Summer Roadtrip 2011

• Visiting Chicago’s Suburbs – Summer Roadtrip
• Ludington, Michigan – Summer Roadtrip
• Let Sleeping Bears Lie – Summer Roadtrip
• Roadside Views – Summer Roadtrip
• Old Mission Peninsula – Summer Roadtrip
• Traverse City – Summer Roadtrip

Old Mission Peninsula is a long jut of land that divides Grand Traverse Bay in half, giving it the shape – with creative license – of a molar and its roots. It was an easy 17 mile drive to the Old Mission Point Lighthouse, at end of the road.

While there I discovered I was near the 45th parallel, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. I knew I had to record the momentous occasion. Instead of building a cairn, I checked in on Foursquare.

It was while checking in I discovered that 2 Lads Winery was offering a special for Foursquare users. We had seen the winery on the way up, but hadn’t planned on stopping. I couldn’t resist.

We traveled past beautiful fruit farms, wineries, bed & breakfasts, all with striking water vistas.

2 Lads Winery is an impressive looking architecturally modern building set upon a hill with panoramic views of Grand Traverse Bay.

I ordered a tasting flight and was surprised. I have come to appreciate red wine in recent years, but even as a white wine drinker, I only enjoy dry wines, and avoided rieslings because they tended to be too sweet for my taste. The Fouch Vineyard riesling was the first riesling I enjoyed.

I carefully packed my purchased bottles away for the roadtrip home.