East Coast Adventures

This trip definitely confirmed my preference not to travel! It was expensive and uncomfortable, but we also had some really fun moments. I enjoyed the time showing the girls around Ann Arbor. The city sure is changing quickly. We had a great stay at my friend's house, the guy who wrote the article, and it was fun to meet his family. After that was lots of driving with a quick stop at Niagara falls, and then we were in Connecticut. 

The celebration was beautiful, and lots of fun. It was good to be there and to see everyone. We spent Monday in New York City. Found some amazing bagels and a wonderful West African lunch. Times Square was terrible. Nothing but giant ads. Central park was loud - 3 hovering helicopters for the entire time. French bakery was disappointing. Train worked well and, of course, the skyscrapers were impressive. Stayed in a seedy motel and left the state as quickly as possible. 

The drive through Pennsylvania was beautiful! Then we got to Ohio. Ugh. 90 degrees and terrible. Found a nice hotel across the border, but got scammed with the price. Girls had lots of fun in the pool, and the next morning we hit a bit of traffic around Ann Arbor, but the rest of the trip home went smoothly. Took a few days to readjust, but it's great to be home. The leaves are mostly gone on our land, but still looking beautiful in the city. 

I got a chance to meet some returned Peace Corps Volunteers yesterday which was fun. The girls had a birthday party to go to and Naomi got to hang out with her friend. Still plugging away at the grant application, but they changed the rules this year, so Marquette County no longer gets priority. What a bummer. Now it's time to get organized and ready for winter! 

Central Park.

The trail by our home.

Niagara falls from the Canadian side.

Toronto skyline from across the lake. 

West African lunch.

Crossing the new bridge to Canada.

Rockefeller Center.

Abe Lincoln's dad built this cabinet.

Ann Arbor museum.

Looking up at the buildings.

Best bagels we have had!

Developing Ann Arbor.

The ceremony in Connecticut.

The girls in front of Auntie Claire's old house.

Frank Lloyd Wright house in Ann Arbor.

The spot where we got engaged.

Hornets nest.

Mackinac Bridge overlook.

The Shed

Finally was able to get the shed done! Now I need to get it organized. Lots of heavy lifting for that to happen, so it will need to wait. Came down with a bit of a cold. Amélie helped with the final door. Ended up just costing a couple hundred bucks as most of it was free or left over from other projects. Now it's time to get ready for winter. Lots of wood to split. 

On Tuesday I met with an excavating company out on our land to talk about the road. Nervous about getting that estimate back. Still haven't heard from the well driller. Trying to figure out a design and estimate for a shed that can power the well and some tools too. Hopefully all three things will be possible next year. 

The girls had their one and only XC meet of the season on Wednesday. It was great! Beautiful weather. Naomi worked hard this week so that she could be away for a long weekend with some friends in Minnesota. They are doing a leather working workshop. She missed out on a great Indian dinner with some of our friends in town though! 

All done!

The colors are here!

Rather portable. 

XC meet.

Out on the 80. 

Thinking about next year.