Jet Lag

This summer have been unable to post every Sunday as per usual during the school year due to a lack of Internet in Escanaba. Now that we are back in Rotterdam the routine is expected to re-commence. Getting back here was an ordeal. The first couple days this past week were fairly relaxed - going to the gym, playing golf, and getting those bags perfectly packed.

On Wednesday my parents drove us down to Chicago. We stopped to get some tea and spices in Appleton, and Claire hosted us for dinner in Milwaukee. I got a bit carsick. Visiting with our family in Chicago was quite nice. We didn't make it downtown but we did have some Chicago Hot Dogs.

We made it to O'Hare with a few minutes to spare, and that was a good thing, because they lost our reservation. The were able to find us seats, but not the good ones we had on the way here. I was fairly miserable on the plane, unable to sleep much. We got to Copenhagen and nobody even spoke to me at customs, just stamped the passport. Luckily our layover was reduced from 4 hours to less than an hour because I was feeling pretty sick after that night of un-rest.

The flight to Amsterdam was quick and by the time we got on the train I was in so much pain that I couldn't sit still. Unfortunately, the train was packed. Eventually we made it home and I passed out for a couple hours after a quick shower. After a miserable dinner and some unpacking we went to bed and 11 hours of sleep took away all the pain of jet lag.

My sleeping habits have been a bit off since then, but energy levels have returned and it is great to have almost a week to re-acclimate and relax before school starts. We have been very productive, taking care of lots of odds and ends that would likely take months to do during the school year. It is the first time we have had a few days of down time at home and it is nice.

Vacation

There were a few days this week that had a real feel of vacation. It started out busy though. The beginning was a lot of fun with Brian & Marti, Gramma, and Claire. On Wednesday we tried to finish up all our important errands and got some fresh raspberry milkshakes. 

Thursday had nothing planned - for the first time this holiday. So we wanted to go golfing. I called up the course and they were booked with a tournament. I was a little frustrated but after a few minutes had an idea. Why not make a golf course of our own?

I planned out three holes in the apple orchard and the front field, then fired up the Cub Cadet, dropped the carriage to the lowest setting, and cut out the tee-offs and greens. Naomi made some flags, and I cut out the holes with a post hole digger and we sunk the flags and had some lunch. Since then we have enjoyed playing golf every day. The weather couldn’t have been better for it.

Saturday we went Mountain Biking at the Rapid River trail while my parents walked. After that we had a great lunch at Jack’s and then went to the Rapid River falls to play with crayfish and relax. After some Dairy-Flo to fortify our homeward journey, we made some supper that Claire pulled up for just as it was coming out onto the plates. Sunday was a day of hanging out, and Claire was really happy to learn how to play some golf.

Time Flies

It is hard to believe that we are already 3/4 of the way though our time. It has been a blast so far and I am really not ready to start winding down. It seems like things are still starting up. The weather is changing though. It feels like fall. I guess we will be back in school before we know it. 

The past week has been a lot of fun. We have been hanging around the house, going to the gym, riding our bikes, going for walks, playing games, and even trying to sell a car. Claire came up on Friday in the early hours of the morning, slept until 3, and when she got up we picked some raspberries and made jam.

On Saturday we took a trip up to Marquette; mom stayed home. We stopped at the Rapid River on the way and Naomi had a blast playing with crayfish. Every time I visit Marquette I like it more. We started out with finding a new camera for my dad. After awhile we came to a conclusion, and hopefully they order it in time for Naomi and me to help him figure out how to use it. After that we hiked up Sugarloaf Mountain. The weather was perfect and the views incredible. 

Sunday was a relaxed day and after dinner Brian and Marti arrived with my Gramma. While we were waiting for them to come we watched a biography about Aldo Leopold, and it helped us to understand my dad and what he is doing to our land a lot better. 

I hope our last week is as good as this one was. I doubt I will be ready to return when the time comes...

Bubbles in the Rapid River just after the waterfall.

Claire on top of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Lake Superior.

The trail down Sugarloaf Mountain.

Sitting at the Whitefish River.

Downstate Drama

Detroit was surprisingly great. The ruins were fascinating. Houses is all states of disrepair. Some just needing a paint job and a few new windows, others burned out by fire, gardens in the process of eating homes alive, and near mansions that the upper-middle class can afford. Little pockets of wealth still exist in the middle of what feels like a bombed out wasteland. Andrew was a great tour guide and has a really optimistic view on the city. There is lots of potential and bits and pieces are really making a comeback.

After a nice anniversary dinner supplied by Whole Foods (yes, they have one downtown now), we relaxed and got some rest. Sunday was a busy day. We met my great aunt and uncle in Grosse Pointe, and were amazed driving into it, as if someone had flipped a switch that suddenly turned on all the beautiful things in the world. The mansions on the lakeshore were more than impressive, and we had a really nice visit. Even Andrew learned some things about the flip side of the D. 

Lunch at a Greek restaurant was great, and afterward we headed toward Ann Arbor to get the car. When we arrived the fuel system was in pieces on the ground, the metal parts consumed with rust. The mechanic explained that the entire gas tank was in jeopardy because the pump had basically rusted into the housing, and if a single tine broke the whole tank would need replacement. He said that at the minimum, a new part needed to be ordered and the car would not be completed on schedule. 

We crossed our fingers and revised the plans, abandoning the car to its fate and setting off to the Westside in Andrew’s minivan packed with coffee and camping gear. At least it smelled good. 

We had a great time staying with him and getting to know his girlfriend Jessie in Grand Haven. Tuesday was a relaxed day at the beach. Wednesday Naomi really wanted to visit Holland, and the weather played the part. It drizzled most of the time we were there. She wasn’t very impressed with the town, but was blown away by the little amusement park modeled after her country. We will have to spend more time there some day when Naomi is particularly homesick.

Thursday we packed the van in preparation for our fake camping day. We weren’t about to pitch a tent, but we could do everything else. The first part was spent at the beach in Pentwater, and after dragging Andrew away from the beautiful beach we went up to Ludington and took a hike. Andrew and I went the long way while Jessie and Naomi stuck to the shoreline. We met at the big lighthouse and came back to a dinner of Mac&Cheese with Tuna cooked in the JetBoil at the beach. The sun set over dessert and the ride back was peaceful. A perfect day.

Friday Andrew and Jessie drove us back to Ann Arbor and we picked up the car. The repairs had gone smoothly and I had opted out of the 200 dollar metal straps that hold up the gas tank, even though there wasn’t much left to the old ones. What an insane price. After loading up our gear and saying goodbye, we drove around the corner to fill up with gas.

While telling Naomi how much I was looking forward to heading home, the smell and sound of leaking fuel reached us. It was pouring out of the bottom of the car, flowing down to the street. We grabbed our valuables and I stayed to watch for smokers while she walked back to the mechanic. They showed up with a tow truck and within a few minutes it was back in the garage. 

The tank settled or something with the addition of the weight of gasoline, so after negotiating for a deal on labor, I had the guys put on those ridiculously priced straps hoping they would solve the problem. 

We set off while they did the repair work toward Ashley and Pawel’s place. Luckily Ashley was home and we had a nice lunch with her and their baby. We also took a pleasant walk around campus and Ashley convinced Naomi to think about coming there for a PhD. Seems like a good plan to us.

After a few hours the car was finished, most of the gas was gone, but we headed up North anyway. After a couple hours we stopped to put more fuel in the tank and it overflowed again. We were pretty upset and unsure what to do at this point, so I went inside to tell the attendant. A guy was there who said his daughter’s car had the same problem and it wasn’t a big deal. Seemed like a big deal to us, but we pushed the car away from the puddle, started it up, and headed toward the bridge. No fire. No explosions. Except for inside the cylinders where they were meant to be.

The bridge was beautiful and we hit it at sunset. After adding a few gallons to the tank and grabbing some McDonald’s we headed into deer country. It felt like entering a safe zone. Traffic was terrible and I was getting tired from all the headlights. After a few more gallons in Manistique we made it all the way home, and what a relief it was!

Saturday and Sunday were decompression days, and we decided to sell the car. Hopefully we can get the leak patched up on Monday and then get it listed online. It would be nice to get it sold before flying out in a couple weeks.