Mackinac Island trip continued...

There are two spellings for Mackinac but only one pronunciation. I was confused by this so thought I would pass on the info. Mackinaw is the English spelling and Mackinac is the French spelling but they are both pronounced Mackinaw.
We continued our way around the easy 8 mile ride around the island, I would say back to civilization but there was an abundance of people the entire way. Way too many for my taste but it is in the height of the tourist season. It is a beautiful place but having to be careful not to run over someone or get run over detracts from the experience. Since I am blessed with a vivid imagination I could envision a landscape without people often enough to make it worthwhile.

Chicory and rock

Coastline blow the Arch

Fort Mackinac

After returning to the midst of the port area we found a place to eat. Mary's Bistro. Wanda and I had Chicken Pot pies and the guys had burgers. What else?! It was a tasty meal. We decided a restaurant would be forced to be good there or they would not be in business long if they could not put out an excellent meal. After our meal we had to find fudge. Not hard to do as every other shop sells it. Butch bought a slice of maple pecan fudge. He did share but most of it ended up in Butch. Good thing too because that stuff does a number on my system. Too, too rich! 

After riding around the island on bikes we decided to splurge on a carriage ride that would take us to the steeper parts of the interior of the island. 

The famous Grand Hotel

The horses from the Grand Hotel getting a drink and a break from their duties. The drivers of these rigs are dressed very formally including top hat.

The pavement is hard on the horses feet so this shoe made of hard rubber was invented on Mackinac island for their horses. It saves money in many ways and I am sure the horses are grateful for the help.

This young man was giving us a preliminary explanation about the fort. The admission to it was $10.50 each so we declined. Butch wanted more fudge.

The governor's mansion for Michigan is on Mackinac island. The view from here is magnificent.

Horse powered street sweeper. They export 5000 pounds of manure a week besides what they keep for their own use as fertilizer.

The weather was beginning to get chillier and spit rain as we headed back to the mainland. We were fortunate that it waited till late in the day.

On our way back to Thuder Bay Resort we stopped for a quick look at CLEAR Lake and it indeed lives up to its name. Absolutely beautiful and very very clear. Understand that the picture was taken under heavy cloud cover. I understand that on a sunny day it has a turquoise color like the waters of the Caribbean .

 

We all four had a great time on our Michigan excursion.

Mackinac Island

We went to Mackinac Island in northern Michigan yesterday with fellow workampers Wanda and Tom Burnell. We took a catamaran with www.arnoldline.com to get to the island. By buying our tickets online we saved $3 per ticket. We all took our bicycles so we could ride the 8 mile trail around the island. Rentals are $5 an hour and you never know what you will get with a rental. I like my bike.

This is like the catamaran that took us to the island.

After we arrived on the island we gathered ourselves together with sort of a plan. So off we went on our bikes making frequent stops for picture taking opportunities. 

Tom studies the map.

This is a garbage collection and package delivering carriage. No cars are allowed on the island so horses get a work out doing the work that cars and trucks do in other locations.

This is an old hotel no longer in use. It was a fine structure in its glory days. The stairway is made of twigs cut to size.

The next stop was the Arch Rock. Leaving our bikes at the bottom we took a gazillion steps up to the Arch Rock. It was a huffing and puffing experience. Yes, that is Butch threatening to climb onto the Arch.

I like this photo but it is not typical. There were more often dozens of bikers on the trail, not two!

Tom and Wanda in the Devil's Kitchen.

You can barely see the lighthouse through the rooster tail spray.

To be continued...

The Boys Day off

Free photo slideshow created with Smilebox

Horses and such

Butch and went to visit the big horses that pull the carriages for the elk viewing. They live in the country but commute to Hillman to work when needed. It was a fun trip. Alan coaxed them out with some oats because when it is hot they like to stay in the barn in the shade. I will post a Smilebox of all the photos I took when I finish with this post.

After visiting the big boys we went further down the road to check out a restaurant that Joy who works in the pro shop had told us about. The Depot. And since it was mid-morning we opted for a cinnamon roll as a bit of a test to see what we thought of the place. The cinnamon roll was huge and inexpensive and also loaded with frosting. Very good as well.  I scraped mine off and gave the excess to Butch. The coffee cup was large and never-ending so we give the place a thumbs up. The Depot is located 8 miles east on M-32 and 8 miles south of Hillman on HWY 65-right side of the road.

After we returned to Thunder Bay Resort we caught up on some chores around the resort. Butch put in some hours on electrical work while I cleaned decks around the villas. After I worked up a sweat with that I came home and worked on the computer making a flyer and posting to some blogs.

Gotta keep up with these blogs or I might get flogged! 

Golf Course Pictures

Butch rangered on Saturday afternoon so I rode around with him for a bit and took pictures on the golf course. There are always gulls around toddling their funny little selves all over the place.

This is one of my favorite trees on the course. It is old and seems to be spreading its graceful arms in welcome.

One of the twistier paths on the course.

Yes, hitting the ball over the water is required on this hole.

This is hole number 17 considered the "Signature hole" And yes, you are required to hit the ball over the water and the rocks! I can do it if I can get close enough to the water first...probably taking several shots.

Undulating green. Have to see to appreciate.

Yes, you do need to hit the ball over the cattails and marsh to get on the green. And that completes this tour of the course.

On my Morning Walk

This house was entirely overgrown with brush and trees etc. until the last couple of weeks when someone has decided to clear it all away. I wish I knew the rest of the story but there is a limit to my nosiness.

Ready to tee off.

This photo reminds me of my childhood when we had hollyhocks growing by the outhouse and also reminds me of my mother in her apron visiting over the fence with Mrs. Butler,the neighbor next door. Hollyhocks were a prevalent flower of my childhood. Also peonies. 

Newest one I have of Elise

We will be on a billboard!!

Free Smoothie

Ran across this article and we may remember to go by McDonalds for a free smoothie. How about you?

McDonald's unveiled its new McCafé Real Fruit Smoothies (in addition to other products) as an extension of their McCafé line. The smoothies, available in Strawberry Banana or Wild Berry (chosen as the favorites during rigorous consumer testing), launched nationwide on Tuesday.

Our initial reaction was that both flavors (Wild Berry contains blueberries, strawberries and blackberries) were quite fresh-tasting, thanks to their natural ingredients (fruit, fruit juice, low-fat yogurt and ice). Danielle Paris, the Director of Product Innovation and Development at McDonald's, told Slashfood that McDonald's "sources strawberries directly from strawberry farmers, and selects particular varieties that will offer a specific flavor profile" for the smoothies.

As promised, our official taste test is coming soon, but next week you can try out the flavors yourself, at no cost. From July 22 to July 24, McDonald's will be giving customers free samples of both smoothie flavors.

Friends Tuffy and Char

Friends Tuffy and Char that we know from Magnolia park made their way to Thunder Bay for a fishing trip and a visit. We had a real good time even though the cribbage games could have been a bit better...

Woodpecker at Jack's Landing

And a gull on top of a power pole.

What the heck?

Ever since we have taken on our new position of keeping up the outside of the villas, suites and chalets three days a week my posting has gone to hell! I will adjust and most hopefully improve. Let's see, where were we...
Tuffy and Char did arrive on Sunday with their boat. They came to fish, purchased bait at Wild Bill's on the way here and shortly after getting settled in to their room took off for Fletcher's Pond. Pond?? It covers 8900 acres and that seems much more than a pond to me! When they finished their fishing expedition we visited and caught up with news of our other Magnolia park people. Some good news and some not so good. We also were able to play several spirited games of cribbage.
While Tuffy and Char were fishing, fellow workamper Rob came by to tell us all the workampers were going to Lickety Split for ice cream. We are always up for ice cream so in we went. Amaretto Cherry- my fave. We usually have a Sunday evening meeting to discuss the week so this meeting took place at the Lickety Split minus one couple. I am sure Dan and Becky were filled in on the meeting later.

Monday morning brought an invite to go on a rafting trip on the Thunder Bay River. Having never done this before I made a good guinea pig to see if those who will be in charge were ready for paying guests to take the trip. I did not take my camera because I figured taking care of myself was enough challenge. As it turned out I could have taken it. I erred on the side of caution. Go to www.thunderbayresort.blogspot.com for my ethereal view of the trip. I was not fearful or anxious even once. It was wonderfully quiet.

Monday is a work day for us so we had a quick lunch and gathered up the cleaning gear to play catch up. It was much hotter than I had anticipated and I worked up a powerful sweat in no time. We managed to get most of one building done and will finish the rest of it tomorrow. Butch will be golfing and it is to be another hot one. 87 degrees, So perhaps I will tackle it alone in the cool of the morning.
Tuffy called mid afternoon to tell us they were taking us out for supper and indeed they did. We went to Jack's Landing and enjoyed a wonderful meal and their generous hospitality. After giving  a short tour of the facility we came back for more cribbage. Grumble, grumble...we girls were soundly beaten. This morning Tuffy and Char dropped by for goodbyes before they headed out for another day of fishing before going home. It was fun to have them here. Oh yes, they caught 48 keepers yesterday. Memory fails me on what kind of fish they caught.
So now I am caught up to this morning and Butch is putting the push on as we are headed to Alpena...my bead order is in...and other things need attention too so till next time!...

Bracelets and other stuff

These are the three bracelets I have finished thus far. The green and gold one belongs to Laura Brooker. Going in the mail on Monday.  My bead order should be arriving  Monday and then I can really take off making bracelets. Right now I am on borrowed beads.

Butch is doing his Sunday mowing of greens. His mower broke down so he had to wait for Ted to finish his side so he could use the other greens mower. Oh the troubles we have!

Friends from Magnolia Park, Tuffy and Char Wolfrom will be arriving today for a fishing expedition and a visit. Michigan is home for many of Magnolias people. Problem is the part of the state we happen to be in is the part less traveled. So Hey!, Michiganders from Magnolia...how about becoming better acquainted with the lesser known parts of your state and dropping in on us for a visit. Hillman Michigan...Northeast part...not far from Alpena. See you soon?

Wiggling Watermelon

Butch and I made our weekly run to Alpena Thursday and as we pulled into the Walmart parking lot there were the usual produce vendors hawking their wares. Traverse City cherries and watermelon. Butch said, "Look Barb, that guy is wiggling his watermelon at you." He was!  For some reason that really tickled my funny bone. Still does. I can still see him standing there wiggling his watermelon in my direction.

I have learned a new to me technique for making jewelry. Now I am not much for wearing jewelry. I just never think to adorn myself. But I am having great fun making it. I am now working on my third bracelet. This picture is the first bracelet I made and it is only partially done in this view. When I finish this third one I will take a picture of all three and post them.
It has cooled down this morning. Only in the 50's. Butch is out mowing greens. I have had computer work to catch up on.
We were confronted with renewing our workamper subscription the other day and I thought of passing it by but then I asked Butch about it. After all it is fun to see what is available even if you do not want to take the positions. His reaction surprised me a bit. He said, "Well it has provided us with some good adventures." That it has. So we renewed. Workamper News

Hurry, Hurry

These kinds of days are few and far between for me...Thank goodness. I didn't get any blogging done yesterday so I am feeling the pressure. Butch and I took on a more regular job of keeping the outside areas around the villas, suites and chalets cleaned. And until we establish a routine and get the first run through done it will take a bit more time than it will later on. At least I think that is the way it will work.
Butch played in the senior men's league yesterday AM and I cleaned the MoHo. Then we worked on our new job and then we played in couples golf. So for all you who wonder, Butch does get a bunch of golf in. He is playing now as a matter of fact...in the rain.
Do we get anything else done? Not yet. But keep checking in. I haven't pushed very hard yet but I will.

Elise on the 4th

I love the "Church lady" look on that cute little face.

It is Tuesday

I did get my walk in this morning while Butch was golfing. Then I made my way up to the barn to help finish up the sewing on the acoustical curtains. I really wasn't in on much of the work of it but everyone was glad to have this project done.
Oh yes, Butch did get me out to play nine holes yesterday using the par 3 tee blocks. Did I enjoy it? hmmm- neutral. I seem to really need much advanced notice if I am going to play golf. That has pretty much always been true. Golf is not something I can be spontaneous about. Don't know why and not sure I care why. It just is.

This afternoon Butch is learning how to be a ranger. Not sure it needs much instruction but it is nice that Butch and Tom have each others company while they have to be on the course in this hot and humid weather.
Some pictures from yesterday on the course:

Hole #1

Butch on #9. He does not like #9.

After the 4th and My Kindle

It is so hard to believe the 4th has come and gone. I received my Kindle a few days ago and I quickly became accustomed to it. Not at all difficult to do. I am loving it. An Apple fan asked me why I did not choose an iPad and to be honest I had not considered it so I went on an investigative tour to find out why I did not choose an iPad. 
I am still happy with my choice of a Kindle. We are blessed with two computers and to me the iPad more closely resembles a computer as opposed to a book. The number one reason I would not have considered an iPad even if it had occurred to me is price. $499 plus as opposed to $189. Another reason is hidden costs with the iPad. It is my understanding that the $499 is just the starting price and then there are fees for this and fees for that. Book selection would have been another factor. It is very frustrating to have a book in mind and find that it is not available in ebook format. Yes, I am aware that all of Amazon.coms books would also be available to iPad users if you pay a $14.99 Internet fee. (one of those hidden fees)
And then there is battery life. As little as 10 hours with an iPad and up to two weeks with a Kindle. After reading all about both I am still at peace with my selection of a Kindle.


We enjoyed a calm and quiet 4th. Went for our walk and usually it is unusual to see anyone but there were lots of people out and about due to the holiday. The golf course was busy. There are most likely lots of lost balls out there waiting to be found today.
The RV park residents gathered in the pavilion for a potluck meal and lots of visiting. When you gather a bunch of Rvers and full timers together it is bound to make interesting conversation.

 Butch and I had a Netflix waiting for us so after the meal we came home to watch our movie. The movie was Precious. It was a good one all round. Definitely not a feel good movie but very thought provoking and sad.

Mexican Bean Salad

Yesterday after getting our walk in we rested a good share of the day. Along toward evening we meandered over to the Pavilion where some of the other residents of the RV park were gathered. There were some of those little eclairs and cream puffs you can buy in most stores these days just sitting there calling my name. I have to pass them by in the store because I would eat the whole box if they were in my freezer. But there they were and free for the taking. I ate far too many of them and they were good!

My blood sugar otherwise known as BS showed my transgression this morning. Then later we enjoyed Hillman's fireworks from our kitchen table. It was a beautiful sight, framed so perfectly by the window and one we have not enjoyed that closely for many years. After the fireworks we watched a few minutes of a Ma and Pa Kettle movie before drifting off to sleep. “I'll get that later, Ma” has been one of Butch's mantras for many years.

Also yesterday I made a new recipe and I kept slipping back to the fridge for another bowl of it. I love the stuff! The only change I made to the recipe is the salt. I only used a fraction of the amount called for. It is a keeper.

Mexican Bean Salad

Prep Time: 15 Minutes Ready In: 1 Hour 15 Minutes

Servings: 8

"The dressing is absolutely sensational in this bean salad - so many taste sensations. It

begins with oil and vinegar, but then it gets fancy. Let 's see, there 's lemon and lime

juice, garlic, cilantro, sugar, cumin, hot sauce and chili powder to taste."

INGREDIENTS:

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and

drained

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 (15 ounce) can cannellini beans,

drained and rinsed

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 (10 ounce) package frozen corn kernels

1 red onion, chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup red wine vinegar

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon salt

1 clove crushed garlic

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/2 tablespoon ground cumin

1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper

1 dash hot pepper sauce

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large bowl, combine beans, bell peppers, frozen corn, and red onion.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lime juice, lemon juice,

sugar, salt, garlic, cilantro, cumin, and black pepper. Season to taste with hot sauce

and chili powder.

3. Pour olive oil dressing over vegetables; mix well. Chill thoroughly, and serve cold.

Sack Race

They are all lined up for the sack race.

And we are OFF!!

I do not think so Mom. It does not look safe. I will stand here and watch.

Walked into Hillman MI

When the bridge is finished in Hillman it will be a beauty.

Pineapple Casserole

We have had one potluck here at Thunder Bay Resort and Rebecca Crawford brought this recipe. It was delicious!! I happened to run across it in a newsletter I receive regularly and thought AHA! I am glad to have this because I forgot to ask Rebecca for it before they left. Thanks Rebecca, wherever you might be. We miss you!

Pineapple Casserole

 

2 (20 oz) cans pineapple chunks in own juice (drain, reserve 6 T juice)

6 T flour

1 c sugar

2 c grated cheddar cheese

1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed

1/2 c butter, melted

 

Oven 350F.  In mixing bowl, stir together pineapple, 6 T juice, flour,

sugar and cheese, and pour into 7x11" baking pan.  In separate bowl, mix

crackers and butter.  Sprinkle over top of pineapple mixture.  Bake 30

minutes.  Enjoy!

 

Be sure and let everyone know that this is pineapple, not a potato

casserole. 

Cooling our Buns

We are cooling our buns here in northern Michigan this morning with lows at 42 last night. We were warned it could get downright chilly up here and darned if they weren't right. And here it is the first of July. Thank goodness these cool days are interspersed with near perfect ones of mid-seventies, low humidity and sunshine.
The "boys" are on their weekly golf outing this morning and we "girls" will be beading in a few minutes.
I see the guys are just teeing off on #4.
We have a mystery. Last night after returning home from couples golf we found a paddle on our patio chairs. We have no idea where it came from. We do not have a canoe but now we have a paddle. Perhaps someone is telling us something?
Jack is about to start his rafting trips on the river so perhaps it is he who left it as an invitation?  I am sure it will all come to light soon.
Looks like the Rio Grande Valley folks were lucky with Alex. He wasn't such a naughty boy, just slightly mischievous.
Gotta run now but must get back to blogging in an hour or so.
later...