When my wife told me that we were going to Holland I perked up real fast. Tulips. Van Gogh. Pot shops. Red light...stop right there you moron! "Holland, Michigan. To visit Julianne and the new baby." Oh, that's different. OK, Holland MI. Let's do it. We had just finished weekends in Vegas and Amador County, so what's one more to wrap up her wild October birthday month. So off to Holland we fly. First stop, Chicago O'Hare airport, better know as ORD. Why, because FAA says so. No, really it's because it was once known as Orchard Field. The airport was renamed in 1949, seven years after opening, after Edward O'Hare, the Navy's first fighter ace and the first Naval recipient to be awarded a Medal of Honor. OK, that explains it.

Today, O'Hare has one of the coolest terminals with a nod more to its aviation heritage and less to a sprawling retail mall. The airport still retains it diminutive roots, with ceilings in some areas topping out at 8 ft. I was able to touch them just by reaching up! And yet, some areas have a thoroughly modern design and feel to it. But I love the United terminal with it's fuselage feel of rods and pulleys overhead. And since we were on the red eye, for breakfast, I definitely wanted something Chicago-esque, so I grab a bag of Nuts on Clark popcorn. Sorry, McDonald's is the same the world over, but Nuts on Clark, now that's Chicago! As the headquarters are located near Wrigley field, this will be on the tour for sure next time we set foot in the Windy City. But, we're off to Grand Rapids to be picked up for a family weekend in Holland.

We land at Gerald R. Ford International Airport, gateway to fun! I'm sorry, but anytime I hear of Gerry Ford, I immediately think of Chevy Chase's impressions of the 40th president, on Saturday Night Live, back in the day. If only someone would have said to me, "Welcome to Ford airport, have a nice trip." I would have laughed my ass off! Oh well, let's scram and start the party. And the party starts a few minutes later on a dreary drizzly corner in Grand Rapids at Marie Catrib's. this spot is so out of place. The outside is pure rundown, mid-west. Inside is big city brightness. I expect to see this in West Hollywood, more so than West Michigan. Or maybe I just need to get out more and realize that the world isn't divided between New York/Los Angeles, and everyone else in the middle. A vegan serving shop in this little corner of town, the shop has some great options for meat eaters as well. It also has a great sense of humor, such as the Larry David lasagna. I have no idea how or why, but that's what its called. Maybe a binge of Curb Your Enthusiasm will reveal the secret, but for now, I just chuckle at the thought.

While everyone is eating healthy, kale salad this, and vegan barley soup that, I grab a nice turkey and ham on cheddar with tenderly toasted multi-grain bread. And to add to the drama, they throw in a few apple slices, green apple to provide a nice acidity to cut through the meat and cheese. I'm good to go. Who knew a vegan health shop could throw down a wonderful combination like this. Yes, I really need to get out more. Nancy enjoys a butternut squash quiche that's actually pretty tasty. Not that it's "actually" tasty, but for a meat eater such as myself, it was pretty tasty. We head out and head home and settle down to catch up with family.

The next day, we hit downtown Holland. A cute little replica of small town mid west Michigan. I say a replica, because all the buildings are so new looking and modern in their themes. A beautiful melding of old west with new modern that again, catches me off guard. Where are the faded facades, crumbling brick and rundown closed up shops. Not here, because Holland is a

major tourist spot, hosting Holland sister city activities such as Tulip festivals, winter wonderlands and all sorts of Dutch inspired treats. And if it's inspired treats you want, then our first stop fits the bill. Cherry Republic is all things Cherry. Of course they have the standards, cherry salsa, cherry beer, cherry butter. And then they just go crazy! 8 types of cherry salsa. Cherry chocolates, 3 varieties. Cherry butter, maybe 6 flavors. Cherry jams and jelly, or course. Cherry candy in so many configurations of chewy, crunchy, squishy, gummi. Cherry sausage, yes, sausage. Cherry BarBeQue sauces, 3 levels of heat. Boomchunkas, snack sticks, beer, preserves, honey, beer, mustards, (yes, again, mustard) licorice, horseradish sauce, beer, wine, rootbeer, coffee, and that mid-western favorite, Cherry icewine. Wow, and best of all, it's all out for tastings. I think I put on 2-3 lbs in tastings alone. OK, lets grab a little of everything and leave now or never.

We take a walk down main street here. Quaint and cute, but with a variety of stores to fit your every need. Of course there are the cute little local curio shops, Fris Downtown and Harbor Wear of Holland, but they rub elbows with established big city brands like White House Black Market and Jos. A Banks. Cherry Republic itself is sandwiched between Merle Norman, Lakeshore Pilates and Talbots. And that's what makes it so great. It's not a bunch of stodgy old fogies trying to hold onto the past. They embrace the old and the new here and that provides a refreshing atmosphere where everyone has such a sense of community. Young people here are so bright-eyed, and are as enthusiastic about stories of their town as they are about hearing our stories of LA. Actually, once we told them about the traffic, they began to tune out and just chuckle on to the next story.

So on to  our next stop, wine tasting! Yes! Warner Vineyards, a local of the area has a wonderful tasting room here. So we saddle up and and sample the goods. A nice little variety of sweet wines, a little young in structure, but look, it's Holland Michigan, so none of the Robert Parker stuff, just enjoy a glass and share some jokes with the locals. Although, the young girl, Ashley?, starts wondering about our souls, I can appreciate the lack of separation of church and wine. We assure her the same thoughts have been going around for millennia, and the most important thing is to enjoy life and help those around. Whether she appreciated or not, I'm not sure, but the next pour did seem a little heavy. God bless.

Well all this walking and talking and drinking has made us hungry, so off to the local brew house. New Holland Brewery is the hot spot in town. And why not? The place is huge, bustling with people watching various college football games. Oh, in these parts, this is serious business, as witnessed at the table behind us. Out of the 150 or people people in the place, located in western Michigan, home of the Spartans, myself and one gentleman were the only ones passionate about the Ohio-Penn State game. Understand, Ohio is the arch nemesis of Michigan, both Sate and University of, so us rooting for the enemy was not looked upon with glee. Add to the fact the the other gentleman was sitting at a table of 10 or so family members who thought he was crazy, made it all the more fun. OK then, back to the story. New Holland Brewery has a fanciful menu of their local brewed beers. A reminder that micro brews are taking over and providing a relief both financially and spiritually to communities across America. witness the fact that New Holland and Hope College are the only items that pop up on Google map at the 1000 ft. level. So I support the movement by ordering the Amber Ale. Yum, a beer so nice, I support it twice. Add to that some yummy chicken wings and nachos, and its a perfect mid western college football Saturday afternoon. We are enjoying our time when it dons on me, "You have a baby...in a bar" Yes, the little one has woken up and is stirring, bright-eyed and bushy tailed. Oh no...Is he gaining consciousness...in a brew pub. I think this kid has Michigan State in his future.