31 July 2009

Si quaeris peninsulam amoenam, circumspice.

We drove all of the way out to the tip of the peninsula to see the old lighthouse. I walked barefoot in the warm sand that was just a tad sharp from broken seashells. Plenty of kids were wading in the water, including this one wearing a sweatshirt. I'm sure I did that at least once when I was a kid. I didn't stick a toe in, but I bet that water was cold!

Michigan Moment

The temperature was perfect for being outside! I have had to adjust somewhat to the heat in Virginia in order to be able to do things outdoors, but I can't say that I like it. This is the kind of weather that I like! It was about 70 degrees and I was confortable in a t-shirt in jeans.

A Pleasant Day

Michigan Wine Country

After my sister Susan and I had lunch, we headed to the Old Mission Peninsula. It separates the two halves of Grand Traverse Bay. Our first stop was at Black Star Farms for wine tasting, then we went to Chateau Grand Traverse. CGT makes a yummy Late Harvest Riesling which is my favorite wine. We had a tour there so we saw where all of the magic happens.

There are rose bushes planted at the end of every row of grapes and we couldn't figure out why. On the tour we found out -- and it makes perfect sense. Rose bushes are slightly more delicate than the grapevines, so if the rose bush at the end of a row is not very healthy, they still have a chance to save the grapevines.

Black Star Farms

After that, we went to Chateau Chantal. It is the highest point on the peninsula so the view was amazing.

You Are Here
You are not any of these places.

Saginaw Bay from the air

This was the view on my flight from Detroit to Traverse City. It took a few seconds, but I finally convinced myself that it was indeed Saginaw Bay! It's easy for me to forget how high up I really am.

Saginaw Bay Map
Saginaw Bay from the air

Cherry Capital Airport

I've been standing outside the airport for a few minutes, waiting for my sister to come and get me. I've already seen more Hummers and assorted diesels than I see in a week back in Virginia.

If by chance she doesn't make it, I'll just see if I can go canoeing with the folks in the picture.

Cherry Capital Airport is like something out of the TV show Twin Peaks. It's heavy on the Prairie influences with a good dose of Lodge. The air smells fantastic here and it's great to be home!

More pictures later.

13 July 2009

Off to Connecticut for the weekend.

Last weekend I took the train to Connecticut to visit my youngest sister, Kim (a.k.a. Number 5). She's studying at Yale Divinity School right now.

Kim and me, in front of library

We took a train to Hartford on Saturday with no particular plans other than to see the fireworks that night. We ended up spending a few hours at the Connecticut Science Center. Other than that, there was the Connecticut State Capitol (isn't it grand?), a hungry squirrel, and a library named for Noah Webster.

Connecticut State Capital
Hungry Connecticut Squirrel
Noah Webster Library

We did see the fireworks, too. We sat in front of the capitol building and watched them, even though they were shooting off from the river. This isn't a very good picture, but you can see how lovely the capitol looked at night.

Connecticut State Capital

The next day we walked around Yale for a bit on our way to the train station. There were gorgeous old buildings everywhere!

Detail on the front of the library Fountain with number of women enrolled at Yale, by year
Kim and me, in front of library Mory's -- One of the secret society buildings
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