Archive for August, 2014

It’s in the Air

Friday, August 29th, 2014

We just went from having 90 degree days with lots of humidity to I am watching leaves fall this morning!  And, they are predicting heat again this weekend.  Fall is starting in August here in Michigan.

Enjoying our frontyard for the past 2 weeks

Enjoying our frontyard for the past 2 weeks

And the backyard

And the backyard

What a nice view

What a nice view

This area is not really a tourist area but I am loving it.  I take walks on dirt roads where I can see corn and soybeans growing and then I can drive 5 miles and see beautiful communities right on lakes and then all the shopping a person needs within 7 miles!  Linden Michigan is definitely a nice place to hangout, at least in the late summer!  All this beauty will be frozen by Christmas!!!!

It finally happened!

Monday, August 25th, 2014

Don’t tell my kids!  I have noticed in the past couple of years that the memory isn’t the same.  I am not sure it is memory loss or things just become less important and so you forget!  Sunday we found a Costco and decided to do a bit of shopping.  Paul sees they have fuel as we pull into the lot so he fills up, I’m checking email and facebook on my Smartphone!  He returns and parks in the lot, we exit the car, enter Costco, shop, have a hotdog and then exit the store!  Oh no!  Paul ” Where did you park the car?”    I realize there are two of us but he parked!  I just shut my phone off and exited the car, thinking about what I needed in Costco!!!  I had no idea which direction to even look!  Paul thought he knew – right!  We head to the right and wander in the heat for a couple of minutes.  I have the cart, look silly walking towards the building with a full cart of merchandise so I finally just stop!  I figure when he finds the car he will get in and find me!  The good news is after about 5 minutes he either finds the car or remembers where he parked it because I get a whistle!  Denise , This way!   Chaparones may be in our future!!!!

Southeastern Michigan, hot, humid, a beautiful lake, lots of shade and the corn is amazing!  We are spending about 10 days here in Michigan at a hidden gem called Hide Away Campground.  It is not fancy and there are a lot of Mobile Homes that need dressed up but it is very quiet, clean and right on a small Lake!

Public Art always interests me!

Public Art always interests me!

We found a cute little town park in Fenton, MI and stopped for an ice cream.  While we were sitting in the park I was watching the kids fishing and realized the older ones were in the water catching crawfish and giving to the younger ones who would remove the pinchers with their utility tool and then put them on their hook, cast it and hope to catch a fish!

crawdads

We could see the fish swimming in the stream which was not very deep and the fish didn’t look much larger than the crawfish!

On the Move

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

It is time to head west and we were off by about noon on Saturday after finding out my birthday package still had not arrive!  FedExExpress service is holding it hostage or maybe it is the USPS service.  Oh well, it will catch up with me when I visit CA.

Saturday evening was spent in a CampingWorld parking lot with water and electric hook ups!  Very nice, quiet and I get to shop in the morning!  Sunday morning I made my purchases and we were on our way to Pennyslvania by noon.  Our plan was to make it to Erie, PA where we could overnight at the Elks lodge and hopefully get to watch a NASCAR race in the bar.  Everything went as planned until a big rig accident 20 miles from our exit!  That set us back about 1 hour but we made the race by 2 and it was over by 3:30 so that was good because Sunday was our first day of sunshine in about a week!  And a beautiful day it was.

After the race we headed to the Presque Isle.  It was only about 2 miles from the Elks lodge and what a beautiful, vibrant spot it is.  A land mass that extends about 7 miles into Lake Erie with lots of beaches, mini lakes, trails and creates Presque Isle Bay between the peninsula and Erie where there is lots of sailing and waterskiing.  We had a great day of walking in nature and enjoying the sunshine.

Monday morning I took the opportunity to return to Presque Isle and take a morning walk on the beach.

Just me, Lake Erie and miles of beach!

Just me, Lake Erie and miles of beach!

It was beautiful and very few people on the beach.  While walking on the beach I was able to see an immature Bald Eagle that was injured and just hanging out on the beach.  I tried to take a picture but only had my phone and I didn’t want to get too close.

One of the things I enjoy is seeing different places and different cultures but the most entertaining things is checking out signage of local businesses!  Todays signs that made me smile I was not able to photograph but here they are!

1.  This one was a road sign with yelllow caution background a road sign stating:

 Buckle Up next million miles

2.  This one made me really laugh!  My feeling exactly about the new craze!

Gluten-Free Oil Change

Next stop is Linden Michigan where Paul will be spending the next 6-10 days working while I hopefully enjoy the weather.  Driving on the interstate is usually not too exciting however I managed to find something I have never seen before

Hmmmm...

TruckStop near Toledo Ohio

The sky turned dark right after we found our home for the next week and then the Thunderstorm warnings started flashing on the TV screen!  Great, we are in the path of more hail storms!  Duke and I settled in with the TV tuned to the local station and my Ipad set on Weather and enjoyed a very noisy afternoon!  It passed by 8 pm and today the sun is trying to stay out!  I am definitely being reminded how wonderfully consistant and calm weather in San Jose was/is.

Final goodbyes

Friday, August 15th, 2014

Getting ready to head to Iowa for our roof repair but not before a few final fun times.  The weather was beautiful over the weekend but on Monday the rains started and it is still raining today!  Being from California I should be appreciative of all this rain but I’m not,  I just want the sun to come out so we can get back out on the lake and have some fun.

We did make it for a beautiful hike on Thursday between storms.

Will never get enough of these beautiful mountains and lakes, love  the Adirondacks

Will never get enough of these beautiful mountains and lakes, love the Adirondacks

Can we call this a frontbomb?

Can we call this a frontbomb?

There were lots of people on the top of Bald Mountain and Duke was in the perfect spot so I just shared the view with a family!  Coming down the mountain Duke cozied up to some people posing on a rock, so he is in their family photo also!

We had one more dinner out and we choose Mountain Side restaurant even though we had not heard great things about it but we had heard about “THE BIG DADDY”  and Paul and Ethan were sure it was going to be amazing!

BIG DADDY - Buttered, Toasted thick bread with lots of Pulled Pork and topped off with Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese!  Wholly Cow!

BIG DADDY – Buttered, Toasted thick bread with lots of Pulled Pork and topped off with Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese! Wholly Cow!

They both ordered their own and had smiles on their faces from the first bite!  Although Paul was paying for it later in the evening!  Me, I’m sticking with the wonderful BBQ Chicken with the roasted vegetables!  Yummy!.

Later that evening we took a walk down Main Street because we were all feeling a bit overstuffed!  Main Street in Old Forge is littered with cute boutiques, antique stores, bars and restaurants.  This one we have never ventured into!

Hmmmm

Hmmmm

I wonder if they can pay the rent with those hours!

Today we will have a final BBQ with Fred, Judy and the Boys, maybe a fire with smores (rain go away!) and then tomorrow morning we are off on our own again with a couple days in Canada, Michigan and Illinios before settling in Iowa for two weeks while they fix our home!  I get to go home during that time so I am excited to get to September 9th!

 

Thanks for a wonderful day,

Sunday, August 10th, 2014

Holidays are the most difficult for me even though I love living my life and enjoy all the wonderful things we get to do.  We are forging new places as we create new traditions, ones of change!  Friday was my birthday and I have had several while being away from home.  This one was beautiful!  Paul and I along with his sisters, nephews and some friends enjoyed a beautiful, sunny day on the Moose River canoeing!  It took us over 4 hours to meander the river with several stops to snack and swim including cupcakes and of course the song!!!!

Then in the evening I enjoyed a night out, with a movie/play and then cocktails on the roof!  The movie was Grease complete with live actors and funny ideas about the “old” movie!    Lots of laughter!  Then we went to a new bar in town that is a rooftop lounge, open air with great views of the main street and real live grass growing!

The girls called, I got lots of emails and texts and if I can’t be home then this was pretty close and  memorable!  Thanks honey for making my day!

More summer fun

Thursday, August 7th, 2014

 

The weather is cooperating and we are taking advantage.  Summer is winding down for us here in the Adirondacks; Paul’s Sister Carol leaves on Saturday and we will be heading west in another week.  Yesterday we spotted the chicken in the backyard and today we found this turtle in the neighbors yard!

Far from the lake

Far from the lake

He was a bit afraid and was moving pretty fast as the audience grew!  Finally the neighbor picked him up and was going to walk down the road to a swamp area and release him.  It is about a 1/4 mile away.

Every evening

Every evening

We see deer most every day, at all times of the day.  Many have fawns and these two we see often as they hang out near Judy’s home.

We visited The Enchanted Forest, Water Safari which is a big deal in these parts, lots of rides, entertainment and water slides.  Paul’s brother Daniel works for the park as the park facilities manager!  He gets to fix all the rides or whatever goes wrong in the park.  We had lunch with Daniel,  watched the circus act and did a little walk down memory lane!  Paul worked at the park when he lived here in the 70’s.

Riding the train

Riding the train

I'm thinking this ride is from the 70's!

I’m thinking this ride is from the 70’s!

Maybe this one too!

Maybe this one too!

Daniel built some of this carriage for Cinderella

Daniel built some of this carriage for Cinderella

Love these musical bells!

Love these musical bells!

Bumper Cars, definitely retro

Bumper Cars, definitely retro

This sign is on the wall in the previous photo!   I think Daniel is proud of his work!

This sign is on the wall in the previous photo!
I think Daniel is proud of his work!

Waiting for sunset in Inlet

Waiting for sunset in Inlet

Today we were suppose to watch a little league game but it got rained out!  Instead we got to see this beautiful sunset

SunsetBoat

Looking at the reflection on the shoreline

Looking at the reflection on the shoreline

We weren't alone

We weren’t alone

Chicken for Dinner – and!

Wednesday, August 6th, 2014

Paul, Is this your chicken?”  Fred calls from the driveway!

“What are you talking about?”  Paul calls from the car as we are about to leave.

We had just finished a nice BBQ dinner of Chicken, salt potatoes and salad, and were on our way to BINGO! So I was very confused as I sat waiting in the car.  I’m thinking, someone thru their chicken out and Duke was eating it in the yard!

Yep, a real chicken is wandering thru the yard!  We have seen deer , squirrels, chipmunks, dogs wandering around but  never a Chicken!  I’m thinking he has no idea a relative was just on the BBQ!

Fred is the photobomber!

Fred is the photobomber!

Today was a grand day.  It has been raining a lot and we have had a picnic rained out and a backyard movie on the wall rained out.  We even sat under shade tarps for a campfire and ate s’mores in the rain but today the sun came out and we took advantage even though I was not prepared!

Not sure this is going to work!

Not sure this is going to work!

 

Hands Free!

Hands Free!

 

If you haven’t laughed already today, have a look at the video!

Tubing Adventure Video