Blog 231: Midwest Moments
07, 06 15, 12:11
Here are a few pics from our stays with friends in Indiana and Michigan.
Pups
Here is a shot of Mitzy checking out a chipmunk, Guido and Polly on the run, a pup at a car show, a camping pup, and Jack the farm dog.
Critters
Here is a displaying Tom trying to attract hens, frolicking horses and a couple of farm cats.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are a couple of old signs from Michigan.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks all taken in Michigan.
See you next time.
Pups
Here is a shot of Mitzy checking out a chipmunk, Guido and Polly on the run, a pup at a car show, a camping pup, and Jack the farm dog.
Critters
Here is a displaying Tom trying to attract hens, frolicking horses and a couple of farm cats.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are a couple of old signs from Michigan.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks all taken in Michigan.
See you next time.
Blog 181: Really White Christmas
29, 12 13, 15:46
Be careful what you wish for…Janny said she wanted a white Christmas--and boy she got it! We spent a solid week with family and friends feasting like Viking warriors on holiday in this postcard-perfect winter scene. Here are a hodgepodge of pics from this action-packed week.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks from Michigan.
Thanks for following the blog! See you next year.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks from Michigan.
Thanks for following the blog! See you next year.
Blog 166: Fancy Fungi and a Marvelous Moth
15, 09 13, 11:23
Morning After the Storm
Tuesday night we had one “wail” of a storm--buckets of rain, bolts of lightning, and blasts of thunder that would make the hell hounds howl. Here is a pre-drawn beach shot the morning after the storm.
CC the Cecropi Moth Larva
A fellow camp host brought CC the Cecropi moth larva over to show off his good looks. This bad boy styles with a flair for color. He is fancier than a college coed on break at South Beach! After taking a few pics we returned him to nature, eating his way north (by now he is probably crossing the Mackinaw Bridge to the U.P.).
Want to see what this handsome fellow will look like as he passes through more larvae stages to become a moth? Check out this link and scroll toward the end: http://www.wormspit.com/cecropia.htm
Fancy Fungi
The moisture-temperature equation reached the optimum balance this week for sprouting mushrooms and their fungi family. Here are several specimens captured during a walk in the woods.
This and That
Here is a pic of the Empire donkey and a shot of Jerry and Mitzy in a grove of pine trees.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found and I shot.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Tuesday night we had one “wail” of a storm--buckets of rain, bolts of lightning, and blasts of thunder that would make the hell hounds howl. Here is a pre-drawn beach shot the morning after the storm.
CC the Cecropi Moth Larva
A fellow camp host brought CC the Cecropi moth larva over to show off his good looks. This bad boy styles with a flair for color. He is fancier than a college coed on break at South Beach! After taking a few pics we returned him to nature, eating his way north (by now he is probably crossing the Mackinaw Bridge to the U.P.).
Want to see what this handsome fellow will look like as he passes through more larvae stages to become a moth? Check out this link and scroll toward the end: http://www.wormspit.com/cecropia.htm
Fancy Fungi
The moisture-temperature equation reached the optimum balance this week for sprouting mushrooms and their fungi family. Here are several specimens captured during a walk in the woods.
This and That
Here is a pic of the Empire donkey and a shot of Jerry and Mitzy in a grove of pine trees.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found and I shot.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 165: Yakety Yak
08, 09 13, 13:14
A quiet week up in the north country as the season has ended and the pace has slowed.
This and That
Here are some shots from the park along with a bull yak and cow.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found and I shot.
Old Trucks
We had this neat old pickup with camper in the campground this week. Also, Jan and I went to an old car and truck show in Traverse City and shot eight old trucks. Two are here and the other six went into our reserve for sparse future weeks.
See you next week.
This and That
Here are some shots from the park along with a bull yak and cow.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found and I shot.
Old Trucks
We had this neat old pickup with camper in the campground this week. Also, Jan and I went to an old car and truck show in Traverse City and shot eight old trucks. Two are here and the other six went into our reserve for sparse future weeks.
See you next week.
Blog 164: Jerry Gets Promoted
02, 09 13, 13:43
Jerry Gets Promoted
For those of you who don’t know him, our rat terrier, Jerry, is one special guy. Strong as a Russian weightlifter, fast as an Olympic sprinter, and handsome enough to be on the cover of GQ--he’s a natural leader, you might say. Well, not really. Jerry has never had the desire to be an alpha dog, preferring to be the background vocals to lead-singer pups like his sister, Mitzy.
However, all his fine attributes and outstanding work at the campground have finally been recognized. Here is a picture of Jerry accepting the Smoky Bear Achievement Award--the first time it has ever been given to a dog!
Overwhelmed by emotion, Jerry plants a big one on his hero (and supplier of homemade beef jerky), Aunt Deb.
Lake Michigan Blues
For those of you interested in seeing Jan’s latest painting, “Lake Michigan Blues,” click here.
Kalamazoo Visit
We drove the 200 miles-plus south to visit good friends in Kalamazoo. Naturally, we had a feast. Notice the individual “seated” at the far left.
Of course there was a lot of chitchat, banter, and mutual admiration.
This and That
Here are a couple pics of a good-looking praying mantis and a very proud, new Junior Ranger.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found.
Old Trucks
Here are three beauties.
See you next week.
For those of you who don’t know him, our rat terrier, Jerry, is one special guy. Strong as a Russian weightlifter, fast as an Olympic sprinter, and handsome enough to be on the cover of GQ--he’s a natural leader, you might say. Well, not really. Jerry has never had the desire to be an alpha dog, preferring to be the background vocals to lead-singer pups like his sister, Mitzy.
However, all his fine attributes and outstanding work at the campground have finally been recognized. Here is a picture of Jerry accepting the Smoky Bear Achievement Award--the first time it has ever been given to a dog!
Overwhelmed by emotion, Jerry plants a big one on his hero (and supplier of homemade beef jerky), Aunt Deb.
Lake Michigan Blues
For those of you interested in seeing Jan’s latest painting, “Lake Michigan Blues,” click here.
Kalamazoo Visit
We drove the 200 miles-plus south to visit good friends in Kalamazoo. Naturally, we had a feast. Notice the individual “seated” at the far left.
Of course there was a lot of chitchat, banter, and mutual admiration.
This and That
Here are a couple pics of a good-looking praying mantis and a very proud, new Junior Ranger.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found.
Old Trucks
Here are three beauties.
See you next week.
Blog 163: Indian Pipes and Black-Eyed Susans
25, 08 13, 14:56
Quick Trip to Dallas
I started off the week with a quick trip to Dallas to work with a new client. Excellent session.
Forest Flora
Here is a shot of lichen and moss, plus the very elusive Indian pipe.
This and That
Here are black-eyed Susans, hydrangea, and the Forest Pups on the go.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
I started off the week with a quick trip to Dallas to work with a new client. Excellent session.
Forest Flora
Here is a shot of lichen and moss, plus the very elusive Indian pipe.
This and That
Here are black-eyed Susans, hydrangea, and the Forest Pups on the go.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 162: Alex the Slacker
18, 08 13, 12:31
Yes, I admit it…my photographic efforts this week were less than stellar. Therefore, those of you who value brevity will enjoy this week’s work!
Quick Trip to Chicago
I started off the week with a quick trip to Chicago to work with a longtime client. Excellent session.
This and That
Here are a couple of pics taken down on the Lake Michigan beach.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Quick Trip to Chicago
I started off the week with a quick trip to Chicago to work with a longtime client. Excellent session.
This and That
Here are a couple of pics taken down on the Lake Michigan beach.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 161: Salty Lakes and Hairy Woodpeckers
11, 08 13, 14:09
Quick Trip to Salt Lake City
I started off the week with a quick trip to Salt Lake City to facilitate a client session of smart professionals. The only bad part about the trip was that I had no chance to admire the beautiful scenery that connects and surrounds this majestic area. Here is one photo from my plane seat flying west on my return just after sunrise.
Oneida Fair
Just a few miles from our campground is an area of several hundred acres called Port Oneida. The port is long gone but about a dozen farms still exist with the national park service owning/managing over half of them. For two days each year the Friends of Sleeping Bear put on an old-fashioned country fair at five different farms with food, games, crafts, music, vaudeville acts tailored to the area, demonstrations on mowing hay with oxen, blacksmithing, corn shelling, and so on. It was a lot of fun. Here are four pics from the fair.
This and That
One afternoon we heard a constant tapping and saw the continuous pendulum motion of a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers busy at our campsite.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
I started off the week with a quick trip to Salt Lake City to facilitate a client session of smart professionals. The only bad part about the trip was that I had no chance to admire the beautiful scenery that connects and surrounds this majestic area. Here is one photo from my plane seat flying west on my return just after sunrise.
Oneida Fair
Just a few miles from our campground is an area of several hundred acres called Port Oneida. The port is long gone but about a dozen farms still exist with the national park service owning/managing over half of them. For two days each year the Friends of Sleeping Bear put on an old-fashioned country fair at five different farms with food, games, crafts, music, vaudeville acts tailored to the area, demonstrations on mowing hay with oxen, blacksmithing, corn shelling, and so on. It was a lot of fun. Here are four pics from the fair.
This and That
One afternoon we heard a constant tapping and saw the continuous pendulum motion of a pair of Hairy Woodpeckers busy at our campsite.
Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan found.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 160: Return of the Prima Ballerina
04, 08 13, 09:52
Donna Marie Pieraciniovich, Prima Ballerina
One of our friends was for several years the prima ballerina at the Galesburg Bar & Opera House. Every Saturday night she would shimmy and glide with pointed toes and arched back to her admiring audience as the house reverberated to the classical tunes played by the Hokey Symphony. Oh, those were the days my friends! Here she is showing that she still has the moves that made her a local legend (notice the classic arch).
Beach Sunrise
Here are three shots I took during sunrise on the beach one cloudy morning.
Beach Sunset
Here is a pic of a couple enjoying a Lake Michigan sunset.
Postcard
This is Jan’s latest painting, a postcard called “The Big Lake Blues.” It is being mailed as a “get well” message to a friend.
Bouquet
This is a floral arrangement Jan put together. The red background was my idea--really makes the flowers pop, don’t you think?
This and That
Old Signs
Here are two old signs for the week.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks for your review.
See you next week.
One of our friends was for several years the prima ballerina at the Galesburg Bar & Opera House. Every Saturday night she would shimmy and glide with pointed toes and arched back to her admiring audience as the house reverberated to the classical tunes played by the Hokey Symphony. Oh, those were the days my friends! Here she is showing that she still has the moves that made her a local legend (notice the classic arch).
Beach Sunrise
Here are three shots I took during sunrise on the beach one cloudy morning.
Beach Sunset
Here is a pic of a couple enjoying a Lake Michigan sunset.
Postcard
This is Jan’s latest painting, a postcard called “The Big Lake Blues.” It is being mailed as a “get well” message to a friend.
Bouquet
This is a floral arrangement Jan put together. The red background was my idea--really makes the flowers pop, don’t you think?
This and That
Old Signs
Here are two old signs for the week.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks for your review.
See you next week.
Blog 156: Park Art and Parade Pups
07, 07 13, 07:39
A few showers during the week, but warm weather, light breezes, and happy campers.
Greystone Gardens
We stopped off at this farm called Greystone Gardens, and wandered through the greenhouses enjoying the colors and smells of flowers in full bloom.
July 4th Parade
The Annual Glenn Arbor Parade went right by the entrance of our Park and we joined hundreds of others sitting and standing alongside the road. I was impressed by the quantity of entrants, the infectious enthusiasm, and the sheer poundage of candy tossed out. It was the only parade I have ever been to where one float distributed cherries and another threw out hot dogs! There was one old truck in the parade and it is shown below in the Old Truck grouping. Here is a parade pup, a couple cool trucks, a Woody, and a quite attractive fivesome.
Art in the Park
Every Friday morning, our friend, Marj, puts on an arts-and-crafts workshop for the little tykes in the campground. Here are a couple of participant pics.
Morning Hikes
I did just two hikes this week, Cottonwood and Alligator Trail.
This and That
Here is a shot of abandoned sandals on the beach, the old Canning Company at Glen Haven, two redheads (Janny took this fun shot), and a chipper enjoying leftover Cheerios at a camp site.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Greystone Gardens
We stopped off at this farm called Greystone Gardens, and wandered through the greenhouses enjoying the colors and smells of flowers in full bloom.
July 4th Parade
The Annual Glenn Arbor Parade went right by the entrance of our Park and we joined hundreds of others sitting and standing alongside the road. I was impressed by the quantity of entrants, the infectious enthusiasm, and the sheer poundage of candy tossed out. It was the only parade I have ever been to where one float distributed cherries and another threw out hot dogs! There was one old truck in the parade and it is shown below in the Old Truck grouping. Here is a parade pup, a couple cool trucks, a Woody, and a quite attractive fivesome.
Art in the Park
Every Friday morning, our friend, Marj, puts on an arts-and-crafts workshop for the little tykes in the campground. Here are a couple of participant pics.
Morning Hikes
I did just two hikes this week, Cottonwood and Alligator Trail.
This and That
Here is a shot of abandoned sandals on the beach, the old Canning Company at Glen Haven, two redheads (Janny took this fun shot), and a chipper enjoying leftover Cheerios at a camp site.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 155: Adios, Federales!
30, 06 13, 09:13
Once again no business travel this week, so I resumed the rhythm started last week. When not camp hosting, I was writing, hiking, and biking. Mitzy and Jerry, unofficial Park Ambassadors, were at our sides constantly, greeting visitors, guarding the Park, and accepting pets from worthy admirers.
Morning Hikes
We had three nice morning hikes this week: Platte Plains Trail - Otter Creek Loop, Shauger Hill Trail, Pyramid Point Trail. All gorgeous, all quiet, as we met no one on any of these. It is remarkable and wonderful to have a national park to ourselves.
Flowers
Of course, there were lots of flowers along our paths.
Mini Drones
However, since it was raining a little every day, the mosquitoes were in a frenzy by the end of the week. Even with an ample lathering of Deep Woods Deet, the nasty little critters and their ornery cousins, the deer flies, hovered like government drones, plotting their strikes at the quarter-inch of skin not inundated with repellant. Hence, Friday morning we altered our plans, and avoiding the meadows and forests we took an hour-and-a-half stroll down Esche Beach, one of the finest in Northern Michigan.
Campground Colleagues
Here are shots of Ralph, Geri, and Deb, fellow camp hosts, and Anna, a volunteer interpreter originally from Russia.
Trapped!
While on duty one morning, we found a young raccoon, trapped in a dumpster, coiled up and looking pitiful. We scrounged around and found a ten-foot 1”x4” that we gently laid into the big metal box. Within two minutes, this nimble masked intruder made his escape. As he scampered out and down, I could almost hear him cry out, “Adios, Federales!” I don’t think we have seen the last of young Rocky.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Morning Hikes
We had three nice morning hikes this week: Platte Plains Trail - Otter Creek Loop, Shauger Hill Trail, Pyramid Point Trail. All gorgeous, all quiet, as we met no one on any of these. It is remarkable and wonderful to have a national park to ourselves.
Flowers
Of course, there were lots of flowers along our paths.
Mini Drones
However, since it was raining a little every day, the mosquitoes were in a frenzy by the end of the week. Even with an ample lathering of Deep Woods Deet, the nasty little critters and their ornery cousins, the deer flies, hovered like government drones, plotting their strikes at the quarter-inch of skin not inundated with repellant. Hence, Friday morning we altered our plans, and avoiding the meadows and forests we took an hour-and-a-half stroll down Esche Beach, one of the finest in Northern Michigan.
Campground Colleagues
Here are shots of Ralph, Geri, and Deb, fellow camp hosts, and Anna, a volunteer interpreter originally from Russia.
Trapped!
While on duty one morning, we found a young raccoon, trapped in a dumpster, coiled up and looking pitiful. We scrounged around and found a ten-foot 1”x4” that we gently laid into the big metal box. Within two minutes, this nimble masked intruder made his escape. As he scampered out and down, I could almost hear him cry out, “Adios, Federales!” I don’t think we have seen the last of young Rocky.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Blog 154: Writing and Hiking, Hosting and Biking
23, 06 13, 09:26
I had the luxury of no business travel this week, so we hung out at Sleeping Bear. When not camp hosting, I was writing, hiking, and biking.
Morning Hikes
We had four nice morning hikes: 2.5-mile Bay View Farm Loop, 3-mile Alligator Hill Trail, 1.5-mile Windy Moraine, 4-mile Bay View Ridge Loop plus Moosewood Trail. Woods, pastures, and some views of Lake Michigan.
Spring Flowers
Of course, there were lots of flowers along the way.
Old Friend
A dear friend from 20-plus years ago tracked down this blog via Internet search, and then came to visit over lunch and a quick trip to the campground. Here is a pic of this handsome, worldly devil along with his beautiful, charming wife.
Campground Staff
Here is a shot of Dick, a fellow camp host, and another of colleagues Ranger Maryellen and Ranger Morgan. We are fortunate to have a great group of people to work with here.
Sandy the River Otter
A young river otter we call Sandy (one look at her face and you’ll know why) was out on the beach greeting strangers and trying to make friends. As one would walk along the water, Sandy would follow along.
Iris Farm
When we were out and about we stopped at an iris farm. Here is a picture of a vase of irises.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.
Morning Hikes
We had four nice morning hikes: 2.5-mile Bay View Farm Loop, 3-mile Alligator Hill Trail, 1.5-mile Windy Moraine, 4-mile Bay View Ridge Loop plus Moosewood Trail. Woods, pastures, and some views of Lake Michigan.
Spring Flowers
Of course, there were lots of flowers along the way.
Old Friend
A dear friend from 20-plus years ago tracked down this blog via Internet search, and then came to visit over lunch and a quick trip to the campground. Here is a pic of this handsome, worldly devil along with his beautiful, charming wife.
Campground Staff
Here is a shot of Dick, a fellow camp host, and another of colleagues Ranger Maryellen and Ranger Morgan. We are fortunate to have a great group of people to work with here.
Sandy the River Otter
A young river otter we call Sandy (one look at her face and you’ll know why) was out on the beach greeting strangers and trying to make friends. As one would walk along the water, Sandy would follow along.
Iris Farm
When we were out and about we stopped at an iris farm. Here is a picture of a vase of irises.
Jan’s Old Signs
Here are two old signs that Jan selected and I shot.
Old Trucks
Here are three old trucks.
See you next week.