Originally we planned to go to Disney World; but because of the illness of a child, we didn't feel it responsible to take her out of school for another week. However, Rod and I felt we needed a vacation as a family. So, we informed our disappointed kids we were heading to Frankenmuth. So I booked us at the Bavarian Inn Lodge, which boasts 5 swimming pools, arcade, 3 restaurants, gift shops, and endless family fun in their "Family Fun Center" which could put Chuck E Cheese to shame.
I felt like the modern version of the Beverly Hillbillies as I loaded the van with clothes, laptop (hard to be 'disconnected' from friends and family), the Wii..so I could get my exercise in, a couple books for me to read and all other necessities needed. So off to Frankenmuth we headed, with the expectation of 3 nights/4 days of hotel relaxation,swimming, game playing and anything else the hotel had to offer.
As we drove in to Frankenmuth on Sunday afternoon, the sun welcomed us in with open arms. As the kids began pointing out stores, playgrounds and other buildings they saw, I began to look at Frankenmuth in a different light. Oh, I had been to Frankenmuth several times; but as an adult for festivals and our anniversary weekend. But now at the attention of the kids, it looked different.
Our room was in the lower level of the Bavarian Lodge and just a short walk to the Family Fun Center. I knew this from their website as I booked the room. What I didn't realize when I reserved our room was that it had another door leading out the back of the room and to a beautiful display of the Cass River, willow trees, the wooden covered bridge, and the Bavarian Belle Paddlewheel Riverboat.
Monday morning met us with a beautiful view over the Cass River and ducks lounging just outside our door. It promised to be a warm, sunny day and we just couldn't keep ourselves inside. So with our walking shoes on, we headed across the covered bridge to Main Street. As we begin our journey, I once again realize that I am looking at this town through my kids eyes and feel like I'm seeing it for the very first time. As we went in to the Cheese Haus, Clock Haus, Coffee Haus, Sausage Haus, and every other Haus there was, I began to see more than just beauty....I began to see the history.
While every town has its history, Frankenmuth boasts it proudly....as it should. There is so much history and knowledge of its history, that all you can do is stare in awe. From the murals on its buildings, the wooden covered bridge, the Zehnders family and its ancestry, the three channels on the hotel room's tv, museums, etc. etc. etc., you can't help but be lured in. We took a horse and carriage ride through the residential district and the history behind the houses was just as fascinating and amazing as the town itself. What is even more amazing is the knowledge they have about their history. I know some of them are memorized and rehearsed, but the majority of the towns people know their history.
We left our hotel room about 10 a.m.. After walking around town we stopped at Zehnders for their world-famous chicken dinner. Again, history was in the meal as we learned Zehnders began in the early 1950's. Served family style as if you were in your own home. Chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy, salads, soups, etc. all served in large bowls in the center of the table for us to pass around our table.
We arrived about at our hotel room about 5 p.m, went swimming and then headed back to the room. After changing the kids headed out the back door for some outdoor fun. Rod and I wandered out and sat in the lawn chairs just outside our door and watched as the kids rolled down the hill, played tag, and flew a kite (given to them by another hotel guest who was handing them out). After a quick snack in the room and a discussion of what to do the next day, the kids drifted off to sleep. Rod and I sat outside and watched the sun go down over the Cass River and the lights come on on Main Street lighting up the town. There was a sense of peace and serenity as the sun said goodnight.
After breakfast on Tuesday we once again headed to Main Street. Because it was raining...and no one else wanted to be a good sport...we ended up driving the short distance. Today, because it was raining, decided to treat the kids to a day of activities in the lower level of the Bavarian Inn Restaurant. As their brochure boasted, children's activities were being held in the Castle Shop on the lower level where the kids were treated to bunny cookie decorating, crown making, rubber band balls, door-knob hangers and best of all strudel making in the kitchen.
After dinner at the Bavarian Inn Restaurant, we headed off to Bronner's Christmas Store. Advertised as the largest Christmas store in the world, we looked at the thousands of ornaments, figurines, Christmas trees, displays, santas, etc. Whatever your interest in Christmas is, they have it. As with the rest of the town, the history of Bronners was proudly displayed around the store and in its theater, which showed a movie about the history.
We headed back to the room and went swimming, played games, had a snack in the Ratskeller Restaurant and most of the family treated themselves to some karaoke and hula hooping. Back in the room the kids laid down and were asleep within minutes.
Wednesday morning came upon us with gloom. Rainy and cold outside and knowing it was time to head home, the kids whined their disappointment asking if we could stay "just one more night."
After checking out and loading up, we stopped at the local ice cream shop. Not a fan of letting my kids eat dessert before lunch, but knew it would cheer them up. So, with Rod and I eating a waffle cone and the kids eating frozen chocolate-covered bananas, we departed Frankenmuth with promises of returning again. As I looked in the rear-view mirror, the rain and gloom and town of Frankenmuth seemed to be waving goodbye until next time.
My books never opened, the Wii used the first night only, laptop used only a few minutes the whole trip, but it was ok. Because we walked until our legs felt like they were going to fall off, and gained knowledge from the history and experience of the town that no book or laptop could ever produce. The idea of spending the entire trip in the hotel was a little dramatic as you can't possibly ignore the draw of the town.
