We moved houses again on Monday.** We had about 12 days at the end of September that I never was able to fill, so we spent them in a last-minute house I found in Charlevoix, Michigan. The house itself was a disappointment, but the town of Charlevoix was adorable.
I thought Charlevoix was pronounced “shar-le-vwah,” which sounds fancy and french and particularly adorable coming from the tiny voice of my 5 year old. But when I was at Kmart (bastion of all things fancy), I overheard it pronounced “shar-le-voy,” which sounds like it used to be fancy and french until we rubbed a low-brow American accent all over it.
On Monday, we traveled to our current location in St. Ignace, Michigan. We paid six dollars to cross the bridge from Regular Michigan (or whatever they call it) to the Upper Peninsula.
SIX. DOLLARS.
The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is breathtaking in October. Absolutely breathtaking.* I constantly incessantly graciously pointed this out to the kids as we drove up.
“You GUYS! Look! Look at those colors! Isn’t that gorgeous?”
“Oh, I think that was a dead possum. Did that look like a possum to you?”
“Another lake! Did you see the size of that house?”
“We should get a yacht. How much money do you need to own a yacht?”
“I can’t get over the scenery! Did you see that?”
The kids got exasperated at being told to look at stuff.
“I can’t see ANYthing, Mom. All these TREES are in my way.”
Jim talked about the fudge shops. Jim spent thirty-two dollars on fudge the first day we were here. I don’t know what happened. Something about Buying 3 and Getting 2 Free. The next thing I know, he’s hugging a three-pound box of fudge to his chest and smiling happily. The fudge has some kind of hold on him. He’s giddy, practically. Weirdo.
While we are here, we hope to go on the Glass-Bottomed Shipwreck Tour. How awesome does that sound? I also want to drive through the Tunnel of Trees.
* yes, I realize how lame I am, talking about the fabulous fall foliage and not having any pictures. Lame, lame, lame. I DID find more pictures of my shaving cream experiment…
** new here and wondering what I am talking about? Click to learn more about our Great Adventure.
October 3rd, 2012 at 4:09 am
$32 on fudge!?!? LOL
Have a wonderful new adventure. I think we had to pay $12 to cross the George Washington Bridge from NJ to NY, and there was no pretty foliage.
The Fairly Odd Mother´s last [type] ..5 lessons homeschooling has taught me about exercise
October 3rd, 2012 at 6:55 am
Actually, the people that live up there don’t call it the Upper Peninsula, they call it the U P.
Have y’all never been this far east/north?
chocolatechic´s last [type] ..October 2
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:01 am
So Colorado doesn’t have loverly colors like we do???
How are you liking the weather???
chocolatechic´s last [type] ..October 2
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:07 am
Fudge tacos!
hi kooky´s last [type] ..15
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:17 am
CC – Colorado has a lot of evergreen trees. We don’t really have the massive oaks and maples and whatever else all these glorious trees are. If you get further up into the Rocky Mountains, we have aspens, which are amazing in the fall, but they are mixed in with all the pines.
I like the weather fine, so far. I like Fall and Winter. On the other hand, I know that if we chose to live up here, we’d probably have to have block heaters and snow tires and all kinds of Important Winter Weather Gear. And winter probably lasts FOREVER and gets old by February.
October 3rd, 2012 at 8:24 am
Block heaters are reserved for Alaska. I have never owned a set of snow tires…lolol.
Winter (the cold)starts in earnest around the end of October. Snow not till mid-December, then in Jan and Feb, look out.
By the time March rolls around, we are so over the winter.
chocolatechic´s last [type] ..October 2
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:01 am
Oh! I would be giddy too – I LOVE da UP fudge! And the lower peninsula of MI is called the lower peninsula
Although, da up’ers (pronounced you’pers) might call it something else, not sure cuz I’m from the LP. 
Terra W´s last [type] ..Gratituesday: Blessings Abound!
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:51 am
Welcome to Michigan! I have to agree that it’s a lovely state! We’re from “down state”, as opposed to “up north”, both of which are part of the Lower Peninsula. If you could see my hand, I’d show you!
Anyway, I hope you enjoy your time in our great state . . . my son (who’s lived all of his 16 years in MI) cannot wait to get to Colorado! LOL But that’s why these adventures of ours are so great! We’re hoping to see CO this summer . . .
Marci´s last [type] ..Winding down . . .
October 3rd, 2012 at 12:25 pm
That fudge looks better the the stupid 7 dollar crud I bought from my kids for the school fundraiser. Hope your having fun. It is getting much cooler here in Colorado.
October 3rd, 2012 at 4:53 pm
I could get giddy about some fudge! I can’t wait until December so I can make some.
October 3rd, 2012 at 10:34 pm
Hey kooky, “Fudge tacos!” is what I say when I stub me toe!
IMHO, fudge is nothing but truffles, and not to be trifled with. I wouldn’t fudge with trifles, either. I may be giddy by proxy.
October 5th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
My wife and I were discussing travelling and the fact that one of the first thing I plan is where we are going to eat. I link the food to the place I visit so its important for the food to be good. I also will go to the same resteraunt if I’m visiting the same town.
On the subject of fudge, I spent 30 minutes trying to find a fudge shop in a little town that I had visited 20 years early. Found one and it was good but I’m not sure it was the same one. My wife found this hilarious.
Chris Tillley (@hhtales)´s last [type] ..Homeschooling Journal Week 5
October 8th, 2012 at 9:27 pm
I’ve lived in U.P. for awhile. Tahquamenon Falls should be on your to see list, or if you get further into the U.P., Presque Isle. As for winter in the U.P., snow can happen as early as October, and last as long as May.
October 8th, 2012 at 9:36 pm
Just became a new follower! I’m a homeschooler and live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Enjoy!