Wine and Spirits Travel

My Southwest Michigan trip with my friend, Lynn, had been going well. We were enjoying the waterfront along Lake Michigan, the Dutch heritage, and lots of tasty food. We were excited to explore even more places in the region, but first we had a couple more things to see and do in Holland. We started with breakfast at Deboer Bakkerij . This popular spot has been a staple in Holland since the original owner came from Nederland in the 1950s. Five generations later, the authentic Dutch recipes are still being made. Everything on the menu sounded delicious. Lynn had an omelet and I, as I typically do, leaned toward something sweeter with the Blueberry Bliss pancakes. It was the perfect choice. I did my best to finish them, but it wasn’t possible since the portion was so big. When we were done, we headed to a spot I was looking forward to while planning the trip. It is a little-known fact that L. Frank Baum, author of the Wizard of Oz, was a frequent vacationer to Holland, Michigan. Rumors h...

  I have tried the last few years not to late my days be overbooked. It didn’t work out that way for my first day in Holland with my friend, Lynn. We had a very full day, but it was all filled with fun. We had a quick breakfast in the lobby of the Haworth at the Biggby Coffee before taking off for the day. I had their waffle egg sandwich, and it was quite good. Our first stop was Critter Barn in nearby Zeeland. It was the perfect place to put on our schedule as it focuses on those with special needs. They have mobility equipment to lend, quiet spaces and fidgets for those with neurodivergent issues, and an easy to access location with smooth paths everywhere. Critter Barn is a working farm which promotes learning to individuals and school groups as much as possible. It is not a petting zoo, though there are a few opportunities to visit with the animals (the piglets were especially adorable). It is mostly going through the barns and learning about the animals and how they play a pa...

  My friend, Lynn, and I left 21C Museum Hotel in Chicago in the afternoon to start our trip north to Michigan. It had been years since we were last in the state together . We were both huge fans of the state and were looking forward to the opportunity to check out some new towns. We didn’t have a chance to get lunch before we left and decided to stop in South Haven, Michigan, for dinner. It’s a quaint waterfront town and we headed to a strip by the water to park. South Haven Brew Pub was on that block and looked like a casual place to eat. Unfortunately, it wasn’t that simple as there didn’t seem to be a way for me to get in the restaurant with my wheelchair. As we were trying to figure out if I could get in, the manager of the Old Harbor Inn next door came out and led us through her hotel to a downstairs path that led to the brew pub. We thanked her and found a table in the busy restaurant. I had a pulled pork sandwich with house made chips and coleslaw and Lynn had a salad and...