Traverse City – Wayfaring With Wagner

In Michigan

Wine Tasting on Old Mission Peninsula // Traverse City, Michigan

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Nestled between West and East Grand Traverse Bay is Old Mission Peninsula. One of the oldest areas of Traverse City, Michigan and home to the beloved cherry orchards of the region, this 19-mile strip of land has emerged as one of the best wine regions in all of the United States. Although a relatively new industry, the wine region of Traverse City has won many accolades and awards including – One of the 7 Top Wine Regions to Watch in the USA (only wine region outside of California) by Tasting & Touring magazine, One of the 7 Under-The-Radar Wine Regions in the World by Thrillist, and One of the Top 10 Places to Enjoy Local Wines by USA Today. If you haven’t noticed, I’m just a bit proud of my adopted hometown of Traverse City 😉

In Michigan

Great Lakes State of Mind // Michigan

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Hidden in the pinky of Michigan are some of the most gorgeous beaches with the bluest water you’ll ever see. On one hand, I don’t want to share the locations because I want them to stay hidden gems for as long as possible from all the fudgies (aka tourists. Because they come to Michigan for fudge so we’ve nicknamed them appropriately). But then again, how could you not share something so beautiful?!

In Michigan

Fishtown // Leland, Michigan

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Tucked about 25 miles northwest of Traverse City, Michigan, the Fishtown district of Leland, Michigan is a throwback to life 100 years ago. The fish tugs and charter boats still line the docks of this historic neighborhood. While the district is now mainly a tourist attraction, it still serves individuals who want to go fishing. Many of the shanties are now shops, cafes, and restaurants but a few still cater to the fishing industry of Northern Michigan!

In Michigan

My Home on Discovery Channel!

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Exciting news! My childhood home was chosen to be on “Ultimate Homes: Waterfront Edition” on the Discovery Channel! The episode airs TOMORROW (Sunday, August 2nd) at 3pm EDT. Our house was filmed due to the unique building challenges (we have a 300 foot bridge to our house that is covered and 25 feet above ground). Plus, how could you not love the gorgeous views!? The sunsets have been out-of-this-world amazing these past few weeks. I’ll leave you all with some teaser photos 🙂 Make sure to check it out tomorrow and let me know what you think!

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Traverse City State Hospital

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I’ve said this again and again but I really do live in the most beautiful place in the United States (“Good Morning America” agrees with me as well)! I also think I could get Jamie from “Ink + Adventure” to back me up on this as well 🙂

This Christmas, Santa brought me a Sony A6000 and I’ve been dying to play with it! 🙂 It snowed a few days ago and I decided to have a mini photo shoot at the Traverse City State Hospital. The Traverse City State Hospital was built in 1885 as one of the major psychiatric hospitals in Michigan. The hospital worked on the philosophy of “beauty is therapy” which advocated kindness, comfort, pleasure, and beautiful flowers instead of restraints and straightjackets. While it primarily housed mentally ill patients, it also housed patients of tuberculosis, polio, diphtheria, flu, and typhoid as well as serving the elderly and recovering addicts.

In Michigan

Polar Vortex // Michigan

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While everyone in the USA has been suffering from the polar vortex and horrible snow storms/temperatures all winter, Germany has been the exact opposite! We’ve received a total of 5 minutes worth of flurries. Honestly, I was really missing the snow and the experience of a real winter. Being from Michigan, I’m used to snow, cold temperatures, and a winter that lasts 6 months.