendance, all cheering Kristaps on from the nosebleed seats! Next month I will fly to Michigan to visit family, and for the beginning of summer a friend and I just planned an interesting outing to which I am very much looking forward!

Feeling grateful...for the fact that winter was not all that horrible. And - truth be told - once the leaves return, I will miss the unobstructed view of sunsets from my balcony...