Hello Friends!
As some of you were aware,
I picked up my mom last Friday
and we headed an hour and half west
from her house to Frankenmuth.
Our dinner was at the Bavarian Inn.
Everywhere you turned there are paintings.
Paintings depicting Bavaria.
Pictured above is the founding family
who started this restaurant.
The Zehnder's purchased the building in 1928,
and lived on the 2nd floor of the restaurant.
The opening day was Mother's Day 1929.
They served 312 patron's at $1.00 a dinner.
In 1930 they were raided by federal agents,
and arrested for selling beer.
They had to pay $5000.00 in fines and bail,
which almost cost the family their business.
Today the third and fourth generation
run the businesses which now include
two restaurants, Bavarian Inn Hotel, retail shops
and even a golf course.
It's well known that the Zehnder family
put Frankenmuth Michigan on the map.
Frankenmuth also includes
Bronner's Christmas store which
is currently the worlds largest Christmas wonderland.
This retail experience is located on 27 acres.
We did not visit Bronner's this time.
It would be difficult for my mom to walk.
Here is my my mom and daughter Michele at dinner.
My granddaughter Mikayla on the right.
She asked her mom if she could bring 2 friends...
my daughter said ok.
Well then my grandson Michael wanted to come.
The more the merrier. LOL
I did not want to take pics of the wait staff
without permission,
but you can see the gentleman in the background.
The wait staff all dress in Bavarian attire.
Family style dinner includes chicken noodle soup.
First course macaroni salad, cole slaw,
cranberry relish, carrot salad...
which none of us liked. We were hoping
for the bean salad. Oh well.
Plus stollen (fruit bread) and peach jam.
Dinner included chicken, mashed potatoes
with gravy, buttered noodles, dressing
and beans...which I forgot to put on my
plate before taking this pic.
Dessert is ice cream.
Vanilla, Orange Sherbert or twist...
which is half vanilla and sherbert,
which is what I chose.
Could you imagine drinking beer out of this stein?
We spent the night in Bridgeport,
and then Saturday morning
I drove mom back to our house.
Us kids then took her to dinner for Mother's Day
on Saturday evening.
She stayed with us until Monday morning,
and then I took her home.
She was sick...and now I think I caught her cold.
UGH
In the wee hours of the morning yesterday,
our phones would not stop.
Tornado watch, Marine warning,
severe thunderstorm watch. So glad it was not as
bad as predicted. The storms went around us...
which is fine by me.
Not feeling well today so probably
will just lay around and rest.
I only worked half a day yesterday.
This morning still feeling under the weather.
It is raining so am just going to rest these old bones.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Mini Trip Blessings To All!
Janice
What a wonderful time you and family had and the food looked delicious. I would have had some carrot salad as I do like it and haven't had any in a while.
ReplyDeleteYesterday there was a tornado watch and severe thunderstorms for several hours. Thankfully no tornado touched down near me but did need to pick up some limbs this morning.
What a lovely way to celebrate Mother’s Day, steeped in history and family tradition. Frankenmuth’s charm and the story of the Zehnder family really show how the past shapes meaningful moments today. I just shared a new travel post. I am excited for you to read it. Thank you. Happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Frankenmuth in ages, the last time when the boys were quite young. I'd forgotten how good the dinners were. It's nice to see Michelle -- and is that the Michael who has been in the accident? I'm glad, if so, that he's well enough to be out.
ReplyDeleteWe were hit by the E1 tornado -- or if not touched down, badly damaged in our neighborhood by the winds. Trees and power lines down, a tree on Rick's roof (we're still not sure of damage but don't think it was too bad.) He was up north trying to put the cottage together after the ice storm but he still doesn't have power here and not scheduled for several days. Hopefully they will be earlier. I lost power for 24 hours (two blocks from him) but it's back. All you could hear yesterday were chain saws and tree removal trucks -- MASSIVE trees, old ones, up by the roots and taking up a ton of the sod or lawn with them. The Ditch where I walk was hit hard. Between the cottage ice storm and this, I'm a little frayed.
We last went to Frankenmuth about 5 years ago, and of course ate at Zenders! It's so good and fun with all the German touches. Nice to see Michael with you, hope he is improving.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you got that cold, no fun...
We also got all the alarms, sirens, but it was around 9 and 10 for us. We didn't have damage near us but some neighboring communities really got hit hard.
I have never been there - but I think it was just an awesome place to go! I love the family style dinner and how big it was. Sorry you caught your mom's cold - but it was worth it!
ReplyDeleteSorry you got a cold but what a nice get away.
ReplyDeleteCathy
I enjoyed all the photos.
ReplyDeleteSending hugs that you feel better soon.
We had tornado warnings too. We had trees, branches and twigs come down. Thankfully the power stayed on.
Carla
Sounds like a wonderful time with your family.
ReplyDeleteSure hope you're feeling better soon.
Oh no...hope both you and your mom get better soon. It sounds like a wonderful Mother's Day celebration. I've heard much of Frankenmuth, but have never been - and likely never will be. We had a few tornados touch down a bit away from us a few days ago...and we felt some of the storm's wrath. And yesterday a cold front moved through bring another storm. I had stopped at the grocery store on my way home from my son's, but when the lights kept going out, I gave up, put what I had in my cart back and left. Now it's just cold...very, very, cold. :-(
ReplyDeleteGood morning, the restaurant sounds and looks very special- a wonderful event with family to celebrate Mother's day. so sorry you caught a cold-ugh.
ReplyDeletethe storms have been going around us too here at the lake-stlouis got hit really hard take care hugs
What a wonderful way to spend Mother’s Day - 4 generations together! it looks like a wonderful time together with fabulous food. Just take care and try to beat the spring cold.
ReplyDeleteLucky you to still be making memories with your mom! She looks terrific.
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better.
Now, that looks like someplace we would like to go! Barb loves German food and I can never pass up a good German beer!
ReplyDeleteWhat a very special memory made - wonderful trip - for everyone. My husband loves German food and this sounds like a place for him!! A bit of drive from Virginia, but you know:)
ReplyDeleteThat's where we ate the first time we went to Frankenmuth. So much food and it was just two of us! Could hardly make a dent in it! So good though. I love Bronners and I'm trying to get my sister and nieces to take a ride there. It's about 4 1/2 hrs for each of us to get there. I hope you're feeling better now. Take care Janice!
ReplyDelete