The Kleiber Family Timeline

Category: Parks

Visits to parks

  • Mackinaw Island 2006

    We really enjoy going to this island, the earlier the better. We try to get there before 8am because we pretty much have the whole island (and boat ride) to ourselves. The only people on the boat with us are people who work at the stores on the island. We go up the big hill, past the big Fort, and straight into the State park part of Mackinaw. It always reminds me of the trek Dorothy took to get to the witches castle before the flying monkeys got them. A forest full of mystery and landmarks all over. Three graveyards are here as well, a Protestant one, a Catholic one, and a Military one. Most of the graves here are well over a hundred years old.

    There is also Skull Cave, Arch Rock, and a scenic view that simply cannot be captured with a camera. In the city you have the Grand Hotel which was the setting for the movie “Somewhere in Time” with Christopher Reeve.

    There are no automobiles allowed on the island for transportation. You must walk, ride a horse, ride in a horse drawn carriage, or ride a bicycle. There is a small airport on the island, it is a good hike to get to but we have done it so its possible. However why come all this way to see a small airport?

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  • Lyle Lovett Concert 2005

    Mary really enjoys Lyle Lovett and when he came to do an outdoor concert in Michigan we decided to go and sit outside the pavilion. James was far enough away from any loud noises and was able to play in the grass, but Mary was close enough to enjoy the concert.

    This was James first concert and looked pretty bored throughout, however he enjoyed going for strolls in the field, probably because it was unusual for him to be outside after dark.

    I am not sure but I think this facility is the old Pine Knob facility where we use to attend concerts as kids

    In the end, everyone had a great time.

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  • Knights of Columbus Hines Park Party 2005

    This was the first time many at the Knights of Columbus met James. James did a little dancing on the floor, then enjoyed some barbecue hot dogs and potato salad.

    Lots of Grand Knights and Past Grand Knights were at this well attended event. There was a small fundraiser and remembrance for 911, all sorts of games, and great grilled cooking. I never saw a hockey game that was played on grass but I have now.

    Hines Park is pretty famous as parks go in Michigan, probably the most famous of all not counting sports parks. I remember coming down here as a teenager and playing frisbee at Nolars Bend. In the winter time they set up a gigantic Christmas display that you drive through in your car.

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  • Champagne Park 2005

    Each Sunday James and his Dad take Aunt Peg shopping and then go to a park. This weekend we chose Champagne Park where James participated in a variety of activities under the tutelage of Aunt Peg.

    Champagne park is a huge park that is located on Pelham between Ecorse and Middle Belt road (on the Allen Park side of the street) and in addition to the park facilities and shelters, has an ice rink and tennis courts. James Dad remembers playing CYO baseball at Champagne park in the seventies. He also remembers helping his Aunt Criss field ground balls at the park when she was practicing for her softball team.

    James had a blast here, being bounced on the teeter totter thingy and going into the monkey bar sphere which should be fun for climbing once he gets a little older.

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  • Niagara Falls 2004

    We visited Niagara Falls for a week in late September and got a great room with a super view. As a child we used to go to Niagara Falls all the time, it was about the same distance away as Mackinaw and there were train tours that left from Windsor so we only had to drive across the border. However since 911 the borders have gotten alot stricter which means long lines and waiting periods. Probably will never go back to the way it was but it certainly affects where you want to vacation.

    Anyhow highlights of this trip are the falls, we visited both the American side and the Canadian side, although we stayed on the Canadian side. In addition, Mary rode a trolley car over a whirlpool while James and I watched. Had to be a thrill for Mary though.

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  • Niagara Whirlpool 2004

    If you walk downstream far enough at Niagara you will come to a circular like lake where all the water from the falls flows into. Right in the center of this lake is a whirlpool. It looks a little like a black hole with water as it sucks everything into it. Kind of scary.

    Above this lake with the whirlpool is a trolley that travels across the lake. People wait in line to be hoisted over this lake/river/whirlpool or whatever you want to call it. I had no intention of riding it but James Mom did and she said it was a fun trip.

    Oh well,to each their own.

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  • Mackinaw Island State Park 2004

    The thing I remember most about this trip was getting up super early and arriving at the island before 7am. On our way up to the State park we met Governor Granholm on her way down.

    We went to Mackinaw Island for our Honeymoon and several other times, but this was our first visit with James. We took him for a nice long walk through the state park then let him play in one of the many playgrounds on the island. Hopefully we can make this an annual event for James.

    Lots of first’s for James here, first time on a boat, first vacation, first time crossing the Mackinaw Bridge, first time in the Upper Peninsula. He did really well for us in the car which is about a 4-5 hour trip so hopefully we can do many more of these trips.

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  • Elizabeth Park 2003

    Elizabeth Park is one of the prettiest parks around and we were hoping for a nice day before the end of the year to take James to it. Unfortunately, his response to the park was the same as Greenfield Village as he slept most of the walk.

    Lots of fond memories of Elizabeth Park. We used to have family reunions here and later when I would go fishing with my friends we would launch the boat from Elizabeth Park (then usually travel downriver to Portofino’s and drink beer). I rode my first horse here and I would imagine that james will ride his first horse here too.

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  • Mackinaw Island 2002

    After our visit to Saulte Ste Marie we headed South for about an hour and took the ferry from Mackinaw to Mackinaw Island. while there we took a tour by horse carriage to most of the sights. We even made time to visit the haunted house that they have there.