Michigan Family Travel

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Michigan Weather

I don't know whats up with this weather we are having in the Midwest, but its sure proving the Global Warming Folks wrong. Today June 19th 2 days before the official start of summer we are going to finally hit the mid 80's. It has been cold and rainy this entire spring and early summer. I doubt if many lakes will even get warm enough to swim in this year. It has really put a damper on tourism and outdoor activities. This has caused the mosqitos to be really bad this year which makes camping less enjoyable. Looking at the forecast the weather should be really nice the rest of June and into July. Hopefully people will get out and enjoy Michigan for all it has.

Sandals Royal Caribbean

In May of 2008 me and Ashley went to Montego Bay Jamaica. We stayed at the Sandals Royal Caribbean Resort. I thought I would just Post a few photos to show how beautiful it is there. Sandals Royal Caribbean is a small resort with just over 100 rooms, so they have really good service. If you can afford it, I recommend going there on vacation. They have a private island with swim up bar, how many places have that in this world.

Welchs Homemade Wine

I recently started brewing my own wine after trying several bottles that others had made. I came across recipes for using Welchs frozen concentrate to make wine. I thought this was interesting and since most of Welchs Grapes are grown right here in Michigan I thought I would give it a try. Here is the recipe for Welchs Concord Grape Wine.

2 cans (11.5 oz) Welch's 100% frozen grape concentrate
1-1/4 lbs granulated sugar
2 tsp acid blend
1 tsp pectic enzyme
1 tsp yeast nutrient water to make 1 gallon
1 camden tablet
wine yeast

As with ALL recipe's the canned or fresh ingredients you use will differ in there sugar content so you MUST check starting SG before adding sugar amounts listed. The goal is a starting SG of 1.090 for alcohol content of 12%-13%. Bring 1 quart water to boil and dissolve the sugar in the water. Remove from heat and add frozen concentrate. Add additional water to make one gallon and pour into secondary. Add remaining ingredients except yeast. Cover loosely and set aside 24 hours. Add activated wine yeast and recover (I personally use an airlock). When active fermentation slows down (about 5 days), rack into seconday , top up and refit airlock. After additional 30 days, stabilize, sweeten if desired and rack into bottles.


I am almost to the Bottling stage and have to tell you that this recipe does make a really good tasting wine. Especially if you are not a fan of this stuffy store bought reds. This can also be adapted many different flavors of frozen concentrate.

Punta Cana

Well we decided it was time again to leave the great state of Michigan for somewhere warmer. Me and my wife just booked 6 days at the Barcelo Premium in Punta Cana Dominican Republic. From the pictures the beaches look almost identical to Lake Michgan, but the water is 80 degrees not 40! We booked all inclusive so we can just relax and drink and eat as much as we want. Here is a link to the resort http://www.barcelo.com . After going to Jamaica last year we thought we would try another Island. We are also hopeing to get up to mackinaw city this year also. There are Travel deals to everywhere, and i recommend you use Expedia if traveling out of country. They are by far the cheapest.

Southwest Michigan Wine Tour

I just recently went to several wineries in Southwest Michigan, and have to say they have the best wine in the US. I guess you could say we went on a "Michigan Wine Trail". We visited Tabor hill winery first and there selection is magnificient. They have so many wines they have to have one you will like. They also have a very upsacle restaurant. The best thing of all is the tastings are free. Well Round barn winery in Berrien Springs, MI cost $5 but you get a wine glass. The Round barn also serves beer and Vodka. The vodka is distilled from grapes and is very good. Lemon Creek winery is my favorite. Its a small tasting room in the bottom of a barn, but there wine will make you a believer in michigan wines. This is just a small portion of the wineries in Michigan. I cant wait to go on a few more wine trails and see what else is out there.

Buy Michigan

Buy Michigan! This is what we should be doing to help out our fellow citizens of Michigan. With the state of Michigan's economy in peril, we can make a difference by buying Michigan made products. You can also shop at Michigan owned companies such as Meijer to insure your money stays right in our state and creates more jobs here. We also should be thinking about taking vacations right here in our own state instead of travelling elsewhere. There are some great place to vacation in our state that many don't even realize are there. By buying michigan products and vacationing in our own state we can save and create many jobs here at home.