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Howell Nature Center Camp 2016
For the second year in a row James was invited to attend the Howell Nature Center camp for 5 days. This is without a doubt one of the biggest highlights of the year for James as he is not burdened with Mom and Dad for a few days and can just enjoy life and the great outdoors with his friends from Lincoln Park Middle School. The kitties we have did not know what to think since James usually returns from school or Vip Camp around 3-4 so they stared at the front window during that period of day. James phoned home a couple times and finally returned to us on a rainy Friday afternoon where we picked him up and treated him to lunch.
VIP Camp 2016
Its hard to believe this year is going by so fast, it seems like we just sent James off to school in January and now his first summer camp is already over, where did all the time go. James had a very enjoyable summer with the VIP camp folks and was involved in trips to Turtle Cove, Movies, Restaurants, and many craft projects. This year his VIP camp overlapped with the Abbott Get Together and Howell Nature center so James missed the last few days, but Mom and Dad stopped by to drop off the charity money and pick up James’ photo album which include many of the pictures shown here.
The VIP Counselors with a message for James who was away at Howell Camp for the last week of VIP Camp.
Star Trek Beyond Movie 2016
James being away at VIP gave us the opportunity to see a movie that didn’t have a talking fish, Star Trek Beyond. The movie has been getting very good reviews as it appeals to the older Trek fans and also the younger Trek fans who jumped on board during the reboot several years past. While we were waiting for the movie to begin (it was a matinee and we both got in for about $10, however I think we were the only ones there) Mom found some photo ops for the movies that were playing there now and in the future so we shot a couple pics.
The Star Trek Beyond movie was very good and did pay homage to the old television series, however it did seem a little bit long especially with all the action scenes. Lots of humor in this movie and it takes place in the middle of the historic 5 year mission.
After the movie we stopped at VIP camp to turn in some of the money we raised at the Get Together and to say goodbye to the counselors. Its too bad so much is going on this week (the Get Together, Howell Camp, Vip Camp) but we did manage to take in a movie for the first time in years.
Bumper Cars 2016
What a fun time James had at VIP camp today as they went to the old putt putt on Van Born and got to ride go carts and (of course) take out their frustrations on the bumper cars.
This has really been a spectacular summer with plenty of activities for James and very little rainouts or foul weather. It has been hot, but the max has been 90’s and in the past I remember much hotter days hanging around the upper 90’s and even 100’s. So far so good as we hit the halfway point of summer.
Joe’s Crab Shack 2016
Its been a while (over 5 years) since we last enjoyed a visit to Joe’s Crab Shack but that changed today as we were in Warren shopping and decided to visit the famous restaurant. James has developed a bit of a taste for crab legs so we thought we would treat him to a place that specializes in crab legs. We all bought our own crab leg tool to take home as a kind of souvenir and also in case we ever decide to try to make these at home.
Of course Dad enjoys this place because of the big shark hanging from the ceiling but admitted the crab legs were good.
Cedar Point Boneville 2016
The train ride that takes you to Frontier land has always had one big perk, coming back to the main park you go through Boneville where dozens of skeletons live and as far as Dad can remember they have been there a very long time. Everyone agreed that the best scene was the house fire with the skeletons trying to put out the fire using various methods including a water hose. We rode the train several times to get as many pics as we could because the train is moving and its hard to keep a good focus. Anyhow, this and a movie is what we came up with.
Boneville has been around for decades, evolving with more skeletons until you have something really spectacular. Although these pictures and videos don’t do it justice, they do give you an idea of the effort that went into this little part of what would otherwise be a boring train ride.
Cedar Point June 2016
After James visited Cedar Point with his class, we felt it would be a good time to take him with his family. Security was at the park with metal detectors which was a reminder of the world we live in, but once inside it was simply a perfect day for a visit. Mom and James both enjoyed riding the “spider ride” or whatever you call the thing, but Dad stays away from spinning rides since the Boblo days. James enjoyed an old time Western show with cowboys and showgirls, and a rag tyme street band was playing Rock and Roll songs including Steppenwolf and Kiss. This caused Mom and Dad to do a doubletake as we never heard songs from our generation played that way. Dinner was Chinese at the Panda restaurant and a great time was had by all.
James and Mom on the spider ride below
Town Peddler Flea Market 2016
This event has a special place in our hearts because we remember selling here for a couple years. This is why we bought our tables that we use at the Halloween Party and garage sales and also where the “pop up” shelter came from (to keep us out of the sun’s path on these hot June days. However this day we were buyers and shopped around. Everyone came away with something, Mary got two pictures to hang up, James got two hats and a few small items, and Dad got 4 Halloween lightups and 1 big Easter bunny blowmold. Our total cost was only about $12 or $13 dollars so we were very happy with the haul. The sun was so bright this day we could not tell how good or bad the pictures were that we took so please excuse the several that have a finger or thumb in them.
Greenfield Village Army Vehicles 2016
Vehicles of the US Army were on display at Greenfield Village and James had a chance to see an incredible variety of vehicles that were used in World War 2 and the Korean War. Dad was kind of shocked how little the jeep changed from the 1940’s till the early 1980’s when he used to drive around in them. There was every type of GI issue including cigarettes that the Army used to provide to soldiers, imagine that. James enjoyed the specialty vehicles such as the military ambulances and personnel transports. He also saw a vast array of machine guns and other weapons from various era’s of our history. A very interesting exhibit that brought back fond memories for Dad.
Greenfield Village Motor Muster 2016
We knew going into this day it was going to be a hot one, so we ate a light lunch and ventured onward to Greenfield Village to see the annual Motor Muster of classic cars. The entire village was full of cars and people and we had a hard time finding a parking spot even at the furthest reaches of the Henry Ford parking lot. Fortunately we got in, traveled mostly via the train and the cab around the park. The temperature did hit 93 degrees but there was no humidity so we were quite comfortable most of the time. Great classic car show, we have missed it for the last couple times but we made sure to catch it this year.
