We made it back from Michigan(most of us anyway). We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Bozyk on Lake Charlevoix last week, and left Allison behind for the next three weeks to keep Gma and Gpa entertained. On the way there, we stopped by MSU to visit the children's garden, eat ice cream at the dairy and have lunch at El Azteca, besides stocking up on great MSU souvenirs.
In Charlevoix, we started the week off with a kayak/canoe ride down the East Jordan river. Tom and Scott ended up in the river in their canoe at the same spot Dan B went in last year. That water sure is cold! And our weather was not terribly warm either. Mostly it stayed around 74 degrees for the high. Monday we headed out to pick cherries and strawberries. Last year I made strawberry jam so this year it was strawberry pies. The kids braved the lake and went for a swim and Monday night we headed into Petoskey for a round of pirate putt putt golf. Tuesday we all (including Gma and Gpa) decided to drive to the Upper Peninsula to visit the Soo Locks in Sault St Marie . Not only did we visit, but we took a boat ride through the canal ourselves on a tour boat. It was quite amazing to see how quickly the canals filled and empty, and how we rose up above the canal, and then dropped about 30 feet alongside the cement walls. There is only about 2 1/2 ft clearance on each side of the canal walls for the big freighters to fit through, so they have to do a good job steering! Weds was a bit rainy so we had movie day-the kids caught Ice Age with Tom and since he already caught Harry Potter with Allison the week before, I went on to see it myself. All 2.5 hours of it! Thursday we decided to spend the day in Charlevoix for the kids activities to celebrate Venetian Festival. We had a picnic on Lake Michigan beach and watched the drawbridge go up and down as the big boats came through. Scott got brave and went swimming in Lk Michigan while Allison and I looked for Petoskey stones. Most of the crowd was busy in the park at the kids activities, but we opted not to pay the $8 for the rides since the lines were so long. Allison would have liked the elephant ride though but she probably would have spent the whole day standing in line! Instead we headed into town for a few carnival rides and games and set up our blanket at the band shell for the evenings concerts. We stopped into dinner at a local restaurant and then caught a few bands before heading home. We also took a tour of the new Charlevoix library which was absolutely beautiful. They rebuilt and remodeled an old school building with a bit of a nautical theme and old mission style. They even have a wonderful small garden and some great statues around the building. While we were busy in Charlevoix, Gma and Gpa were busy entertaining old school friends, Larry and Isabel Smith up for a day visit after dropping off their granddaughter to the Interlochen Music School near Traverse City for a few weeks of camp. We had a quick chance to chat before leaving. We kids used to spend alot of time visiting and playing with their kids since we were all about the same age. Hugh who is my age is remarried to another girl named Kathy for the second time and just adopted a little Korean girl. They all live in San Luis Obispo in CA. The Smiths oldest son is in Oregon and their youngest daughter, Claire is in Pennsylvania. Mrs Smith gave me a quick run down on their 50th Wedding Anniversary Party that they held last year. They renewed their vows in a small church in Franklin with 6 priests attending followed by a reception at a nearby Country Club. Mom and Dad Bozyk attended so I got to see photos of the event that the Smith kids had bound in an album. Mom and Dad also watched the video. They all had a terrific visit and enjoyed mom's spaghetti dinner. Friday we decided to try out Dad's fishing boat for a tour around the lake, however, the boat motor did not cooperate. Instead we packed up and went hiking in Boyne Mt, climbing 460 steps to the top and then following the ultimate frisbee golf trail all the way down. We then headed into Boyne to check out the street fair. Friday night we enjoyed fireworks over Lake Charlevoix from the deck of the house before getting rained out. When we weren't busy doing some type of activity, we were enjoying eating at all the local ice cream shops and stocking up on our favorite salt water taffy. Then we had to sample a Mich. blueberry/peach pie from the local Farmer's Market.
Tom spent much of his time at the house connecting the speaker system to the stereo. He hooked up 24 speakers all through the house(and there are still more to go!). He also attempted to hook up a front door bell, but couldn't figure out the complicated wiring system-too many programs running through the place including internet and cable wiring and a security system, possibly an intercom system. Next year he will have to study the wiring diagram! We also had a few leaks to deal with which the builder fixed-one under the kitchen sink and another that Tom found behind the fridge. He also attempted to repair the old dishwasher in the basement kitchen but it looks to be done in. Then there was the dock that needed to be put in and some furniture moved and the boat motor to be hauled out and put on the boat. Dad B managed to get it going on Saturday morning with a little starter fluid so we all got a ride. The kids were just a bit too cold and it was a bit too breezy on the lake though for a ride in the innertube.
We also enjoyed our entertainment choices which included watching movies on the big walls with our new projector, playing Wii video games on the big projector and watching movies on our old big TV which Dad took up in the Spring. And we introduced Gma and Gpa to the Apples to Apples game which led to many interesting conversations around the kitchen table. Mom and Dad enjoyed it so much, they even played with Larry and Isabel.
All in all we had a great week. I would have liked to have attended the Venetian night boat parade and fireworks on Saturday night, but we couldn't stay that long. I also wish it had been a bit warmer for more swimming, or that we could have gotten more fishing in than just casting off the dock. Tom even picked up a couple of BB guns to let Scott and Allison get in some shooting since the guns are illegal in Howard County. So are their sling shots I hear.
But Allison is staying there for all of us for the next 3 weeks and I am sure she will get in lots of swimming and fishing with Gpa. She is also scheduled to take a 4H sailing class on Lake Charlevoix next week along with a picnic at the end of the week. And there are plenty of Art Fairs and Antique Car shows and Flea Markets going on every weekend. Not to mention the Polish Festival in Boyne and some great programs for teens at the library. And if they get bored, they can always catch a concert in a local park in the evenings, or attend the nature programs at the State Park in Boyne. I am sure that Allison will not get bored.
And we can stay in touch even easier now with Mom and Dad B since Tom set up our old laptop computer so they have email access at the Lake. Unfortunately, their main computer was fried in WB, so Tom brought it home to see if he can rebuild it. But feel free to email-they will receive your messages up at the lake now.
So we are back home and Tom will head to Mich in 3 weeks to pick up Allison. Meanwhile, Tom is in Salt Lake City this week, Scott is at camp at Howard Community College and I am back to work.
Feel free to drop in on Allison and Gma and Gpa at the Lake Charlevoix house if you have time! Like the kids say, It just isn't summer until you visit the lake house!