We commenced the “Up North” portion of our vacation – on Sunday, we said our goodbyes to Aunt Sharon and the gang, and hit the road for Northern Michigan - we met up with the Rachel and John Roe, there kiddos, Ethan and Ted who live in Traverse City and Cathy Ryan and her son Justin (their Sophie was taking advantage of alone time with grandma in Charlevoix) – they live in DC so it was great to see them! I think the kids were surprised that we could go to a new place and already have friends to chum around with…. Our Monday, was like any other Monday…. The kids we up at the crack of dawn, Alex was quick to navigate the row boat…. Both mom and dad had a chance to row the kids around the lake… which is pretty much our front yard… and then it was time to explore… it was off to Glen Arbor… stone gathering at the beach… a run up and down the sand dunes at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore… picture a sand dune the size of a “bunny hill” or maybe that last hill back to the lodge at any CO ski resort – I know there are die hard Florida fans out there… it just does not compare… off to Empire Beach where the kids played, dashed in and out of the water… all at sub-75 degrees – we love the cool weather! While I was picking up groceries, Alex honed his skills on the kayak, and the girls gave it a whirl as well… now they ARE dangerous!
Yesterday(Tuesday), was a bit rainy… but we hit the road anyway…. Off to Glen Arbor again, “to market…to market… jiggedy-Jig…” fresh blue berries, cabbage, cookies, bread… Yum! A trip to Cherry Republic – it is the Ben and Jerry’s of cherries… where the kids picked out some cherry flavored root beer and pop… then it was back to the cabin, where we picked up a picnic lunch and headed further up the Leelanau Peninsula… Leland, Northport….
Next stop – Spence family – we no sooner arrived and the kids were off, exploring the cutting garden and John Deer gator – kid size, of course. David and Doug when to UofM and Medical School together – so it was good to catch up with his family and learn some “inside scoop” on where to catch frogs, and what is happening in the area. Another friend of David’s from Brother Rice and medical school stopped by, Mike Carroll to say hello and catch up… We are grateful to have them as well…. no matter how life changes… so much stays the same… that is a good thing when it comes to friendship!
Wednesday/Thursday – hey we are in Michigan… and the kids are fast asleep on the Lazyboys – yes, we can all thank MI for that “puff-daddy” of a chair. It seems to be a pattern… the kids fall hard to sleep, and awake at dawn… migrating to the Lazyboys only to fall asleep again… After we dropped David at the airport yesterday, the we tooled around Traverse City… a walk on the dock near the big boat, off to the beach to check out the “waves,” the children’s museum… a Hushpuppie and carmel corn and we were in good shape! Well until Charlotte walked right into a pole – she is fine… but I am worried… this is at least the third time my little “Nosey Nellie” spent more time checking people out vs. where she was going…. I am thinking that a driver’s license is not in her future at 16… maybe 18…. Dang… she has “perma-lumps” from previous “run-ins!” We headed back to Little Traverse Lake… the kids stripped down, strapped on the life jackets and it was kayak city. At dinner, Alex prayed for good weather and that Aunt Molly and the kids arrive safely, Charlotte and Sophie prayed for Dad’s safe trip back to Texas and return to MI – WE ALL KNOW WHAT MOMMY PRAYED FOR…! Before David returned to Texas, Alex and he explored the area by foot, car and kayak… Alex is really loving the fact that there are few distractions…. Including mom’s cell… it does not work - oh well….
The kids are looking forward to Aunt Molly and the kids arriving today – what is in store??? Possibly some wild turkey… ok, the kind you eat … not drink… we have spotted a few… along with deer… ducks…
Peace… hope…
