Vacation Overview: From Setbacks to Sunsets – A Magical Journey Through Traverse City, Mackinaw, and Myrtle Beach

What began as a rough and unexpected start blossomed into one of the most magical trips of my life—a journey full of surprises, sunsets, and a few serendipitous moments that I’ll cherish forever.

We kicked off the trip with plans to enjoy a peaceful few days in Mackinaw City. But when we got there, it felt like a ghost town. Most things were closed, and the trip was quickly heading in the direction of a total bust. Not ones to let that stop us, we made a spontaneous pivot and headed to Traverse City instead—and thank goodness we did. That decision ended up setting the tone for a much more beautiful trip than we could have imagined.

In Traverse, we checked into the Delamar Hotel, which turned out to be a total dream. The hotel was gorgeous, modern, and had the most calming atmosphere. We had access to a complimentary shuttle, which made exploring Traverse City stress-free and gave us time to just enjoy the moment. Even though it wasn’t what we originally planned, the peaceful lake views, cozy vibe, and fresh local food made it a perfect northern Michigan escape.

But the real magic began when we packed up and headed south—way south—to Myrtle Beach. After a grueling 14-hour drive (yes, we cranked out that monster trek twice), we finally arrived, and the second we checked into the Residence Inn Myrtle Beach Oceanfront, all that exhaustion melted away. The hotel was everything: beachfront, modern, clean, welcoming—and our room had the dreamiest view of the ocean. Every night, I got to watch the sunset dip into the horizon right from our window. Even more unbelievably, our stay was comped. I can’t explain how grateful I was. It felt like we were being wrapped in a little pocket of magic, with every detail just falling into place.

I fell in love with every inch of that hotel—from the sparkling pool that I barely left, to the easy beach access, to the quiet mornings watching the waves roll in. One morning, as we walked along the shore, I stumbled upon a jellyfish washed up in the sand. I gently returned it to the sea, only to find dozens more had arrived the next day. It became a quiet ritual, checking for jellyfish each morning, marveling at nature’s rhythm.

We visited the pier—one of those classic Myrtle Beach experiences. You had to pay to walk all the way down it, which honestly just made it feel a little more special. Looking out over the endless stretch of water from the edge of the pier, it hit me just how far we’d come—from a closed-down Mackinaw to this sun-soaked stretch of paradise.

But nothing topped the moment I got engaged. That was the true core memory of the trip—surrounded by love, sun, sand, and something that felt like destiny. Even though I left with a decent sunburn, the joy and relaxation I felt can’t be overstated. Watching the sunrise on the drive down—those soft pinks and golden streaks lighting up the sky—felt like a sign that this trip would be something unforgettable.

From a rocky beginning to a magical finish, this vacation reminded me that the best experiences are often the ones you don’t see coming. Between the jellyfish, the sunsets, the engagement, and the sheer joy of it all, this will forever be one of the most beautiful experiences of my life.