quick getaway.

we used to travel. a lot. even post babes :: we got some vacay's in.
but then we moved to the cleve.
it had been 17 months since the hubs and i had gotten away.
sans the babes.
that's like eternity for us.

adam's parents are here :: for 9 whole days.
we decided to sneak away for a couple of days.
before moving to ohio; i had never been this far north.
michigan. pennsilvania. new york. are all within driving distance.
and are all places i plan on visiting.

 adam picked michigan for our quick getaway.
grand rapids, michigan.
we stayed at an awesome jw marriot hotel. our room overlooked the river {think :: river walk in san antonio}.
we checked in. grabbed a sandwhich. and drove another 40 minutes to holland. which is a cute little beach town.
we found tunnel park beach which was recommended by a friend.
holy cow :: it was PACKED!
we hadn't factored in it being the 4th of july.
we decided due to it being so crowed. and the heat. we would check out a movie.
after the flick :: the beach had cleared out.
we stopped to check it out.

that evening we ate at an amazing sea food restaurant overlooking the river.
hands down :: BEST calamari i had EVER eaten.
the streets were so crowed on our walk back to the hotel.
fireworks were on the river that evening.
which happened to be directly out our hotel windows.
we had the most amazing spot in the house.
nothing like :: watching the fireworks while lying on the bed.
just taking it all in.

 
the following day we ventured to another beach town :: muskegon.
we stopped in at the visitors center {first time to do that}.
so glad we did.
we took in a bit of history while there.
and found an awesome restaurant on the lake.

 

after an amazing lunch :: we took in our first educational stop of the day.
the USS LST 393.
this ship is one of only two remaining from over 1050 that were built and used during WWII.
coming from someone who has little to NO interest in history.
holy freak'n cow this was pretty amazing.
it was SO hard for me to wrap my little brain around it.
all of it.
i won't bore y'all with ALL of the details and pictures.
but it sure was fascinating to me.
and i think it may be because adam's grandpa served in WWII.
mind boggling.

next stop was a submarine from WWII.
we had never been inside a submarine before.
again :: WOW and so hard to fully grasp and understand.
talk about closterphobic.
I.WOULD.DIE.
and how would you like to sleep in the same {small} space with four torpedos at your head?! 
or only get to shower every 13-15 days?!
we think we have it rough :: we have NO idea what rough is!

 

our final stop in our tour of the town :: the beach.
we spent about two hours there.
it was another record breaking heat day in michigan.
the 90's are just too hot for us these days!

we finished off our day with the BEST pizza we had ever put in our mouth.
who would have thought it would be from a restaurant in downtown grand rapids.
adam is already looking forward to his next work meeting in grand rapids.
big o' cafe is calling his name.

it was a quick trip.
only four hours away from home.
a far cry from our last 6 day vacay to st. kitts.
but this two night trip was just what we needed.
it was every bit of perfect for us.
sometimes :: it doesn't matter where you go.
near or far.
just that you are with the one you love.
away from your norm.
to rejuvenate. connect. and have each others undivided attention.
thankful for our short trip to michigan.