September Rain............

The day began with bright blue sky and fluffy clouds. Seemed like a good idea to take the day and go for a drive. We got our coffee and water for the ride and we left with overcast sky, what happened? Well as I always say, don't let weather stop ya.......I mean to say, I come from a misty Island don't I? where rain is frequent or always used to be. So off we went. Decided to take a different route this time and went to Suttons Bay via a back road that I knew has some lovely old barns. Some day I will do a post all about old barns. Maybe. Anyway we took the road less traveled and avoided traffic.





Why are old barns red one may ask......Rust was plentiful on farms and because it killed fungi and mosses that might grow on barns, and it was very effective as a sealant. It turned the mixture red in color. When paint became more available, many people chose red paint for their barns in honor of tradition. (old farmers almanac) I also read that they also used blood in the olden days too.
One barn was very special.......look who lived there.



They all came to the fence to see me but I restrained myself, I didn't approach them. I had no treats.




moving on we took our usual route but got this on the way.Our usual field of sunflowers had gone to seed but these guys were still happy.



Well we did the usual round of places but unfortunately no deer or critters today except the flocks of turkeys. It was a bit less cloudy at that point and the sun came out briefly. We stopped at the boardwalk to check for critters. Only the turtles were about. No Loons today, no birds either. We walked further on into the woods to see if there were any fresh Beaver's activity, the undergrowth made it tricky in sandals so gave up on that, there were old cuttings but none fresh that we could see from there.




The Bees were busy on the flowers, loads of tiny ones, honey bees and bumbles.



Always happy to see lots of bees. The Turtles were enjoying the sun as it came out now and then. Found a few frogs hiding in my pictures as I zoomed in.




we went into Port Oneida and to look at the water levels. Met a couple on the steps who asked me to take their picture. They were from Texas.Enjoying retirement and traveling. The water was high as I expected. Hardly any beach left.




I didn't linger but went on to Glen Haven, no beach there either but some improvements made in the form of a small boardwalk with benches. Took a few pictures then headed to Empire.





Talking to the Texas couple reminded me how much I enjoy living here in Northern Michigan. SO glad not to be in Texas where they said it was 101 today......No I enjoy the change of seasons and if I can't live in England then I am glad to be living here.

The beach at Empire, what can I say.......it's gone. Well what they have done to compensate is to take out all the huge boulders that were used as a breakwall. Looks like they may have brought in some sand but maybe just stirred
it about a bit after taking out the rocks. The waves have brought in loads of pebbles and there were a few rock hounds looking.





I found a nice big Petoskey stone and a few Ring Coral that I picked up but really wasn't looking as I left the bag in the car. Well that was it for this day and we headed home. We didn't stop to eat but went home for salad. We had gone to Rico's the night before. I had some great fish and some Clam chowder (I only had a taste, it was wonderful but I let Gerry finish it). I am back on my low carb diet and trying to maintain it as a way of life. I know most of my ailments come from my weight. My body just can't carry it. My knees hurt and my body aches. I have to get my blood sugar down and cholesterol too. I had no activity to speak of all summer because I can't tolerate the heat. My English blood was made for cooler climates. Gerry is working for a few weeks so we only have weekends to go out so I must get my act together and do garden work and crafts.......hey ho.

Old Mission and the Secret garden........

On Saturday we went for a short drive out on Old Mission Peninsula. It was Labour Day weekend and the traffic was bad, so we took a side road along the shore. Its housing but has water views because it's all private beaches. The main road was just too busy, we stopped in Old Mission but the country store was crowded so we didn't stop.

One day I should go and take pictures of the houses, they are huge mansions and small cottages most likely of families who have lived there since before it was popular. Now only rich folks can afford to live there and I wonder who they are. What used to be farms and Cherry orchards are now Vineyards, huge places. It's apparently a perfect environment for growing grapes. Seems all of northern Michigan have become Vintners and hop growers.
From many places there is a view of both East and West Bay and on clear days its fantastic. I loved the clouds though on this day.

We went up to the lighthouse but there were way too many people the parking lot overflowed onto the road so we skipped that for that day.........we stopped a bit further down at the beach just to look. The water was calm and no one at that spot.





We were wanting to stop at "The Secret Garden" a Lavender farm and cut flower garden with a gift shop. Beautiful.



We walked among the flowers and I got some lovely images of Bees. I love Bees. I love the lovely fluff bums of the Bumbles and there were several kinds all busy at the end of Summer.



This one had a tiny friend with him

I took too many pictures to post here. Before leaving I went into the gift shop and bought some Lavender/Lemon/ White chocolate chip ice cream that we shared. It was awesome made at Moomer's. A small tub just enough for two. It was soooooo good I wish it was in stores.
We made our way back home wishing we could have done more but in the hope that this weekend will send tourists home till the Fall colours get here. Then we will have the area mostly to ourselves. Although with skiing season right after that its just not like it used to be. Still at least now we can go out during the week if we want too but not in summer anymore. I am looking forwards to the next month though and hope for some nice cool days.Got to go back to the beach at Leland and look for stones. I might even venture out on my own if Gerry has to work.