Incredibly Beautiful!
Yesterday was our driving up the coast day - and we picked a good one for it!
No more hailstorms, hardly even a dark cloud (just enough to make the photos look good!) We romped and splashed and climbed on rocks,
Atticus joined us and loved every minute of it (although he was a little worried when his "pups" crossed over a waterfall to a rock and he couldn't follow.)
Gooseberry Falls is as lovely as everyone told us it would be, and it's a very nice adventure for someone in a walker, too (nice, paved paths to the falls.) I'm only sorry that I didn't get a pair of earrings I saw in the gift shop - they were stunning!
How cool that not getting something I don't really need is my only regret!
Best part of the day - when Gerry agreed that next year, when he's feeling better, he'll be able to climb across the falls, too! Actually, that was the best part of the vacation so far - the hopeful feeling that we all seemed to gain just by being in such a beautiful location.
CLEAR AIR = BETTER BREATHING
Our fracas the other night was very necessary, and helped us clear and air and discuss things that needed to be discussed. We felt like our old selves as we drove around yesterday (although at one point, my mind was so crammed with stuff that after paying for my gas I drove off without taking the nozzle out of the tank... oops)
That was my Lucy moment for the day. It didn't seem that a lot of damage was done, but I guess we'll hear from the BP guy if there was...
BEAUTY
We're blown away with this area.
The scenery is absolutely breathtaking - like walking through a post card, and the weather yesterday was perfect! We met very friendly folks along the way and a few nice doggies, too! Then we continued up to Split Rock lighthouse (what a CLEAN little lighthouse!)
I carried the walker up a flight of stairs and Gerry made his own way up so he could see the view (he didn't make it up to the top, of course, but we were so glad he could see the vista from Split Rock!)
The colors of the lichen and the water was amazing - I'd love to find a yarn with those shades - just wonderful!
As a side note, I was very taken with the wonderful Split Rock Lighthouse logo - what a simple and elegant design!
But I'm kind of a nut for signs and logos - I always photograph them when I see them!
Continuing on we had a terrific lunch, chicken for the kids a burger for Gerry and walleye for me - whooppee! I even got my non-fish eating kids to try it and sort of admit they liked it!
Then a drive home - back in time to receive a LOVELY gift from Beth at Lorna's Laces (ice cream!!) and some grilling and walking and splashing in the lake (after a slightly nerve wracking slippery walk down to the shore!)
A great dinner of grilled chicken and corn (we were all SO full from lunch!) The kids slipped upstairs to watch TV, Gerry and I watched the Daily Show, and we just rested from our travels.
BUZZ!
Those who know me know of my fear of flying, stinging insects. I'm finally okay around bees (it's taken me 40-mumble years to get to this point) but wasps and hornets paralyze me with fear.
So imagine my horror when I looked out onto the back porch yesterday and saw not one, but two hornets nests.
"Oh," I thought, "surely they're not active..."
Then a hornet flew out of one and onto the other.
So I contacted the house owner about it, and when we got home from our trek north they had been smashed down from the rafters (using the big stick I'd used as a walking stick the day before) and our friends are now looking for new digs. It's a shame to make them give up their lakeside retreat, but we're paying more rent than they are.
Problem solved.
EMAIL
I'm only able to check email once a day or so, and when I do check I have between 50 - 100 emails to answer (NOT counting the viagra and Nigerian investment opportunities) so if you've written to me and I haven't written back, I may not be able to until we're home on Friday evening. Home. How nice it will be to be there. How we will miss this HUGE house, hornets and all.
Our cat sitter told us that Gigi hasn't been out at all, but she DID kill a bat in the living room. Happy days.
No more hailstorms, hardly even a dark cloud (just enough to make the photos look good!) We romped and splashed and climbed on rocks,Atticus joined us and loved every minute of it (although he was a little worried when his "pups" crossed over a waterfall to a rock and he couldn't follow.)
Gooseberry Falls is as lovely as everyone told us it would be, and it's a very nice adventure for someone in a walker, too (nice, paved paths to the falls.) I'm only sorry that I didn't get a pair of earrings I saw in the gift shop - they were stunning!
How cool that not getting something I don't really need is my only regret!
Best part of the day - when Gerry agreed that next year, when he's feeling better, he'll be able to climb across the falls, too! Actually, that was the best part of the vacation so far - the hopeful feeling that we all seemed to gain just by being in such a beautiful location.
CLEAR AIR = BETTER BREATHING
Our fracas the other night was very necessary, and helped us clear and air and discuss things that needed to be discussed. We felt like our old selves as we drove around yesterday (although at one point, my mind was so crammed with stuff that after paying for my gas I drove off without taking the nozzle out of the tank... oops)
That was my Lucy moment for the day. It didn't seem that a lot of damage was done, but I guess we'll hear from the BP guy if there was...BEAUTY
We're blown away with this area.
The scenery is absolutely breathtaking - like walking through a post card, and the weather yesterday was perfect! We met very friendly folks along the way and a few nice doggies, too! Then we continued up to Split Rock lighthouse (what a CLEAN little lighthouse!)
I carried the walker up a flight of stairs and Gerry made his own way up so he could see the view (he didn't make it up to the top, of course, but we were so glad he could see the vista from Split Rock!)
The colors of the lichen and the water was amazing - I'd love to find a yarn with those shades - just wonderful!
As a side note, I was very taken with the wonderful Split Rock Lighthouse logo - what a simple and elegant design!But I'm kind of a nut for signs and logos - I always photograph them when I see them!
Continuing on we had a terrific lunch, chicken for the kids a burger for Gerry and walleye for me - whooppee! I even got my non-fish eating kids to try it and sort of admit they liked it! Then a drive home - back in time to receive a LOVELY gift from Beth at Lorna's Laces (ice cream!!) and some grilling and walking and splashing in the lake (after a slightly nerve wracking slippery walk down to the shore!)
A great dinner of grilled chicken and corn (we were all SO full from lunch!) The kids slipped upstairs to watch TV, Gerry and I watched the Daily Show, and we just rested from our travels.
BUZZ! Those who know me know of my fear of flying, stinging insects. I'm finally okay around bees (it's taken me 40-mumble years to get to this point) but wasps and hornets paralyze me with fear.
So imagine my horror when I looked out onto the back porch yesterday and saw not one, but two hornets nests.
"Oh," I thought, "surely they're not active..."
Then a hornet flew out of one and onto the other.
So I contacted the house owner about it, and when we got home from our trek north they had been smashed down from the rafters (using the big stick I'd used as a walking stick the day before) and our friends are now looking for new digs. It's a shame to make them give up their lakeside retreat, but we're paying more rent than they are.
Problem solved.
I'm only able to check email once a day or so, and when I do check I have between 50 - 100 emails to answer (NOT counting the viagra and Nigerian investment opportunities) so if you've written to me and I haven't written back, I may not be able to until we're home on Friday evening. Home. How nice it will be to be there. How we will miss this HUGE house, hornets and all.
Our cat sitter told us that Gigi hasn't been out at all, but she DID kill a bat in the living room. Happy days.
Labels: gooseberry falls, hornets, lake superior, split rock lighthouse
17 Comments:
everything sounds wonderful - but I have to say a bat in the living room beats wasps on a porch any day for me :D
I agree that that lichen and water would make a super color way for yarn - imagine a nice shawl to wrap up in or a lapgan for winter nights watching tv or reading or knitting (yikes I got that order wrong didn't I - just reverse it in your mind 'K?)
Ohh, bats. That's not good. Like you need one more thing to think about, but...it's time to call the Critter Control guys and have them make your house safer by sealing it up, bat free. Bats fly around at night in bedrooms and can be dangerous because they carry rabies, etc. We had a house once in Buffalo with bats, wasps, milkweed bugs, mice, and raining inside. Unfortunately, I'm an expert at that one.
Glad you're having a great time on your vacation! It looks beautiful..and you sound relaxed!
I'm so glad you're having a better day. A WAY better day!
Next time you go up stop at Betty's pies for- you guessed it- the best pie around. Lots of people actually call in and pre-order slices ('cause the good stuff like fresh berry pies are gone by noon!), 'work' for their pie by hiking around, then stop in for a slice and coffee/milk in the late afternoon.
OK, I have a suggestion for the yarn to match lichen...Knitgrrl found this link, but I've knit the yarn under a different label, it's fab. Check out the landscape blends! Very textured in color, but smooth and sturdy to knit with. Not soft, but it'll last forever..
http://www.harristweedandknitwear.co.uk/shop_pages/wool.html
Keep an eye out for a package from a company called SimplyOz.com. Some Oz chocolate treats for you.
Your day sounds wonderful!
Just a small caution: check with your vet to make sure the cat's rabies immunization is up to date (can your housesitter do this?). And if the bat body is still around somewhere, is this something your local animal control can test for disease?
I've always said that the color of Lake Michigan on a sunny summer day is my favorite color in the world, and it looks like Lake Superior is the same way - that's the color!!!
Annie, when my Dad was so sick he there were days he just wanted to go to the lake. We are fortunate enough to live within 5 miles of Lake Michigan. It always made ALL of us feel better. I'm glad the Lake is helping all of you. I love bats, but not in my living room!!
I just saw about your family's illness and wanted to send my prayers and best wishes to all of you. I have an 11-year-old who just finished 3 years of chemo and had some suggestions, if you haven't thought of these already:
1) Carry a little notebook and pen because grief distracts us. Write Everything down.
2. Keep a small totebag in the car with water bottles, a trash novel and a change of underwear for unexpected stayovers at the hospital.
3. Pack Soft kleenex.
I only sent a small donation, since I'm an unemployed student, but I'll remember your family in my prayers. All the best. Pat
I'm so glad that our "up north" (yours and mine) could provide you and your family with some well deserved joy and rest. It has done so for me many times in my life. Watch out. The love of it will make you a Minnesotan mighty-quick. :)
Hi Annie,
I'm visiting your blog via Crazy Aunt Purl who inspires me to be a much nicer, more giving person.
I purchased your pattern which I thought originally had to be for a sewn dress because I had never seen such beautifully draping, form-fitting knitting! I'm not sure if I'll ever have the guts to knit it for myself but if I do, in advance I would like to thank-you for catering to us larger than size 0 girls.
Do you have any photos of your friend wearing the dress you made her?
I know you are going through a terrible trying time now with your family but I hope all these small contributions and messages from the knitting community help you, your husband and your children on the way.
All the best from Australia.
Hi Annie, keeping up with your blog on a daily basis now. I am glad to read I am not the only one who photographs signs, I have a great one I will email you I took in Ireland last year, it marked the starting point for the Titanic!
Sounds like this break is doing great things for you all. I hope the bat doesn't have any little friends lurking, give me wasps anyday! LOL
Came here from Sheila Ernst's blog, and offered up a far-too-small amount; three kids in college... You enjoying the time with your children and your husband is the only thanks I want, I don't need my personal piece of your time; there is little enough, and I know that. Our family has been on the slow-motion version of your train ride for years now, so I have some idea. 17 years of major autoimmunity, and I'm still here; my prayers and best wishes in turn for your husband. I owe that.
(Blogger says that didn't go through. If you get it twice, I apologize.)
How wonderful to be in such a very beautiful place! I'm glad you all enjoyed. :)
I've done that "drive off with the nozzle in the tank" thing myself. Embarrassing, not to mention the environmental damage. Plus the look from gas station guy that says "dumb broad!" Oh, well...gas happens!
How wonderful, I'm so glad you all enjoyed your vacation! My husband and I are heading up to that area next week, he grew up there but I've never made it that far north. Your report is making me more and more excited to go!!!
- Kandace
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