Chicago, Part I

-We've been working on Chicago with the Northland Players at the Cheboygan Opera House. It's been a lot of fun and great to be on that stage. I have more pictures coming soon, but here's some...
Sandy's cool do!


-Sandy for "All That Jazz."

-Me for "All That Jazz," with jazz hand.

-Crystal in the best ever headpiece anyone could get to wear. She wears it whenever she can.

-Sandy and I as reporters.

-Sandy and I as dancers in "All I Care About Is Love."

-A fun pictures of Sandy getting ready with hair and makeup.

-And one last dancer costume...more coming soon!

Fall and Halloween

-Fall wasn't spectacular this year, but still nice. I went back to the island for a few last items and took some parting shots.

-The guys working at the fort.

-This is supposedly a picture not to be taken. I thought it was funny - Jennifer as the madhatter playing slots.

-We started out in Petoskey. They also took my "blaster" at the door. But at least I found some presidents!

-BoPeep's sheep lost their cotton balls and couldn't help but put a hat on the face one group made.

-Sandy, Katie, Jennifer, and Krystal.

-We met up with Jodi as Marie Antoinette...I had a blaster, she had cake.

-I found the best costume of the night - Beaker!

Tunnel of Trees and Pond Hill Farm

-As not to miss the fall colors (although not as vibrant as some years) we took a trip through the tunnel of trees.

-As we crawled through we carefully scanned for wildlife.

-And found many a group of deer.

-Then we came upon gourds and pumpkins and couldn't resist.

-Sandy trying to take a pumpkin back home.

-She is stealth.

-Jennifer bonding with the cows.

-Sandy as the happy cowhand.

-Jennifer as the weary cowhand.

-Me as the jazz-hands cowhand.

-Seriously, a lot of gourds. Squash soup and pumpkin seeds a-comin'!

Fall Comes in Like a Lion!

At least October did. The first two weekends were rainy, cold, and windy. The boat rides were rockin'. This is an east wind that brought waves over the breakwall. Boats shut down from time to time.

-Jolene and Jennifer cozying up against the weather.

-Mom and Mary enjoying the Cheboygan sunset over the cattail marsh and Lake Huron.

-The almost full moon and the Cheboygan range light.

-Rehersals for "Chicago" at the Cheboygan Opera House. We had a fan appreciation for one song.

-The last day for everyone to go over to the island office. We rode "up top" on the way back. That and there wasn't a lot of room below. Jolene, Troy, John and I braved the elements.

-The colors, especially the summacs, at the fort.

What a September!

September went by in a flash. Some of the highlights.

-An evening event at the fort created great pictures of downtown!

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-A cloudy evening for the Grand.

-Peggy and I went out with Fr. Rey for desserts at the Jockey Club and drinks at the Gatehouse.

-Fr. Rey and Peggy.

-A WWII plane flew from the Detroit area to the island and gave free tours.

-It was designed for paratroopers.

-September brought me back to the mainland midmonth, which meant more boat rides...but more chances to get closer to freighters!

-I still have over 100 miles to go on my bike by the end of the season. A few trips around the island found rock art.

- This one was brought down by the waves the second time I came around.

-Morning glories finally blooming after a cold summer.

-A blue heron stalks its prey.

-Jennifer and I went to Taquanemon, but found this fox near Trout Lake.

-Us at the upper falls.

-A backward glance.

-Taking the rowboat to the lower falls.

-Me in the falls, complete with jazz hands.

-Jennifer becoming one with nature.

-We sat with our feet in the falls for a long time

-We couldn't figure out what this guy was doing. He was waiting for something.

-Aaron, Sandy and I went our for Jennifer's birthday at Leggs Inn.

-Sandy was very happy.

-The island emptying out for the season.

Pictured Rocks

-A full, rich day at Pictured Rocks...only wanting more! We first went to the Interpretive Center (many buying patches) and then took the short hike to Munising Falls.

-Shannon finding a perch on the trail.

-Craig interpreting what can happen if you do not heed the sign.

-Shannon on the edge of the waterfall...not heeding the sign.

-On our way to the non-national lakeshore part...Craig knew where to go...on to...

-...Memorial Falls.

-And Shannon and LeeAnn playing beneath them.

-Nicely out of the way and not well attended.

-Then back to Miner's Castle. Complete (on uncomplete without) the pedestal that fell off in 2006.

-We took an "old" trail that the NPS probably doesn't want people to take. Someone has a clothesline hooked up for the more vertical parts.

-But this is where we had lunch, which was fantastic!

-Myron checking out the other side of the rocks.

-Trying to bypass the slippery rocks. Shannon wins the prize for slipping and dropping everything.

-A little view...

-Huzzah for beaches and rocks!

-LeeAnn got us on picking wild blueberries.

-Then a hike to Chapel Falls.

-And we stayed awhile to listen to them.

-And then proceeded to walk up the falls in the river. All in all, a wonderful days of tripping through streams, listening to waterfalls, and beautiful vistas. Hopefully, next time, a bit longer time to do more!

Some more tidbits

-A full moon party from Fort Holmes.

-And the great pics of the moon (thanks, Lee!).

-I stopped to see what people were looking at in the tree near Arch Rock.

-This woodchuck was quite brave and moved the whole tree with every movement!

-Jewelweed on the trails.

-Morning Glory at the Post Office.

-The incredible stacking abilities of Amy and Bri.

-View of the bay from the Beanery.

-A sunset from M185.

-Participating in a commercial for May's Fudge!

Family at Mackinac

-Family have come up north, so a few of the highlights! Mom and Dad came north to see Garrison Keillor at the Cheboygan Opera House and we did the Afterglow to see him in person.

-He was talking about interpretation here...kind of.

-The guy in the red sneakers.

-Dean, Michelle, and Derek came up to the island, too. Here we got a wonderful treat of tea at the Grand!

-And we had to pop up to the cupola for a little view.

-Then hit some of the music at the pubs.

-We got Dean in the blacksmith shop where Dave helped him with his first s-hook.

-Derek and Michelle watching a sunset on the boardwalk.

-The Puerto Rico spring break reunites!

-On tiptoes or bending to see if we can all be the same height!

-Some competitive mini golf on Lake Huron.

-A farewell on the ferry.

-The next group, including Sherry, her mom, and the nieces and nephews, came...first going to the Butterfly House (original, please!) where Bradley is fascinated with the butterflies.

-And Alex becomes one!

-The gang's all here.

A nice green one. I don't know the names and kinds, so colors will have to suffice.

-Huh...you know, these kids can't stay away from the water!

-A cute little Mackenzie having fun on the grass.

-And on the chairs, Alex...

-...Justin...

-...and Bradley.

-Bradley, Justin and Alex off of Anne's Tablet Trail overlooking town.

-Jake and the boys at the fort.

-In the Kids' Quarters playing dress up....Justin...

-...Alex...













-...Bradley....

-...and Kenzie (in a dress Grandma made!)!

-But she had to cuddle with mom once it was through.

-Then up to the Grand (they did a lot of walking!) to see the beautiful flowers out front.

-And the great view from the Cupola!

-Then back downtown for food, souvenirs and fudge! Yay May's!

-Then back on the boat after a long day!

-But everyone had a great time!

A Trip Back

-A trip to the St. Joseph's Church festival. I hadn't been there for years...they still do chicken Wright! Everything is run by the parishoners.

-Justin trying his hand at the bean bag toss.

-Alex and her first prize.

-Mackenzie relaxing in the heat of the day!

-The kids, including Jack, with Chris and John on the tractor.

-Bradley showing off his green tongue after a sno-cone.


-Justin and I, with a tamale, to listen for the winners of the day!

-Back at home, and out of the heat, Bradley gets his energy back!

-The best game ever - the marble maze!

-Mackenzie is soooooo big.

-The family...

Inbetween

-A little vintage baseball on the oldest continuously played-on baseball diamond in Michigan - we'll see if that holds up.

-The Never Sweats...they didn't win, but always the team I'll cheer for as a crank!

-In action.

-Playing with my new lens.

-Pete, Liz and Frenchy...it was a wonderful time visiting and eating with them all! I have to visit them in their new locale.

-Port Huron to Mac races come in.

-Crown Vetch...still playing with the new lens.

-Phil and Lee...history and fudge.

-A spider web on the way to work.

-HHIs on a map of Michigan and the Kids' Rendezvous at CM.

-The Linda Lou at dock. I swear you could fit two cats and still have room on this. Based out of the Carribean it caught our attention on the island!