Small town Girls visit the big "D"

As we slowly check things off Peaches' bucket list, new things are quickly being added to make sure she really doesn't miss out on any possible adventure in the time she has left.  An added advantage to checking things off and adding things to her bucket list is that the girls and I are being given the opportunity to revisit some of our favorite people, places, and things as well as to add new adventures to our life experiences.

One item(or actually four separate items) is for Peaches to visit beaches of all 4 of the Great Lakes in Michigan.  This is a feat not even I, as a life-long resident of our Great Lakes State, have accomplished.  We have crossed one of those Lakes, Lake Huron, off of her list with our trip to Mackinaw City a few weeks ago and I'm sure she'll get a chance to see it again in a non-frozen state when we make our next trip North.  I also already know where she will visit Lake Michigan and Lake Superior- both in more than one location since the girls and I have many favorite beaches on both of those Lakes.  But Lake Erie in Michigan, that's a goal none of us have yet accomplished, and with that goal in mind, I began to do some research late last week to plan our weekend bucket-list adventures.

After much research, what I have found is that my options for taking the dogs to Lake Erie in Michigan are pretty limited, but thankfully, though limited, not impossible. The one State park that has Lake Erie access doesn't allow dogs on the beaches or in the water and the Metropark which allows dogs does not allow swimming in the lake and dogs aren't allowed on the trails. Both a bust. Finally I found one small little lake access area that is dog-friendly and looks to be the place we'll finally all reach our goal of visiting Lake Erie in Michigan, but it doesn't appear to be somewhere that will make for a full day's adventure.  So I decided to delay that trip until later in the Spring and find some other things that we can do in conjunction with that beach day. 

Belle Isle

During all of that Lake Erie research, one place kept popping up on the map, and so it was decided.  We were going to head Southeast to the big city of Detroit and visit Belle Isle.  With lots of paved areas for walking as well as a dog-friendly nature trail, it seemed ideal.  Plus, after a good hike with the girls, I could make a visit to the Aquarium while they rested up for the next adventure.  I had never visited Belle Isle and was excited for our adventure.  While preparing to leave for the day, I decided to text Nicol to see if she would be available and interested in joining us on our trip-I know she can't resist a trip to an aquarium!  It was quickly settled, she'd be joining us for the day and I was excited for the trip!

Just a bird dog and a bird

After a quick stop to meet Nicol in Novi, we were off on our Saturday adventure.  We arrived at Belle Isle, and with Nicol acting as our navigator, we made it to the parking lot near the nature trail and lighthouse.  Of course, as is always the case with three GSPs, there was much excitement as we all climbed out of the Jeep in this new and interesting area.  And there was even more excitement as we passed Blue Heron Lagoon and all of it's swans, geese, and ducks. 

Blue Heron Lagoon 

With the Lagoon on one side of the trail and the Detroit River on the other, it quickly became clear to me that I was under-prepared for this adventure.  Due to the recent snow melt, rain, and high water, the paths were mud-covered, and in some locations, under water.  This would normally not be an issue since I am generally prepared on any adventure with at least 2 pairs of boots, extra pants and socks, a towel for the dogs, and other adventure necessities.  But for some reason, on this day, I was not prepared at all, comfortably wearing my jeans and tennis shoes...after all, we were going to Detroit, not the UP, right?.  My daughter, on-the-other-hand, was fully prepared with water-proof hiking boots. 

The Detroit River and Canada

Boy did I feel like a fool!  How could I be so unprepared?  But we were there and I was determined to make the most of our day, so I powered through, following Nicol's advice on when to avoid an area and doing my best not to get pulled into the mud by two very happy shorthairs.  Maddie and Peaches were having a great time sniffing and exploring and paying no attention to the fact that I was attached to the other end of their leashes. 

Lucky for us we found some gravel covered portions of the path that were dry.  Although the path reached a dead-end and we had to return to the parking lot through mud and high-water.

After a nice 3 mile hike, it was back into the Jeep to see what else we could find.  We headed to the public beach for a view and quick picture of the Detroit skyline followed by a quick stop at the Carillon.  Then it was on to the Aquarium.

Detroit Skyline

Nancy Brown Peace Carillon

Aquarium and Conservatory

With the girls comfy and settled in for a nap in the Jeep, Nicol and I headed in to visit the aquarium and conservatory.    The aquarium is small, but I still found it worth a stop. We learned some new things and enjoyed our time watching the fish, starfish, rays, eels, reptiles and amphibians.

Coral

Fresh Water Sting Ray

Then we headed outside to walk over to the Conservatory to explore the plants. I know Nicol was happy to see the palm trees.  It was definitely interesting to see all of the different tropical trees and flowers.  I especially enjoyed the corpse flower, which I had heard of, but had never seen before. 

Bananas

Interesting Bark on this one

Corpse Flower

After seeing all there was to see in the Conservatory, we headed back to the Jeep for one more stop with the girls near sunset point.  I wanted to be sure to get a picture of them with the Detroit skyline in the background.  But as is the norm with my crazy girls, the perfect picture was not meant to be...thanks to the geese floating by on the River and all of the other distractions.  But, hey, we gave it a try! 

It was now time for our Belle Isle adventure to end, but after all of the excitement at Sunset Point, the girls were anxious for one more chance to explore somewhere new.  So as we headed out of Detroit, we made one more stop at the William G Milliken State Park.

Peaches checking out the Lighthouse

Maddie and Peaches doing a little rock climbing

Imke exploring with Nicol

The Marina

I wanted to give the girls one last chance to stretch their legs and explore before we headed home.  I knew with this one last stop, they would settle in nicely for the drive.  We made a quick walk around the park stopping in a few spots to enjoy the beauty of the day and then, with this one last adventure complete, we headed back to the Jeep to head home from our fun-filled day.  I am so glad I got to spend such a great day with all of my girls and can't wait until our next adventure!

Time to head home