A day with Tristen.................

It was nice to have Tristen today if just for a few hours. He just got back from a trip out west. More or less the same trip we made many years ago. Its great that Laura and Todd can do this for him. It was a great trip I am so happy he got to share some of the experiences we had years ago. That meant though that we had not seen him in a very long time. They went camping when they got back.
Gerry picked him up at 10.30 and he had to be home by 5. He was upset to go back. I asked if we could have him the weekend after next for his birthday. Her answer as usual "we will see" He asked to stay overnight and it was the same answer so..........we shall see.
So for today we took him for Ice cream. Moomers.


The ice cream was amazing who would think a small business here in TC would take off so well. So we ate our ice cream and went to Twin Lakes for a walk.


It was a nice walk after at The Twin lakes. It was rather wet and muggy and buggy but not too bad. I was sweating good when we were done though. Three days in row of exercise and I need to do more. I doubt it will make any difference, after today having the ice cream and then Burger King (Tristen was hungry) I will probably go up.
I took some good pictures but for some reason they did not load up and so it looks like they are lost. Boo Hoo

I got pictures of Tristen and Gerry but I guess it was not to be.



So I will just post some extra stuff that I shot.


I so wish I could find the other pictures. Ah well................

September weekend............

This weekend I managed to get in a bit more exercise. We had gone for a walk on Friday (prev post) and as Saturday began with bright blue sky and being quite cool we thought a drive was in order. On the way to Suttons Bay I remembered to stop in time to see the "Bears Den" on the way. It was new to me so wanted to check it out.



They had all kinds of cute things. I bought a Rooster who is going in the garden next year but for now resides in my kitchen.
From there we went through Lake Leelanau and stopped at Peddling Beans for a cookie. On to Port Oneida. Our goal was the Dunes drive up being as the sky was so blue. Anyway.....our usual boardwalk showed that the Turtles were out in force sunny themselves. Making the most of the sunny day. Nothing else was around. No birds or beasts.

I counted 10 turtles in one area. There were a few Monarchs still fluttering around and loads of Bee's one Bee objected to the Butterfly and dive bombed it.



From there we did a whip around the main road to Port Oneida and again saw nothing, we went down to the beach because ooooooh there was no one there. The water was rough and its was a bit windy. Boy getting back up the stairs oh boy I need to do that more often. Out of breath. Phew.



we came back up from the beach and were remarking that the Sandhills were gone but low and behold just as we said that we saw them. They flew away. They were really close to the road. On the way back we saw the family of 3 over in another field, guess we just missed them on the way in.

Nothing else going on there, so we headed straight for the Drive up Dunes. Oh my, why the heck don't people just go home for goodness sake. It was windy up there, I had wanted to go out on the bluff for pictures but we would have got sand blasted and in any case the parking lot was over flowing so we skipped that one. Took some pictures and headed home. We will try again when every one goes home.




We also missed taking shots across the Aligator lookout over Glen Lake. So on the way back we stopped at the spot off the road called Inspiration point and took a few pictures. NO boats, amazing and calm waters.



So I was not ready to go home through Empire so we took the back roads as I like to, I have some favourite roads. I was glad that we did because we saw a hawk. Bloody thing would not cooperate but I got some hazy pictures.



Later on we found these guys. I love the warning sign see the little guy getting tossed. Haha......Well I went up to the fence and got some nice pictures.
Sooooo cute.

i had to get closer and I talked to him and told him how pretty he was, what a pussycat. At least with me this side of his fence haha.





We finally got home. We were starving.

Boardman Lake/River a short walk..................

This afternoon it turned sunny, it was windy and a little humid. It was quite warm but I figured that we could be in the shade. I just had to get outside. I needed exercise. Well the walk was certainly enough I was knackered by the time we were done. We wanted to see if the work was finished by the river. They took out the dam and it changed the course of the river. Back to how it was originally. So we started off at the welcome center gardens. Not a lot going on but some nice bee's buzzing around. I love taking pictures of Bee's I like to take a picture and then scrutinize it by enlarging to see what is hidden.



There were not too many flowers left blooming and I needed to get into the shade. We went first to the lookout and could see the vast meadows that were left now the water is gone.

Then the trail goes through the woods and onto boardwalks in the soggy spots.



Still a few wild Asters and stuff hanging on.





One thing we were very surprised to see Tadpoles. Um, it's September.........

Anyway, along this trail is a new set of steps leading down to the river, we were just too tired this time. SO will go back on a cooler day.

There is some nice berry bushes throughout.

They also put up a few new signs, did not spot anything this day, not a thing.


Also turtles but not even a bird. Just the Bees. Lots of nice habitat though and thats how it should be.


I had intended to sit on a bench and wait to see birds but was way too thirsty so we got right back to the car where I had water and then headed home. We spent about an hour there on that trail. All along the Boardman are trails,and although we have explored many of them, it's all different now since the Dam came out. So lots of nice walking to be had this Autumn and so close to home. Looking to do most of them this Autumn. I have to say I am finding it more difficult walking in the woods with uneven trails but hey, will carry on as long as I can.