Anyone up for a Michigan Get-Together?

[LaraW]

I am going to be in Ann Arbor this June to attend my sister's wedding, and wondered if any MI area BB'ers would be interested in getting together.

We arrive in the late afternoon on Thursday June 14, and leave in the afternoon on Sunday June 17. The wedding is Saturday evening, but we have a fair amount of "unscheduled" time on both Friday and Saturday (until mid-afternoon).

I just thought I'd throw it out there. I thought maybe lunch on Saturday might work for people....

:)

[Chelle D]

I'm in GR, but we usually do get together on the other side of the state so I'd be willing to trek that way if I am around. DH is talking about a business trip in June that I may go on with him, but nothing is concrete now. I'll keep an eye on this thread.

[Chefzhat]

Oh, man . . . I wish the dates were different! I'll be in Germany. :(

How fun for you - time in Asquared. Go to Zingermans!!!

[SandyM]

Hi Lara! I'd love to see you. I have a wedding in June in NY, but I think it's the following weekend.

Would you be interested in maybe having breakfast at Zingermans and just hanging out there before the wedding? I think they open reasonably early. Just need to make sure you'd have enough time to eat breakfast and do a balsamic tasting. ;)

[LaraW]

Hi Sandy-

I hadn't thought about breakfast - that would work well too, I think. The wedding is at 5, and so I'm guessing I'll need to be back at the hotel by early to mid afternoon to start getting ready and getting the kids ready.

[Molli526]

Depending on how early Saturday, I would be able to come :) I am about 45-60 min from AA.

[SandyM]

It doesn't have to be breakfast, but I know the crowd gets pretty heavy for lunch - especially on weekends.

That is, if you're even interested in a trip to Zings..... ;)

If you're more flexible on Friday and would rather have the gathering that day, I'd be willing to take a vacation day.

I forwarded this to Cheryl. Hopefully she'll check in and be able to particpate too.

[Sarah428]

I'm in, I'm in!!! :D
It will be great to finally meet you after all the discussions we've had about Natalie and Ella.

[LaraW]

That is, if you're even interested in a trip to Zings..... ;)


Oh, yeah - that was totally on my list of things to do, BB'ers or no BB'ers :)

My sister brings me bread from there whenever she comes out here to visit, so I've gotten a little taste.

And, I think Saturday morning is perfect. Probably better than lunch, just b/c I won't have to worry as much about getting back to get ready. I know getting the kids ready for somethign like this causes DH a lot of strain ;)

[JenniferJJ]

I am interested, too.

I live in Ann Arbor. I am also available Saturday and Friday, too.

[SandyM]

FYI, the deli opens at 7:00 am. :)

[Sarah]

Chocolate. Cherry. Bread. :D

Ya know, I told J we weren't leaving town in June so that we could get ready for the wedding. Perhaps we should come and visit his sister that weekend... I'm with Chelle - I'll keep watching this thread :)

[SandyM]

Chocolate. Cherry. Bread. :D

*snort* I do hope you can make it, Sarah, but if you can't be there in person, I'll get some for you and send it. Or meet you half way. :D

[LaraW]

Chocolate. Cherry. Bread. :D


that's the bread my sister brings me!

[JenniferJJ]

Other ideas - if the weather cooperates
meal outside at a restaurant along Main St.
walk around U-M campus
picnic at Gallup Park or the arboretum (sp) (actually, I don't know if you can have a picnic at the Arb, but certainly can have one near there)

If the group doesn't want to do the walk or picnic ideas, might be nice for your kiddos to do. Gallup park even has some peddelboats that might be nice for a short while.

[badunnin]

Sorry all, I'll be in China.

[phantomcg]

I forwarded this to Cheryl. Hopefully she'll check in and be able to particpate too.

Did someone say Zingermans, and balsalmic tasting?!?! ;) Yes, yes, yes - count me in!!!! I love C.L. Klatches, especially those with people from out of town!


Chocolate. Cherry. Bread. :D

Gee, Sarah, tell us what you really want from Zingerman's. :)


Sorry all, I'll be in China.

:( I'm sure that you'll have a GREAT time in China, but you'll be missed, Bethany.

Cheryl

[breadmama]

I'd like to come with you! It's a big birthday weekend for our family, but the early time might just work! I have such fond memories of our last meeting at Zingerman's. It would be fun to do it again and meet some new BB friends!

Keep me posted...

[Schmee]

I might be able to make it, AA is about 30-45 min. away from me. I will have to check the date to make sure.

[badunnin]

:( I'm sure that you'll have a GREAT time in China, but you'll be missed, Bethany.

Cheryl

Then we need to do dinner before that! Preferably several times!

[phantomcg]

Then we need to do dinner before that! Preferably several times!

We can do that.................

Cheryl

[JenniferJJ]

Just bumping this up since it is a little more than two weeks away.

I am available anytime Friday and Saturday and it doesn't matter to me what we do.

[LaraW]

Thanks, Jennifer. I was just thinking about this thread.

Saturday morning works the best for me, I think. I am going to need to be at the wedding/reception site around 2:00 for pictures, etc and will need to get myself and kids ready.

I was also going to ask about things to do on Friday. We will be getting in Thursday at dinnertime, and the kids will go to bed after dinner. Friday morning is the time I'm going to be looking for somewhere to run them around ;)

We're staying at the Microtel on Plymouth Road. What I'm hoping to find is a place where they can play - a park with a playground would be ideal. It is OK to drive there. I will have a stroller but that's really all - no tricycles or anythign like that.

I need to find out if the hotel has a pool since that would be an idea as well.

[cangoss]

Former Ann Arborite checking in...

If the weather is good, you could go to Gallup Park, which has a nice one-mile walking loop around a pond, and a newly renovated playground. To get there, get on US23 right next to your hotel, and go South to the next exit which is Geddes Rd. Turn right and the park entrance will be on your left, just after you cross the intersection of Huron River Parkway. (there is another entrance before Huron River Parkway as well)

If the weather is not so good, there are at least two very good entertainment options -
The Hands-On Museum (http://www.aahom.org/) is fun for both kids and adults.
The Exhibits Museum (http://www.exhibits.lsa.umich.edu/exhibitmuseum/) is filled with dinosaur skeletons and that kind of stuff.

Hope that helps!

[LaraW]

Thanks, Candace - that is perfect. I appreciate it!

[SandyM]

I was going to suggest Gallup Park too! :)

I'm still working on Zingermans plans for Saturday.

Lara - what time do you think you want to get started? The deli opens at 7:00 am, and it fills up rather quickly. Of course it's going to be busy no matter what time we get there, but parking is always a challenge.

If you want, I can pick you up at the hotel. I'll PM you my phone number.

[cangoss]

I emailed a friend who has 2 and 4 year old girls and she also recommended the new Farmscape (http://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/news/2006/f06_cfp.html) which opened last summer.

[LaraW]

Lara - what time do you think you want to get started? The deli opens at 7:00 am, and it fills up rather quickly. Of course it's going to be busy no matter what time we get there, but parking is always a challenge.

Is 7:00 too early for people? Its not too early for me - what does everyone think?

[SandyM]

Works for me. :) I'll check with Cheryl.

[JenniferJJ]

7a.m. is early for me, but I will do it if that's what the general consensus is.

[Sarah428]

I can't make it :(
My boss is retiring after 48 years and the open house party is that day. I was really looking forward to me you and seeing Sandy again.

Have fun!

[SandyM]

Oh Sarah, I'm so sorry! You'll definitely be missed. :( :( Have fun at the open house.

Lara - Cheryl and I will pick you up between 6:45 - 7:00-ish (I'll call you on the way). If anything changes, you have my number.

[JenniferJJ]

Lara - Cheryl and I will pick you up between 6:45 - 7:00-ish (I'll call you on the way). If anything changes, you have my number.

Could I join in on this carpool due to the parking challenge?

[SandyM]

Jennifer - my car only holds 4 people, and I'm bringing my SIL Pam. Sorry.

If you get there right at 7:00 (or even sooner), parking shouldn't be a problem.

[Schmee]

I would like to make it but 7am is really early for me since I live 45min. away. :(
I'll have to see what that weekend looks like.

[cangoss]

For easy no-hassle parking, try the Ann-Ashley parking structure. It's about a two block walk to Zingerman's/the Farmer's Market.

http://www.a2dda.org/images/walkmap.jpg

last summer parking was free there on Saturdays, but I don't see any indication they're doing that this summer. I think you pay $2 on entry now.

[phantomcg]

Thanks for keeping me up to date on this thread, Sandy!

Sarah (428), I'm so sorry that you won't be able to join us. :( Have a really good time at the Open House!

I am SO looking forward to this "get together"! Breakfast at Zingerman's and getting to meet new friends!

Quote: Is 7:00 too early for people? Its not too early for me - what does everyone think? - as I told Sandy, the "girls" (my kitties) will have me up by 5:00 AM for breakfast anyway - now I'll just have a reason to actually get moving. :)

Sarah, Molli & Chelle D - are you joining us??????????



Cheryl

[Molli526]

I would love to meet you Lara and see Sandy and Cheryl, but 7 am is too early for me. AA is about 45 minutes with no traffic.

[SandyM]

Molli/Schmee (and anyone else who may not be early birds ;) ) - I'm sure it won't be an in-and-out trip. Breakfast and some shopping will take a couple of hours, so if you want to meet up at around 9:00, would that work for you?

[LaraW]

Or, if we want to meet later than 7 that is OK with me too. I have a fair amount of flexibility in the morning, and just suggested that since Sandy said that it gets crowded.

I'm up for whatever.... :)

[Molli526]

I could try to get there by 7:45ish. I don't wake up most weekdays until 7:30, so getting up around 5:30ish is such a stretch for me :rolleyes: Sandy, if I could have your cell, I could call when I get there to meet up with all of you.

[JenniferJJ]

Jennifer - my car only holds 4 people.


Just wanted to confirm the time again.

Also, my car holds 5 - I could drive. I even plan to vacuum it this afternoon!

[LaraW]

Sandy is going to pick me up 6:45/7:00, but we will be at Zingerman's for the morning, so I would say for people to show up whenever they can. :)

[LaraW]

Just bumping up....getting excited! :)

[Molli526]

Would it be OK if I brought one of the boys? If not, that is OK too. :)

[LaraW]

Fine with me :)

I'm leaving both kids with DH at the hotel - but its OK with me to bring one of them with you.

[LaraW]

I just wanted to pop back in here. I had a fabulous breakfast with Sandy, Cheryl and Molli on Saturday morning. We then did a balsamic tasting and shopped around Zingerman's. It was SO fun to just sit and visit with people who I have gotten to know on this BB. :)

Molli, I went back on Sunday before coming home to get a loaf of that Chocolate Chunk Sourdough (or whatever it is called!). We're enjoying that today.

Candace, thank you for the directions to Gallup Park. DH took the kids there while I was at breakfast, and then Sandy took me to meet up with them, so she and Cheryl got to meet DH and the kids as well.

We had a great time at the wedding. It was an outdoor ceremony, and the heat really kicked up before it started, but it was still a beautiful ceremony. I was wearing a black dress so of course soaked up the sun :) But, once we got inside for the reception, we all cooled off quickly.

Thanks again for coming to meet me - it was a definite highlight of the trip!

[phantomcg]

Hi Lara!

I'm glad that the wedding was nice and that you had a good time.

It was really good to meet you and your DH, DD, DS and In-laws. :) Breakfast was nice and I really enjoyed wandering around the farmers market. I'm still completely intrigued by the lime basil that I bought and I can't wait for it to grow!

I'm going to be back at Zingermans in a couple of weeks. DH and I will be in Ypsilanti for a weekend car show and I just don't see myself hanging around the car show all weekend and I figure Zingermans will be a nice diversion. Besides, they are offering a "two day only" bread of "Pepered Bacon Farm Bread" that will only be available on 6/29 and 6/30 - I've got to try that!

Thanks for starting this thread and for taking time out of your family vacation to meet with us!

Cheryl

[SandyM]

I had a great time also! Lara, thanks for including us in your weekend plans. It was so nice to meet Jeff, Natalie and Colin, and your inlaws.

I love any excuse to get to Zingermans. Not that I need an excuse...... ;)

Cheryl - I repotted my basil last night (all four! :o ). I can't wait to start using them.

[phantomcg]

I repotted mine on Sunday, Sandy, and discovered that there were four plants in the pot that I bought. I now have 6 basil plants!!!

Cheryl