Flags and Flowers

 

Requisite Horse Selfie (forgot how to smile)

Mr. Slug on Soldier's Garden Trail

 

Why, yes. That IS a box of fudge in my water bottle holder.

 

Happy Memorial Day!

 

Trillium at Partridge and Nicki Trails

I feel really bad.  Today was my day off at the outfitter, and I was working at the Lake View.  A guy came in and asked why the flag was at half staff.  I was really confused and asked if he meant the flag at the fort on top of the hill. He said no, the flag in front of the hotel. I went and asked my manager, and she didn’t know why either.  He said that he was a Marine and if the flag was not supposed to be lowered could we please raise it, and if it was supposed to be lowered, please could we also lower the Michigan flag because it was disrespectful for the state flag to be higher.  I felt so bad.  I totally agreed with everything he said and now I was “that person”!  Sheesh.  [editor’s note: the flag was immediately raised to full height.]

So, the trees up here in the far north are beginning to bud.  The trillium are out full force and are amazing!  I tried to take pictures, but they just can’t do it justice.  Partridge trail back behind the airport is especially nice.  I found that out accidentally one day when I left my house with my hammock and book in my backpack looking for a nice place to relax and enjoy the sunshine.  I ended up walking all over, finding a secret place that was so serene and beautiful and amazing that it was hard to believe it actually existed, walked on partridge trail, visited the cave-in-the-woods (original name, right?) and then plodded back home.  My hammock never made it out of my bag and my feet were sore.  But it was worth it:)  

On Memorial Day, I thought it would be appropriate to walk to Soldier’s Garden.  It was just a meadow.  There was no garden.  And I didn’t see a soldier.  But maybe he was wearing camo.  I went barefoot for a little and met a slug.  Then I biked on Leslie ave and this time of year, after a rain… So beautiful!  Except I think I ran over a slug and I heard it pop.  

We opened Marine Supply which is kinda like the outlet store for the outfitter.  They have the most random stuff!  And a lot of it is really old.  I went on a carriage tour.  I have decided to start collection pictures of people taking pictures because I find it hilarious to watch the tourists.  I took a selfie with a horse but temporarily forgot how to smile.  My roommate moved in.  Her name is Alex and she is cool.  Oh! I got to play euchre the other night and can’t wait to play again.  I think I’m developing an accent; sometimes I catch myself saying things in a funny way. 

I'm a Fudgie

Less than two weeks here, I’ve already tried peanut butter fudge from three different companies.  So far, from first to last, is May’s fudge, then Joann’s then Sanders.  I’ve been so tired lately!  I started my second job (desk clerk at Lake View hotel), but that isn’t it.  I think it is just because I am outside and more active.  I’ve been going to bed around 10 and sleeping for 8-10 hours!  The other day, I hit the sack around 7, flat on my stomach on my bed, maybe with my shoes still on (I don’t even remember).  Of course, then I woke up at 3.  My coworker, B, said that is pretty normal when first moving to the island.  Partying has been in full swing at my dorms.  Last night, police and EMS were called.  Funny thing is, the assist fire chief is my boss.  No worries, though. I was sound asleep.  There was a mini flood at work, and water was pouring through the roof.  Not leaking, mind you!  It was more like a gutter. 

I went to church Sunday evening at Mackinac Island Bible church.  It was pretty quiet.  There were 4 other girls and 1 dude.  Everyone was pretty quiet and none of their “regulars” were there that evening.  I made it a goal to hike on every trail on the island.  I have a map in my room that I’m keeping track on.  I was following a map the other day, but not following it well, and I ended up walking around in circles.  But I ended up in a place that felt totally abandoned, even though it is only, like, 5 minutes from my dorm and it was kinda weird.  There are areas on this island that are super busy, parts where you feel like no one would ever find you! 

 O-H-I-O Home, sweet home

 

Hiking.... fudge....

 

Antique vacuum

The road home

This past weekend, the Zoo-de-Mac bike race took place.  It is kinda like a bike rally for cyclists.  They just all ride the 50 miles, then come and drink.  Fun times, fun times.  I heard they were all in the hotel lobby at 3 am, trying to play the piano and stuff.  And then the next day, when I was working, they all wanted late checkouts. 

Let the Adventure Begin!

 The muffler repair job! 

 Mighty Mac - The roadway can flex 22 ft (up and down I think is what he said) as needed!

 Hiking Selfie!

Wilderness State Park, my campsite last night.

Yesterday, I spent the day on my new island, Mackinac Island.  I will be working at Mackinac Outfitter and the Lake View Hotel (part time) through October.  My adventure started before I even made it up here!  Near Milan, MI, while cruising down the highway, I suddenly heard a grinding/rattling noise from under my car.  I pulled over to find out that the bracket holding my muffler had lost a bolt, allowing the muffler to drag.  I felt like a super hero after I used the paracord I had packed at the last minute to tie up my muffler.  Then, at the next exit, Tim, of Tim’s Auto, LLC [a very swamped and busy mechanic, I might add whose wife expected him to not have time to help me] put my car up on the lift, fixed the bracket, and then found and fixed another loose bracket, before not even charging me!  I bought him some Subway.  Anyways, with God’s mercy I made it up here.  I am sore in several places and kinda sunburn, but I am feeling much better about my decision to work up here.  Things I wish I had known: bring hand soap, White Deer Trail housing is NICE, and put a kickstand on your bike.  My favorite place so far has been touring around West Bluff.  They have some amazing houses!!!  One is painted teal or something (I don’t really remember), but they have brightly painted turtle sculptures, a quittage field in their backyard, about 7 American flags, and it is just so bright and cheerful!  Final note, the food is much better than I expected!  And they have healthy stuff!  And you can eat as much as you want!  Also, I have missed the step going into this common room each of the 4 times I have walked in here.  100% baby!