Change Is Hard

…but change is certain.

Tag Archives: fun stuff


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Adventure – Day 2

After our event filled first day of camping my friend had to go home. I, on the other hand, headed north. My plan was to explore Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, this time on my own. (You can click on any photo to see it larger.)

Lots of history here.

Lots of history here.

My first stop was the tip of Michigan’s mitten, at the state park that once was a campground. When I was a kid my family camped there, almost under the Mighty Mac, the five mile bridge that spans the Straights of Mackinaw between the Lower and Upper Peninsulas. Whenever I can I try stop there and walk where we once walked and where people walk now days, marveling at the bridge and the water, the ferry boats and the freighters that go by.

This family reminds me a bit of us years ago.

This family reminds me a bit of us years ago.

I remember us swimming in these waters. Taking the canoe out and paddling beneath the bridge, my dad telling us we had canoed from Lake Huron all the way to Lake Michigan! It was very cool, and I think of it every time I’m up there.

My brothers in 1970 at the bridge.

My brothers in 1970 at the bridge.

Once I made it across the bridge I started toward my destination at the Tahquamenon Falls State Park. Along the way I passed beautiful beaches, but, turning inland, I also noticed my favorite things, barns….

A beautiful day on the farm.

A beautiful day on the farm.

…and farmland. You know me. I had to stop and catch a few images. No matter where I am, when I see old barns I just have to stop if there’s somewhere safe to park.

Looks like cows have moved into this house.

Looks like cows have moved into this house.

Once I got to the park and set up on my large campsite…

Could have set up several tents at this stie!

Could have set up several tents at this stie!

…I decided to take a walk. There was a one mile trail down to the lower falls. Sounded like fun and after studying the map I headed out down the trail…

Which way should I go?

Which way should I go?

…which got narrower and less obvious. It was getting late and I realized I’d have to maneuver the trail back to the camp after dark. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. I scurried back feeling foolish and drove the one mile around the corner to the lower falls.

I still had a nice walk along a beautiful boardwalk back to the falls.

Evening light.

Evening light.

And they were pretty in the late evening light.

Lots and lots of rushing water.

Lots and lots of rushing water.

I enjoyed this little girl who was talking nonstop to her dad who was listening intently. She was excited about everything. I bet she slept well that night!

Partners.

Partners.

And just before I headed back a red canoe showed up for a little fishing. I thought for a bit that there was a sheltie in the boat, but I think it’s a border collie. The boat glowed in the quiet light. Most of us tourists had left and this couple had a quiet evening to enjoy.

Peaceful fishing.

Peaceful fishing.

I left them to it and headed back to my camp and a good night’s sleep. Right after a hot shower, one of the advantages to camping in state parks!

Lake Superior tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Light on new thistle.

Light on new thistle.


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Adventure – Day 1

I’m home now. It feels kind of comfortable here. And warm, not to mention dry. Still…the memories of five days in the woods remain. Want to see a little bit?

The first day and night was spent with a friend at Pigeon River State Forest Campground. It turns out there are several campgrounds there, each of them small, many remote. We chose to stay one night at Round Lake which has ten sites. Only one other site was occupied. We had this beautiful place pretty much to ourselves.

Our campsite among the ferns on the shore of a small lake.

Our campsite among the ferns on the shore of a small lake.

Pigeon River is in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, about thirteen miles east of the very small town of Vanderbuilt. A couple of the campgrounds are set up for horse people, so if you love riding your horse through the woods, this might be the perfect place for you!

But I guess you’d like to take a tour, right? We did just that, taking a walk on what we thought was a trail marked on our map. We were very careful to pay attention to where we were, given we both have a propensity to lose track of things when we’re busy talking and catching up.

Turns out this wasn't the trail at all.

Turns out this wasn’t the trail at all.

We enjoyed beautiful blue skies and tall trees and soft ferns and lots and lots of wildflowers.

Indian paintbrush and daisies.

Indian paintbrush and daisies.

We even made a new friend while we were admiring an iris. As we hovered over the purple beauty at the side of a swampy ditch we heard a low growl. Startled we looked closer. Turns out we had ventured into the territory of this guy.

This is MY place ladies!

This is MY place ladies!

We moved on, enjoying the sunshine on the bright green ferns…

Just beyond the trees the sun made the ferns glow lime green.

Just beyond the trees the sun made the ferns glow lime green.

…and the towering pine trees.

Tall trees made us feel tiny.

Tall trees made us feel tiny.

I bet you didn’t know there’s a herd of elk living in the region! I didn’t either. But our map (and the park ranger) pointed out a few places they like to hang out, especially at dusk. So as the sun got lower we jumped in the car and went ‘elk hunting.’

It was good we had a map. The roads back there are primarily unmarked dirt one lane tracks. We weren’t always on the road we thought we were on, but we could generally keep going in the direction we intended. Good thing we had a compass though because it was very easy to get turned around in the deep woods.

Wonder where this road goes?

Wonder where this road goes?

We laughed as we sorted out our directions, heading to a place on the map that had an elk image. “You know, just because they put an elk on the map doesn’t mean they’re going to be waiting right there for us.” “This is probably a wild goose chase.” “I don’t think we’re actually on the right road.” “What are the odds we even see any?”

We came upon a break in the tall trees – a large open meadow. My friend said “You’d think this would be the kind of place they’d hang out.” as we both turned to look out the right side of the car.

And there, at the back of the meadow, were three of them.

They stared at us. We stared back. “You have the long lens! Quick get the shot!” she said to me. “I can’t figure out how to roll the window down!” I replied in a panic. (It was her car.) Somehow she got the window down, I got the camera up, and this is what we saw:

What you looking at ladies?

What you looking at ladies?

Seeing the elk was the highlight of the first day of my adventure. But we also enjoyed building a fire and sitting around it talking. I loved the way the trees turned into art as night overtook us.

Navy trees surround the lake.

Navy trees surround the lake.

A serenade of frogs woke us early, and after a night sleeping under the stars we enjoyed watching the sun touch the tips of the trees above us while we were still snug in our tent. It was a gorgeous new morning.

Good morning!

Good morning!

The lake mirrored the blue sky. We spent some time just sitting and enjoying the peace and beauty.

Round Lake.

Round Lake.

We sat and listened to nature all around us. The frogs. The birds. The wind in the trees. And we commented that all of this would continue after we were gone. That when we were stressed by life we could remember Round Lake and smile.

I loved this visitor's shadow.

I loved this visitor’s shadow.

Peace at Round Lake. Definitely a good start to my adventure. Day two coming up!

The zen of a campfire.

The zen of a campfire.


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A sheltie party!

See me? I'm about 4 dogs in from the left.

See me? I’m about 5 dogs in from the left.

Katie here. Well! Mama said she’d top our last camping trip and this just might have done it! She took me to a sheltie meet and greet where there were close to 25 other shelties. And do you know what? They were at one of my parks! MY park!

I did not invite all these other beautiful dogs to my park! I am supposed to be the supreme princess! The most beautiful sheltie around! It’s supposed to be all about me! Me me me me me!

One lady. Lots of shelties.

One lady. Lots of shelties.

Ahem.

I had to go to the groomer to get beautiful just for this party, and that’s not fair either. But I’ll stop complaining now.

Emily Ann was the star of the party!

Emily Ann was the star of the party!

Because actually it was pretty interesting. My dad even went! I mostly sat under the picnic table while he talked to some people that had two shelties. The three of us hung out together under the table. We got along just fine by ignoring each other.

Lots of sheltie smiles.

Lots of sheltie smiles.

In fact I was content to ignore all the other shelties but not my mama! Oh no, she had to go meet them all. I watched her sit down on the ground with some of them and pet them and tickle their tummies and I wasn’t jealous at all because I had my dad.

One of the only pictures of ME!

One of the only pictures of ME!

My mama didn’t even take very many pictures of me! Can you imagine that? She was busy taking pictures of all the other shelties. She kept saying things like “Wow, that’s a beautiful dog!” and ” oh look at that one!” You’d think I’d get a complex or something.

Sheltie kisses.

Sheltie kisses.

But I didn’t, because lots of people thought I was beautiful too, and offered me treats which I politely refused. Until my mama took me for a walk and I met one lady sitting on a blanket. There were dog treats on that blanket! Her dog Sadie hadn’t eaten them, so I scarfed them up. Always willing to help out you know. Then she gave me a big treat and I chopped it right down.

Lots of sheltie lovers.

Lots of sheltie lovers.

But then I did a bad thing.

Sadie came by and sniffed my butt and I turned around and nipped at her. My mama was mortified. And as our parents were pulling us apart I nipped at her again! Well! Sadie is only a puppy and my mama said I should have had better manners.

Sadie and her mom.

Sadie and her mom.

I was getting tired and hot by then and when we went back to daddy I nipped at another dog. So mama and daddy said that was quite enough and we went home. Mama says I have shown my true colors and now she knows to keep better watch on me.

Whatever that means.

I thought the party was interesting but I just got too warm and too tired and that made me cranky. A princess does not like to be sniffed so much. A princess is supposed to be kept cool and hydrated and well fed. I didn’t even have my princess pillow! I mean really, what were they thinking?

Sadie and a new friend.

Sadie and a new friend.

Anyway. I’m sorry I nipped at those dogs and I’ll try to be a better sheltie-citizen in the future. Meanwhile, I think all the dogs had a good time and I’m glad mama and daddy took me.

Cookie has the right idea. Time for a nap!

Cookie has the right idea. Time for a nap!

Time for a nap now.

Pet me! Pet me!!

Pet me! Pet me!!


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Other pretty things

When Katie and I camped in northern Michigan over on Lake Huron we had a great time even though we had to cut the trip short due to rain.

Fishing boat chugging along the horizon at sunrise.

Ship chugging along the horizon at sunrise.

But when she was telling you all about it she focused on herself. As befits a princess I guess.

Our first day was beautiful.

Our first day was beautiful.

Still, there were plenty of pretty things up there that you didn’t get to see because they weren’t always about her.

Loved how the lake disappeared into the morning sky.

Loved how the lake disappeared into the morning sky.

There was beauty in the big expanse of the space, and tiny things too.

Is this a buttercup?

Is this a buttercup?

So I thought you might want to see a couple of the things that didn’t get shared. And yes. One or two of them might even include the princess.

Low clouds closing in.

Low clouds closing in.

But don’t tell her.

"The spotlight should ALWAYS be on ME mama!"

“The spotlight should ALWAYS be on ME mama!”

She’s already got a big head.

"Which is prettier? The lake or me?"

“Which is prettier? The lake or me?”


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Nothing to do

Remember when you were a kid how you’d hound your mom (or dad) during summer vacations about having nothing to do? And no matter what was suggested it wasn’t what you wanted. Even though you couldn’t exactly say just what that was.

Retirement can be sort of like that. Or not.

Checking out the buffet.

Checking out the buffet.

Katie and I have been camping in the back yard the last couple of nights. This morning, with a thunderstorm in the forecast, I went out to pack the tent up. I was feeling privileged that it was 7:30 on a Monday morning and I wasn’t sitting in commuter traffic on the freeway. The neighborhood was quiet, sun shining softly on the leaves, only the sounds of the birds to interrupt my wandering thoughts.

Got any jelly there lady?

Got any jelly there lady?

A chipmunk and a fat squirrel skittered away from me as I startled them mid-breakfast. A rose breasted grosbeak flew off the feeder, an oriole streaked away toward the woods.

I smiled.

I'll just get a drink while I wait.

I’ll just get a drink while I wait.

And then part way across the back yard two tree swallows flew in formation right toward me, perhaps 6 inches above the grass. They swooped and swirled through the yard. I stood still. They circled me several times, flew low and then swept up over the tomato cages, then down across the lawn again. Like stealth bombers, their wings were silent unlike the other birds that frequent the yard whose fluttering wings and grumpy cries always let me know when the feeder is empty.

I recognized in that moment how lucky I am. I can stand perfectly still in my backyard, in the middle of a weekday morning, and enjoy doing absolutely nothing.

I demand fresh oranges!

I demand fresh oranges!

I’m reading a book, Slow Love; how I lost my job, put on my pajamas, and found happiness. by Dominque Browning. The author is describing her transition from frenzied work to unemployment. This afternoon I read the following passage which perfectly described how I felt earlier in the day:

“I begin to understand how nothing to do is its own state of grace, difficult to find deliberately, nearly impossible to recognize. Nothing to do means I can sit and look and let my mind wander, then empty, then fill again, with wonder or with grief, with anything or with nothing at all. “Nothing to do” is not the same as “Nothing can be done.” One is hopeless; the other the place from which hope becomes possible.”

In the heat of mid-morning, standing still in the light, I realized that nature was enjoying my yard every day. Used to be that I didn’t get to see it, but now, now that I have nothing to do, it’s all right there for me to enjoy.

Pretty darn cool.

Grape jelly again?!

Grape jelly again?!


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Evil waves !

No it’s not mama who thinks waves are evil. It is I, Princess Katie, who doesn’t trust those noisy, ever moving, elusively wet things. Not at all. And mama knows I don’t like them, yet she took me on an adventure where there were lots of waves! Sometimes I don’t understand my mama. At all.

Our home away from home.

Our home away from home.

But you know what? I had a really good time anyway. You know how much I love to camp with my mama and we went to a park we’ve never been to before, way up north, on the shores of Lake Huron. Mama scored a beautiful campsite with our own private path to the beach (and those pesky waves!). Lucky for me it was a ‘no dogs allowed’ beach so I didn’t have to spend much time out there!

Some people ask me what I do all day when we’re camping. Well! Let me show you! We go on lots of walks around the campground where I can show off my beautiful self…

Not too many people around to admire me!

Not too many people around to admire me!

…and we take lots of naps. When my mama is reading in the tent I like to nap up on her bed, right next to her…

Reading is boring mama!

Reading is boring mama!

…unless I’m busy keeping watch on my private pillow from my own private window.

What's going on out there?

What’s going on out there?

And when my mama is reading in her chair outside I like to keep track of the world while keeping cool under the picnic table. It’s my secret hideaway. Nothing gets by me!

My secret hiding place!

My secret hiding place!

But we explored lots of other places too. This campground has a dog beach and the first evening we went to find it. The path went through some tall trees and the sun was getting low which made the trees (and me!) just glow. Mama spent a long time in there taking pictures of everything.

Isn't the light cool in here?

Isn’t the light cool in here?

When we finally got to the dog beach I made it very clear with my flat ears that I did not like it mama! I especially didn’t like when the noisy waves were behind me. Mama tried to tell me that these were just little, harmless waves and she wasn’t going to make me get my feet wet but I was still very glad we didn’t stay there long.

What IS that mama?

What IS that mama?

The next morning mama almost missed the sunrise! I slept all night, hardly moving at all, while my mama shivered under four blankets while wearing layers of clothes. She finally fell asleep in the early morning hours and expected that I’d wake her up at the usual 5:30. But I didn’t! It was so nice sleeping in the cool night air that I just rolled over and kept sleeping. She woke up at 5:45 and woke me up! She wanted to go out on the beach to see the sun? Is she crazy?

The sunrise was nice but I didn’t want to be there, so she brought me back to camp, put me on my long leash and gave me breakfast to keep me busy while she went back out on the sand to take more pictures.

Morning light on my fur.

Morning light on my fur.

Well. I do not like to be separated from my mama! So after I finished my breakfast (You didn’t think I was going to leave that in the bowl did you?) I figured out my leash wasn’t really attached to my collar and so I walked casually right back out to the beach to find her!

Hey mama! Whatcha doing out there?

Hey mama! Whatcha doing out there?

She turned around to check on me and there I was, standing next to the path (I don’t like the sand in my toes.) watching her! Mama came running and I got hooked up to my leash really good. I think she was sort of surprised that I came back out on the beach on my own. I like surprising my mama. Keeps her on her toes.

Later that day we went on a little road trip. And guess what? I got to see a real lighthouse in person! This is Sturgeon Point lighthouse. It’s very beautiful. Mama would have walked up to the top, but the tower was only open on the weekends. And she had me. As you know I don’t do stairs.

What is more beautiful than a lighthouse? Why ME of course!

What is more beautiful than a lighthouse? Why ME of course!

Of course there was a beach there too, with even bigger waves and I didn’t like it. So mama and I walked around the grounds of the lighthouse instead of out by the water like she wanted. She’s good about compromise, my mama.

There is also a one room school, the Old Bailey School, on the site. Mama said that since there weren’t any waves nearby could I please sit and look pretty so she could take a picture with me and the school. But I was more interested in what that thing was over to the right of me. Plus there were two people on the other side of the school and I could hear them talking and I wanted to go see what was over there. So all my mama got was this.

What IS that mama?

What IS that mama?

By the time we got back to camp I was exhausted! I slept all night again, and mama shivered all night. She put on all her clothes and even wore a pair of socks on her hands and she was still cold! I don’t know about you mama! I was wearing all my clothes too and I thought the weather was perfect for sleeping! Anyway, this time my mama set her alarm to wake us up at 5:30 so we could go out and see the sunrise. It was spectacular. I couldn’t stop looking at it.

The sun's got nothing on me!

The sun’s got nothing on me!

Wouldn’t you? Out on the horizon was a fishing boat which made it even more interesting. The sky was just gorgeous. Everything was gorgeous, and this time I didn’t even act scared of the waves! I let mama enjoy everything!

Colors beyond description!

Colors beyond description!

But then the clouds started rolling in….

Uh oh...

Uh oh…

…and it began to rain. And rain….and rain. Mama and I hung out in the car. We drove into town so she could check the radar. We drove back to camp. We hung out in the car again and it continued to rain. And the wind picked up and the waves were getting bigger and noisier.

Getting noisier out here!

Getting noisier out here!

Mama thought about another night of sleeping in the cold. And now we were both wet from me making her take me on walks to do my thing. Even if she wore all her clothes again she’d be cold. And she didn’t think we’d ever be dry again. So she packed up camp. She didn’t even ask me if I wanted to go home! And I did not!

Goodbye lake! We'll be back!

Goodbye lake! We’ll be back!

Sometimes mama uses that old excuse “because I said so” and I have to just go with the flow. But I have to admit I was really happy to see my Dad when I got home. I guess it’s nice to be here too. I slept upside down on my king sized bed that night. But now I want to know….what are you going to do to top this one mama? Huh? Huh?

What's next mama?

What’s next mama?

It better be good, that’s all I have to say. Because a princess has certain expectations you know. And it’s very bad if she’s disappointed. I’m going to go take a nap now, in preparation for the next royal event.

I like the woods best!

I like the woods best!


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WordPress Photo Challenge – Pure

Those of you that live in or around Michigan have surely seen and heard the promotional advertisements aimed at getting tourism. So when I saw that this week’s WordPress Challenge was Pure…and knew I’d be ‘up north’ enjoying some of the best that Michigan has to offer….

Pure Michigan

Pure Michigan

…well, I couldn’t resist tying the two together.