the big bridge!

 Before we head north I want to give one more commercial message. On our first evening in Mackinaw City we decided to eat at Darrow's Family Restaurant, based on a little blurb in one of our travel brochures and to the fact that it was fairly close to our motel.  It was an unexpected delight.  The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, the staff were very friendly, even though busy, the food was not fancy but delicious, and the homemade Dutch cherry pie was the best I have ever tasted.  Late afternoon on our second day, after we came back from Mackinac Island, hot and tired, it was an easy decision to go back to Darrow's.  Same good experience, good food and the rhubarb pie was also delicious.

But enough about food.  On the 4th morning we headed north to the Upper Peninsula, via the Mackinaw Bridge.  I love this bridge and bridges in general.  Anyone who knows me knows that I have followed the rebuilding of the Veterans' Memorial Bridge here in Fort Wayne for the last year and a half, having a front row seat from my balcony. It is very elegant now with its graceful arches, but it's a teeny baby bridge compared to the Mackinaw Bridge.  That bridge is not just huge and obviously sturdy, but also beautifully designed and elegant to look at.  But the big thrill of course is driving (or in my case riding) across it.  It's just incredible, a fun ride that got us on the way to our next adventure.  

In the distance...

crossing on the bridge...

                                         a closer view...

Oh fudge!

 Day three, exploring Mackinac Island, not to be confused with Mackinaw State Forest, which is on nearby Bois Blanc Island (we did not go there).  We did all the good tourist stuff on Mackinac Island.  First, of course, we enjoyed a lovely ferry ride to the island which took us under the big bridge, very interesting to see from that angle, and learned a lot about the history of the bridge.  Once on the island we did not rent bicycles (although there were many available).  Nor did we strap on backpacks and hike all over the island.  Instead we rode around the island in a two horse power carriage.  At one point we were switched to a larger three horse vehicle, which involved a quick stop at a rest area / tourist trap, where we assuaged our hunger (it had been two hours since breakfast) with donuts. During the ride we had views of the grand hotel and the governor's summer home.  At one point we were dropped off at the fort, where we spent a while enjoying the history of the place and some really excellent views.  We did not volunteer to be part of the group of 'raw recruits' learning to march in formation, but watching the tourists who did volunteer go through the motions was, I think, a pretty realistic idea of what it was like for real recruits.  I would have volunteered, but as my GPP will assure you, I am left-right challenged.  I need a GPS system that says 'your other left.'  Finally, we left the fort, got back on the carriage and finished the island tour, ending up down town again where we went in search of a famous fudge shop which, my GPP assured me, makes the very best fudge.  By the way, my GPP makes excellent dark chocolate fudge himself.  The only time I've had a chance to watch him make it, I got to clean out the pan, yummm! Dark chocolate is my favorite flavor, and, as everyone knows, one of the basic food groups.  But I digress.  We found the shop, went inside. promptly gained five pounds from the lovely aromas wafting around and prepared to buy some fudge.  Then my GPP asked the fatal question "Does your fudge contain corn syrup?" Alas the answer was yes.  So, since he has an allergy to corn products, and I'm honestly not that crazy about fudge (except his of course), we left the island fudge free.  But never fear, we were able to satisfy our craving for sweets at another evening bonfire with more S'mores.  At our second night at this marvelous motel we also had an amazing view of a fireworks display put on by the city.  I love unexpected treats.

On a drive through a lovely wooded area of the island we came upon this beautiful arch, another unexpected treat.

The best shot I could get of going under the bridge, impressive from any angle.

onward and northward....

 First some fun facts I learned on this trip: (1) Contrary to what European tour guides would have you believe, it is not necessary to be up and out by 7am to have a successful trip. (2) There are many Biggby Coffee shops in Michigan. (3) There are many. many, many trees in Michigan.  

But on to day two.  After spending our first night in Gaylord, we headed north toward Mackinaw City.  Well, north-ish. We took a left off I-75 toward Boyne City and Charlevoix, crossing the south arm of Lake Charlevoix on the Ironton Ferry, a five minute ride. Then on to Petoskey and eventually Mackinaw City.  This was a wonderful scenic drive with beautiful views of Lake Michigan and various bays.  In Mackinaw City we checked into the Clearwater Lakeshore Motel.  I will not name all the motels we stayed at along the way but this one deserves mention.  Our excellent second floor room had a balcony with a beautiful view of the bridge and Mackinac Island. And, to complete the experience, bonfires were lit on the beach in the evening, and chairs provided. While we enjoyed chatting with another traveling couple and watching the stars come out, a nice man came along and handed out toasting forks and all the fixings for S'mores. A delightful, delicious treat.  I was intrigued to notice that the marshmallows were flatter that usual, and rectangular, just the right size to fit on a graham cracker.  

One of our stops along the way on day two was at a lakeside campground my GPP remembered from his youth.  We took a drive through the woods on a one lane dirt track. Lumpy, bumpy and slow but dark, mysterious and fun.

This is the view from our balcony, slightly enlarged. 
 

the adventure begins....

 My GPP and I were up and out on Friday morning at the crack of about 10am.  This was a vacation after all.  Our first stop was before we got to the UP at an historic site called Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling, MI. This was the location of an 1800s logging camp and had a fascinating museum, not huge but full of good information.  It turns out that my GPP and I have a similar approach to museums.  We read everything.  I found it very nice to be able to take my time and read as much as I like with no one rushing me along.  Scattered around the site were many pieces of antique logging equipment with helpful hints of how they had been used.  What fascinated me most, though, were the many photographs of the logging process as it was actually done back in the day.  A picture of masses of huge logs being floated down river with men standing on them using pikes to keep them from jamming up, and, as the caption said, even getting into the still ice crusted water to keep those logs moving gave me chills.  Of course before the logs got to the river they had to be hauled out of the forest and one picture still haunts me. It showed two very strong looking horses harnessed to an over sized sled loaded with huge (two feet or more in diameter, and cut in 12 ft. lengths) logs stacked twice as high as the horses, ready to be hauled to the river,  I assume the drivers knew what they were doing and the horses could haul the load but I'm still wondering what happened if they hit a slippery down hill slope.  Being a lumberjack was not an easy job, but as I would discover on this trip, this wasn't  the worst or scariest job around.  Stay tuned for mile deep mines and sinking ships.

I took this picture of my GPP beside this big wheel, part of log hauling equipment, because he told me he has a picture taken at the same site when he was about five years old.  I'm sorry I don't have that picture to share. 

I'm back!!!

 My GPP and I have just returned from a beautiful nine day driving trip around Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and yes, we did play a little Gin Rummy in the evenings along the way.  I will not discuss the results.  Along the way, and beginning before we even got to the UP, we visited Hartwick Pines State Park, Charlevoix, Mackinaw City, and Mackinaw Island. Then crossed the Mackinaw Bridge, into the UP, toured the Soo Locks, saw Paradise, Tahquamenon Falls, Copper Harbor, Lake of the Clouds in Porcupine Mountains, and Iron Mountain.  Every one of these places had something very special to recommend it, and over the next week I will write in detail about the highlights.  In the meantime, here's one of my favorite pictures to whet your appetite:

This is the only picture you'll see with us in it. A friendly Girl Scout took this at the fort on Mackinaw Island.

another play review...

 This evening I was lucky enough to see the preview of "Bedroom Farce." the play opening this weekend at First Presbyterian Theater.  I enjoyed it for several reasons.  First it's really, really funny. Second, four of the actors are people I have been in plays with and it was a joy to see them in these comedy roles.  Third, and best of all, my son is in this play, and he was hilarious (and believe me I don't use that word lightly). I had no idea he could be so funny but he did a very good job acting like he was in agony. I know that doesn't sound funny but it was. I plan to see it again on the 27th, this time as a paying audience member, and I expect to enjoy it even more.  In the meantime, I will be traveling for the next week so no blogs for a while.  While you're waiting for me to start writing again, see the show.    

time for a laugh...

I clicked on my west coast brother's text this morning and this is what I read. "I just heard about a woman who is in trouble for not having her cat spayed. She was arrested for littering." Ha ha, groan. There are jokes and then there are Dad Jokes.  I leave it to you to decide which this is.  But it turns out that today is "National Tell a Joke Day." Now I do appreciate a really good joke or riddle. or even a mildly silly one, so I feel I must rise to the challenge.  

What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.

The child refused to nap. She was found guilty of resisting a rest. 

What's it called when a snowman has a temper tantrum?  A melt down. 

And my favorite from today's list of Dad Jokes (you really can find anything on Google) - Where does a pirate go to buy a hook? A second-hand store. 

I'll save the giraffe in the refrigerator joke for another day.  

remembering Maui...

 I have been so saddened to hear about the recent fire that destroyed much of the city of Lahaina on the island of Maui. I've been thinking a lot about my one visit there, almost thirty years ago.  It was a delightful visit and I would like to share a happy memory.  My husband and I had travelled to Hawaii because I was VP of the local Association of Realtors, and had to attend a conference there.  Tough job but somebody had to do it.  Neither of us had ever been to Hawaii and decided this was an opportunity not to be missed, so he came along.  After the week of meetings in Honolulu, we went on to Maui where we spent a delightful week in Lahaina.  Lahaina was an artists' town with streets of galleries and shops full of original art.  With the ocean on one side and art on the other we had plenty to enjoy, and nights were spent in a charming little bed and breakfast that my husband had chosen for its price among other things.  We had a second floor room and could enjoy breakfasts on our lanai (aka a little balcony),  The room itself was a bit of a challenge.  It wasn't a large room, but it was large enough to hold a king size bed, with about 18 inches of space between the bed and the walls on three sides.  It was a tight fit but the bathroom had a really good shower.  So we slept, showered and breakfasted there and spent all the rest of our time exploring the town and other parts of the island, including a volcano above the clouds at sunrise.  We did bring home some art, two lovely little prints of ocean views.  I think the pair cost about $100.  We bought them as a consolation when we discovered that the painting we both really liked was priced at more than our second house.  So we left behind the $35,000 painting but came away with lots of sweet memories.  I feel confident this town will make a comeback, better than ever.  I hope I get to see it again.  

some of my favorite people...

 After doing my own research for a change I have discovered that August is "International Pirate Month." This pleases my son who likes to say ARRRRG when frustrated.  But also, and more importantly, today is "Lefthanders Day."  I know that eight presidents were left handed, as well as several successful musicians, artists, scientists and some Nobel Prize winners.  Also, and I find this interesting, the first three astronauts to land on the moon were left handed.  I don't know anyone in any of the above mentioned groups but I do have some important lefties in my life.  My GPP is left handed as is my travel buddy, my long time go-with guy and the first grader I tutored last year.  And my west coast sister-in-law is truly ambidextrous.  All of them are delightful people except for one trait.  They make it very clear to me that the world conspires against left handed people.  I understand their frustrations especially with scissors but don't they realize that this life long struggle to get along in a predominantly right handed world is probably what has made so many of them so successful?  After all, adversity does build character.

rising to the challenge...

 It has come to my attention recently (well actually some time ago) that there is a lot of road work going on in our area.  Not too surprising since it is that season.  For almost two years I've watched work on the Spy Run bridge, aka Veterans Memorial Bridge, from my balcony and managed to avoid the worst of the snarls by taking other routes around town.  However, recently I've been exposed to a whole different driving challenge.  I've been spending quite a lot of time visiting with my GPP lately, and yes he won at Scrabble yesterday.  Since he lives in Blackhawk, that involves sometimes dealing with the construction on State Street.  I do take Lake Ave whenever I possibly can.  I'm pretty sure that at least 90% of Fort Wayne's orange and white barrel collection is now arrayed along State Street.  I know it's not 100% because they've managed to scatter quite a few along Trier recently (naturally, since that's an alternate route for me). I do wish I owned shares in the  O&W Barrel and Cone Company.  Yesterday I had to drive from Blackhawk to a shop just one block south on State Street for a haircut.  In ordinary (non-construction) times that would be a five minute drive.  Yesterday it was a 15 minute drive and I had to do it twice.  My fault, I forgot to take a check to pay for my haircut, so had to backtrack to an ATM in Georgetown for some cash.  I thought I might be able to pay with Zelle but my stylist wouldn't accept that for business related reasons.  Anyway, since I couldn't turn left from State Street into the parking lot I needed to get to, on the south side of the street across two unfinished lanes, I left Blackhawk on State Street, turned left onto Maplecrest, easier than it used to be since they re-set the lights, right at the light into Monarch Park, drove through the subdivision (nice smooth street, no barrels), 'til I reached a street that took me back north to State Street where I could turn right again and approach my hairstylist's parking lot from the west, allowing me to make a right turn into the driveway.  I'm very thankful to a man in a big white truck who let me turn onto State Street in front of him.  Otherwise, I might still be sitting there.  The traffic, especially in the late afternoons is never ending.  I must say, considering the pace of the drive (think creepy crawling bumper to bumper) the drivers I shared this little trip with were all very patient.  The really good thing is that my next haircut is five weeks away.  Who knows?  The entire project may be finished by then.  Just in time for them to move all those barrels to your street!

any good jokes???

 Today, once again thanks to information provided by my west coast brother, is 'National Presidential Joke Day.' Honestly, I just don't know what to make of that.  I don't know any good presidential jokes, do you?  It seems like I've already been bombarded with 2024 election information for months, and none of it seems very funny.  So I have turned my weary mind to another special day.  It's 'Mountain Day' in Japan and that sounds like a much more serene day to me.  I love Japanese paintings of misty scenes of distant mountains.  Sometimes, on cloudy or foggy mornings, the view from my 10th floor balcony looks like a Japanese painting (if you can imagine the mountains in the distance).  One of my favorite times, when taking a driving trip west, is my first sight of mountains in the distance.  Northwest, they gradually take shape as large and snow capped, and southwest, they are red and tan stone and often take the shape, in my mind, of sleeping giants.  From the glorious Sierra Nevadas of the west to the blue mountains of the eastern Smokies, I have always found mountains to be very calming (when I'm looking at them, not so much when I'm driving through them.)  Still much more satisfying to think about that politics.  I know I'm playing ostrich but I think they like mountains too.   

take it easy...

 Once again my west coast brother has provided me with a reason to celebrate.  Today is "National Lazy Day" and also "National Spoil Your Dog Day."  I don't have a dog anymore (they were thoroughly spoiled when I did) but I do know about lazy.  As it happened, I had just stretched out on the couch for my after lunch relaxation / nap time when I read my brother's daily text and learned that it was national lazy day.  I immediately spent an hour of laziness.  After all, it's important to celebrate these days.  The more celebration, the better, I always say. 

PS My GPP won at Scrabble this evening.  I am not celebrating that.

vengence!

 I am not by nature vengeful.  In fact, most of my friends will assure you that I'm actually a nice person.  Except when it comes to playing games. I do like to win.  As noted in a past blog, my game playing partner (GPP) has won way too many Gin Rummy games from me over the last few months.  I do win some games but he wins more.  However, I'm beginning to have my revenge.  This week we decided to play Scrabble for a change.  He might have suspected that I have some experience with this game when I pulled out my deluxe Scrabble set with a board that has little ridges separating all the tiles so they don't slide around.  This nifty board is also mounted on a 'lazy Susan' type base so it can easily be turned to face each player.   My GPP is proving to be a very good player, but I have won the first two Scrabble games.  Yay!

behind the scenes...

 Today I had fun helping our wonderful stage set designer set the lights for the upcoming play at First Pres Theater, August 18-27. The play is a comedy, "Bedroom Farce" and I'm particularly excited about this one because my son has a role in it.  My job today was to push buttons and flip switches while Rae climbed the ladder (a very tall extension ladder that she had to move from place to place across the stage in order to set the 30 plus lights that are involved in this production.)  I simply sat in front of the light board and followed directions when she said things like "Turn on number 33." and "Tighten the focus on 502."  I'm not sure how tall that ladder is, but, when extended up into the rafters, it's at least 20 rungs high.  Another understood part of my job is to call 911 if she falls off the ladder.  She never has, thank goodness.  Her climbs up and down that ladder are much less nerve wracking to watch now than they were a few years ago.  These days all those high lights are permanently hung and Rae climbs up to get them pointed where she wants them, and sometimes, like today, replace burned out and broken bulbs.  When I first started helping her with lights, she had to carry each light (50 pounds at least) up to the rafters, attach it, plug it in and then adjust it.  I'm writing about this today because I did enjoy the process but also because I think people aren't always aware of the behind the scenes work that goes in to staging a play. The stage sets and costumes are pretty obvious but those smoothly transitioning light changes and sound cues are often just taken for granted.  And actually, that's how it should be.  Your attention, when you see this show (and you really ought to) should be focused on the actors.  

be on the lookout...

 Today, according to my west coast brother, is "National Sea Serpent Day." I was mildly excited by this as I watched the lazy St. Mary's ripple in the mist and fog this morning, but try as I might, I could not spy a Sea Serpent, national or otherwise.  The Loch Ness Monster is the only national sea serpent I'm even aware of, and I never caught a glimpse of her. A few days ago there were dragon boat races on the river but that's really not the same thing.  Since I couldn't build up any enthusiasm for sea serpents, I went searching in my own sources to see if I could find another special day to celebrate. To my amazement I discovered that today is also "Particularly Preposterous Packaging Day." I can't imagine how my brother missed this one, but I'm guessing that every one of you has purchased something at some time that seems over packaged. One of my particular pet peeves is bread that comes double wrapped in a cellophane bag under a plastic bag.  I switched tea bag brands because I became annoyed with the many useless layers of paper and foil between me and the tea bags, which were then also individually wrapped.  I have received small Amazon orders bundled in layers of paper inside a huge box.  Admittedly the box came in handy for mailing Christmas gifts.  Interestingly, my friend ordered a fabric hat, suitable for sun shade while hiking, recently and we both commented on how simple (even minimalist) the packaging was.  The hat was folded flat in a clear plastic bag with an address label on it, and delivered that way, by, surprise, surprise, Amazon.  Perhaps they are getting the idea.  I wonder how they will wrap the sea serpent I'm going to order?  The mighty St. Mary's really needs a sea serpent.  

one, two, three....

 Everyone has heard of counting sheep to fall asleep but here is a new twist on counting the wooly creatures.  The question posed recently by my page-a-day trivia calendar was "Where in the world were the first National Sheep Counting Championships held?"  Well, my first thought was did they stay awake long enough to count very many sheep?  How exciting was this championship anyway?  Then I tried to guess where on earth this amazing competition took place and I naturally thought of two of my favorite places, Scotland and New Zealand.  Both countries have lots of sheep available for counting. But alas I was wrong - close but wrong.  The first sheep counting championship was held in New South Wales, Australia.  My calendar went on to tell me that 'the inaugural sheep counting championship, in which competitors try to guess the precise number of sheep running past them, was held in September 2002.'  Please note, the calendar did not tell me how many sheep there were or who won the contest.  I strongly suspect that it was not because it was a boring competition but because, you know, they were counting sheep, and everyone fell asleep.  

Theater review.....

 This evening a friend and I attended a wonderful play at Arena Dinner Theater.  "Ripcord" by David Lindsay-Abaire is the opening play of this season, and it is a good one - lots of laughs, some intense moments and a lovely twisty ending.  The two leading ladies, Becky Niccum, the grumpy one, and Lady Hazel Stream, the sweet one, were perfectly cast for their roles and did a marvelous job as the quarreling women sharing a room in a senior living facility.  I know this doesn't sound like a funny situation but it was as they played it.  One of my favorite scenes was in the airplane.  In addition to the sheer joy of watching the play and the enjoyment of the dessert, was the enjoyment of ending up at a table with congenial people.  It happened that one couple were the parents of one of the men in the show (and he did an excellent job) and by coincidence I had been in a couple of plays with him recently.  It also came out that his father was also related to a director I have worked with.  Between those pleasant discoveries and several stories about horses the pre-show and intermission were almost as much fun as the play.  One other note, usually Arena is a dinner theater, but for this play they only served dessert.  It was a very good peach cobbler which tied into the play.  "Ripcord" runs through August 19 and I highly recommend it.  

balloons again???

My son has assured me that the double balloon launch on Wednesday was a big success and they got "hours of wonderful video."  I don't know if I'll ever get to see that video but I am happy for the budding scientists at camp.  But another balloon event has also been brought to my attention.  According to my west coast brother today is "National Water Balloon Day."  He thought I might like to do more than just take pictures from my balcony.  I informed him that I did not think the management would appreciate it if I dropped water balloons from my balcony, although it might be kind of fun to see them splat. If I could be sure I didn't hit a car or resident in the parking lot below I might be tempted.  So far the biggest thing I've ever tossed off my balcony was an ant.  I admired it's ability to climb up 10 stories, but still casually flicked it off the railing.  I do not want bugs in my apartment and thankfully I don't have any.  But I digress.  My west coast brother then suggested that I organize a complex wide water balloon drop where all of the residents participate by dropping water balloons off their balconies at the same time.  He thought we might even get TV coverage.  I might give this some consideration right before my lease expires, just in case I get tossed out.

another restaurant review...

 Today I had lunch at a new-to-me restaurant called the Friendly Fox.  It is on South Wayne, just a block south of Rudisill Blvd. Since I used to live only a few blocks further south, it was familiar territory to me and I found it easily.  The fact that it was part of a commercial corner in an old residential neighborhood made it even easier to spot.  The lunch was very good and they have a lovely selection of pastries, which I did not buy this time.  But what most impressed me today was the friendly part of Friendly Fox.  When I walked up the block from my car I was impressed by the friendly chatter of the crowded outdoor dining space.  When I got to that terrace, before I even had to ask, a very pleasant waitress showed me to the entrance, after I explained I had not been there before.  When I said that a friend and I would be discussing business, she suggested that we sit in the back room where it was quieter.  Everywhere was crowded but not overcrowded and it was quieter in the back room.  When I explained that the lady I was meeting was delayed, she suggested that I sit in a comfy seat outside, near the entrance, which I was glad to do.  After I was seated I was offered water and a menu.  Before my friend arrived I was taken to our table in the back room, which really was a quieter area. The food was good, the service was efficient, and we sat and talked for over two hours with no hassle or hint that it was time to move on.  I will be back, for the food (I had the hummus appetizer by the way), the fun casual atmosphere and the friendly service.

Balloons continued...

 Here are some fun fact's I have learned about this morning's balloon launch at Science Central.  Those two balloons (see this morning's pictures) soared to a height of 102,723 feet, a personal record for my son who had never gotten one above 100,000 feet before.  When I asked how they retrieve the information for the campers' experiments he explained that "the numbers are through a GPS unit and other instruments that get sent down through a satellite. We have to wait until we recover the cameras to get the pictures." So now you know what I know. For more information you can check out the WANE website.  

Balloons away....

I waited until this morning to blog, instead of yesterday evening, because I wanted to report on the big balloon launch from Science Central.  My son, who was heading up this launch project, a science experiment for the campers, asked me to take pictures from my balcony which has a perfect view of Science Central.  My friend who has a steadier hand and better eye took camera pictures while I used my phone.  It was quietly entertaining.

 

Here's a picture of the two balloons at tree level (the two white balls).

And here they are, high in the sky.  After this I lost them in the clouds.  I have not yet heard if the experiments or retrieval were a success, but the launch certainly was.  I'm adding this to my list of fun things seen from my balcony.  

 

PS Right after the launch I spied thirteen geese slowly gliding down the river.  I don't think they were impressed by the balloon launch.