We'd Still Be There...

...If it weren't for their winters and how much we'd miss our family.

After a day of resting from being at Mackinac Island we decided to take one for the team and venture out to a local dog beach for Pearl. What I mean by that is our local dog beaches aren't the prettiest ones of the bunch, but always a good time for our furry friends. Pearl was a good sport on the island and although it was fun, I'd say it was more stimulating than it was satisfying for her. There was a lot going on with minimum play time.

So off to Zoll beach we headed in our bathing suits under our casual outfits to later grab lunch. Little did we know that we were headed to a uniquely stunning dog beach that was something out of a movie.

We pulled up and parked, again with ease because that's how it goes up here in Michigan. We proceeded towards the shore that was in the distance and stepped upon a beautifully manicured patch of grass.

By now we could see the water and it was turquoise with some ankle slapping surf and sailboats resting with ease on their mooring balls in the distance. It was something out of a picture book.

The sand was pristine, despite the dozen or so dogs that frolicked about together on both land and sea. The beach itself was only 100 feet wide but this compact spot of beach ended up being the perfect size for dogs to run around and yet not run off.

Doug and I made a pile of our belongings, wondering if there was a tide to worry about, which we later learned is just an ocean thing. We set off for the water to realize it was the perfect - I'm going to be in here for a few hours - temperature.

Not too cold or warm, yes that is a thing and the right amount of gentle decline into deeper waters, we were in bliss. I actually didn't snap too many photos because I wanted to just soak up the moment and enjoy. And that we did.

I told Doug, 'if we could just order a pizza to be delivered to us in the water, I would never leave.'

We were lucky enough to chat with several locals and learn about the neighboring towns including this private spit of land where only the Wrigley class of families summer'd here. I asked how much were the homes worth and they said, they never go up for sale, because people just will them to their offspring.

Hunger won our attention, which says a lot because these two water babies were happy as clams.

We set off into Harbor Springs to get lunch and this was the highlight of our trip so far. It was a darling town that was a joy to saunter through. We parked on the main drag and found a dog friendly eatery. A multi-generational family took up the entire patio which was the only place where Pearl could be. Unfortunately they had just settled in when we approached them. I let them know that we were just figuring out if they had any other outdoor space, when the waitress happened to walk out and she said this was it.

I looked at the group and said, 'I would be so grateful if someone would be willing to call or text me as you're wrapping up, so that we can come back and snag a table'.

The grandma of the group said, 'I'll do it!' and I was so stoked. I gave her my number and off to the local park and people only beach we went.

We sat at a bench and watched

the beach goers from a far.

They had a lifeguard on both land and sea along with a boat club adjacent.

It was a lovely town and

the people there were

living a charmed life for sure.

Just about the time I was sensing that we should head back that way, we got a call and a text from our look outs! Yay!

It worked and this allowed us to have

not just a lunch, but the most delicious burger I've ever had accompanied by

the most gourmet onion rings ever.

Sorry Rocky's, but it's true.

With our hearts and bellies full, we headed back to our RV. I will never forget Harbor Springs and Zoll Dog Beach. It was a high point for sure.

Sending our love and wagging tails back home to you!