states

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July 29, 2009

There’s a blue bear in the yard.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under Animals, states, travel
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I’m serious. My aunt Sandy has a whole lot of little cute things adorning the grounds and cottage of Willow Loon on the shores of Walloon Lake, including a blue bear. It’s actually a “Shakesbear.” (See photos below for said objects. One favorite pastime here is to see what items will be taken away by the squirrels, what will scare Grendel, and what will be the depository for the decapitated birds that Gus the cat brings home.)

I spent most of today in the float boat with my mom and two aunts touring the lake and visiting “the foot.” Generations of families have lived on this lake—including the famous Ernest Hemingway’s family—and the not so famous but lovable Andrews clan.

I’ve done a decent amount of traveling in my life and have seen some breathtaking sites. I’ve experienced different cultures, eaten great food, been pampered in luxurious resorts, sat on beautiful beaches, hiked magnificent canyons and mountains (in a single bound)—basically have been blessed. But I have to say, as much as I love the beach, if I could hang out here in this cottage on this cobalt colored lake and make a living right here at my computer, I’d be in heaven. The air is so clean here it’s like a sleeping pill.

But since I can’t, I’ll have to enjoy the next week roaming in the garden, falling asleep on the screened-in porch while listening to the lapping waves, and taking some boat rides. And if my cousins show up we can have some of our famous philosophical sessions on the wicker chairs in the corner of the porch. Some of the world’s greatest problems have been debated (heatedly) in those chairs. My cousin fancies himself a great debater because he’s a litigator. In reality, he’s just louder. But he is a good attorney (so he says).

I guess my point to all this is that we must take time in our life to be with family and to enjoy the beauty that God has created for us. Find some joy and rest and beauty in your life. There are many who are suffering and I will say this—beauty and peace can be found anywhere. Even though I find it especially evident in northern Michigan, we should preserve and protect all the special places we love. Let’s be good stewards of our beautiful earth.

If you’re wondering what to do for your next vacation, consider the lakes of northern Michigan. Come up for skiing in the winter or sailing in the summer. The people are nice, the sunsets are gorgeous, and you may get inspired like I’ve been these last few days.

I took these photos around the cottage today, so enjoy.

: Garden object 3

: Garden object 2

: Garden fountain

: Tree face

: Garden object 1

: Grendel watches the boat at the foot

: Grendel shaking after retrieving a ball

: Grendel spies a duck

: Hemmingway’s house

: Cabin porch chairs

: Shakesbear

: Sleeping on the porch of the cabin

: View of Wallon Lake from the house

July 27, 2009

Five states, 12 cops, and two tanks of gas.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under states, travel
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It takes 11 hours (driving time) to get to Walloon Lake, Michigan from my house but it sure is worth it. When you’re in the car for that length of time you get to see a lot of strange and beautiful things. Starting out in Virginia is easy—just a quick trip around the beltway and then into Maryland. While in Maryland I saw an unusual site—a military convoy. It made me think of CBs and that convoy song that was popular when I was a kid. VA and Maryland cop count: 2

Convoy

At the two-hour mark just over the Mason-Dixon line, I reached what I like to call the Las Vegas of Pennsylvania. It’s a town called Breezewood where you catch the PA turnpike. Its two hundred restaurants and gas stations compete for your attention with signs that are about fifty feet tall. And by the way, I saw the welcome sign for PA and it said it’s the “state of independence.” Not sure what that means. It used to be “the keystone state.”

So on to the PA turnpike. This gem of a highway will test your driving skills, nerves, patience, and tires. It winds around and up and down the mountains. Trucks and other cars going both too fast and too slow plus the construction barriers made me feel like I was playing that Mario Wii game with my nephew. I wouldn’t have been surprised if a giant mushroom showed up in place of a bridge. The only fun part (except the end of it) is the Allegheny Tunnel and only because it’s relatively straight and flat. Pennsylvania cop count: 4

Speaking of straight and flat, let me now introduce you to the Ohio turnpike. At first it’s a nice change of pace from PA but 2 ½ hours of it is mind-numbing. There are some really nice things about Ohio (like Put-in-Bay and Cedar Point) but you’d never know that by just driving the turnpike. And seriously Ohio, you need to get on board with EZ Pass. Ohio cop count: 5. (Unusually low for OH.)

Ohio turnpike

At hour seven my windshield was plastered with bugs and I finally reached the border of Michigan. Ahhhhh, I love driving through MI. There’s just enough to make it interesting while allowing for fast, easy driving. The one big giveaway that you’ve crossed the border is the sudden appearance of FIREWORKS signs. About two hours later I reached a town called Frankenmuth. It’s Michigan’s little Bavaria. Just the name made me want to stop. There’s also a massively huge Christmas store there called Bronner’s.

Bronner's Christmas Wonderland

As I continue on I-75 past Flint and Saginaw, the birch trees start appearing and the air gets cleaner. I pass the 49^th parallel and I’m almost there. I wanted to stop at the Grayling canoe festival but I was getting anxious to get to the cabin. Michigan cop count: 1

49th parallel

I finally reached Willow Loon—the place my Grandfather bought back in the 30s and my aunt owns today. It’s surrounded by woods and the water is clear and as blue as the sky. Can’t ask for too much else. Grendel is in heaven and now that the sun is up, I’m going to relax on the dock and read a good book—maybe the one titled “Sparkle Island.”

July 24, 2009

Hangin in the OBX with my new little peeps.

Posted by Grendel's Mother under marketing, states, travel, unemployment
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Rather than think of myself as an unemployed bum who’s sponging off the good graces of friends, I’d like to think I’m a writer who is experiencing life and telling stories that will make people smile, think, or be entertained for years to come. Unfortunately that job doesn’t pay well. But until a paycheck does come along, I’ll be bringing you the continuing adventures of a girl on the road.

Next stop, North Carolina. In particular, the Outer Banks. I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful friend, Wendy, who invited me to spend the week with her awesome family in a big nice house in Corolla. It was tough, believe me, to decide whether or not to go to the beach that had soft sand, cool breezes, and a warm ocean, or to hang out by the pool next to the house then later soak in the hot tub while Wendy makes us pina coladas. Seriously, I hate having to make decisions when I’m on vacation.

The trip down was fun and once I crossed into Carolina was peppered with some in-your-face marketing by the local farmer’s markets who were trying to outdo each other. First was the Powell market with their farmer guy signs. Then came the Morris market with their tractors lining the road. Finally there was the Grandy market. Grandy’s had the most juicy, wonderful peaches I’ve ever tasted.

Along the way, I kept seeing signs that said NO OLF. I was intrigued until I looked it up and found out it meant North Carolinians Opposing the Outlying Landing Field. I’m sure it’s an important issue but let’s be honest, I know you would much rather read the interviews I conducted with the new little friends I made in the OBX than read about NO OLF. These kids are all part of Wendy’s family and each one was really cute and lots of fun. Someday I’m sure they’ll turn out to be superstars, lawyers, card sharks, or engineers. So here they are.

Dawn: What’s your favorite thing about the Outer Banks?

Natalie, age 10: I like going to the beach and going into the ocean and boogie boarding.

Kirsten, age 10: I like going on walks and looking at sea shells. I collect smooth ones and clearish rocks and store them in a baggy that used to be my hair stuff bag.

Katie, age 6: (After her father told her not to say “watch TV”, she responded), I like jumping waves and going out really far. According to Kirsten, she likes to sing on the toilet (but I guess I wasn’t supposed to share that).

Logan, age 9: I like to go out far where the sharks are. I also like digging in the sand and going to the pool.

Kyle, age 8: I like to make domino trails. I made one with 136 dominoes and Logan and I made one with 227—on two stories.

Dawn: What’s been your all-time favorite thing you’ve ever done in the Outer Banks?

Natalie: We made t-shirts with carrots. (Clarification for those who are in the state of saying, huh? The t-shirts were painted using carrots as paint brushes.)

Kirsten: Going to the lighthouse was the funnest thing I’ve ever done.

Katie: Playing in the Newcomb tournament.

Logan: We went crabbing and I caught a six inch crab and gave it to someone who had a bucket.

Kyle: I liked swimming in the pool when it was raining because you can get wet when you’re out of the pool, and I love to swim.

Dawn: Tell me something interesting about yourself. What makes you special?

Natalie: I can fake burps by swallowing air and letting it out.

Kirsten: I’m a ballet dancer and was in four shows in dance theatre PA. (Detop.)

Katie: I’m a really good softball player. I play random positions but like second.

Logan: I can do ear farts.

Kyle: I’m a baseball pitcher. Our team won the championships the last two years. I’m also really good at swimming and video games.

Natalie and Katie are from a town called Perkasie, which according to the Web site is Bucks County’s hidden gem. Natalie tells me it has an airport and while on recess she watches people skydiving. Kirsten and Kyle are from a town called Plumsteadville. I’m not making this up people. I used to hang out at a place called the Plumstead Inn in Media, PA, with my friend Andy Bumstead, but I digress. I looked it up and there’s a Web site that has the Plumsteadville news. The topic of one of the discussion threads was “Purse found at Doylestown shopping centre.” Logan is from Newark, DE, home of the fighting Blue Hens.

But back to North Carolina. I love the OBX. Among other things, it’s home to where the Wright brothers took their first flight and also to a great little eatery called the Tortugas’ Lie. Wendy and I had a yummy lunch there. She got a beer called “Skinny Dip” and I got a drink that came with a plastic shark. Thanks for the fun folks—now it’s on to Michigan!