Beyond Timbuktu: On the Road

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

On the Road

We did a lot of traveling this past week. First, Naomi and I spent a few days in Central Wisconsin. Without the girls. It was great. Started out at the Pike Lake Cabin for a couple nights. Grandma and Grandpa met us there and left after a nice dinner. This was followed up by a beautiful, relaxing day. The next morning we cleaned things up for the realtor. Unfortunately, the cabin needs to be sold. We were happy to spend a bit of time there before it happens.

We spent another day with family and then headed back to Escanaba. After three days it felt like I almost didn't recognize the girls. Amélie's hair color had changed and Abigail was starting to take steps on her own. They did really well with Grandma and Grandpa - just the routine and peace that they needed after so many visitors.

I was only home for a day before heading down to the Grand Rapids area with Dad for his family reunion. We decided that 7 hours in the car was way too much for the little ones, so just the two of us made the trip. Friday evening we spent in Grand Haven checking out my friend Andrew's new location for his coffee company, Aldea. It is coming together really well. They share a space with a brewery and an art gallery. A food business will be opening up there shortly too. Pretty cool business venture.

Saturday was the reunion and it was a lot of fun to spend the day with family. The food was good and we had a really nice spot at a park. Sunday morning I met Andrew for some disc golf and after lunch we made the drive back to Escanaba, stopping at Kitch-iti-kipi, an incredibly clear, spring fed lake that you can take a raft across on our way home.

Now Naomi's friend Amelia is visiting from Cleveland, and the basement project has begun. We are clearing things out and will be building a new bedroom down there so that Mom can take over ours for her stained glass workshop. We shall see how far we get...wish we had more time here!