This was the first time crossing the bridge for Tim, Abby and Katie. It was a neat experience. However, I always heard it was 5 miles across. I clocked it from shore to shore and it was only 4.
This photo taken in memory of one of our beloved relatives.
It didn't matter how cold it was. Abby and Katie were getting in the water when we got there. You can see it was dark out. The water was freezing, but they didn't seem to mind.
Jim and Char came and we made hobo dinners.
It was delicious.
Whitefish Point lighthouse. This would have been the lighthouse the Edmond Fitzgerald was looking for. We had a great time walking the beach looking at all the rocks and skipping them, too. The shoreline here is known for its rocks. We even ran into some professional rock collectors. It was interesting.
Upper Taquamenon Falls. A must see. Mia and Papa were with us for this. They stayed 2 nights and we had a lot of fun with them. We were sad to see them go. Molly and I reflected on our time with them right after they left. We both felt like they were moving away. Molly cried. We were sad, but I'm sure they didn't miss the hide-a-bed sleeping arrangement.
Mia and Abby on a paddle boat ride.
Fishing was fun, too.
Katie caught this bass. It was about 13 inches.
Katie also caught this perch. She didn't want to get too close to the fish. She eventually gave me the pole and had fun with mommy. Abby and Molly got a little spooked one time. The water was calm when all of the sudden two loons surfaced from the depths of the water about 40 feet from the boat real close to Abby's fishing line. This was a cool experience. We later learned that Loons can dive up to 250 feet and stay under water as long as 5 minutes. They eventually went under again and resurfaced a few hundred feet away.
If you ever go to the UP with your kids you must take them to Oswald's Bear Ranch. We had our picture taken with the Black Bear cub.
We also saw last years bear cubs. Their names are behind on the fence.
Molly, Abby, and Macy enjoy a paddle boat ride. Macy was a little stressed and took a long nap after. She eventually took another ride and she really took a liking to it.
Molly enjoyed the time by the water as much as the girls. She had time to read and dangle her feet in the water.
Katie resting on "Wally". They loved their new blow up toy.
Abby taking a break from the swimming and just floating and relaxing.
Family fishing night.
This look expresses my earlier remark about Katie and fish.
Abby caught a lot of Bluegill. She really seems to like fishing and would get very frustrated when a fish would take her worm before she could real it in.
The day wasn't complete without going out to the local ice cream parlor. It was conveniently located within walking distance.
Katie would gladly exchange dinner for ice cream.
Ok, I love it too.
They weren't this happy before the ice cream.
Macy was very happy to be home. She was great on the trip and was never a burden. We are so happy we took her.
Curtis was an interesting town. We had ORV's driving all over town, golf carts, old beater trucks, luxury autos, little rascals. One lady's car alarm was going off up the street while we had our ice cream. A little while later she drove by, it was a Honda Odyssey, and her alarm was still going as she drove through town. It was funny. I was beginning to think it was a lawless society, but on the last day we were there we finally saw a county deputy driving his truck through town. Our first day we ate at a restaurant called Whitefish Inn Bar and Grill. The waitress spilled a whole tray of water on us. She said she had only been working there a month. Oh well, just another memory.
We loved the community and plan to go back there next year if God allows. It was great to experience more of God's wonderful creation.
