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.

A few more wild flowers out but not too many. No wildlife, too many people.

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.


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.

Still we did get out at least and a short walk.

Enough to work the kinks out and let the kids holler.

Trails end, this is how we all felt and that was from being in the shade. Glad we didn't go to the Dunes.

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.

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.


Not only new Vineyards but big mansions going up sprinkled throughout. We know there are a lot of wealthy people around here but wow.

You cant beat the views but today was hazy



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.

We are half way between the North Pole and the Equator.

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



One inside view

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.


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.



Lots of fungus in the woods, we also pretend about Fairy houses and we figure we found an apartment complex its fun to pretend.

This is the heart tree

After a bit the trail cuts off and you can get to the beach.


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.

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.


This is Tristens poem

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.

Silver Lake park has some nice trails, nothing new but still a nice enough walk.

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.

Here I am trying to catch the Dragon flys, Laura caught me.


Its hard to get pictures of dragon flys they flit around hither and yon.


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.

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.

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

I was trying to get a picture of Laura but she got one of me instead.

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.


So that was how we spent the first half day out of school. The first of many we hope.

Why do we do this?..............

Why do we keep going back and looking for stones? Blue stones now, Petoskeys get thrown up on the beach for others to find. We seek the Leland Blue. As I have said before, it's slag, why do we want it? Well some day maybe if we can get some classes, or self teach, we may make some jewelry. We need some silver wire for earrings and bracelets. The small ones would be perfect for both.

Sometimes we can find some that are of equal size and so would make good earrings. I did buy a drill. I have not tried it yet though. I don't want to break any. The larger ones yet still small enough, would make pendents.

Some have marks on them and if they are pleasing, then they too could make pendents

The fun though is in the finding. I found some really big ones today, not too pretty and so they will go in the garden somewhere.

Those are just slag and not pretty really. I will put them outside. The pretty ones go in dishes around the house. My one peacock colour one does not show up on camera, it sparkled in the sun. That one is special even if it doesn't look it here.

We started out this morning on the way to Leland and it was misty on the Bay. One of the tall ships, maybe the Malibar was out and looked to have a full load of people going out.

We got to South Beach and could not believe our eyes, the lake was calm. A perfect day for stone hunting.

We walked towards the Whaleback, it was beautiful, hardly anyone around.

We were lucky to see two bald eagles chasing each other. Looked like one was not happy with the other. They sparred and flew past us before I could get the camera out. They look very strange head on and low. There were geese flying close to the waters surface in the mist.

Laura looking for stones it was not freezing, but was cold enough to numb fingers and feet.


I want to try to walk around that shore, the lady we asked said its not accessable because the water is too high this year. Still if we didnt have so many stones and our bags so heavy we would have gone as far as we could just to see whats around the bend.Look again, it seems there may be a path, but maybe its private as it is below the Whaleback Inn.

We dragged ourselves huffing and puffing back to the van and ate our sandwiches. I was glad I had taken my water bottle with me this time. I noticed the Dandelions at the gates of a house looking so pretty

Who can not like Dandelions