Following our Mackinaw Island adventures, we headed north into seemingly untouched territory. Something like Into the Wild you could say, where we quickly set up camp, took a short hike and made a monstrous bonfire. We did another hike this morning to see the upper Tahquamenon falls. Last night's hike was the lower falls, but both are equally beautiful, and certainly capture reasons America has national and state parks to preserve this scenic wilderness.
Our trip actually began a week before graduation when we drove to Acadia National Park to celebrate the completion of finals. We biked to the highest peak in the park and hiked to the second and third highest. The mountains offered incredible 360 degree views of the Atlantic and Maine's coastline. On our last day we rented bikes and rode 28 miles around the entire park.
We met our friend Ray in Boston for two nights on the way home. Without Boston's revolutionary spirit the United States never would have become great. Ray accompanied us on a walking tour and helped us enjoy Boston's nightlife!
We took a ferry to Mackinac Island today. The island has banned motorized vehicles for more than a century, leaving bicycles and horses as the only means of transportation. In our nation's early history, Fort Mackinac was a strategic commercial and military post due to its location at the intersection of the Great Lakes. The fort is still manned by some role players who demonstrated a cannon salute.
Mackinac Island's views, history (and fudge!) made it a necessary stop on our adventure.
Yesterday we pulled into Charlevoix around 7:00 and spent some time cruising around the south arm of Lake Charlevoix with Sean's cousins Mike, Matt, Kara and Kayla. We had a blast catching up and getting another glimpse of Americas natural beauty as the sun set over the lake. Thanks to the Welsby family for letting us stay in the cabin!
Sean had his first ever Big Boy meal when we stopped for breakfast on our way through Petoskey.
Upper peninsula, here we come!
We started driving westward across the state to reach the Silver Lake sand dunes on the edge of Lake Michigan. We rented dune buggies and had a blast flying over the sand, getting stuck a few times along the way. Click here for a YouTube video of us riding the sand!
We spent Tuesday in my hometown, Flushing, MI. Working out at Flushing high school, we ran into some of my old teachers and coaches. We both agree it's people like Coach Smith, Coach Vince, and Mr. McInerney who deserve credit for setting a good example and shaping our development in a positive way. Afterwards, we drove around town to show Joe some of my favorite spots. We woke up on Wednesday morning to quiche and a nice note before we hit the road. Thanks Mom!
Tonight we spent a great deal of time at the Toal residence discussing potential destinations for our trip. Below is a map depicting our planned route. Please email us with questions or suggestions for places we should visit along the way!
We woke up and went for a run at an air force reserve base in Niagara Falls, NY. They give a great rate to members of the military who want to see the falls. Maybe the air force is useful for something after all. Niagara Falls here we come!
Joe needs two pairs of cheap sunglasses to fight the setting sun on I-90 west towards Buffalo. Maybe now that we have real jobs we will be able to afford polarized lenses. We decided to make the Buffalo area our first stop and visit Niagara Falls in the morning. We got a great deal by lodging at an Air Force Reserve base in Buffalo. Thanks to Mrs. Garcia for the tip on lodging!
We drove in separate cars for the first hour of the trip because Joe needed to return a minivan to his cousin Jennifer in Rhinebeck, NY. Five year old Chloe made a sign for the door congratulating Joe on graduation. After an hour of coffee and chit chat, Jennifer sent us on our way armed with turkey sandwiches. We just crossed the Hudson for the last time in the foreseeable future and are headed for the Adirondack region of New York. Thanks Jennifer and Chloe!
You would think after graduating yesterday we would distance ourselves from West Point as soon as possible, but the first stop on our trip was back on post! The Garcia family sponsored us and we came to regard them as a second family during our time as cadets. We felt honored to have LTC Garcia commission us as second lieutenants yesterday. Even though we tried to help out with small chores and walking the dogs, we are still enormously in their debt. A huge thank you to LTC Garcia, Mrs. Garcia, Grant and Ella and we hope to see you all again soon.
