Wherein I repeat myself. Again.

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I've said it before: Yesterday on Instagram.

On Facebook, too.

And I'll now say it again.

And because I simply cannot wait for my GRAND Adventure to begin.

One week from today.

Woot!

Today's question:

What are you excited about today?

The makings of a Grand Adventure

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Last week I revealed the signs that 2016 would surely be my year. Already, it's shaping up to be exactly that thanks to an upcoming, all-new experience I recently added to the last week of my January 2016 calendar.

I've known for a couple weeks now, but I've been a little leery of sharing publicly as it seemed a wee bit too good to be true. I'm still a little leery — despite plans officially in place — so I shall present it to you piecemeal in hopes of not jinxing anything.

My big reveal, a little at a time:

What do you get when you take an adorable seven-year-old...

seven year old 

plus a wacky four-year-old...

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A holiday sight to see: America's tallest Christmas tree

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A holiday trivia question for you: Where is the nation's tallest decorated Christmas tree?

Did you guess Rockefeller Center? Perhaps the White House?

Nope. Believe it or not, the tallest decorated Christmas tree in America stands 115-feet tall in an outlet mall. In Arizona. Yes, it's so! Certified so!

Megan and I set out to see the holiday wonder this week, with Mac and Jak in tow. (Bubby was in school that day, just as he was this day.)

Whoo-eee! What a festive site to see!

nation's tallest christmas tree

The certification and...

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Wanted: Outdoor and history enthusiasts to experience Alpena

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History buffs seeking outdoor adventure will believe they've struck gold when visiting the city of Alpena on Michigan's east coast. Alpena is rich with both—many times in the same activity or attraction.

alpena michigan

The perfect description for this quaint community on the edge of Lake Huron comes by way of Mary Beth Stutzman, longtime resident and CVB president. "Alpena is that place where history and heritage collide with relaxed outdoor adventure," Mary Beth says. 

Such glowing words are to be expected from the gal charged with promoting...

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16 spots I want to take my grandkids on Michigan's sunrise coast

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16 spots I want to take my grandkids on Michigan's sunrise coast

michigan attractions for kids 

I live in the mountains and my grandsons live in the desert. Which means neither they nor I have much opportunity to enjoy natural water features—lakes, rivers, and so forth—and the outdoor adventures related to them. It's so very dry here, so very dry there.

Because of our similarly parched home states, when I recently toured gems of communities on the "sunrise coast" of Michigan—primarily the Tawases and Alpena (thanks, Pure Michigan!)—I couldn't help but consider how much my landlocked grandsons would be thrilled by ocean-like Lake Huron as well as...

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Boost your bucket list: Volunteer to be a lighthouse keeper, not just lighthouse visitor

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Lighthouse lore and lure is hard to resist, which is why many baby boomers have a lighthouse tour or two on their beloved bucket list. Few folks know, though, that you can not only tour lighthouses, but that can keep lighthouses, too.

Meaning, you can take a turn as a lighthouse keeper. Stay overnight at the historic sites. Take your own personal tours up, down, and throughout majestic towers that once guided and cautioned captains and crews as they traversed smooth or stormy waters.

As long as you do a few things in exchange for the exciting experience.

Many of the numerous lighthouses dotting the shorelines of the Great Lakes have volunteer light keeper programs. Some of the programs require a fee while others may be free. The light keeper program of the Tawas Point Lighthouse—located in Lake Huron's Tawas Bay along Michigan's sunrise coast—is one of those that's free. And it's a perfect, picturesque example of how many lighthouse keeper programs work, on the Great Lakes as well as other historic lighthouse locations along our country's coasts.

tawas point lighthouse

Tawas Point Lighthouse has been in operation since 1876 and is located 2.5 miles southeast of Tawas City, MI. The historic 70-foot lighthouse—85 wrought iron steps up...

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The weekend I fell in love... with Michigan

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My home state of Colorado is where my heart is. Though I love to travel and see places big and small, metropolitan and rural, historic or brand-spanking new, I've never visited a place that felt like home to me, a spot that made me say to myself or others, "Hey, I could live here!"

Until I visited Michigan.

alpena and tawas michigan

Pure Michigan, the mitten state's travel-marketing division, invited me to...

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Lake Huron waves, plus GRAND Social No. 177 link party for grandparents

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Lake Huron waves

I'd like to kick off the new week with a wee bit of peace and tranquility.

Middle Island Lighthouse Michigan
View of Middle Island Lighthouse from the keeper's house

While I was in Michigan, I couldn't get enough of the peaceful sound of waves hitting the various shorelines I had the opportunity to explore. My dusk visit to Middle Island Lighthouse...

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Here and now: October 15, 2015

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clock and book 

On my mind...

The extreme ups and downs of life. Last week, I set out on an amazing adventure on the sunrise coast of Michigan. The week before, my oldest daughter...

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