This year was the first time I booked a one-week vacation at a US resort in Michigan from our RCI timeshare for September 1-8, 2006 at Mountain Run at Boyne Resort, Boyne City. We got only a 1-bedroom unit, with sofa bed in the living room and with full kitchen. It was not so spacious, but since we spent most of our days going out to see the nearby sights, this was just fine. The resort has a lounging place at the reception area, an arcade room, swimming pool and an adjoining jacuzzi indoor pool.

We drove from Orangeville, Ontario mid-afternoon of Sept. 1st, and with several stops along the way, we got to the resort almost 11pm. Since we were on country road by that time, there were few houses and no road lights to guide us, except the moonlight We got to the resort somehow after a few scary wrong turns. As soon as we got our room, everybody went right off to bed and woke up late in the morning, a Saturday. That afternoon, we just drove around Boyne City , strolled at the lakeside, and bought groceries, just to get the feel of the place. The next day, after attending the 11am Sunday Mass at St. Matthews church at Boyne City, we drove to a town called Fairview where we rode an old steam locomotive at theMichigan AuSable Valley Railroad.



There are quite a lot of good places close to Boyne, that not all could be visited in just a week. The Petowsky State Park and the Waterfront Park in Traverse City is a 15-minute drive. Also, 30 miles northwest of Traverse City are the . Sleeping Bear Dunes,and Glen Haven, near Sleeping Bear Dunes Climb, with an almost private Lake Michigan beach. After walking/climbing the Sleeping Bear Dunes, Eric and the girls tried kayaking atCrystal River, while Jen and I waited in the car and had anxious moments thinking they might make wrong turns around the river route (which is hidden from the road) and not get back before dark.

We also drove to Mackinaw City and just laze beside the lakeside with the view of Mackinac Bridge and the Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse nearby. Bay Harbor and Marina, is also a relaxing place to stroll around and is just a few minutes away from the resort.

Here are some scenic photos we took of places we visited:



Going back, we took the route to Saulte St. Marie through Mackinac Bridge, then taking the ferry Chi-Cheemaun at South Baymouth to Tobermory. We arrived the marina at 8pm, so it was quite late when the ferry docked Tobermory. We spent the night there, and drove back to Orangeville early the following morning.