Catching Up! A missed weekend 2:

It's true. When you live somewhere you are less likely to be the tourist, until the opportunity comes along!

My tourist trip opportunity to Mackinac Island came at the invitation of one of my uncles. Having this plan in the works already in May, I was like a child waiting for Christmas when the weekend trip in late July finally came!

The day was idyllic. Mid-morning we drove up to Mackinac city (still on the mainland), loaded our bikes and ourselves on the ferry and spent the better part of a gorgeous Friday in July riding around the island, enjoying each others' company, sampling the Island's delicacies (one fried pickle, please) and purchasing the necessary fudge and postcards, before riding the ferry back across to the mainland.

Again, below are a few photos from the day :)

Anyone traveling from the Lower to the Upper Peninsula always holds an in-car competition as to who sees the Bridge first. Can you see it?

A gorgeous day and a beautiful place to spend it.

Lining up to get on the ferry to cross over to Mackinac Island - unless you go by plane (or swim...) this is the only way to get there.

On the island.

My little Fit resting at a scenic overlook on my way back down south to Grand Rapids.

Catching Up! A missed weekend 1:

The first weekend of August/last of July, my mom and her sister, my cousin and I took a trip up to the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) to visit my Grandparents at their cottage in the middle of nowhere (Iron River).

Having gone up there every summer as a child, it evoked such nostalgia to go again.

The grandparents regularly have a list of chores (shoveling gravel, cutting the grass, staining the deck) and in between them we jump in the lake as a reward and a refresher.

Below are just a few photos taken by my dear cousin from our adventure to the UP.

Me proudly displaying and devouring my chocolate-covered Twinkie at the Northernmost point of Lake Michigan on our drive up.

My Grandparents' cottage in Iron River, Michigan.

Stanley Lake from their deck.

My aunt and I zooming through the property with a load of gravel. ("Zooming" meaning puttering along at 10 mph)

Grandpa and I testing out my skills as a marksman on an unsuspecting milk carton.

My cousin and one of our incredible "schmoes".

Mine having just disappeared.

The Rodeo Days parade of Iron River brought out the best of the city...

Admiring Stanley Lake the evening before my long drive home.

Staying Orders

"Auntie Vanessa, You stay there!"

I've been given strict instructions from this kid:that I'm not to leave before the 31st of May when he brings his mom and sister to Michigan for a family visit.

"Yes, sir!"

Kin's Contusions

Remember when you were a little kid and loved bumping down stair-by-stair at your grandparents' house?

Remember clambering back up the steps and doing it over and over again, never thinking that actually this should be a painful activity?

When you are 4 years old bouncing down a flight of stairs allows for hours of entertainment. When you are 60 years old this allows for hours in the Emergency Room.

Just ask my mom.

Not to worry all is well with my dear mother - apart from an extremely sore dupa (pronounced doo-pah) for weeks to come, and a very eventful day, which my dad, mom and I hope never will be repeated.

Have you seen me?

"Hello! I'm red, soft-sided, durable, not at all new and smell of German sausages.

Oh, did I mention I love to travel - and to my own time schedule."

Yep, I've arrived to the winter-wonderland of West Michigan. The trip was a long one during which I was transported by taxi (1), plane (2), bus (2), train (1), underground (1), foot (many), airport shuttle (2) and an old green Alero (1).

Half-way through the trip my luggage had had enough and decided to spend a day among the French speaking population of our globe before making its entrance to Michigan.

The last three times I've visited the US of A, my luggage had its own independent adventure.

The first was on my return trip to Prague from visiting my wonderful nephew on the West Coast in 2006 - my bag followed me two weeks later. Yes, two weeks - I had given up hope by then.

The second was a trip to see my parents a year and a half ago when my case never appeared on the baggage carousel in Grand Rapids. Upon tracking my bag I learned that when it did arrive the next day a confused old man took it home with him. He then showed up at my parents' door to return it with great apology.

The third - this trip. I think I could fill out these lost baggage claim forms with my eyes closed!

More to come regarding my Christmas Michigan adventures - don't worry!

Kids

Up until last week, the only Abigail that I had much to do with has been the furry white goat on the top of our seminary hill.
Then along came this beauty. (Sorry, I do have an infatuation with pictures of crying babies)

She was born to my sister, Veronica, and I have to say it's really quite difficult not being there. I remember the same feelings when Abigail's older brother was born almost five years ago.