We are back on the island after a wonderful three day trip to the south shore of Lake Superior. We stayed the first two nights at Copper Harbor at the northern tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, an old copper mining area. The dock scene was a block from where we stayed (the red cabin), and the “brown” beach was several miles west of Copper Harbor. We drove the Brockway Mountain Road to the summit where low and behold, in addition to wonderful views, there was a gift shop. Sandra said that she was as surprised as I was, but I doubt that. The road to the top and the summit facilities were built by the WPA in the early 1930’s.

Our second night at Copper Harbor we celebrated our anniversary with dinner at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge that was also built by the WPA in the early 30’s. The WPA and the CCC gave a lot of people work and helped to keep families together during a very tough time.

Our third night out we stayed at the Lighthouse Bed and Breakfast at Big Bay, MI, which is just a few miles north of Marquette, MI. It was an interesting and enjoyable stay, and “yes, boys”, that is your mother at the top of the Lighthouse. That is also your mother having her morning coffee before we left for home.

A good trip. We were ready to be off  the island, but we were also ready to be back. Peace and love to all who check this out, and hope that life is good to you.

We had a good rain about a week ago, then several warm days and the wildflowers have exploded. Some are quite exciting such as the Wild Iris, the Showy Lady’s Slipper, and the Prairie Smoke.

Yesterday, Sandra and I drove to Maxton Plains on the north side of the island about 15-20 miles from our place. Maxton Plains is an alvar region, maybe one of the world’s largest, and is protected by The Nature Conversancy. FYI: an alvar is created when an advancing glacier scrapes away overburden and exposes limestone bedrock, leaving an area covered with little or no soil and with its own unique plant habitat. The glacier left the Maxton Plains area about 10,000 years ago and left behind this wonderful place for Sandra and I and others to enjoy. That’s the end of the lecture but for more, you can Google Maxton Plains. I think you’ll find it interesting.

Our main purpose for going to Maxton Plains was to see if the Prarie Smoke had come out – it had, and was well worth the drive. I understand that the Prarie Smoke is an endangered species, but it certainly doesn’t seem to be endangered on Maxton Plains.

Peace to all.

We have settled into life on the island. The weather has been good -- some rain -- flowers on the deck and in Sandra's garden are beginning to show their "stuff", but so far, not enough rain and burn restrictions are still in force. Except for some aches and pains we are not only holding our own, but enjoying friends and Sunday church, and trying to stay aware of all the wonderful things there are to see on our beach and along our road, as well as other places on the island.

At this point I don't plan on doing a Flower of the Day, but I do have three pictures of the Common Dandelion that I think you will find interesting. The digital camera is wonderful and has opened up a whole new world in picture taking for novices like me -- the dandelion pictures are a result.

I do have what may turn out to be a new blog feature for this summer. At present it is being called, for lack of imagination, A Snapshot from the Past. In today's offering I'm not sure who is the most nervous -- the curious visitor or me.

We're in the cabin and are still in the process of settling in, but feel so good about being here. The drive was easy. We stayed in New Buffalo, MI, Thursday night and visited Barb Miner in Holland, MI on Saturday before driving to Gaylord for Saturday night. We crossed over to the Upper Peninsula on the Mackinaw Bridge Saturday morning, caught the 11:40 ferry at Detour, watched as the lake boat, American Century, came by, and were at the cabin by noon. The cabin survived the winter, but we are replacing the water heater which has finally decided to quit after some 25 years of service. Our friends (from left to right) Pete, Sandy, Jurgen and Candice very graciously unloaded the car for us, and Saturday evening Jurgen and Candice had us for chili and wine and several welcoming scotches. We went to church Sunday and reunited with friends and now feel even more that we are where we belong -- at least this time of the year. For those winter months we have not only our Warrensburg group of longtime and loving friends, but also the wonderful friends and fellow worshipers at Christ Church in Lexington. And, of course, along with all this we have our five boys and their wives and families. So, we are much blessed.

After church Sunday we drove north bout 15 miles and saw the Trillium. Along the way we experienced a new clear cut timber area. The Trillium are a beautiful example of what nature can do when left alone. The clear cut is the work of man and the picture pretty much says it all.

This week we will continue to move in and buy flowers for the deck and hanging baskets. Greg and Lori will be with us Memorial Day Weekend to help with the flowers, clean gutters, and I'm sure find other things to do for us.

We miss all of you and love you.

Today’s Blog is all about our Sunday at Lexington and was special for us for three reasons – it was our first full Sunday back, it was an opportunity to celebrate the Cardinals as the new World Champions

(no. 11), and Scott and Mickey Simnett provided a wonderful post-worship fish fry.

Christ Church, Lexington is an antebellum church that is beautiful on both the outside and inside. The stain glass window pictured is one of nine side windows. There are also large windows in both front and back.

Your mother and I celebrated the Cardinal victory by wearing our Cardinal caps to church and, although this is Royal’s country, the congregation was very enthusiastic in their clapping to the opening song: “Take Me Out To The Ball Game.”

The fish fry was wonderful and those of you who do not attend Christ Church can get acquainted with our Church friends through the pictures included. Scott is pictured frying the fish – Mickey is wearing a red shirt and a big smile.

It was a fun day and only wish all of you could have been with us to enjoy the day.

This is the final blog before we leave the island for home and will mostly be a final catch-up. The leaves are pretty much at their fall peak, the sun is rapidly moving south and bringing magnificent sunsets our way. Greg and Lori have been with us helping us clean up and close up and enjoying a fishwich sandwich at Chuck's Place -- the Easternmost Bar in the U.P. The bare deck waiting for the winter snow is one of the results of their work. Last night we had a full moon and we were recently visited by two female Hairy Woodpeckers who tested our trees and also the cabin for goodies before they were chased off.

Two other things of interest: a German cruise chip the C. Columbus -- we usually see two or three a year, and the newly painted doors on St. Stephen's Church.

It has been a good summer but it is time to go and we are ready, but first we leave tomorrow for our Church Convention in Escanaba, then back to the island on Sunday before leaving for Warrensburg around October 20. It will be good to again be with friends and family and our Lexington Church family.

Leave a light on for us. Until then. Peace.

Fall is not as yet here, but there are signs -- frost warnings, Cedars forming their seed pods, Hummingbirds leaving, wildflowers not nearly as abundant, and thoughts about morning fires in the stove -- so, Fall is not far off.

The past several weeks have been family time at the cabin -- first Kevin and Pat and then Chris, Terri, Kaz, Max, Zach and Nini. Kevin brought a very lovely table that he made for the cabin and he also brought his chainsaw. The table is now at the end of our kitchen island and the chainsaw made small pieces of a couple trees that fell during the winter and several more that were dead. We played cards, watched a movie (Mrs. Henderson Presents with Judy Dench -- recommended, ate well, and had lunch at our newest island eating establishment -- Esther's Mobile Authentic Mexican Cuisine -- also recommended.

Things picked up a bit when Chris and Terri, etal. arrived. The kids enjoyed the water -- an afternoon at Big Shoal Beach and much rock throwing on our beach. They went to the Soo, bowling, to the Teepee for ice cream, and watched the lake ships go by.

Things are quiet now, but we are thinking about next August when, hopefully, the family will all be together on the island -- August 4 to 11.

When the signs of Fall begin to appear, we begin to think about our trip South and again seeing and being with family and friends whom we very much missed this summer. Greg and Lori will be back in early October to help us with some of the heavier closing chores (also cards and good food). We plan to attend the Northern Michigan Diocesan convention as delegates, October 14-15, and should be back in Warrensburg by either October 21 or 22. If we make it by the 21st, we will look forward to being in Lexington for church on the 23rd.

Until then, much love to all!