As promised

As I mentioned in the feats of strength post I swam across a lake. It was not a huge lake, but it was a good time. What a great way to bond with family over the 4th of July celebration. While I do not have a pic of me swimming, I did get some shots of the lake from the deck in from of our cottage.

We swam from this beach to the other side, just left of the white beach-looking area. The total swim, there and back ended up being about one half mile. Not too shabby.

-J

So much inspiration!

The day after our stay at the Hart Motel we had to trek further North to Traverse City, easily my favorite town in Michigan, for an orthopedic appointment. The good news is that I can stave off future back problems with a nightly routine of yoga, hurray!

After finding out that the National Cherry Festival did not start until the following day we decided to check out some of the local shops.

We hit up the Cherry Republic, where we bought some Boom Chugga Lug Cherry Soda for a buck a bottle! What a great local shop.

After a little more walking we popped into Running Fit of Traverse City. I was very tempted to purchase a new pair of Asics, but did not have the funding at the time. I will most definitely be buying the Nimbus 12s this week though! It was like walking on a cloud. (once I buy them a review will be in order.)

We perused numerous other downtown shops and decided, yet again, that we love Travers City! Gonna hit up a Beach Bums game later this summer.

On the way home we traipsed the elegant M-22 South to a tower that overlooks the land just north of Arcadia. It is known as Inspiration Point, and the name is surely an accurate description of the spot.

The trip to the top is not quick, but it is worth every step.

So worth it.

We even caught a glimpse of a few deer taking a break from the heat on the beach.

And a real life Lower Laker!

A great way to cap off any trip, sitting way up high, looking down at what we have been given.

If you are ever on M-22 check out Inspiration Point, and if you have the time shoot on over to gravity hill on Putney road.

-J

Picnic at the Hart Motel

What a week off we had!

It started off with a picnic at the quaint and accommodative Hart Motel. We had a feast of sorts with the owner. He is a great guy who loves to party and have fun. If you are ever in the area, or at the near by Silver Lake Sand Dunes, you should check them out. Tell them Hobbit sent you, he will know what you mean!

Check this spread out!

We ate well and enjoyed good company.

Would you believe that the owner has multiple fires every night!

I will definitely stay at the Hart Motel again. Very friendly folks. Check out his Tumblr: http://hartmotel.tumblr.com/

Like I said, that was the first part of our mini adventure. What a great way to start out!

-J

Feats of Strength

Yesterday, I swam across a lake, and back. It was not even really that much of a challenge. Tomorrow I will post exact measurements and a few photos of it.

Hope you are enjoying the 4th.

-J

Have you ever seen...

The sunset on any of Lake Michigan's beaches? Well if you have not you need to get to the west side of the state. It is worth any length of drive. Last night I chronicled one. All that I can say is that it is good to be home. Let me know what you think.

Everything is beautiful, and the clouds could not have cooperated more.

This is my personal favorite from the night, love the light waves coming in.

You should see the shots she took! They will be accessible from: http://cinemarie.tumblr.com/ any day! Check it out!

A great way to end a great day in Northern Michigan.

Having a blast, hope you are too.

-J

What I am feelin' right now

I am on vacation and thinking about things that are perfect.

1. Things that are frozen.

2. Snowshoeing

3. Deer Hunting.

4. Travel Battlewagons. (If you have one for sale please let me know)

5. Cat superheroes

6. Walking on the beach with my beautiful companion.

7. Oberon, 'nuff said.

8. Lake Michigan... all of the time.

To round out the list I will say that I am also thinking about bonfires, hiking, fly-fishing, playing with the giant Frisbee, golf, naps, biking and techy-gadgets.

And as always: http://www.michigan.org/ . Gosh I love those ads, and Tim Allen's voice in them, the lifestyle they portray (minus the Detroit parts) and everything that they stand for. Good job Michigan.

Also I have now reached my decision. I am going to be buying the Ipad, my reasoning is that I am getting rid of the smartphone and I would still like to be able to connect at times. I did the calculations and it will be cheaper on the whole to just get the Ipad and drop the smartphone! So, time to save my nickels!

On other good news, E-Force is letting me re-up my sponsorship, that means new racquets! hoot!

Time to get out of the house and explore, be back in a while, days, maybe a week, maybe only a few hours, you will hear from me though...

Enjoy the weather.

-J

Oh right, forgot, be prepared for the Go to Series reviews coming soon! 

Follow me on twitter: randomstreamoc , look at me getting all hip!

Fun, it is out there and you should be too

Whenever people talk about adventuring and getting outside they make a big deal out of it, they plan, and pack and book rooms, which is all fine and dandy a few times a year, but, what needs to be realized is that you can get outside, get some exercise, have a great time and do it more often by only driving a few miles, or even walking just a bit.

Today we decided to get out of the house despite the intermittent showers. While we would have rather hopped in the car and high-tailed it out of here, we have to work tomorrow, so our trip was short. However short, it was a great time.

We started by walking to Nichol's Arboretum, a large park owned by the University. The "Arb" as it is known around here is like a mini forest amidst the hustle and bustle of the busy city. It makes me forget where I am.

Due to the near constant rain that we have been receiving lately there is an excess of fungi everywhere. I am still working on identifying them, but here they are:
 
 

I find fungus to be extremely interesting, strange and mesmerizing.

Though it was drizzling we still managed to see a few critters including this groundhog!

There were also large visible areas of flattened grass where deer bed down for the night. It is amazing and refreshing to see wildlife still around when most of their habitat has been squashed.

You would never know that she is just 50 steps from the street!

Every once in a while everyone needs to get out, even if it is just around the corner...

To hell with roads, I will take a trail any day!

Wide open spaces within the confines of a tall city.

Chelsea in pursuit of a pic of that groundhog.

Look at that great bag! It survived the rain of the day and no camera equip ruined!

This poor little guy was dodging rain drops to grab a quick snap.

What a great way to get away for a few hours, no noise, no sirens, nowhere to go and no time to get there by. It is very grounding. I cannot wait for our next trip out.

As for now, there appears to be a small rain storm on its way, nothing severe, and we are watching Spies Like Us.

Enjoy your evening,


-J