Beaver Island

So, I hope everyone's Fourth of July was as fun as mine. Beaver Island with a bunch of friends was amazing. So before I go down that road and tell you all about it, let me remind my readers that if you are getting this in your email, please check out the actual website. There is much more. :-) www.sarahslifeupnorth.blogspot.com. Thanks!!

So, Friday morning we all crawled out of bed at 3 am. Ok, maybe my better half crawled. I moved like a slug or a sloth....slithering out of the covers and through the bedroom. Not a morning person. Everything had been packed the night before, a few things left to throw in the car but none of us were moving too quickly. We had a 5 hour drive ahead of us. We finally left at 330 am. The kid and dog in the back seat and Tony driving. It was actually a pretty ride. We had to drive down to Charlevoix to catch the 0830 ferry over to the island. It seemed like the drive was taking forever and time was moving slow. We made one stop to a McDonalds for a pee break, walk the dog, grab some grub and onward. Once we hit Hwy 31, everything slowed right down. Construction. Ugh, on a holiday weekend, come on. So that put us behind. We got to Charlevoix, quick unloaded the car and Tony ran to park it, which was about 1/4 of a mile away. We waited and waited. There is usually a shuttle that would have brought him back but of course the bridge went up and traffic was at a halt. It was at about 830 ish am that we saw him running in our direction the same time that we heard "Last Call for boarding!" Good timing.

The ferry ride over was beautiful. A sailboat here or there, gorgeous sunny day. Well I made one rookie mistake. I left all of our booze with our luggage to be packed on the boat!! :-( No beers for us on the way over! Oh well. Next time we know! Once we got to the island, two of our friends were there waiting for us, one I already knew from home and a new friend - our host (well, him and his parents hosted us). SO, piled into the pick up truck and down the block to the market, beer run, dog food, etc. Then back in the truck. My better half and a friend in the bed of the truck in nice comfy wooden chairs just chillin. Bartender was quick and on point. It's the island. It's allowed.

Beaver Island is a beautiful place, to visit and I would imagine to live as well. It is only about 12 or 13 miles long and about 6 or 7 miles wide. There are trails through the woods that make for a beautiful ride. There are roads long the lake that make any little journey a breathtaking one. And every sunset is more amazing than the last. The little shops are unique, attracting all kinds of tourists. One very neat place we stopped was the Toy Museum. I honestly cannot remember if that was what it was called or if there is an actual name for it but that is what we called it. FILLED with old toys, from my generation, from your generation, from the generations of our parents and grandparents. It was pretty neat. There is an airport, where packages are delivered and flights run in and out of. There are 2 lighthouses I believe, one we went and visited and it was beautiful. I love lighthouses and to my delight, so did Sarah, our gracious host.

So I normally do not drop names in my blogs but I feel the need to here. Andy Stone is a friend of Tony's and has been for years. His parents, Sarah (Rohner) and Jeff Stone own the house we all stayed at. IT was just beautiful. You could have used it as a bed & breakfast! The enclosed porch wrapped around facing the lake, it was so peaceful. I loved it and I really hope to go back sometime and be able to do some shopping and touristy stuff. I absolutely loved their garage - above the 2 car garage was basically a little apartment with a lighthouse 'tower'. AMAZING! I had to pick my jaw up. There were lighthouses everywhere in the house. Love love loved it. She has wonderful taste! And there were books everywhere, I love reading too! They were so gracious and kind to let all of us invade their home, it really was a good time.

We took the island tour, all except a couple that had not shown up yet. We saw the big Birch tree, the big Rock, all little spots that are on the map. Even Sarah's house is on the map and Andy's Trail (although Tony and I found out the next day that you need a chainsaw to get down Andy's Trail). We dipped out toes into Lake Michigan, cold as you could stand it. Still not as cold as Lake Superior but cold. We socialized, we drank. A few of the boys took that latter activity to heart. LOL The food was great and the company was even better!

The only thing we missed was the actual July 4th party at the neighbors house. We did show up to say hi, make an appearance, met some nice people, saw another beautiful house on Lake 'G' and ate some great food, but the guys were having fun with bottle rockets and fire crackers and Jaymee, our dog, was scared out of her mind, shaking and trying to hide. So instead of just comforting her and being selfish and having fun, we decided to say good night and head back to the house. We made a mad dash through a short trail of mosquito infested forest and then chilled out for the night. No fireworks for us, but that is ok.

A weekend most memorable, a bunch of new friends I hope to keep in touch with and a very very long sleepy ferry ride home. Next time - fly or bring the booze and food on the ferry on the way over! :-) And shopping next time! :-)

Of course, going back to work this week has been crazy hectic so I did not have time to blab until now. Still hunting for part time work for additional income. Still loving my job. :-)

~Here's to good friends, good food, and conversation...;-)
~S