It turns out that we would have been better off driving the eighteen hours from Fredericton, New Brunswick to my brother's house in Michigan rather than attempting to fly through Newark. We did make it eventually, however, about twenty-four hours late. Thankfully Michigan welcomed us with clear skies, brilliant sunshine and delightful breezes---the kind of weather that makes you wonder why anyone would choose to live anywhere else.
After forty-eight hours of travel---long van rides, schlepping through airports, lugging too many suitcases in and out of three motels, and endless choruses of "Are we there yet??" Greg and Karin's house appeared, a veritable oasis. It is filled with delightful corners that are worthy of magazine spreads, and with food that is second to none. We devoured freshly baked cardamom bread before moving on to a three course dinner that began with grilled cheese and peaches. Karin had prepared two types of pasta dishes, a fettucinne alfredo purposely thrown together for the younger set, and then a fabulous ricotta cake served with local strawberries for dessert. Every mouthful was pure pleasure.
After dinner, Greg asked the adults if they would like tea or coffee. James quickly piped up, "I'll have a cup of tea" with an unmistakable Aussie accent. He was very surprised, and rather pleased I suspect, when his uncle brought him out his very own cup of milky tea.
From Greg and Karin's house we moved on to my grandmother's house on the lake. This time unloading the van was not quite so painful as we planned to stay put for a few days. The cousins quickly became reacquainted, and our days have been filled with lots of cheerful chatter, choruses of laughter, the odd quarrel, and my grandmother's delicious cooking.
Lea had a long conversation with her uncle about eating worms.
My brother Andy had the job of untangling Cameron's fishing rod.
Sophie has been in seventh heaven with a little cousin to cart around, spoil and coddle.
My mom loves hanging out with her grandkids. They love her too.
On Monday, after feeding all eighteen of us (no mean feat), we piled into three vans and headed for Silver Lake State Park, home to a series of large sand dunes. The dunes were created unintentionally after the great Chicago fire of 1871. Originally the hills pictured below were covered with trees, many of which were cut down and shipped to Chicago to help with the rebuilding process. A subsequent forest fire near Silver Lake destroyed the trees left behind, and within a short matter of time, the soil was gone, leaving hill upon hill of shifting sand.
We watched dozens of dune buggies tearing up and down the dunes, and then decided to take a ride of our own. Our driver took us roaring over several hills, much to the delight of the children in our party. Their squeals of joy and shrieks of laughter brought smiles to the faces of all the adults.
Before heading home, we drove to the Point Sable Lighthouse. While everyone else headed down to splash in the cold waters of Lake Michigan, I climbed the lighthouse with Sophie, James and Mya.
All in all, it was a spectacular day---hours filled with delightful memories, and Michigan at its very, very best. Well worth every minute of the forty-eight hours it took to get here.
Enjoying the photos!
Posted by: whit's end mom | 07/03/2013 at 12:43 PM
Were you able to keep the sand out of your camera?
I LOVE everything about this post....thank you so much for continuing to blog your adventures.
I love how your nieces and nephews all could pass as your own children.
Hugs, Christie!
Posted by: Shanda | 07/03/2013 at 09:57 PM
Great photos, loved the one of grandma with all the grandkids in the hammock.
Posted by: Linda R | 07/04/2013 at 12:14 AM
Thanks all! A few grains of sand did make their way into my camera lens, but I think I shook them all out. It was a calculated risk ... And the hammock is a very popular place for my mom and her grandkids. It's amazing that it is still in one piece.
Posted by: Christie Wilkin | 07/04/2013 at 03:26 AM