Hey everyone! This week’s blog is coming to you straight from the backroads—literally. Hubby and I packed up and headed north from our home in Dayton, OH, to my brother’s lake house in Michigan. This trip is about 40 minutes up I-75, and then just over two hours of winding state routes and backroads. Honestly, that’s exactly how we like it!
The Joy of Backroads
The fun of these trips isn’t just the destination—it’s the stops along the way. We took our time, pulling over for thrifts, garage sales, small-town restaurants, and anywhere else that caught our eye. It’s one of my favorite things about road trips: you never know what treasures or people you’ll discover.
A Shout Out to LuLu’s Diner
Let me start with the food (of course). We made a lunch stop at LuLu’s Diner in the Lima area. I went for breakfast, and it was just as good as I remembered. This wasn’t our first time at a LuLu’s—we discovered one on our last trip and loved it so much we came back, just at a different location. Same great food, same great service. Highly recommend!
Treasure Hunting at Community Thrift Stores
We hit several thrift stores, and I really love supporting the community-driven ones. These shops put their earnings right back into the local community, helping neighbors in need. That makes every purchase feel even better.
When I shop these stores, I try not to overdo it—yes, I want to find great items to resell, but I also want to leave plenty for others. It’s just my way of being mindful and not greedy. (Some sellers might disagree with me there, but that’s just who I am.)
Michigan Finds: Auctions, Thrifting & Halloween Goodies
Once we got to the lake house, the fun didn’t stop. We’ve been here a few days now and filled our time with more thrifting, a local auction, and of course—scouting out the best local food.
Highlights so far:
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Cheese curds, burgers, and cottage fries (the best darn taters I’ve had in a long time!).
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Lake fish dinners that hit the spot.
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And yes—Halloween thrift store hauls. Local thrifts are already rolling out spooky goodies, and you know I wasn’t about to miss that. I even went back a second time to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
Lake Views & Pontoon Cruises
The lake house itself is such a treat. Every back window looks out over the water, and the enclosed porch is the perfect spot for morning coffee. Best of all, my brother’s got a pontoon boat we get to borrow. We’ve already putted around the lake, soaking up the views and the peace that comes with being on the water.
It’s the perfect balance: a little work, a little play, and a lot of fresh air.
Wrapping It Up
Trips like this remind me why I love what I do—blending travel, treasure hunting, and just enjoying the ride. We found some fantastic items I can’t wait to share in the shop, had great conversations with locals, ate amazing food, and took in views that recharge the soul.
So, as I like to say at the end of my videos… “See you on the backroad.” And this time, I really mean it!
Most of the items you see here are on our webiste, if they haven't sold already, so check them out!