Tuesday-Thursday - July 21-23

 Tuesday - we had the car loaded with our stuff and ready to leave Catrina and Muskegon by 8:15.   It was crazy windy and to continue thru tomorrow.  We drove to Pentwater and had coffees and shared a cinnamon roll at Green Isaac's Coffee and Tea (no idea where these names come from?)    I walked around the downtown - this little town only has a population of 890 regular residents, but swells big time in the summer.    I was impressed with the nice variety of shops.   And then, off to Ludington.

We drove around the marina and also where the Badger is docked (makes daily runs from Ludington to Manitowoc for cars/people.)    With the strong winds, 2 of the trips were canceled as Lake Michigan was expecting up to 14' waves.....oh my!    

The Badger

We didn't stop here but sure admired the red/white/blue petunias that lined many streets - they could give some competition to Dixon, IL (Mark's hometown and the "Petunia Capital of the World".)  Beautiful!!!

Beautiful petunias

Back on the road with next stop Traverse City.   We had gotten alerts on our phones about rain starting....we each went our own way with lots of shops and people.    Found a nice bookstore and Mark came in.    He got a coffee and we decided to head back to the car.   It started to sprinkle, so we picked up the pace and the rain came harder....we were 2 very wet ducks by the time we got to the car.    Nothing worse than wearing wet denim!    The rain came fast and furious and the wind and cold - ugh!    It had been so nice this morning....

We drove onto Charlevoix, (memories of being here on sail Catrina 20 years ago in August.   Our friends, Paul, Kathy, Barb and Roger came for a few days.   I had a nasty kidney stone episode and ended up in the hospital....all rooms have a view of the lake, but I was feeling miserable.    So, this year it was not fun walking around....chilly (low 60's) and very windy.   We walked on the main street up and back and said that was enough - lousy weather to be out in (even for a die-hard shopper)! 😊

Last stop of the day was Gaylord, MI (our base for the next 2 nights 1 hour away).    Checked into our hotel and then had dinner at Timothy's Pub.   What's with this chilly weather on July 22nd???    Slept well...

Wednesday - the sun was back and ready to take on the day.   We had breakfast at "Rise 'n Dine" downtown Gaylord

Rise 'n Dine (cute colorful coffee cups outside)

  and then left for Petoskey.    We remember these towns somewhat from 20 years ago by boat and in 2011 by car, but lots of new condos, more shopping, etc.    It was still chilly and I bundled up and walked the streets in the historic district.   Mark sat in the car with his I-pad.

And then, off to Harbor Springs - lots of $$$ in this beautiful town.   Slowly warming up and more people out and about.    The Farmer's Market was right there, too, with a nice variety of vendors.  Met up with Mark who got a chocolate shake at Yummies and I got a latte at White Birch Coffee.    

Our Port Clinton friends (Dennis and boat sister Teri) are spending 2 weeks at their Presque Isle cabin.    We visited them last year with Catrina - such a quaint neat place.    So, really good to see them and catch up.   They are on Lake Huron which was pretty wild yesterday and several sailboats were returning from the Port Huron/Mackinac Island race.    So fun to be with Dennis and Teri and then a good dinner at Woody's, the only restaurant in Presque Isle.    We said our good byes and will see them back in Port Clinton later in August.    Teri is having her first knee replacement on the 17th.   She's hurting so much.

Mark and I headed back to Gaylord (1.5 hours).   Long day but enjoyed it all and the highlight was being with Dennis and Teri.

Teri and Pat

Teri and Dennis

and blueberry vodkas

Thursday - more sunshine, less wind - yeah!!!    We checked out of the hotel, stopped at Brennan's for coffee and bagels and "on the road" again.     3-hour trip to Muskegon and since we brought our laundry with us when we left Tuesday, went straight to the laundromat and got that job done - 2 loads.    Tomorrow we'll be turning in our rental car.    Then to Catrina and unloaded all our stuff and clean clothes.   Had lunch, put some things away and then off for my mani/pedi at Cindy's Nails and Spa.    While I was getting pampered, Mark went to Wal-Mart for some groceries and 2 Rx and a treat at Cold Stone Creamery. We stopped for gas, ice and on home.   Ready to just chill and of course, naptime!

Went for a walk after supper - there's a big fishing tournament here at Adelaide Pointe this weekend.   It started today and there are lots of fishermen and women here.    They can have up to 9 poles and catch 15 (keep best 5).    They leave at 6 AM and must be in by 1:30 PM.

Tuesday - July 21

 Hello from Gaylord, MI.    No blog update tonight.    I will catch up on Thursday when we return to Muskegon.

Monday - July 20

 MAEVE is TEN 

10   10   10  10   10

Happy Birthday, Maeve

Sweet Maeve hit the double digits today - our little moppet and the baby of the family is not a baby anymore. She's a crafty one who keeps busy with friends, doing her girlie activities, loves mani-pedis's, all things "pink", her cat, Carlos and will soon be a big 5th grader.   Wish we weren't so far away to do some fun Grandma/Maeve stuff.

Not only are we thinking of Maeve today, it's also the birthday of  Mark's sister, Karen (Auntie), my good friend Allie and our neighbor for many years, Angie (who died in 2009).

After I got up and my head was more stable, we did the exercises (Mark is THEE best once again as my nurse, caregiver and exercise driller) and then off to another coffee shop (there are 11 in Muskegon)!!!

Today we went to Aldea - nice decor in a new building but made to look old with brick walls, tin ceiling, etc.    But disappointed that they only had blueberry muffins and cookies for food;  the muffin was very good, but no microwave to warm up!    We remember only one other place (Crafted in Bloomington) that does not have a microwave and Mark and I can't figure out what it would take to add a small microwave to heat up the food and make their customers "happy"!   It's the little things.....

Then we drove all around Muskegon checking out various things including our friends Leon and Helen's home.    We were there a few times several years ago - it is now on the market.   Helen passed away November 5, 2024 and Leon is in ICU very ill.    Yesterday, Mark had a long chat with their boys (Ian and Andy).    We have so many happy memories of boating times with them....

Leon and Helen graduated from Catholic Central here in Muskegon - we have Central Catholic in Bloomington.

Back to Catrina at 11:45 - lunch and then our obligatory naps.  😀

It's really hazy again today but can't smell the smoke.

Tonight our friend from CT who was born and raised in Muskegon picked us up at the marina and took us on a very enjoyable tour of her hometown of which she's so proud.    We had dinner at BoDocks - great food and nice place on Muskegon Lake.    Then we drove around some more, into North Muskegon where she lives and back home!    FUN outing! 

I play euchre and canasta with Linda. 

Mark, Linda, Pat

Did facetime with the birthday girl when we got home.

Mark and I are taking a little road trip tomorrow and visit some of our favorite Lake Michigan ports we haven't been to in many years.   He's getting antsy to go somewhere + get me off the boat!    😉

Sunday - July 19

BLAIR is a TEENAGER!

Happy 13th

How did 13 years pass so quickly?    July 19, 2013 was a very memorable day with the birth of Blair Bliss Chamberlain, our first granddaughter after 6 grandsons!    She's a happy, carefree, smart, funny, and very active young lady who loves to dance, act, cheer, do her gymnastics, be crafty with her friends and good friend to all.    She's a joy to be around.

We went to 10:00 Mass at St. Mary's - wow, sooo many people and presided over by Father David Sacha.   Some unique things we had not seen in a very long time - like many years ago, Father had his back to the congregation during Mass instead of facing forward.    Also several part of the Mass were sung in Latin.    He baptized "Patrick" during Mass.

Went to The Coffee Factory, - now we've been in some funky coffee shops (2 recently - Washington Island and Sturgeon Bay) but today here in Muskegon gets the prize.    Very eclectic with unique stuff here, there and everywhere including lots of vintage clothing.    The important stuff - coffee and cheese Danish were right on!!!

Yesterday when we were at the Exchange Coffee Bar, we laughed when we saw this sign  

Obviously for tips, but with the way I've been feeling, it was very appropriate!

On home....some smokey haze today and an alert was issued for the entire state of Michigan.

We took naps (we LOVE our little cat naps, power naps, whatever you want to call them!)

Connor's performance went well last night.   Along with Nate and Drew, they now have the name "The Verdict" - how appropriate after Patrick's band was "Jury's Out"!

Our long-time friends (since the 80s thru the Mid Illini Power Squadron) picked us up for dinner.    Ron and Pat have lived in Muskegon for many years and we've caught up with them a few times over the years when they wintered in Florida.    What fun we had catching up - dinner at the Handsome Hobo was great and we never stopped yakking!

Ron will be 88 next week and Pat will be 89 in a few months

They are truly remarkable and such an inspiration 

Family zoom tonight but missed some off the conversation cause we were

 chatting with Blair.

 

Saturday - July 18

 HAPPY   BIRTHDAY   BROOKE

Brooke and Millie

Another family birthday (3rd so far in July with 2 more coming) - today it's all about Brooke, our dear daughter-in-law (wife to Michael and Mom to Drew, Davis, Brady and Blair).    So thankful to have her in the family for almost 28 years!!!    She's a Keeper!

Tah dah...clear skies today and no smoke smell.    It's very windy though.

Mornings continue to be weird for me....wake up and always fearful for how it's gonna be getting out of bed and on with the day.    Head just seems to be discombobulated but with Mark's help, I'm up and going.   I cannot imagine having this "vestibular dysfunction" and being by myself...............no way!!!!!!!

We drove around the Lakeside area where the 11th Annual Fresh Coast Fitness Festival is going on in Marquette Park today and tomorrow- packed place at 8 AM and involves weight lifting and other competitions finding the fittest and freshest individuals and teams in the Midwest.

Kept on driving and downtown Muskegon is host to Rebel Road, Muskegon's Biker Rally, a 4-day event drawing 100,000 visitors and 70,000 bikes.    Downtown had several streets blocked off with many food trucks, vendors and porta potties!!!    

We found the Exchange Coffee Bar and enjoyed our coffee and white chocolate cherry scone (me) and breakfast sandwich (Mark) sitting outside.  Back to the car and Mark wanted to check out West Marine as he had a gift card from Father's Day.   Several of these stores are closing including this one but he found several things marked down and they had a good-size inventory.   

Then we drove south 20 minutes to Grand Haven, a very nice town that was busy busy this Saturday - the downtown was bustling with families, dogs and people everywhere enjoying the nice day.    We were last here June 8-9, 2006 and remember refurbished old buildings converted into shops, condos, etc.    Downtown is really neat with so many shops, restaurants, etc.    We walked and walked along the waterfront with so many boats and today was the big Rock the Coast Poker Run attracting dozens of cigarette (go-fast boats) from all over (we saw one from Las Vegas).   

Got some ice cream at Temptations and then stopped at the West Marine in Grand Haven and Mark did a little more shopping.    Back to Muskegon and Catrina.   I did some of my vestibular exercises and then nap time.    

Another wedding on the pier today - smaller with just 3 bridesmaids in green -  yesterday had the smoke, today, the strong wind.

We had an early dinner at the Muskegon Brewing Co. which is here at the marina - Mark had the beet salad with smoked pork and I had the walleye tacos - all delish!    Walked around the marina but so crazy windy!    Around 5ish we noticed the haze moving in over the water and the smell of smoke - more alerts on our phones.   UGH!

Tonight Connor and friends made their musical debut at the "Make Music Normal" festival in Uptown Normal.    Wish we could've been there and so glad the show went on after some heavy rain!

Connor, Nate and Drew