Our Summer Michigan Trip 2023 - Part 2 of ??? Grand Celebration!

Perhaps *the* highlight of this trip was our visit to the Murphey Cottage (by Sleeping Bear Dunes) and Murphey-Meditch home (in Empire) to celebrate my cousins' (Carolyn and Kathleen) 80th birthday. Seeing the Murphey clan is always a party, and this was a special party indeed. Kendall and I stayed with John and Marcie at their home in Empire, and birthday partying took place at the Murphey cottage along the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Shoreline. My Aunt Helen & Uncle Bill Murphey built the cottage in the early 50s (I think - cousin John and I were toddlers at most at the time) and it has been grandfathered into the National Shoreline. It is a very very special place cared for by very very special people.

The visit with John & Marcie started with a Jen/Paul wedding gnome sighting (John was one of the wedding photographers).

Taz and I followed that sighting with a quick walk to Empire beach (a herding dog must always check out the waves donchaknow).

On the way to the cottage for the birthday celebration, John, Marcie, Kendall & I went for a walk along the Lakeshore hoping for a peek at a piping plover or two. We did spot at least one adult and at least one baby - but from so far away (they are protected) we couldn't get pictures (and, of course, none of us remembered to bring binoculars which would have been very helpful for spotting the rare birds). Regardless, it was a dandy walk along the Lakeshore - as demonstrated by Marcie & John's smiles in the accompanying photo.

 

Now it's time for a birthday celebration for Carolyn and Kathleen!

Christoph, Carolyn's husband, makes a toast to the twins.

After a scrumptious meal, it's time for dessert! Two cakes!

And after dinner, it's time for some fun on the beach: 

Cousins gather and 

Taz runs (and runs and runs - I do believe this is his favorite beach since it seems to go on forever!)

John, Paula, Doris, Carolyn & Christoph's son Carl, and Marcie

Taz in full gallop

The next day we had an early walk back down to Empire beach. It's amazing what can be seen when the tourists aren't out and about yet.

A watchful deer

Morning mist over South Bar Lake

A Kendall bird watching photographer
with his trusty cattle dog

A heron standing in Lake Michigan, with Sleeping Bear Dunes in the background at sunrise

A glorious visit, smiles all around.