Saturday wanderings....................

It seems like it was last week but it was yesterday, we had Reina till 7.30 pm while Laura worked, Gerry took us for a drive so we had something to do. There was a beach that I wanted to find and explore. Further along from Otter Creek but not much. The Platte River flows into Lake Michigan and has shallow water for kids to play in. I have not been there before so that's where we headed. We stopped in Empire for snacks as I didn't pack lunch. So much to the delight of the kids and probably Gerry we got some real junk food. A bag of choice of snack each and a snickers bar. That kept them quiet and very happy, its not often they get junk food from me.That and Bug Juice they were in heaven.
So off we headed for the Platte plains, River Dunes and Beaches. Found that very easy first turn before the bridge over the river. No problem.

The first thing we saw was a whole bunch of cars along the road and about everyone and his brother with inner tubes and canoes and kayaks.


Naturally they had to get wet. We didn't stay because that was where everyone was getting out of the river. We could not park down by the beach, too many people. We decided it would be a great place to go during the week or off season, even better.

We continued on and checked out Loon Lake. That was incredible. Where the river runs into it, apparently its a real big sandbar. People were out in the middle of the lake playing with frisbies and stuff. I mean lots of people, inner tubes and stuff. Plenty just getting in too.


Look close, you will see them all out in the middle of the lake in the distance. Don't get wet I said. Right said Tristen (I had his suit on) as he walked down the ramp and slipped on his back.Yes, he's wet.

They would have loved to get in there but alas it was not a day for swimming, we were just scoping out a few new places to go play in. Look at that sky



We headed for Frankfort next, again we were going to check the beach and park, but there was some kind of festival going on. So no luck there. This is why we don't go out on the weekends haha. We did go down to the beach and found a place to park. Gerry stayed in the car as it was not really legal hehe............I just wanted to get some pictures. I have never seen the water so calm there. I found out its shallow, what do you know. A great place for the kids to play. We normally avoid the popular beaches. This is what its like on a Saturday in July.

As usual everyone was crowded right at the first part of the beach. What? No one like to walk? I got my pictures and then we left.



Not my sort of beach, we like our beaches empty of people. I suppose if you are just sunbathing then thats the place to be. Had a nice chat with a guy in his boat parked way at the other end, all on his own reading a book. Then went back to the car.
We left Frankfort and headed for River Road. I have always wanted to check out the path that leads to the river that has some seats, so we did that.

The bike trail goes right through there, I guess Dan had taken Tristen there once because he remembered. I couldn't get if he was on a bike or boat.



I saw some beautiful Dragon fly but could not get a picture. Lots of lovely berries for the winter birds. I was surprised at no water birds but the river was very busy.


It is a lovely vacation river for sure and very active. So crowded though. Off season would be good.


Lots if wildflowers




Signs in the grasses and fields that Fall is on the way



Nice that there was a good path to walk there on.


So reluctantly leaving there we headed for the Alpaca's
We wanted to see if the babies were growing and they had what looked like a new one. Kids loved that. The owners had a huge fan outside the barn doors. They were congregated there with a little wagon of hay.


They are so dang cute



One was rolling in the dirt and these two had to go check her out, the white one is like "what the hell are you doing woman"


The kids just had to feed them grass and clover. They did not mind that one bit.


Then there was this cutie, quite small yet. No idea how old.


One more thing, I never noticed their feet before. I knew they were unique but I never looked close.


I did not risk going in the shop. The wool is just sooooo soft. So many pretty things to buy but alas, no money.
We did have enough for ice cream though and I knew just the place. In Benzonia is a place that make their own ice cream and it is yummy. It must be doing well because they have made the ice cream section bigger. So we headed home and ordered Pizza as we were all tired and I was not about to cook. The kids were happy they still had four hours to play before Laura was to pick up Reina. Seemed like ages to me I wanted a nap.

Jason's Move.....................

My son Jason has moved to a new condo. It seemed to happen rather quickly. It has been a long time since we moved but it always seemed such a lengthy process. I suppose it was for him too but looking from a distance it seemed that he was concidering it and then he was moving. In any case we went down last weekend to help with the heavy stuff. He has spent time back and forth packing and moving bit by bit. Now he has to get the old place cleaned up, painted and ready to either sell or get renters in. I think it is a great investment opportunity as he already has his mortgage.
We took Bodi with us because we were unsure of her staying here at home without us. She has a growth on her leg and we were worried about her. Gabby stayed at the house to handle everyone and the garden. We went to the old place first and Gerry helped move the bigger stuff while I moved the smaller stuff.

Tristen came too and was very good. Gerry and Jason moved everything Friday night. Saturday we started with the set up. Here is Tristen sleeping he had no problem.

So the outside of the house (condo)


The road it is on.Between the houses on the other side is a pond and seats so you can walk around there.

A two car garage. They keep up the outside maintenance of lawns and hedges so that's less for him to do.
The back view. There is a horse barn and a field back there beyond the pines.


And a neighbour

The entrance. It is so bright and cheery, he was able to put his plant there. This thing grew from a pit when he was very young and I gave it to him when he got his first apartment. Its still thriving.


The entrance leads to the living room, but on the right would be the laundry room and back door that goes into the garage.Then the basement stairs.

On the right is the 2nd bedroom that he will use as a computer room. The guest bath is also there but not in the bedroom. Right now in this picture he has yet to sort and set up

The guest bath before and after. Gerry was able to install all the curtain rods and towel bars etc

You cant really see the subtle colours of sage and grey, we found some hand towels that were navy blue and with the white towels looks nice

I put his cat quilt over the 1/2 wall that goes down stairs. The basement is unfinished at this point but has large windows and will some day be a lovely addition.

The kitchen is nice, the cupboards and appliances modern. He has been busy gathering new bits and pieces for that.He had yet to put stuff away.

Then the dining room leads off of the kitchen and living room.


It has a fireplace

He is using existing furniture.It was coming together even though we had a matress on the floor still.

Cat alley behind the sofa

The dining area leads to the back deck, that is nice and spacious

Setting up, best we could


Master bedroom and bath. Nice size room with a very large walk in closet and linen closet.Lovely bay window that looks out onto the street.


That was not finished when we left he was still unpacking stuff and setting up

He says Cole likes the seat in the walk in shower

Well I think thats it for now. It will be interesting to see what he does with it as time goes on. There is a lot of decorating potential with the high shelves and places to put collections.
Cole finally came upstairs to see us, he and his brothers Dexter and Tinsel were hanging out in the basement. I didn't blame them.

I am very proud that Jason is so self sufficient and can make his own way. He did most of the move with no help from anyone. We were glad to go down to help finish up. He has a good life there, I may wish he was closer to home but know he is well able to take care of himself.