Vacation 2016 Day 2

On this day, Friday, we did a fair bit of driving, headed North to places we'd been before.

We saw a sign for another lighthouse and decided to check it out. Turns out Point Betsie Lighthouse, (Frankfort, MI) is the most photographed of all. Here, my two-cents worth.

We did not walk far or stay long, and I was not about to climb up another tower!

 

The door on the right leads to the former Keeper's quarters, now available for rent $2000/wk.
No, thank you, our luxurious tent-bedroom will do.

 Next stop, probably the most popular destination in Glen Arbor--Cherry Republic.

Next we drove the nearby Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, headed for Sleeping Bear Dunes, stopping at most lookout spots to take in the awesome beauty.

Sleeping Bear Dune is very long and steep--a fun downhill run and arduous uphill climb. Beware!

It was impossible to capture the length of the descent in one shot. 

See the ant-size people  s.l.o.w.l.y making their way back up?  I zoomed way in and got this: a few brave and younger folk playing, resting at the bottom, and one beginning the upward crawl.

Needless to say, we did not attempt it, although Mike may have a video of me pretending to climb the last few yards.

Thus ended our scenic drive.

Did you realize that this is a very special year?  The 2016 National Park Service Centennial was August 25, but the Find Your Park celebration goes on all year. Fortunately Mike found his membership card still in his wallet from years ago, and we got in free.

We arrived back at our campsite in time for a quick supper, some packing, and a wonderful stargazing lecture.

Buenas noches.

Vacation 2016 Day 1

Michael loves to camp. I am not as keen, but always grateful for the experience.
We camped in style this time and a much thicker air mattress, rather luxurious.
Ludington State Park is one of the most popular, especially for Labor Day weekend, but we were able to secure the last spot, which happened to be right next to the facilities (bathrooms and showers) which made having to get up in the night more bearable.
In addition to the enclosed porch-type area our grand tent afforded, Michael brought another canopy which overlayed the tent and covered the picnic table also. The downside--more zippered openings to go through, but the upside--greater cover when it rained. And that it did, for a long time that first early morning--perfect for sleeping in! And that we did!
We spent three nights at 47A, and filled our days with adventures.

We went for an exploratory walk. By then the sand had pretty much soaked in all the moisture. We saw the sign to Big Sable Point Lighthouse, 1.5 mi. so we started out. Michael later regreted not going on the tandem. By the time we got there, he was experiencing leg pain.

It was, however, a wonderful nature lesson. We stopped at every sign and read the descriptions of the unique features of the area. I was able to recognize the Jack Pines and learned about throughs or interdunal ponds. And I took lots of pictures, of course.

I thought the outhouses were so cute.

We watched a video about the history of the lighthouse and the efforts of the Keepers Association responsible for all the restoration taking place. Then, I took the challenge and climbed to the top of the lighthouse and almost regreted that decision the next two days. I had no idea I was in such bad shape!

After a good lunch and a long nap, we drove into Ludington to see what we could see.
Of course we were drawn to the Historic Sculpture Park.

The Spirit of Ludington

The Carferries of Ludington

Ludington's Lumbering Era

Follow the Leader

Mike: "Are you doing that right/'

So, when we got back to the campsite, I followed my leader, this time on the tandem and we rode over to see Hamlin dam. 

A beautiful sunset and a sit by the fire--the end of a good day.

2016 Week 35+: Mini vacation

Dove's Crossing

 The week started out with our regular routines: Monday four hours of teaching for me and then dinner at Dove's Crossing (Stephan and Karen's) and Tuesday afternoon and evening robotics for Mike.
Wednesday, however, we went into vacation prep mode all morning and set out for Michigan after lunch. We camped three nights and filled our days with sightseeing adventures.

Thursday
The first adventure was a 1.5 mile hike to Big Sable Point Lighthouse. It felt much longer, especially to Michael whose serious leg pain returned part way.
While he rested I chose to climb the 140 steps to the top. I was rewarded with beautiful views, a sticker, . . . and very sore muscles for two days!

In the afternoon we drove into town and walked through the Historic Sculpture Park.

When we got back to the campsite, we rode the tandem to the beach house and enjoyed the gorgeous sunset.

Day 2, Friday
We headed up North to some favorite places we'd visited three years ago.
Guess where we ate lunch . . .

. . . and where we went after that.

I am purposely leaving out a whole lot, hoping to entice you to come back for many more photos and stories in future posts detailing each day.

The evening ended with a wonderful star-gazing lecture by the beach house.
 

Day 3, Saturday
We packed and set off bright and early for our next destination.

Bye, bye Michigan!

A wonderful and very full day . . . (more later)  . . . and a relaxed evening at a Baymont Inn.

Day 4, Sunday
Just a couple photos to stir your curiosity, so you will come back for more.

Day 5, Monday, also our last day of vacation.
We were missing the biggest day of our hometown festival. To make up for it, we wore t-shirts from a previous Labor Day Parade.

After we'd fit in as much fun as possible, we had to head back home. It was a long drive, I read out loud for hours and finished the book we'd started when we left.

An attempt to capture the beautiful sunset

Tuesday, Mike was at it again very early, still bleaching, staining, painting the house exterior, today the front porch.

There's a lot of catching up to do on all fronts while savoring the memories of a wonderful time away.

Our vacation loot

Wednesday
I made a quick trip up to Winona Lake to help Mother with a couple appointments. Her regular checkup with the doctor went very well. She is in great health. Then we picked up her new glasses.

¡Hasta mañana!

2016 Week 34: Schedules and Storms

Several scheduled appointments punctuated the week: hair, car, dentist, classes, meetings, amid the steadiness of daily goals and routines.

Monday I was back for a third year in the familiar spaces of Ivy Tech, in the same classroom with ten new students and a different schedule--four hours once a week.

Michael was glad to finish the time consuming task of painting the railing and has moved on to other areas. Some require bleach treatment before the paint.

Wednesday, I was enjoying a quiet time in bed, when I suddenly remembered I had an airbag recall/replacement appointment in 20 minutes! I jumped into the clothes laying on the floor and rushed off, just in time!
I strolled over to my friend Viola's favorite restaurant for breakfast. The memories of our last time there motivated me to go visit my bedridden friend. We can no longer have conversations like before, but she enjoys it when I read Guidepost stories to her.

That evening we joined other PhyXTGears families for their fundraiser at Culver's restaurant.

I was delighted to discover some of our own family members there, enjoying one of their favorite places to eat and supporting the team!

Team 1720, the PhyXTGears, are hoping to move October 1st into their new shop in the makers' space now renamed Madjax. The new walls are progressing nicely and look sturdy enough.

However, on this very day a line of severe storms came through our area. Tornadoes touched down in several spots.  One of the families invited us over and we stayed in Muncie until 11 p.m. so as not to cross the path of the erratic clouds on our way home.  We taught them Hand and Foot while waiting.

We didn't notice much damage on the way home. When I walked through our woods the next day, not much either. One tree came down some time this week.

A city some 35 miles away suffered considerable loss. A Starbuck's was flattened among others, but no loss of life!

The next days have been calm with spots of rain. These young'uns came very close to our house. They are not yet wary and skittish.

 Hmmm, where's their mama?