I’m back from Frankenmuth – actually Randy and I got back Wednesday night. We would have stayed one more day, but Randy caught a head cold the day we left and it wasn’t getting better. We had fun in our two nights and three days’ stay regardless – amazing how much there is to do in a town we have often frequented over the years.

Frankenmuth is the #1 tourist attraction in Michigan. Mackinac Island is second and Greenfield Village third. Frankenmuth was founded by German Lutheran immigrants who wanted to preserve their faith and heritage in a new land and give a Christian testimony to the area Indians in the process. The historical museum is quite interesting with hands on displays and lots of insights into the past.

We walked everywhere, took a carriage ride around the area, found the best chocolate shop ever (better than Godiva or Dove or any other specialty chocolate I’ve had), and ate lots of their famous chicken and fixings. I even talked my dear husband into going for a pedicure – our first. (Randy declined the painted toe nails, but I succumbed – it’s a girl thing.) :) I might get used to being so pampered.

We took advantage of the Bavarian Inn’s exercise room and adult swimming pool (they have five indoor pools) but didn’t have time to play miniature golf or foose ball or tennis. Not sure my body would have liked tennis so much. :) They also have a military and space museum we wanted to check out but ran out of time. And of course, you can’t visit Frankenmuth without stopping by Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland. That place has everything related to Christmas 365 days of the year.

Coming home had its own surprises. Our youngest son is helping us do some remodeling/painting around the house, and he got started while we were gone. So the house is in a bit of disarray. Thursday I joined in helping him paint another wall, so we’re coming along. Tomorrow we’re supposed to do more. Today we took a break to check out the latest Pirates of the Caribbean movie. If you haven’t seen the first two, watch them first, then definitely go to see this film. I would have done things a bit differently where the romance was concerned, but I won’t mention what that is here – don’t want to ruin anyone’s movie-going experience.

Another surprise was finding out how thoughtful our boys can be. Normally, we don’t make a big deal out of our anniversary – just dinner out for the two of us. We started going away for a few days on our 25th five years ago and came home to find they’d bought us a microwave oven. (Hard to miss a gift that big sitting in the middle of the kitchen table when we returned.)

This year, they decided that 30 years deserved something special as well, so they researched digital cameras and bought us one, all wrapped up in pretty paper too! I think they’re having as much fun with it as we will. :) I can’t wait to have time to figure out the features and use it.

Getting away was great, and I’m glad we had the opportunity. But I’m equally glad to be home, and most thankful to be so blessed.