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Mackinaw Island 2006
We really enjoy going to this island, the earlier the better. We try to get there before 8am because we pretty much have the whole island (and boat ride) to ourselves. The only people on the boat with us are people who work at the stores on the island. We go up the big hill, past the big Fort, and straight into the State park part of Mackinaw. It always reminds me of the trek Dorothy took to get to the witches castle before the flying monkeys got them. A forest full of mystery and landmarks all over. Three graveyards are here as well, a Protestant one, a Catholic one, and a Military one. Most of the graves here are well over a hundred years old.
There is also Skull Cave, Arch Rock, and a scenic view that simply cannot be captured with a camera. In the city you have the Grand Hotel which was the setting for the movie “Somewhere in Time” with Christopher Reeve.
There are no automobiles allowed on the island for transportation. You must walk, ride a horse, ride in a horse drawn carriage, or ride a bicycle. There is a small airport on the island, it is a good hike to get to but we have done it so its possible. However why come all this way to see a small airport?
Mackinaw City 2006
Every spring we make a trek up north to the straits of Mackinaw and go to the State Park on the Island. Mackinaw is spelled two different ways and both are correct, sometimes you see it as Mackinac, sometimes as Mackinaw. This is due to being occupied by both the French and British who had different spellings for the name.
An obvious strategic location along the great lakes, Mackinaw is littered with history including forts, military graves, indian burial grounds, and one of the largest suspension bridges in the world which joins the upper and lower peninsula’s of Michigan.
We had a special treat this year, on the ferry back from the island we drove under the bridge which is something that usually is not allowed. There was a VIP on board which is why they did it, who the VIP was I have no idea.
Museum Ship Tour Saulte Ste Marie 2006
The Museum Ship offers more than just a tour of her deck. Housed inside her massive cargo holds is a 20,000 square foot museum with over 100 exhibits! The Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit holds the two lifeboats from the stricken vessel. Torn away during the sinking, these lifeboats are two of very few major artifacts recovered after the tragic demise. The exhibit also features an hour long presentation about the events that occurred on November 10, 1975 which caused the tragic loss of one of the Great Lakes’ largest freighters. In addition to the museum exhibits, the Museum Ship VALLEY CAMP displays four 1,200 gallon aquariums stocked with various species of fish from the Great Lakes region.
The ship is gigantic, you could kick field goals on the deck and never have to worry about the ball going overboard. I am not sure who is the original owner of this tanker. Its says Republic Steel in some area but I also saw the emblem for US Steel (both are my customers in Lorain Ohio).
A great tour, hard to believe one just like it sank in Lake Superior.
Sea Shell City 2006
I remember as a kid seeing an episode of the old Adam West batman show where the Joker tied up Batman, Robin, and the Jokers girl friend (that’s why hes the joker) and fed them to a giant clam. The cliff hanger was Robin being eaten by the clam with only his foot sticking out of the clams mouth. Batman broke out of the chains and saved everyone and that night they had clam chowder for dinner.
So naturally when I see a sign for a man eating clam I am going to pull over and take a peek. While the clam was not quite that big, it sure was big enough to swallow James. Sea Shell city has a huge variety of sea faring souvenirs and is a great place to visit on the way up (or down) from Mackinaw. Octopus, starfish, alligators, shark jaws, and many other treasures of the deep are here for the taking (after you pay of course). Other man made items such as sea shell lamps and sea shell bottle holders fill aisle after aisle. A fun place to visit.
Heritage Park Petting Zoo 2006
James and Peg went to the Taylor petting zoo this day, this was his first experience at an actual petting zoo and he enjoyed it very much. James was wearing sandals that day so they asked us not to let him out in the barn because you are required to wear shoes so he was a little limited, but it worked out well because the staff would bring the animals to him in his wagon.
So remember, if you ever go to the Taylor petting zoo at Heritage Park to wear sneakers instead of sandals.
James really enjoys the atmosphere of barns and livestock, he remembers his favorite animals names and wants to go back and see them some more. Aunt Peg had fun too, showing James all the animals and explaining to him their names and what they do.
Easter 2006
This was James third Easter and he had so many different things to play with I think he got Easter confused with Christmas. A great time was had by all and the weather was so nice that James could go outside and play if he wanted to.
We had a mini Easter egg hunt for him, something we are always prepared to do but rarely due because the weather can be pretty unfriendly in Michigan even as late as April and May. However this year the weather delivered and James had his Easter egg hunt.
The picture with the Easter bunny was taken about a week or so before Easter at the Fairlane mall. It was taken after the Elmo meeting so as far as James was concerned the Easter bunny was anti-climatic. He wouldn’t be saying that if he knew who was bringing him his baskets and it sure ain’t Elmo but who am I to question the wisdom of a 2 year old.
Ann Arbor Hands On Museum 2006
Here’s an idea whose time has come, its called the hands on museum in Ann Arbor is a great place for kids of all ages to visit. Different activities on different floors and James might actually have learned a thing or two. James got to see himself in front of a blue screen with different backgrounds and also got to see a tornado up close. Lots of science and electronics and much of it was beyond him, but that’s why they have different floors for different ages.
I would have to say the favorite thing for James was the gear boxes and the switches. The gear boxes were fascinating because he turned one thing and a bunch of things turned, the switches were fun because, well, he likes turning on switches.
Highly recommended, glad we found this place
Elmo Comes To Dearborn 2006
As with most young children, Elmo plays a big part in their childhood activities via games, television, or talking dolls. Elmo is a hero for James and James could not wait to see Elmo when he came to the Fairlane mall – and he was not disappointed. After waiting patiently for about a half hour he finally got to see the star, Elmo of Sesame Street.
The thing I will remember about this is James getting upset when we had to leave and I had to carry him out crying, as I walked past the security guard he said “There goes a true Elmo fan” lol. However all was not lost, just on the other side of Fairlane the Easter bunny was setting up shop and with a little coaxing, James was back to his happy self again and getting his pic taken with the Easter bunny (which I will add to the Easter gallery later).
Super Bowl 2006
The Superbowl came to Detroit and we took James downtown during Super Bowl week to participate in some of the festivities. James got to see radio row and rode on the people mover to Greek town and then off to Ford Field and a stop at Comerica park (which would be the first time James saw the two new Detroit stadiums). We bought James an official Super Bowl XL outfit, then drove by the Spirit of Detroit to see how the statue was dressed for the event.
The Steelers won the Superbowl later in the week which we watched together on TV. One of the other sites I do is called “The Curse of Bobby Layne” and it was interesting that the one time a Superbowl was played in Detroit it would be won by the team Bobby was traded to nearly 50 years ago.
Harsh Lake George Winter 2006
So you want a nice quiet place on the lake, eh. Want to kick back with nature and get away from the city, eh.
Here are some pictures Aunt Criss sent us of Lake George in the winter time. Something tells me the salt trucks and plows won’t be riding to the rescue anytime soon.
My sister Criss emailed these pictures of what a winter is like living on a lake. Thankfully they have television and the internet to help them through it. The other months of the year, they are the envy of the family living on a lake, but in winter time the area takes on a different style of beauty, and I don’t think I like ice fishing as much as fishing off a boat on a warm summer day.
