This morning I headed down the Lake Michigan coast to Frankfort. Along the way I passed orchards and farms, rolling hills and beautiful lakes. I saw lots of things that would make good photos, but I only stopped to take pictures of a few of them.
There were lots of beautiful farms.
And even more interesting old barns.
Frankfort is south of the Sleeping Bear Dunes, big beautiful white sand dunes that we used to visit when we were children. Though I didn’t stop there, I did stop at Point Betsie, one of my parents’ favorite places. It’s where they camped on their honeymoon, and where they revisited on their fiftieth wedding anniversary. It’s where my favorite picture of my mother was taken by my dad. It’s a place I can almost feel them.
It’s tucked away into the dunes.
Pulling into the small parking area I noticed an older woman sitting on a bench watching the waves. She reminded me of my mother. A lot. Do you see her?
Once I got to Frankfort I parked at the beach. What a beautiful day!
There were high school kids playing in the water. I remember when I was that age and swam in our lake on my birthday (in April) each year, just to prove I could. I’m older and wiser and warmer now.
Driving back north from Frankfort I traveled through more farms and steeper hills. When I saw this movie drive-in I just had to stop for a picture. If I lived around here I would so go to the movies at the drive-in! Wouldn’t you?
One thing I’ve figured out; it’s really hard to photograph orchards when you’re on the same level as the trees. No matter what you do you can’t express in photos the endless symmetry of the rows and rows of trees. But I can try!
It was a wonderful 6 hour round trip. The cat was very happy to see me when I got back to the house. I think she thought her second Mama had abandoned her! Silly girl, I was just out on an adventure!
Now I’m sitting with her in my lap, windows open so we can listen to the waves on the beach and thinking about working on a painting I started last night. Bliss.
In Traverse City the old state psychiatric hospital is being converted to upscale offices, chic stores, yuppie restaurants and trendy galleries. I went by yesterday to take a look. The complex is enormous, building after yellow brick building, three or four stories high, rows and rows of windows. The parts of it that have been completely updated are beautiful.
I went for an inland walk today, away from the mesmerizing lake into the sunlit woods looking for a bit of stillness. And of course photo opportunities. There were signs of spring everywhere, even way up here. I was surprised to realize the pussy willows are blooming already. The sun was shining, there was a light breeze. It was good to be outside after the past couple of cold windy days.
So today I notice the robin eating last years wild grapes high in a tree, the way sun glints off of white birch, the fat chickadee swooping past.
Change Is Hard 