Week 2 Adventuring!

The loaded down truckster, passengers, and furry stowaway met family and friends in Boyne City and continued to push north all the way to Sault Saint Marie, Hello Canada!

We spent the weekend in the UP, saw a bear cross the road, watched the ships pass through the locks, skipped rocks on Lake Superior, and were nearly eaten alive by hummingbird sized mosquitoes!

Refuel with lunch

Coo over Virginia

 Load 'em up! Hit the road!

We made it! The Soo Locks!

Buddies and a peace sign. Always a peace sign.

The next morning it was off to Tahquamenon Falls, we saw both the Upper and Lower Falls and just about every trail in between :)

Instructions from troop leader Uncle Peter.

Pete and Jake in the morning

So nice

but only because a silly shot was promised ;)

Some grandma knowledge transfer

Orvis Catalog...

Then it was off to Whitefish Point

Ummm what?! Whose kids are these?!

Monday morning we dropped back into Trollville below the bridge, but stopped for some photos first.

After our friends departed on Monday, we settled into our condo for the week.

Tuesday we poked through town, hit the library, and caught a bite to eat.

Wednesday cooler weather called for a trip to the Lavendar Farm and a bounce house

 Thursday was our big outing to Mackinaw Island! No cars! What?!

Wait for the ferry

Which took us under the Mighty Mac! How fantastic!

Look! The island!

Our first order of business was biking around

Lunch in the park

Cheesy smiles

A few hiked to Arch Rock

And we finished with another biking trip around, which did some of us in...

Friday we hit Charlevoix and enjoyed their splash pad

 Sam was allowed to play with his very own box of matches and Ellen supervised.

 We celebrated Andrea and Peter's birthday

And then went downtown to stroll the city

 Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Kicking things off with a parade!

Sam found a crustacean

In the afternoon we watched the raft and duck races

And then lit our own fireworks! Thank goodness for a trained professional's help!

Sunday we headed home, cleaned up, rested, and reunited with friends at church. Monday they played with friends and then boarded the plane with Debbie Stabenow, four unaccompanied minors are ready to go!

Adios amigos! It's been real!

Summer Visitors

My brother's kids from DC came for two weeks this summer and it was eventful! One week was spent in GR and the next up north with Uncle Marv and Aunt Linds.

We kicked things off with a FIRST lost tooth! Tooth Fairy is good, she didnt miss a beat.

Saturday Uncle Peter took us to a Civil War reenactment and told us all the details. Sam LOVED watching everything happen.

Ellen enjoyed spending time with her cousin cat Madge, the feeling was mostly mutual ;)

Father's Day was celebrated in fine style with friends on the shores of Lake Michigan.

Rita and Grace headed off to camp with their buddies first thing Monday morning. Oh. What. JOY! and maybe a little apprehension....

Rachel and Rita made fast friends :)

That left Sam and Ellen to come over and play with their Uncle Peter. We've got a suction cup Nerf gun and treats...who wouldnt come?!

Thursday night Sam and Ellen came for their very own cookout and s'mores.

And a walk with their favorite uncle; he's hard to beat.

Friday night they were back in order to stay the night and head for vacation bright and early. Ellie was delighted to play with her friend Madge again :)

Sam got to pick out a few fireworks with Uncle Peter - joy! joy! joy!

And then Saturday it was a roadtrip to the Great White North! Stowaway included...

Week 2 adventures await!