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

Pan-toasted chicken & cheese sandwich *Rose Style*

Collie used to make ham & cheese sandwich for himself. Since I warned him that processed meat contains enormous additives that cause cancer, he got to buy slices of chicken breast (or turkey) instead of ham.

I like sandwich made with sliced bread, namely square sandwich bread. Also, I prefer my bread toasted. 

My recent favorite is Dave's Killer Bread😀 It's non GMO and organic! Thin-sliced breads among their products are just for me.

I made my breakfast sandwich with thin-sliced brown bread at Collie's house. It's 'Rose style' to add plenty of vegetables in sandwich. This is pan-toasted chicken & cheese sandwich with extra cabbage. The main ingredient looks like cabbage, though...

Collie didn't want cabbage in sandwich like this😅 So he makes chicken & cheese sandwich as usual. It's OK to cook in a different way, but I want him to have enough vegetables for his health!!!

We are going to leave his house for North Michigan today as he could take days off from his work. Stay tuned dear long time readers, familiar places such as Petoskey, Mackinaw City will appear♪

Charming snack foods I chose at Kroger

This is Kroger Collie often goes to. It has appeared over and over again on this blog.

Kroger is an American retail company throughout the United states. 

A roof shape like this is common among Kroger supermarkets. Isn't it cute? I like this☺

In 1883, a single grocery store was opened in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio by the investment, Barney Kroger's life savings. Kroger Corporate Headquarters is still in Cincinnati, Ohio.

I learned that Kroger has become the largest supermarket chain in the United states. Wow! Kroger got bigger than Walmart or Costco!? I didn't know. Congratulations!

These are snack foods I chose at Kroger. I will take them to Japan. 

Uh✋ peaches are from meijer, yesterday.  I just took a picture of them with Kroger foods for fan😄

Private Selection Slow Roasted Pecans with Sea Salt is a must buy whenever I come to Michigan❤︎ 

It is soooo delicious❤︎

This time's lucky find was Milk Chocolate Pecans❤︎ 

Crunchy pecans and caramel covered in milk chocolate is heavenly❤︎

What is your favorite snack food of the supermarket in your town?  Rose 

The second attempt★ at new WISTLE STOP DINER

We came to WISTLE STOP DINER for lunch again. Though we just came yesterday, I really wanted to try other menu items on this trip💨 

The diner was almost empty when we came in. We were not taken to our seats when we entered, so we chose a table with a good view of the outside. Collie brushed bread crumbs off his seat. Then he was a little surprised to see me also brushing the crumbs off my seat.

A different waitress than yesterday came to our table for taking the order. I ordered one burger from HANDMADE ANGUS STEAK BURGERS section on the menu. In response to her "How would you like your steak?", I answered "Medium rare." I thought "medium" at first, but then I reconsidered and changed it to "medium rare" to avoid overcooking. 

RAILWAY BURGER

Arugula, Tomato, Onion & Mayo

with Home Fries & a Dill Pickle

I love French Fries of WISTLE STOP DINER💕 It's as good as I remembered😊 Today, I ordered coffee☕️ to enjoy with my American meal. Later, I realized no waitress went around refilling coffee anymore, different from the former WISTLE STOP DINER before renovation. It's a shame... Oh well, I guess it's inconvenient for staffs since the diner is now bigger than before. 

While I was eating it, I noticed that the beef patty was undercooked. It was too rare😰 The beef was scorched on the outside and raw in the middle. Collie agreed that it was very rare inside. I see, this is the way how "medium rare" is cooked. But we hesitated to ask, like, "Could you please cook it a bit more?". Besides, the surface of the patty was already charred black💦 A raw meat burger was sad for me who visited Birmingham all the way from Japan after covid-19 pandemic😭 

Collie had just ordered Sweet Potato Fries for himself. He didn't have much appetite. Though my coffee cup got empty, it's hard for me to say "Could I get a refill?". It is all right...since - I'm sorry, but - the coffee was a little insipid.

However, French Fries are great ever! If I have a next chance, I will say "Medium" for my burger.

Collie paid the bill and we approached the exit. I was standing a bit away from him.  Then －

"Have a nice day!!!"

The same waitress as yesterday said so only to Collie friendlily with big smile in a loud voice.

Rose: 😦

I stayed on the sidelines. I seem to be unwelcome here. Is there a third visit sometime, I wonder? I know Collie won't come unless he is with me. 

I want to eat French Fries of WISTLE STOP DINER even just one more time. Also, I hope to try other items. I think I'll ask him to accompany me likewise if I can come here again in the future. Or...

Does anyone know a good French Fries place!?

Thank you all for watching my second visit to new WISTLE STOP DINER, Rose

A little house surrounded by greenery in the northern suburbs of Detroit

I noticed a little house behind. The side mirror showed it to me when I was in the car. It's pretty❤︎

It was a light blue house surrounded by comfortable greenery in the northern suburbs of Detroit.

What is it like inside the house? I know it's not possible to see it actually, though. The residents of the house might not live a sumptuous lifestyle, but I surmise that there is a cuteness and ingenuity that can only be found in a small house. Wouldn't you agree? 

I was just imaging things...😄  We're about to go out for lunch. See you then!   Rose