Tag: Vacation
Mackinaw Island 2017
It was a wee bit chilly on the boat ride to and from Mackinaw city, but we survived and then bought Mackinaw sweaters on the island. James and Dad went through the Mirror Maze and completed it, then followed up with a visit to the haunted house where James survived terrifying creatures of the night. Mom loved the shopping and we all met up to go down to the rock beach and attempt to skip stones. Like the city, new stores replace old every year and this year was no different, with the Magic shop next to the haunted house gone. One thing that was really different was seeing a cruise ship docked at Mackinaw City, seems an 11 day cruise of the Great Lakes was taking place which started in Chicago, how fun would that be!
Mackinaw City 2017
It seems that every year we go to Mackinaw there is something new to see. This year we noticed a couple magic shops were missing but a new haunt had appeared. Unfortunately by the time we got to Mackinaw Crossing the haunts were closed, at least we got to go through the one on the island. After checking out all the souvenir stores at the crossing, James found a laser game he liked and did it a couple times till he made the top ten and got a little cert from the store that he had accomplished this feat. Meanwhile Mom was thrilled that the lilac bushes in the city were blooming and took several pics of them. Toward the evening we went to the park where James jumped back and forth under the bridge between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
Mackinaw 2016
Nothing like a trip up to northern Michigan to beat the 90 degree heat with 70 degree temps. Mackinac City was packed and the weather was overcast all day so I am assuming that a lot of people who would normally have taken the ferry to the island decided to play it safe and stay on the peninsula. Since our last visit one of our shopping stops has turned into an arcade, which is fine since we have so many places to shop in Mackinac but not many arcades. James got to visit Sea Shell City and throw rocks into Lake Huron so he was content (plus getting some souvenirs and tshirts). All in all a very fun trip and a nice way to beat the summer humidity and heat.
Fortunately the Great Lakes have plenty of rocks to throw into the lakes, despite James best effort there were plenty of rocks left when he left
Abbotts 79th Magic Get Together 2016
This year Mom and Dad actually did some work at the Get Together, manning the discount book table and also doing a charity thingy for VIP camp. James was at Howell Nature Center so Mom and Dad had to hold down the fort. But fear not, James came out Saturday to the last day of the Get Together which keeps his streak going at ten (not bad considering he is only 12). We did manage to raise $30 on Wednesday and another $24 on Saturday for VIP camp so I guess we did some good. The annual Magic Get Together is always fun and we always come away from it with a great feeling as we see friends who we only see maybe once or twice a year at the event.
James made the trip up and back interesting as he found a 32,000 piece puzzle (its $300 and its not happening) on the way up, and on the way back enjoyed eating hot wings at his favorite Mexican restaurant.
Mackinaw In March 2016
Not a whole lot going on in Mackinaw this time of year, but James had a pretty good time shopping in Sea Shell City and visiting the shops that were open. When we first arrived you could not see the bridge because of the fog which disappointed James a bit, so we decided to eat lunch in the city (Audi’s Smelt Baskets) and lucky for us by the time we finished eating enough of the fog had lifted so that you could see the bridge (not well, but you could see the towers). We did take a couple pics of the town, since we rarely see the roads this empty and seeing all the Mackinaw ferry boats in a dry dock was a very unusual site. But its still Mackinaw and still very beautiful.
Abbotts 78th Magic Get Together 2015
As our list of annual events really takes hold in late July and early August, we made it to our 8th Magic Get Together in Colon Michigan. This time we split up as Mom stayed at the magic shop and watched a magic show there, while Jame’s and Dad went to the High School and watched another magic show there. James wanted to see the show more than ever this year because Dynamike from Detroit was performing and he is Jame’s favorite magician. James and other kids were invited onstage to see the magic closeup and James really loved that. This stage has seen Blackstone Sr, Blackstone Jr, Lance Burton, Franz Harary, and now it has seen James. After the show we all met up and went to the park, then headed back home with a stop in Jackson where James found a 5000 piece puzzle he wants for his birthday. All in all a great end to a great day.
Abbotts 77th Magic Get Together 2014
With VIP camp ending the same week as Magic Week, James has not been able to spend as much time at Magic Week in Colon as he has in the past, but we still make sure he gets out there for at least one day of fun and magic. James had a blast looking at magic in the dealers room, seeing magic in the street, and seeing magic shows inside. This year was special as it celebrated the 80th birthday of the Abbott Magic Shop in addition to the 77th Magic Get Together. During this event, the small town of Colon doubles in size and becomes the Magic Capital of the World with everything from Vegas quality magic shows to a graveyard tour where many professional magicians are buried.
Next year the dates are August 5-8 if you want to add a little magic to your summer.
Mackinaw 2013
A quick visit to Mackinac city on a beautiful summer day. James got to stop at Sea Shell City on the way up as well and picked up a new hat for his collection. We noticed that a new attraction was at Mackinaw Crossings – a Haunted House. We did not go through the house but it looked pretty cool from the outside. James and Mary spent most of the time at the beach where the air so so clear you could see past the UP as far as the horizon. We had smelt baskets for lunch, a treat for Mary and then picked up some fudge, a treat for James.
Note for historians – Why James is holding his breath and making silly faces in these pictures I have no idea.
Abbotts 76th Magic Get Together 2013
We attended Magic week in Colon MI this year for the sixth time in a row. James had fun as usual and came home with many “items” from the Magic Capital in Colon MI. We saw a couple magic shows while in town, visited the magic museum, visited the magic dealers in the auditorium, and spent time at the arts and crafts show in town.
The magic show was over two hours making it the longest event James has sat through, and he enjoyed every minute of it and got a magic set as well at the show.
This was the 76th Abbott Get Together, do not be confused by cheap competitors trying to have their own magic week. Make sure that it says Abbotts and that it is in Colon MI. Next years dates are Aug 6-9 and it will be the 77th Abbott Get Together (they began in 1934 but missed a couple years due to wars and such, you can view their history at http://www.magicgettogether.com ).
Pocono Speedway 2012
While driving along on the Pennsylvania interstate we saw a sign for the Pocono Speedway Exit and Mary immediately recognized the name since she is an avid Nascar Fan. We took the exit and went a few miles then came across the raceway. There is a real nice gift shop that seems to be open most of the year and sells souvenirs, shirts, etc.
The Pocono Speedway also known as The Tricky Triangle among Nascar fans, its one of the few tracks located in the mountains, actually in the Pocono Mountains in Long Pond, Pennsylvania to be specific. The race track is one of only three NASCAR tracks not owned by either Speedway Motorsports, Inc. or International Speedway Corporation, the dominant track owners in NASCAR. The other two tracks that hold this distinction are Dover International Speedway and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
