To the beach..............

Today we made a late start by going over to see Nancy, but we did end up going to the beach. I called Laura because Nancy was having a garage sale. I went last night to pick up some things she set aside for me. I thought Laura might like to look around. I bought a few more things myself. I will have to do a post in My Pretty Things blog.
Well anyway, we decided to have lunch first then set off for Glen Haven. It was hot today, not much else we could do. The kids were primed that we were to do something fun. They just had to behave and eat their lunch. So off we went. Glen Haven is on the State Park system now. I prefered it when we could do as we pleased. Dogs didn't have to be on a leash and so on, not that it matters to us now. We no longer take our dogs out like that, but in days gone by previous poodle pals have enjoyed their freedom to roam. At least we don't have to pay yet and we know some secluded places when we want them. So many tourists now.
We parked further up the road instead of the parking lot. We wanted privacy.

We told them we were just going to paddle and not to get soaking wet. Just stay on the edge. We were looking for rocks. Yeah....as if.......

We reminded them again....stay on the edge, dont go in.

They did for awhile. Reina tucked up her dress and they played at throwing rocks. Tristens favourite game. Then came the splash and Tristen fell in.


Can you say drowned rat?


So, he is wet, may as well carry on.


Next he needed to go to the bathroom............agh!!! Lucky we were approaching the Light house so we popped in so he could go. He was so wet he couldn't pull his pants up so I put them in my bucket and off we went. He went home in his Angry Bird undies. We collected stones a bit longer. Here is Laura examining the stones under the water. No Petoskey stones today. Nice piece of beach glass though. Very rare today. We seldom find it now everyone uses plastic.


Laura on her way back, we wanted to get out of the heat...........


On the way back we stopped at the overlook and took these pictues looking out over Glen Lakes. This is a part of the "alligator" called because of its shape. Not so obvious from here but in other pictures. So This is Big Glen and looking out over the trees to lake Michigan and I believe one of the Manitou Islands

Looking the other way over "The Narrows" the bridge between Big Glen and Little Glen Lakes. In the distance you may see a small tip of the Sand Dunes.


One last thing........we saw deer tracks on the beach. Remember Lake Michigan is fresh water (Michigan Unsalted) and so the animals come to drink. It is so clear so aqua blue, so beautiful we don't need to go to the South Pacific to have that lovely beach and privacy.


Conked out on the way home



we went country roads on the way back and took our time. Saw this chap......so cute.

It was not long and Reina was napping too. They stayed for supper and then they went home. Tristen is so tired but still fighting sleep. Tomorrow we will go garage saleing.

Charlevoix the Beautiful..............

Yesterday we took a day out and went up to Charlevoix. I went really to take some pictures of the Gnome Homes. I will do a seperate post on those because we did so much more. Gerry and me with Tristen, Laura and Reina took a picnic lunch and headed north. We stopped along the way several times to give the kids a break. Besides the mission of taking pictures I wanted them to have a fun day out as well. There is an art gallery that I adore and it has a large garden so that was our first stop. They have built a studio at the back now and so we got to see where they make pottery. Laura and me went inside and I chatted with the owners. They have also taken in Norman Brumms work. That was another place I would always stop when we went up there. Norman has since died and so his work has increased in value, but it still remains some of my favourite things. He had such a gift. Anyway........this gallery is in an old school house and with our kids running around outside it sounded as though it still was an old school house. From there we went on to the Fisherman's Island state park. I am trying to show Laura some of the beaches we used to go to when they were kids. Now to take Reina and Tristen. We had our picnic there. Nothing much, I just took cheese and some good bread, some relish and mustard, grapes and apple sause. Good enough for a quick lunch. Tristen was anxious to play ball and he and Reina did that for awhile as we finished up lunch. We then drove on to the beach. We didn't expect them to go in the water........silly I know. Well the water was shallow and perfect so Reina got down to her swim suit and Tristen to his Angry Birds undies. He was happy. Look at Reina, her mouth is always open and she puts her whole body into her screams. Trouble is she is teaching Tristen. They both love the water so much. Will soon be time to teach swimming. I want to be sure he is safe around water. I can not swim and so it's imperative that he learn. Reina held his hand and encouraged him but we were right there watching and choosing the safe spots for them to go in. The Fishermans Island State park is a camp ground in the forest. The picnic beach is 1 mile and there used to be a small island just off shore. That is all public beach away from the camps. There are miles of hiking trails within the forest and was a place that Woodland Tribes used to come to. There are archaeological sites not marked within the forest where they would make their spear points and arrow heads. After we left and changed the kids we went and took my pictures and then on the way home we stopped at Friske Orchards. I wanted to buy a pie. They have a playground for kids and a petting zoo so they had a great time there. The store is awesome. It has a fresh vegetable section and you can see ladies peeling and canning vegetables and fruit for the bakery. The baking section has wonderful pies, scones and things like that. There are relishes and mustards and gifts as well as a place to eat. The kids were only interested in the park though so here are a few pictures. Tristen Reina The tractor was Tristens most favourite part. They wondered why it wouldn't go, so they figured it out and Tristen was off to solve the issue. He said " It's stook in duh mood" and brilliantly assessed the situation Push it we said.........and he gave it a gallent effort. We took home two tired out little kids. Its hard work walking on sand and hiking through dunes and forest........but what a day.

Autumn Weekend.....................

Saturday was a wonderful Autumn day, couldn't have been more perfect. The sky was that wonderful blue so often seen this time of year, no clouds in the sky. We intended  going for a ride out to the Sand Dunes, it was a bit nippy, just how I like it. I wanted to take pictures so we would look for a pumpkin patch. Well we had not got far along M72 towards Empire when we saw pumpkins at Gallagher's market. We stopped miracle of miracles as the hubster usually just sails on by all the things I want to see. Low and behold they had the farm open for a Fall harvest time fun day. So we got out to take pictures of pumpkins and Gerry took Reina and Tristen back to the fields while Laura and I admired the pumpkins



The two kids had a blast back in the fields. There was a huge apple tree. I dont think I have ever seen one so big. I took a picture of the apples hanging  on it. The farm was full of crates of apples and fruits and vegetables. Wonderful things.



I think that its wonderful that Gallagher's open up their farm to people and share it all with us. The kids loved the animals too. I managed to find a couple of butterfly's that I will share later and some wooly worms. Reina found one and made it her new friend. Tristen was fascinated by the pigs, he did not like the smell. They had sheep, pigs and bunnies for them to see. This guy was strutting his stuff



This may be the reason why



Apart from the animals there were wonderful sunflowers growing these left for the very happy birds. Remind me to put in some happy sunflowers next year.


Here are a few of the animals and some fun times in the fields.



After we left the farm we got back on track and headed out towards Empire. As we got to Golden Valley I saw that Mary Frixen's car was there. Now many years ago I started taking riding lessons there at Golden Valley. I ended up buying my horse Lady and have known Mary since then. A wonderful lady. Anyway we thought the kids would enjoy seeing the horses and so we stopped. Mary was surprised to see us, its been awhile. I told her about Alexandra dying and me having Tristen. She gave me some carrots and told us what horse they would be safe going to see. Tristen loved the cat Marmaduke who followed us out into the field to see Spotty. Reina wanted to sit on him so bad and so we let her.



After we left Golden Valley, and we actually got away from there without any problems from Mr Tristen. We got on track again and after getting a nice cup of coffee and apple juice for the kids we headed to the beach. Yes I know, a cold day for the beach, but its a great time for the beach. That means no people and we have it all to ourselves. The colour of the water was just beautiful a soft turquoise and then shades of teal further out. White horses and everything..........there had been a lot of wind storms the last several days and so the beach was full of beautiful stones. We just love to look for special stones. Tristen likes to throw them in. We didn't want to look for stones with Tristen there because I didn't want him getting wet and we knew he would sooner rather than later. So we headed out..............Gerry had to chase him down to get him back to the car. His only meltdown of the day. He was struggling so hard he came out of his pants (Tristen that was not Gerry)


When we got him back into the car he very quickly dozed off to snoozeland. We had decided to eat at the Hayloft instead of going home and as the little one had to be coaxed awake he was in a daze. So he was nice and behaved well. They have wonderful wet beef burrito's and with a Margarita as well it finished off a wonderful day. 

Return to Paradise...........

We just got back from our trip to Paradise. I am pretty sure its the last for this year. Wow was it busy. I have never seen so many people in Paradise. Lucky for us we got there just at the end of the Blueberry Festival. What a great weekend for the local business. We went for burgers at the Klondike Bar, best burgers there yum. Well "Sorry no French frys and before you ask no onion rings either" said the bar tender. Thats OK we had deep fried mushrooms instead. They were out of so much stuff. They had over 6000 people go through Paradise that weekend. I am sure they have never seen so many people before. Its not like that can get supplies as quick as we do down here. The cabin was great, we just love Curley's. What does it matter if there was no hot water and barely and water pressure who cares.



The house had a very large living area and kitchen dining all in one. Two large bedrooms too. Very comfortable. I could live in that house.

One of the days we went to Taquamenon Falls. We have been many many times but its a nice walk and I have a digital camera now so just had to get a few more pictures



We only went to the Upper Falls though.
One day we went to see a lady who has a pair of wolves. She has had wolves for many years. I have always wanted to go meet her but this was the first time it worked out for both of us. Her older wolf died last year. The two remaining wolves are now 13 and 15 years old, so I was very happy to get to see them. She also has sled dogs. She does not race them but got them from people who do. I guess these guys were too slow. They live a good life and get a lot of freedom, even though when we saw them they were penned. Nice and clean pens too. They get to go out at night and run, and she also does sled with them, just not racing.
The wolves are still wild and have always been so. They are beautiful. Kenai is an Arctic wolf. Just look at those feet. They are huge so that they can walk on snow



The other wolf is an American Timber wolf Nahanni



These wolves are in a compound in the woods. Although surrounded by 10' double fencing they have a lot of freedom. They are healthy and happy. You can tell. Nahanni was flirting, too shy to come to the fence (we were inside the double fence) he would come real close and as long as I didnt look would keep coming but if I moved or looked would go on by like he never intended to get any closer anyway.

This is Reina with Moki who is the house pet and is a real lover.



Another day we went to Oswalds bear ranch. They keep black bears who are either orphaned or given to them. They do not breed bears. All these are rescued and very happy. They have a huge place to live with in special fences and electricity. However as babies their job is to have pictures taken with children. They are given treats and you can tell they could care less about the pictures just give them the treats. This is my husband with Tristen and Reina and the curent baby model.



Then the man went in with one of the females and had her pose with a sucker. Just look at that face.




While the gates were open I got a good shot of her. What a beauty. While walking around some of the bears came to greet us at the fence because people give them treats of cut up apples. We had neglected to get any but Gabby had a sucker and as they get suckers we threw one over. That bear followed us the rest of the way in the hope of another treat. Now dont get the idea that they are fat and lazy, they are not. They are well cared for healthy bears.



While we have very seldom seen bears while we have been in the Upper Peninsula we have had several around town where I live. Imagine that.

One of the best things to do is to walk on the beach at Whitefish Point and look for Agates. Tristen prefers to throw them. Do you like his camoflage?




Here Reina and Tristen look out over Lake Superior. This is outside the cabin. Today she is in a calm mood but don't ever take this lake for granted she is a wicked bitch. The shipwrecks and storms here are just horrendous. Remember the Edmund Fitzgerald.