Empire state of mind
Jim & Tony (waaaaay back there) @ Torch Lake
date night
rainy day play
washed iris
beam me up, Scotty
Jackson chasing Heather chasing Jackson
This Past Week in Pictures
Why Michigan
A Southern Family in Northern Michigan
Ten Things to Do in Northern Michigan Before Summer
Spring’s a fickle mistress Up North, so while the near-perfect-highs and abrupt cold snaps have been busy battling for air time in Traverse City, we’ve kept ourselves occupied with these fun, between-the-seasons excursions (two steps ahead of that pending Summer rush):
1) Morels
Growing up in the South, I’d never heard of the Morel mushrooms that seem more prominent in Northern states. I had no idea what I was missing! Fun to hunt (a kid-friendly adventure that Jackson adores) and absolutely delicious.
Morel Mushrooms
2) Mini-Golf
There’s nothing like beating the Memorial Day rush to Pirates Cove Mini-Golf, which offers up two courses, a zip line, bumper boats, a ropes course, an arcade and ice cream. A sunny-season staple for our little family.
Jackson @ Pirates Cove in TC
3) Mackinac Island
The Georgia girl in me expected a North-coast Jekyll Island, but Mackinac Island has more of a Savannah vibe, just with more spectacular water views. Our ferry trip to the no-vehicles-allowed Island led us to Cloghaun B&B, Arch Rock, the Butterfly House and Fort Mackinac.
The view from Fort Mackinac
4) Home-Grown
It’s fun to get handsy with the agriculture that so permeates this place. This year we’re trying our hand at strawberries, peppers and gladiolas. Sara Hardy Downtown Farmers Market and Cherry Street Market are back in full swing, offering up a slew of local goodies.
Cherry Street Market
5) Patios
Sun + outdoor patio + a MI brewed/corked beverage = the perfect dining experience. There are plenty of great restaurants to pick from, but Amical, Mackinaw Brewing Co. and Pangea never disappoint as the firsts to unfurl that outdoor-dining welcome mat.
The Omlette Shoppe, another patio favorite
6) Sweets + Sunsets
Pick your favorite ice cream, pick your favorite beach, and park it. We’re typically Clinch Park beachcombers, but can also vouch for the sunset view of East Bay from Woodland Sweets in Acme and Torch Lake after visiting the Cone Corral in Alden.
Sun Setting on Lake Michigan
7) Sunrise(s)
At least once a year, we like to watch the Sun rise and Spring always feels like the perfect time to do it. The quintessential ‘reset’ button – I hit mine just this morning.
Sunrise over Old Mission Peninsula
8) Sleeping Bear Dunes
Well-publicized as 2011′s Most Beautiful Place in America, you have to see Sleeping Bear to believe it – and there’s definitely something to be said for doing so while you still pretty much have the park to yourself. (We even found a few morels there!)
Sleeping Bear Dunes
9) Indoor Water Fun
The Kaliseum in Kalkaska has become a weekly venture for us. Part waterpark, part swim lessons and totally cheap, this place seems completely off everyone else’s radar. We’re also eying closer-by Great Wolf Lodge for Courtney, Donny & Isaac’s visit in a couple of weeks. 
Kaliseum (why not a pic of the water slide, Jess??)
10) The Great Lake Plunge
The challenge: getting in the Big Water (Jackson’s latest Lake Michigan pet name) well before the water temp would indicate it’s wise to do so. We took the plunge today in Elk Rapids.
Elk Rapids Rock Circle
Happy Swimmer
Project Fun-A-Day: How the Cliftons Get Creative
Jim and I recently had the opportunity to flex some creative talent when a couple of local friends invited us to participate in a group Fun-A-Day project. What’s Fun-A-Day, you ask? You do something you enjoy every day for a month, document it somehow, and then gather with your group to swap project stories when the month is up.
Perhaps it was the close timing to Jackson’s 3rd birthday, or maybe it was just because he’s such a great Dad, but Jim decided that his Fun-A-Day would be to capture daily videos of Jackson just being Jackson. At the end of his thirty days, he set some of his favorite captured footage to a track-sampling of the amazing song ‘Mladek’ from the Russian Circles Empros album. This is his marvelous result:
An obsessive shutter-bug myself, I opted for the photography medium – taking a pic each day, then partnering it with a quote I appreciate, and mounting it to send out as a postcard. Sometimes I set out for a picture with a particular quote in mind, but I also discovered some great new quotes when looking to sync something up, post-snapshot. So, if you happen to be the recipient of one of my random quotographs (that’s what I’m calling them) – that’s what that’s all about! You can check out my full Fun-A-Day photo series here (quotes included in picture descriptions).
It was interesting to see what folks came up with for their projects – from journals, to word puzzles, to soundtracks orchestrated through the arrangement of various noise recordings, they were all cool to soak in. Our lovely hostess, Joelle, opted to revel in Russian folklore for a while, honoring oral tradition (my words, not hers) by recounting a tale to someone each day. It was particularly cool when our projects overlapped: my still image echoed in one of Jim’s daily recordings; Jack’s sound bite of Jackson chattering while Joelle shared her story with us over dinner one night.
The familiar souls echoed in our personal project end-results (video and picture cameos from Heather, Tony, Evan, Ella, Nana, Kristina & DJ, plus quote inspiration from friends like the Jones’ out in Cali) are a nice reminder of how full our lives are of great people.
It was really nice to get creative, take time out each day, learn about friends and have something to reflect on when it was all said and done. What would your Fun-A-Day be?
A children’s folk tale storybook, hand-crafted by Joelle & adored by Jackson
Our Fun-A-Day Invitation
Springtime Celebration of Family & Friends
[Woefully neglected blog!]
In the months since our last update, we’ve enjoyed two rounds of welcomed visitors, celebrations steeped in unadulterated, childhood delight and the interesting experience of watching Northern Michigan transition into Spring.
Our good friend and colleague Dave traveled to TC in late January, followed by a visit from my youngest sister Kristina and her boyfriend DJ in March (her 21st birthday celebration of sorts). The fresh-fallen snow of Dave’s trip and the Indian Summer surprise of Kristin’s meant that most of the respective trip outings didn’t overlap, with the exception of an Empire Bluffs hike we traversed with each of our guests. Always the spectacular view – it’s amazing what just over a month can mean in terms of Michigan climate change!
From downhill skiing with Dave & the Highams to exploring shorelines with Kristin & DJ, good times were had by all (except for that part where I was REALLY BAD at skiing). Cheers to mile+ walks to bars that smell like feet and experiencing kayaking for the first time 
The routine Atlanta trip we wedged in between those guest visits afforded us a round of rapid-fire meet-ups with but a margin of Georgia folks (boo speed-friending!). It was great to connect with some of the friends and family we miss so much and we can’t wait for more!
In between the time spent with south-land loved ones, February offered up a few new local friend introductions. We caught up with a few of those locals for Jackson’s recent 3rd birthday party, squelching my quiet fear that my son’s first post-move birthday might be a lonely one (thanks for coming guys!)
Things were definitely dialed down a notch or two from our [my] previous, perhaps overwrought attempts at birthdays 1 & 2. As developing tradition would have it, there were a few inexplicable tears come time to blow out the candles, but Jackson’s buddy Everett was happy to stand in and the boys had an otherwise lovely, low-key time (perhaps Parker, in particular, who’s ninja-like cake grabbing reflexes scored him a sweet preview of the icing tastiness.)
Jackson has already put his birthday spoils to plenty of good use and we’re hoping his new train table is a hit with his cousins when they visit this Summer. (It’s not Papa’s superior, hand-crafted version, but it’ll do between Nana visits!)
Easter was a treat with Jackson this year! Innocently oblivious to the symbolic heft of the holiday, he exhibited serious interest in dyeing and finding Easter Eggs for the first time. It was so fun to see him get into the experience – so determined to master use of that tiny egg-retrieval wand that accompanies PAAS dye kits. Heather & Tony were on hand to participate, which meant I actually ended up in a picture or two (Thanks Heather!)
Between the busy work schedules, GA visit, birthdays, holidays and play-dates, life’s been fast-paced lately with the promise of additional adventures to come as the Spring & Summer calendar shapes up. We’re eager to greet every minute of it.
In loving memory of Ruth Bastin Slentz
December 31, 1917 – February 21, 2012
Jackson, Jess, and Jim, in: Aging Gracefully in Winter
Stops and starts. Most everyone who reads this blog knows that, up until the last couple of weeks, that’s what Northern Michigan’s weather has been like. That sense of pushing and pulling has arisen in our daily lives. I look into the face of my son, and see his awareness grow; the pure wonder, the understanding, both evolving, looming ever larger in not just his psyche, but ours as parents as well. We hug him harder everyday, trying to siphon every moment of his childhood into the core of our being, so not even an instant escapes – though, like all of us, some moments sadly do, when we inadvertently allow our minds to cloud with some of the more meaningless concerns of everyday life. But as the snow here falls, and I focus on the flake landing on the branch, I feel reminded to turn my attentions back to the Divine-imparted light in Jackson’s eyes. That light of innocence blots out the adult-onset bitterness we all battle. That cool flame slows the somewhat disquieting sojourn of age we elders dwell on.
Pulling back, pushing forward, know that I embrace the atmosphere around me happily. I could tell you of the blue-white beauty of the snowscape surrounding us. I could describe the crisp of the air, it’s purity, the surge of strength the Winter Sun brings when it breaks through the thickened clouds. Instead I’ll let the photos speak for themselves, and hope that what I convey here, in words and pictures of the icy/powdery/hard-packed marvel about us here Up North, is an inspiration the natural harbingers of this Season give, compelling parents everywhere to turn their gaze back indoors once more and revel in the God’s-smile our children give us before they step out – snow boots, snow hats, beanies and mittens at the ready – once again, to yes, grow older, but also, get red-nosed and rosy-cheeked … and just be.
Debut of the Spectacular Spider-Man
While, I’ll admit, there were evening practice rounds of ‘trick-or-treat’ in the days leading up to Halloween, I set my expectations fairly low regarding the potential of Jackson’s happiness with the holiday mirroring my own. After all, he is only two and last year’s Halloween baby was a stoic one.
Imagine my surprise (and sheer maternal exuberance!) when he showcased that he not only got the concept of trading candy for looking cute, but that he could also sustain an All-Hallow’s-Eve-routine worthy of any seasoned seven year-old:
- Run ahead of Mom, making sure to shuffle through dried leaves along the way
- Wait for Mom to catch up with requisite pumpkin
- Pumpkin in hand, it’s time for the sugar swap!
- Inspect candy for prolonged time at point of interception
- Escape subsequent crowd & drop pumpkin off in stroller ’till the next stop
The kid was a pro! I was elated to see him so into it! Stir in hoardes of additional adorable costumes and the generous decor and coffee-offerings served up by gracious treat-seeker-hosts and we ended up with the recipe for a pretty perfect night. (^_^ )
‘Tis the Season
Another recent adventure inspired by the literal and proverbial ‘spirit’ of the season was the decision to indulge in a scary-movie-sleep-over at the Highams the weekend leading up to Halloween. This included sock/sword fights, a blanket fort and a screening of Paranormal Activity 2 (post bed-time for Baby J, of course). Gotta say – I reaaaaally liked the PA sequel (though Texas Chainsaw Massacre still holds top terror spot in my book).
One other experience seemed to invoke the spirit of the season, at least atmospherically… Check out these pics of what rapid weather shifts in MI can render! It was sunny on the drive out to Wilderness State Park, where we watched the stunning storm clouds roll in then – BOOM! – it starts hailing!
From there, we went rainbow-chasing (naturally, right??). I’m happy to report that we spotted two! They didn’t last long, though, because the clouds parted just as quickly as they rolled in. We rounded that trip out with an early dinner at Polish Kitchen (my favorite Up North ‘comfort food’) followed by delectable coffee @ the adorably-appointed Roast & Toast cafe (hot chai + almond & hazelnut = “I’ll be back”).
Fall Excursions
The weeks leading up to Halloween also included regular walks by the Bay and an Old Mission Peninsula color-tour. There’s nothing quite like taking a sandbar footpath a half mile out into Lake Michigan and watching the waters roll in from all around you (enjoyed on smaller scale at this similar spot in near-by Elk Rapids).
As a matter of fact, we were lucky enough to get to share both of those spots with John Metal-Moore-phosis during his visit with us over the week of Jim’s birthday. It was great to catch up with an old friend in a new place! The Indian Summer John brought with him afforded us one final round of warm-weather kayaking and beach wading.
The weekend leading up to all of this and immediately following Jim’s first official fishing adventure, JC3 and friends had the privilege of pumpkin poaching and apple picking at Rennie Orchard. It was a surreal, small-town-America experience that was worthy of it’s own blog post, but I’ve been slipping! Hopefully these pictures adequately convey the cider-sipping, pumpkin-picking magic that was our early-October tour.
Major Milestones
Other early October milestones included Jackson starting preschool (introducing a much-needed peer group to Jackson and some child-duty-free work time to Jim & I) and our family’s 1st baby-sitter experience. These were both big deals for me, as I’d previously had the priviledge of relying on Nana as Baby J’s caretaker in both arrangements (Nana – you are appreciated!). Both arrangements turned out admittedly well, minus some tears (both mine and Jackson’s) during the first few preschool drop-offs. He’s liking preschool so much now that we’ve upped his enrollment to 4 days a week and plan to add Fridays come the New Year (I’m avoiding baby-withdrawl via a step-down approach)
And I guess that brings this blog post full-circle… It’s so bittersweet to witness Jackson’s little world expanding. I relish every new experience he has right along with him, while simultaneously cringing knowing that with each passing day his independence of me grows.
“There is no cure for birth and death, save to enjoy the interval.”
– George Santayana
That’s what this is all about, right? That’s Why Michigan.
Salmon Fishing on the Big Lake
Wake up at 5:15am to get ready, darkness of the day still holding the sun at bay. Push out of my head the knowledge that 1) I haven’t been fishing since I was nine and 2) I’m about to ride out the farthest and deepest yet that I’ve been on Lake Michigan. Take a shower, layer up, throw on big, black waterproof boots, step out the door. Head to fellow Old Town resident / local artist Jim Blanchard‘s house. He promptly hands over an add’l fleece and a raincoat, the former I put on and the latter I leave hanging on his porch handrail, forgotten. We throw a few last items into the boat, but since Jim B. has readied all of the preparations the day before on his own (including all the lines, poles, spoon lures, and the hitching of the boat trailer to his van), we leave promptly.
Jim B. suggests we hit Potter’s Bakery for some donuts and I heartily agree, having heard that this 80-year-old Traverse City staple is not one to be missed. We park the van, step outside, and are greeted with an unexpected but welcome fluorescent brightness that highlights the newly baked delectables to behold. Making note of the kid-friendly smiley- and animal-decorated cookies for Jackson’s sake later, I select two straight-glazed donuts for myself, we complete our transaction and head out to Leland, MI, to put in.
Forty minutes later we arrive at the Leland marina. We take the poles from the back of the van and move them into the boat, then Jim backs the boat into the launch deftly, tasking me with little (cognizant as he is of my noobness) save holding the dock line. With no small amount of amazement I contemplate the fact that by holding a small rope I am keeping an 18-foot angler boat from floating away. After the van is parked, we hop in, Jim makes a few last minute checks (specifically to the backup motor he has recently purchased), and he fires the boat’s main 125hp Mercury engine up.
The sun is just starting to peek through. I’m suddenly sorry that Jess isn’t here, knowing that the first time either of us will have watched the sunrise on the Big Lake looking toward shore will be now, and she will have missed it. No time for reverie, though. We must get to the spot quickly while dawn is at hand, as any fisherman knows (except for me, of course). The sight of other boats already on the hunt inspires Jim to get us out of the marina and around the breakwater quickly, and as soon as we’re clear, Jim hits the throttle.
I am not prepared. The boat lurches forward without preamble, and before I can process it we are hurtling headlong toward North Manitou Island at 30 mph, bouncing savagely atop the swells. Still sitting and clutching my coffee thermos (a treasured Father’s Day gift w/ photos of Jess and Jackson emblazoned upon it), I have to make the split-second decision to either hold on to the console to prevent falling on my ass or continue holding the prized coffee container; I manage to place it between my knees and grab hold as a temporary solution. It will be a thirty-minute ride, however, and after a few minutes I can maintain the awkward position no longer and the thermos falls; but, I hear it clunk to the stern, and breathe a sigh of relief.
Mini-crisis averted, I look back toward the coastline, and the Sun, like God’s awakening eye, rises above the treeline, and it’s splintering of the darkness is breathtaking. These moments, never spoken of aloud by old fishing hands, beckon them time and again back to open waters.
We reach the spot a half-mile out from the ranger station on the North Manitou shore and, slowing to two-and-a-half mph, Jim instructs me to drive and to make ‘callouts’ (I know neither how to drive a boat nor what a ‘callout’ is). Jim explains that I’ll be fine on the former and gives a quick definition of the latter. After showing me how to identify the fish on the sonar, I take the wheel, and it is indeed fine – at first, anyway (Later, while simultaneously trying to keep the boat pointed toward another on the horizon, doing the callouts, making sure we are remaining parallel to North Manitou, and working to maintain the proper depth (sheesh!), I turn a tad too sharply and cause a couple of the lines to tangle).
Um, a bunch of fishing gear. Or something.
After Jim methodically completes setting the poles for the trolling session, we immediately get a bite. Jim grabs the pole and quickly hands it to me , saying, ‘Here you go, man, this is what we’re here for!’ I frantically begin reeling it in, not knowing how to lock and release the line based on what the fish is doing, which Jim patiently shows me while I continue to pull in the salmon, I now determined not to let my first big-water catch end in disappointment.
In what seems like a small eternity to my non-athletic arms, I stare w/ growing expectation at the fish coming ever closer to the stern. Jim grabs the fishing net, and as I heave the pole up as hard as I can to get the fish as close as possible, Jim scoops the ten lb.-er out of the cold, dark water of Lake Michigan. I can’t believe I’ve pulled it off. It is, as Jess would say, effing exhilarating.
Without batting an eye Jim dumps the salmon into the back of the boat, explaining that the ones we see in-town are brown and going up the river to die; while fish like this one, still deep in the Lake, are shiny, healthy, fighting for life. I can see he is right, and then, glancing down, the eyes of my watery prey and my inexperienced-self meet, and, despite the fact I can imagine his curses, warning me (‘See you in the next, life, punk’) , I grin uncontrollably. Silvery bastard, you are mine.
Time passes, and after Jim brings in a couple more salmon himself, we head back. As we did going out, we haul ass on the way in, and this time I remain standing and hold on to the t-top canopy structure, contracting my knees like springs every time we bounce over a swell. A shipping channel runs north-south between North Manitou and Leland, and on the way back I spot a tanker several miles to the right of us; thus, I take very small notice of the increased choppiness of the water residing in the lane, which has claimed many a boat on stormy nights. But the sun is high now, glittering off the deep blue water, and I am smiling, with no fear.
As we near the marina, Jim has me take the wheel, while we are still at speed. I see now that this is how most people learn to do such things; little-to-no instruction, just do it. As the rocky breakwater comes closer and closer into view, I wonder when it will be appropriate to slow, but say nothing, trusting that we will at the last possible moment – and that is when we do. We bank hard right around the breakwater, and power nearly all the way down to idle into the marina.
As we head home I know I’ve crossed some sort of threshold, and am also unable to put a descriptor on it. But there are no words for this moment of completion, aside from the overwhelming desire to return to the water and do this again.
You thought: ‘He should have taken a photo before the fish was cleaned and bagged.’ You thought right.
A Month of Minor Adventures
The sun is setting earlier and earlier and last week’s blushing olive leaves are beginning to give way to rich-hued fall foliage. I find myself giddy in anticipation of Halloween, pumpkin patch visits & spiced cider. That’s not to say we haven’t been making the most of these last warm weeks before summer flees, though. Some of our most recent adventures…
UP Excursion
In the excitement leading up to our ATL trip, we neglected to mention our venture across the Mackinac Bridge into MI’s Upper Peninsula (my personal northern-most destination so far). We (JC3 & the Highams) set out to pay Boyne City a visit and dine at Cafe Sante where I had another first: duck confit (I’m always stoked to try something flaunted on the drool-inducing Top Chef – even more happy to report it was delicious). Post-lunch, we grabbed coffee (and a whole lotta candy!), fed ducks on the dock and then hopped back in the car to continue on to Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse.
Just beyond the lighthouse stands Mackinac Bridge, the third longest suspension bridge in the world (or so I’ve read). We touched down at St. Ignace on the other side where we stayed long enough to explore another lighthouse (plenty of those up here!) and the tiny islands that dot the shoreline surrounding the bridge (a DEFINITE future kayaking spot).
Mackinac Bridge
Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
The trip back, um, ‘south’ included a scenic drive through the ‘Tunnel of Trees’ (another spot worth revisiting later in the season) and a detour to a ‘you-have-to-know-this-is-here’ spot (that our cohorts fortunately knew was there) where a path through enchanted forest spills out onto quiet, deserted beach. It was sublime! We rounded the trip out with Polish Kitchen for dinner on the way home and all was right with the world.
Summer Vacays
It was great to reconnect with family & friends back in Atlanta – we managed to squeeze a Lake House overnight, a Baby Shower, family time and an evening out with friends all into one rapid-fire week! Then, with a successful first trip back home behind us, the white noise of my work anxieties abated and we decided Labor Day weekend would be a good time to launch a 5 day ‘stay’cation. Just two requirements: 1) that we tune out anything that wasn’t fun & 2) we get in as much beach time as possible! The following week our friend Seth took some vacation time of his own, venturing our way for a tour of TC.
Elk Rapids Sandbar: A New Favorite Spot
Jim & Seth @ Clinch Park
Birthday Surprises
I was the fortunate recipient of several fantastic gifts for my 31st birthday last week. Most Clever Gift goes to my Mama for the dozen Morsels she hooked me up with from 1,000 miles away. (These are Morsels – trust me: if you visit, you want to go to there!) Most Thoughtful Gift(s) goes to Heather for the dinner and caramel butter pecan birthday cake she made me (yes it was just as delicious as it looks) and for the time spent with Baby J so Jim and I could go out. Most Valuable Gift (MVG, if you will) goes to Jim for the much-needed dinner and alone time. We walked the few blocks to Hanna, where we had morel ravioli, the best shrimp & grits we’ve ever had, chocolate-covered hazelnut ice cream & a bottle of Merlot. I’m a lucky lady to have such a wonderful husband & such gracious friends and family <3 Also: there were 2 rainbows on my b-day. I’m just sayin’. (check out Heather’s amazing pic!)
Exploring Old Town
We found a path to Boardman Lake at the end of our street a few weeks back thanks to a heads up from our neighbor. This time we took the trail in the opposite direction around the lake and discovered it leads right to the library. There are two cool parallel bridges that cross the Boardman River that runs into the lake – one pedestrian bridge and one old train trestle. The path is part of the Tart Trail and this particular portion of it includes a sailing school, what looks like another great put-in spot for kayaking, plenty of lake overlook decks and some planetary decor (see illustration below – ‘it’s just for decoration’??).
Stand By Me
TC Library
Sun Decor
Kids Garden
Starbucks?
The library is pretty effing sweet. If that offends you, I apologize, but it is. There’s also an adjacent Children’s Garden that seems quite the worthy project and it is exactly the kind of thing I love about this place. Oh, and we also checked out the local cemetery (an odd interest of mine) – one of the biggest I’ve seen.
That pretty much brings us up to speed on recent outings. Reflecting on it all makes me proud we’re no longer couch potatoes! – and also a little tired – phew! This past weekend was fairly typical for us:
- sunsets: once overlooking Lake Skegemog & then again at the Marina
- food: ventured into Patisserie Amie around the corner (luvzmesum foie gras!)
- kayaking: on the Platte, a personal fave – saw lots of wildlife & Jackson was into it
- coffee: Morsels again. Twice. Surprised?
- water strolls: more ‘illegal’ water foul feeding - Baby J loves it, so we do it anyway
One other minor accomplishment: last night I made my very first completely homemade pie! I used local honeycrisp apples purchased road-side on OMP and it’s pretty good!
It really feels like one continuous moment rolling right into the next one – it is seriously flying by. But I suppose that comes with the territory when you’re a couple of thirty-somethings raising a kid and soaking up life. And let me just say that Jackson is such a fantastic son! He’s a serious trooper during our many excursions and I am savoring each and every one of these moments with my wonderful family.
We’re all actually looking forward to winding down with Fall and a little winter hibernation from the fast-paced whirlwind that summer has been. So long Summer, hello Autumnal Equinox & Fall! May it bring each of us a long list of new adventures.
West Bay Kayaking, Hotlanta Hanging, and a Quiet Return
In the days leading up to the road trip home for a week of in-office work, we felt a final kayaking trip was needed as a see-you-soon goodbye to the mighty M. We put in at a small, very new beachside park near the dock of the Tall Ship Manitou on West Bay in search of a shallow wreck that was very close to shore, but the setting of the sun prevented it from being seen, so we poked about inspecting a couple of tugboats. I don’t know why tugboats are badass, but everyone knows that they are, and that truth is driven home upon closer inspection.
The journey to GA was thankfully uneventful, while the job/family visit itself was just the opposite: eventful and productive. Being able to see my family members was and is good for the soul; watching Jackson and my nephew Evan playing while in the home of my loving parents remains a singular joy in my life (seeing my brothers and their significant others is okay too . A blissfully indulgent and savory potluck-style lunch welcomed us back in the office (also for b’day celebrators like John Moore – just an old bag o’ snacks, now, buddy \m/), followed thereafter by Chick-Fil-A minis/Krispy Kreme doughnut breakfasts. But what would a Clifton visit be without a night of revelry? A Thursday night get-together at Cinco attended by friends made both inside and outside of the workplace proved full of abandon, helped along by pitchers and the musician’s renditions of personal (in this case non-metal) faves like Alabama and Hank Jr.
A safe 1000-mile highway ride bookended our little quest. Making it home mid-day Sunday, we walked down to the Bay and felt the cooling breeze swaying the trees of the Marina whilst creating the whitecapped Lake Michigan waves. A Harvest Moon Oatmeal Stout at the Mackinaw Brewing Company brought this last day of travel to a quiet close.
We awoke the next morning to a brisk and refreshing outside temperature that had made its way through our floor’s wooden planks, and I knew that if combined with coffee we’d welcome its arrival. My sluggish steps down the stairwell to the kitchen awarded my ears with the sounds of church bells on the wind, wistfully acknowledging the 8am hour, and the soothing, unassuming symphony of a small city stirring (mingled, of course, with the warm tones of Jackson’s laughter).
I am home.
