Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Whaleback............

Today we tackled the Whaleback. We go to the beach all the time and look up at it. The hill looks like a whale. It really does. Just like Aligator hill looks like, well, an Aligator. So today we went back to the Whaleback Natural area to check out the view from the top. One problem. There was a "field trip" going on. A whole bunch of noisy kids. Took up the whole parking lot. We parked on the side of the road and figured we would get a head start. No such luck, after busting butt to try to get ahead of them we decided to retreat. Sit it out and wait for then to pass.
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The noise past us, good grief, if there was anything alive in those woods it was long gone, all but a few Chipmunks who were very vocal in their protests.
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We got back on the trail and hiked it to the top. It was not difficult but the initial fast pace left me winded. Phew!!!It sort of caught up with yesterdays walks on the beach. My body needs a day to recover. Soon enough we were at the top
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Not bad, but have seen better. The woods were nice though, the troop of kids seemed less than enthused and disappeared as quick as they came. The woods were back to quiet. Our kids seemed quiet after that. You could hear birds singing and the wind blowing in the tops of the trees. I love that sound. Next picture is looking down the road to Lake Leelanau.
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We went to get some lunch next. We like the little cafe in Leland Trishes Dishes. Great sandwiches and baked goodies.The bread is to die for.
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Is there onion in my sammie?
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I was trying to get Tristen to eat something substantial as opposed to what he ate yesterday. He ate a little of his sandwich and a little melon. Orange juice to drink, so I guess that was not too bad for him.
Next we headed to Fishtown, its in Leland but is an old shanty type place by the dam. All the old shacks converted to shops. There is carlsons Fisheries where you can buy great smoked fish. Other places to get great cheese and bread. We resisted, no money to spend this time out. We went down there because I wanted to show Laura some Blue stones in one of the shops. They are selling from 20 to 50 dollars just for the rocks. You see how many we find. We just have to figure out how to use them. We may have to take a class. I want to learn to wire wrap.
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There are some nice shops in Leland that cater to the tourists. Fun to look at but we didn't need anything and no money either. We live here we don't need to shop. It's so much fun to look though.
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We could not face the beach today, Laura is sunburned and sore. I had enough sun yesterday and know when to back off. I don't use sunscreen.
Down in the town/village of Leland are some great art galleries. One day when we don't have kids we will explore the shops again and go in the art galleries.
The newer shops have wonderful window boxes and flowers. Must have cost a fortune.
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So today was a short day for us. We got back around 2.30. Enough time to do dishes, vacuum and wash the floor. Then I was really pooped. I am not sure but I think I dozed off. Tristen was out in the sand box. I was downloading pictures and it sort of faded away for a few moments, I wont say I napped but.......................

Sunday, June 19, 2016

A Short walk with Danielle....................

It was way too hot for a walk. Danielle was home for the weekend. She spent most of it with us, with Tristen. He is her sisters son. We took a short walk for something to do, it was too hot for the park. We were going to cousin Vicki's garage sale, she just moved. We could not find her so stopped at the park on the way back.
This is Danielle with Tristen.
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A few more wild flowers out but not too many. No wildlife, too many people.
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Coltsfoot, at least that's what I know it as. Maybe its the same as what grows in England it sure looks like it.
My dad bought me a pocket edition of English Wildflowers. I would take it with me over the fields. I could identify all the trees and flowers. I wish I could do the same now, it's not too late to learn but I am not as enthused as I once was.
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We walked to the first pond/lake but that was all we could do. So hot, somewhere in the 90s. Way too hot for me. The playground equipment was hot too so no enthusiasm there.
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Still we did get out at least and a short walk.
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Enough to work the kinks out and let the kids holler.
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Trails end, this is how we all felt and that was from being in the shade. Glad we didn't go to the Dunes.
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We stopped at the store and Gerry went in to get ice cream for us. We usually stop for an ice cream but he didn't want to but did get us some to take home.

Friday, June 10, 2016

Old Mission Peninsula..................

Today was a later start. This morning we had to go see Tristens doctor, we are changing his meds. Now is a good time to do that without the added burden of school. His moods swings are difficult to work with, especially if we have our own problems.
The Van was in the shop getting fixed, something to do with the steering so Laura took us to the doctors (Thank you Laura) thankfully we got the van back at the end of the day, another expense we could have done without but...........thank the Lord we can still pay for things like that. My pension is gone though. That's it, all used up.
So after the docs we went to breakfast so we didn't have to worry about lunch etc. We were going to go for a hike but decided we were all too pooped. We went to Cracker Barrel, I could do without the shop there. Bummer, I spent some money in there.
After that we decided upon the Old Mission Peninsula, its been awhile since we have been there. I could not believe the new buildings, the new Vineyards.We are supposed to be "Cherry Capital of the world" but so many orchards are now Vineyards. Its a great grape growing climate. The Chateaus are huge.
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Not only new Vineyards but big mansions going up sprinkled throughout. We know there are a lot of wealthy people around here but wow.
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You cant beat the views but today was hazy
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On a clear day with blue skys you can see forever. We went up to the end of the Peninsula where there is a lighthouse.
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We are half way between the North Pole and the Equator.
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On the same site is an old Log Cabin. The tourists are here and out and about, the roads are crazy. Here is
the Cabin
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One inside view
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Both kids fussed about using the toilets at that park. We have been fortunate so far in the Leelanau County toilets, they keep them pristine. Well as much as is possible with a chemical toilet.
Loads of Chipmunks, I mean a LOT. Not scared either so I suppose people feed them.
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We went for a short walk, we were too tired for a hike, the woods were a little cooler, it was too hot for me.
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Lots of fungus in the woods, we also pretend about Fairy houses and we figure we found an apartment complex its fun to pretend.
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This is the heart tree
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After a bit the trail cuts off and you can get to the beach.
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It was not a long day out like we normally do but was better than staying in. Oh and we stopped at a yard sale. I got both kids new scooters, these a bit different to what they have. So for 5 minutes they were happy.

Thursday, June 9, 2016

Schools Out For summer................................

Yes it is. Half day today. I went to pick up Tristen and it was utter chaos, thank goodness I didn't drive. The van was in for repairs. I walked. Its like 2 blocks at most. The whole school was outside, there was a man playing the bugle and the front was full of kids listening. Grade 5 graduated. Tristen made it through Kindergarden.
Here he is with Mrs Grigle she saw him through some difficult times and gave me good advice. I am gratful to her. I picked flowers from the garden. My van was in the shop being fixed or I would have gone to the store yesterday and got her something.
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This is Tristens poem
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We walked home and had lunch then Laura and Reina came over. We were going to take the kids to the playground then go for ice cream.
The kids were not really into playing. Both were tired and so were both Laura and myself. So a quiet walk was decided upon. Familiar ground in the woods and shaded. It was getting too warm for me.
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Silver Lake park has some nice trails, nothing new but still a nice enough walk.
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There were loads of Dragon flys and I tried to get some pictures. The Blue Iris were out.Soon the yellow will be out as well. The ferns were only just unrolling last time we were there but now are lush and thick on the ground.
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Here I am trying to catch the Dragon flys, Laura caught me.
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Its hard to get pictures of dragon flys they flit around hither and yon.
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Damsels are worse, it's really hard to get a good picture. There were several mouthy Chipmunks. We could hear frogs but didnt see any.
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The kids were not really into this today but they still managed to enjoy it somewhat. Reina and Laura took naps when they got home. I could have done the same but had to go get my van. It's fixed sort of.
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I think it was an emotional day for the kids, getting out of school for summer. They wont see friends for another few months then new teachers and kids.It got pretty warm today after a couple of wet cold days
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I was trying to get a picture of Laura but she got one of me instead.
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We then went right back to the car, they didnt want to play in the park. Probably because I had said we would go for ice cream after.
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So that was how we spent the first half day out of school. The first of many we hope.