Christmas serendipity

Our adventures today are exactly why I love road trips.  We are headed tomorrow to a resort near Mackinac Island, which has been on my bucket list for a long time.  More about that will come when we actually get there.  So, today was going to be a  leisurely four-hour drive to a stop midway between Cincinnati and Mackinac, and I was going to write nothing tonight.   

We chose to stop in the town of Birch Run, Michigan, just outside of Flint. When we arrived at the luxurious Comfort Inn, the Desk-person/concierge/laundry-money-changer said “Welcome to Frankenmuth.”  

Sure enough, there on the map, right near Birch Run was the town of Frankenmuth.  It is clearly a place for summer travelers, and it reminded me of a cross between Solvang, California and Leavenworth, Washington.  It was founded by Lutherans sent over from Germany to convert those pesky Native Americans.  It is known as Little Bavaria, and that is reflected in the architecture, and in the shops.  Who knew?  And indeed, we never would have known, except for needing a place to sleep tonight.   

We had a lovely time strolling along the (one) street, browsing in the cheese shop, and having dinner at a Wine Bar called Prost, which my German-descent husband tells me means “Cheers” in German.  And, of course, like tourist towns everywhere, there were T-Shirt shops, Ice Cream shops, and very pricey gift shops.  A lot of the shops were closed, so we may have to go by tomorrow to check them out.  

And, Frankenmuth is home to Bronners Christmas Wonderland, which bills itself as the world’s biggest Christmas Shop.  And, indeed, we drove by it, and it seemed like the size of two football fields.  Unfortunately, because it stays light so late in this part of the country, we could not see its light display which is on EVERY night.  Even if you don’t celebrate the holiday, Christmas lights are always so beautiful, and not usually seen in July.

So, when people ask us why we like road trips, it is for this kind of serendipity. You are never too old for an unexpected adventure!