Buffalo Tro

Last year Dan became more involved at the History Center so we attended our first Buffalo Tro which is a Fundraiser event so they can have students visit for free. They always have buffalo meat for dinner and a silent auction with some very nice items to bid on. Last year the meat was already cooking when we got there but this year they were letting the board members throw the first round of meat on the coals. Dan was very excited to learn this since he is on the board.

Coals ready for cooking

Everyone getting their meat

Throwing it in

Yummy dinner :)

 After the first round of meat got going they said anyone else who wanted to throw meat on the coals could. Jessica decided she wanted to do it too so onto the fire she threw meat :)

During dinner they had a Bluegrass band playing which Jessica LOVED. It was fun watching her enjoy the music and she took a couple audio recordings of her favorite parts. Jessica wanted her picture taken with the band but they were on break so we got a picture with the different instruments they played. 

Jessica had a great time and it was nice to have someone to chat with since Dan had a few people he had to talk with.

Pittsburgh

After Labor Day we took a weekend trip to see Sam and Emily in Pittsburgh. We had a great drive out and enjoyed time with their cat TJ who enjoyed having a few extra playmates for the weekend. We took Jessica up to the look out point over the city. We got some great pictures even though it was a little over cast.

Jessica with the Steeler's stadium behind her.

Our next stop was to the Heinz Museum. They had a few exhibits we wanted to check out.

 WW II exhibit

Learning about Ketchup

 Our final stop at the Museum was to see the old set's from Mr. Rodgers Neighborhood. It was cooling them sets and remembering watching different episodes as a kid.

Walking the Bridge

On Sunday we took the day slow and enjoyed reading and soaking in the warm sunshine. That night huge storms came in and it looked like we might not get to walk the bridge. But in the morning it was nice and warm and pretty clear so my Aunt Carol and I decided we still wanted to do the Bridge Walk.

Riding the Bus over the bridge

We made really good time and I got to take some pictures. We did see a helicopter fly by the bridge which is cool and everyone waved as they passed by.

All done!

We walked the 5 miles in 1 hour and 15 mins! I think it is the best time either of us have walked. On our drive home we stopped to show Jessica some Elk. She couldn't believe how huge they were.

Picture with Elk

The drive home took a little longer than we hoped because of all the traffic so we were pretty tired and ready to not be in the car :) But we had a great weekend.

Upper Peninsula and Mini Golf

On our second day in Michigan we took Jessica into the Upper Peninsula. Our first stop was to the Oswald Bear Ranch. We got to get our picture taken with one of their baby bear cubs. My Cousin's daughter Emily joined us for our UP adventure.

Bear time :)

Another baby bear cub

 They have several pens they keep the bears in. They are really large and you can walk around and see them in most of the area. Some of them will even sit and wait for food by the fences, you can buy apples to feed them.

On our way back to camp we stopped by the Lake so Jessica could put her feet into Lake Superior. She couldn't believe how big the lake was :)

 Jessica and Emily enjoying the water.

Before meeting everyone for dinner we walked around some of the shops in Mackinaw City. We enjoyed showing her the Kite store and Dad enjoyed trying on hats :)

Street Performer

 After dinner we decided to take her mini golfing. She had never been mini golfing and did very well for her first time. We had a lot of fun and finished off the night with going to see the bridge at night all lite up.

Mackinaw Island

After the Lions game we went up to Mackinaw for the weekend. Our first stop was dropping off our stuff at the campground and than we headed over to Mackinaw Island.

Jessica's first boat ride

The bridge

The Grand Hotel on the Island

 We went out to the beach to take a few pictures :)

We spent some time walking around the Island to look at the little town, the Grand Hotel and than headed up to the Fort.

We made sure to peak into the local court house for Dan...

We headed up to check out the Fort. We got to see demonstrations for the Cannon and their guns. It was fun showing Jessica around.

View from the Fort

Checking out the beds at the Fort

 For our final tour of the Island we walked to Arch Rock. It was kind of hazy out but it was still a pretty view.