Welcome to Michigan!

 Once again a beautiful cool morning as we headed toward our next destination - Tawas City.  Just after leaving the hotel we crossed into Michigan.  

We always stop at the welcome centers, and this one was wonderful.  Two nice ladies loaded me up with tons of info on each place we were going to be visiting.  I decided to go back to get a pic and the other person was not there so this pic only has one nice lady in it. 

Meanwhile, on the highway we had seen this van a couple of times and I just got a chuckle out of the slogan - no creepy guys!  So when they ended up at a rest stop I had to grab a pic.

 

We also saw a few signs at one point saying we were in a prison area and not to pick up hitch hikers.  We passed several of these signs which made us wonder how many escapes they have from this place? 

Our route to Tawas was going to take us thru Frankenmuth and I have been SO excited to stop there and shop in Bronner's Christmas Wonderland - the largest Christmas store in the country.  I was disappointed.  I was expecting fabulous finds - special and unique.  What I found was mall kiosk variety stuff.  I did end up buying $90 worth of stuff - but that was easy given the prices.  It was fun to see the lights and hear the constant Christmas music playing.  Bill was so patient - good husband points given.  

There was a cute nativity themed chapel on the grounds. 

The town filled with Bavarian themed businesses and buildings.  The welcome sign entering the main part of town. 

We were past lunchtime so we decided to try the Bavarian Inn.  We wound thru the various dining areas and were seated in a lovely dining room.  We were serenaded by a guy in lederhosen playing the accordion.  He was quite good!

We decided to walk the town and take in the flowers and lovely shops.  What a cute town.  

There's a cool covered bridge too!  

There was also a classic car show happening this weekend.  The cars were already arriving and cruising up and down the main drag.  Folks had chairs set up watching the vehicles as they drove by.  We talked to one group from Florida!  We saw these after we stopped at the German bakery and got some goodies to take with us.  

We arrived in Tawas and headed out to find dinner.  We ended up at Mr. Jacks and shared (too many!) appetizers.

We got lots of steps and are too tired to even try the jacuzzi tub in our hotel room.  Ate our German goodies and are ready to crash and continue our adventure tomorrow.  Auf Wiedersehen!