Small meals for supper at picnic tables in Pennsylvania Park, Petoskey

We checked in at the hotel in Petoskey. We'd found out the restaurant we were going to was not available, so we looked for a good place where we could eat small meals outside, preferably a quiet and scenic place with benches. 

Petoskey is one of my favorite town in Michigan. I especially like the ambience of shops and restaurants around Pennsylvania Park. How about eating our meals in that park? Look! There is a perfect wooden table there!

＊Take 1＊

Ah, Collie's hand photobombed in 👀  I'll shoot another one.

＊Take 2＊

He's still appearing in the camera's field of view as the photo is taken...😆  Not a prank nor practical joke, but he is eagerly preparing for our meals. Disinfection is also essential. Thank you, Collie. :3

I brought coffee that I got in the hotel lobby. Sandwiches Collie made at his home this morning, nuts, cut cabbage... I am happy to be able to eat at such a wonderful place surrounded by pretty buildings and nature.

Pennsylvania Park is the heart of downtown Petoskey, located in northern Michigan.

It is a relaxing place for citizens with plenty of trees, some picnic tables, and some park benches. (You can see a small gazebo in the image above.)  Also, this park features a decommissioned old rail road tracks from the earlier days. Petoskey was the northern terminus of the Chicago and West Michigan Railway. 

There are two girls chilling together at the table over there. It's pleasant to see. The vibe of Pennsylvania Park, and pretty buildings alongside it has a charming feel. Petoskey is a soothing city.

SkyBridge Michigan & the scenic view of Boyne Mountain Resort

Continued driving north, we stopped by a hot spot. Collie showed me another new tourist destination I should know in Michigan. It was evening, but still bright enough as it's June.

It says that SkyBridge Michigan is Michigan's second bridge.

Driving further north from Saginaw where we dropped in to see Japanese Tea House and Garden, we are already close to Petoskey. 

Collie is buying tickets for both of us. Though we can't stay that long, the ticket includes all-day access to the chairlift and SkyBridge Michigan.

We took a scenic two-person chairlift ride right away♪  It will take us to the mountaintop.  It's fun! 

The next adventure is SkyBridge Michigan! We venture along 1,200-foot-long, 118-foot-high pedestrian bridge between McLouth and Disciples Ridge peaks. The bridge sways when walking, and I need to hold on to the paved loop if I want to overlook the Boyne Valley down below...😓

I managed to cross the bridge with trepidation.（ I don't lay it on thick😅 ）

SkyBridge Michigan is world's longest timber-towered suspension bridge!

Then we walked to Eagle's Nest, iconic mountaintop restaurant located at the top of Hemlock - Boyne Mountain, Michigan. We didn't go in, but took a picture from there.

Overlooking the Boyne Valley at Boyne Mountain Resort

It was a stunning image.

We took the two-person chairlift ride again for going down, this time. What a refreshing landscape! Castle-like buildings at Boyne Mountain Resort are gradually approaching.

Taking a stroll in the premises. These resort lodgings could accommodate a large number of guests.

You must find beauties in every season at Boyne Mountain Resort. I imagine that the winter season covered with snow is romantic here. 

I took a video too😀  https://www.instagram.com/p/C8RNqyCRt-w/

If there is an opportunity, please experience SkyBridge Michigan and admire the scenic view of Boyne Mountain Resort, and of course the chairlift ride that gives you childlike joy.　+ Rose +

Let's grab lunch at Tropical Smoothie Cafe!

Have you ever been to Tropical Smoothie Cafe? I've never been there until now. It is an Atlanta-based quick-service restaurant founded in Florida. Locations are more than 1150, in the US only so far? It looks like a vibrant cafe with a healthy appeal.

They are like, safe and quality ingredients means more than just delicious food and smoothies. Nice!

Rose's choice from WRAPS on the menu

BAJA  CHICKEN

grilled chicken, rice, black beans, smashed avocado, romaine,

pickled red onions, cheddar & roasted tomato salsa

It's awesome! I chose a wrap that included rice as an ingredient. Rice is a staple food in Japan. So this is a wonderful way to satisfy my stomach and heart while enjoying different country's cuisine.

Collie's choice from SALADS on the menu

THAI  CHICKEN

grilled chicken, carrots, cilantro, scallions & wontons

on a bed of romaine & served with Thai peanut dressing

His THAI CHICKEN looks great!  He chose a good one.

From SIDES on the menu

Collie's choice: MAPLE-KISSED SWEET POTATOES

Rose's choice: WHOLE FRUIT(choice of banana or apple)

I love it! 'Roasted' SWEET POTATOES are kind to the body and way healthier than 'fried' ones that are common in other restaurants. The beauty is that the roasted MAPLE-KISSED SWEET POTATOES are maple-grazed to make them tastier in a healthy way.

He didn't order a smoothie because he's afraid of the high calories, but I got one for me as it's a great opportunity in the US. Why not! 

Rose's choice from SMOOTHIES on the menu

PARADISE POINT

strawberries, banana & pineapple

Yum... It was heavenly❤︎  This is the best smoothie I've ever had. I'll definitely be a repeat customer.

However, the sweetness is not only due to natural sugars from the fruits alone. The chain adds turbinado sugar into smoothies. Turbinado sugar is raw cane sugar, a type of raw brown sugar. Unfortunately, the smoothie is not something you can drink every day because of added sugar. Still, this tastes amazing and I believe it's made from fresh and quality fruits. The slightly higher prices compared to other smoothie shops makes sense considering the high-quality and fresh ingredients. 

So...I'll try other menus while I'm in the US. I'll let you know more about that then.

Talk to you later, Rose

We departed for North Michigan and stopped by AWA SAGINAW AN.

Finished our preparations and headed north by car. 

Ah! Downtown Oxford! I should take a picture of this from inside the car!

I like the vibe of Downtown Oxford, but I don't think I'll have time to hang out here on this trip. We had an awesome time at dinner just once before, but Victoria's Wine & Dine - Victoria's Bistro and Cocktail Bar est 1997 - is a wonderful tasty bistro. 

Having driven for a while, we got off in Saginaw. It was Collie's idea. There is Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House. I didn't know Saginaw, Michigan and Tokushima, Japan are sister cities! The sisterhood originated a young Japanese exchange student from Tokushima. He did a homestay on a farm in Saginaw during semester breaks from Michigan State University. (Collie's alma mater😲!)

Everybody can walk freely in a Friendship Garden. It's open to the public from 12:00-16:00, April through October. A vermillion bridge arching over a peaceful stream is impressive in the nature! 

AWA SAGINAW AN (阿波鷺能庵)　"AWA" is ancient name of Tokushima, Japan.  "AN" is a hut in which tea ceremonies were conducted by Japanese monks. 

Though other tea houses have been built in different locations of the world, this is the first time two international cities such as Saginaw and Tokushima have collaborated in both efforts to increase understanding and goodwill between their citizens. 

peace through a bowl of tea 

More details about Japanese Cultural Center, Tea House & Gardens of Saginaw is :

https://japaneseculturalcenter.org