Michigan!

Last weekend we had a terrific trip to Long Lake, in Honor, MI (near Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore), planned by our friends Duane and Sarah. It was great to meet their adorable son Otto for the first time -- he and Rosemary had a grand time dumping sand back into the lake together as well as playing pool (where we practiced sharing). We all enjoyed the kayaks, paddle boats, the pontoon (James and Duane became the "master of the two stroke engine") a fire on the beach, swimming in the lake, and eating! Duane and James tried a little fishing but no luck -- still, I did get to taste lake perch from a local restaurant and it was delicious.



























After Duane, Sarah, and Otto left to go home we stayed an extra day. We drove out to the National Park and took a short 1.5 mile hike along the dunes. It was a glorious day, and started out so promising until Rosemary stopped in her tracks and flat-out refused to walk any more (of course, about half-way). It was one of the most dramatic tantrums I've ever seen her have, and I was pretty determined not to cave. So the other tourists (few that there were before Memorial Day, thank goodness), got to see a breathless, sobbing toddler being dragged by her mother by the arm. Finally James gave in and put her in the Ergo and pushed the BOB up the hill (does this remind you of Death Valley Dolly and Felix? But now there are two?). I tried to push the BOB, but it is extremely hard to do in the sand. It looked very hot and exhausting for him -- good thing he still plays rugby. He finally shamed her into walking the last 50 yards or so on the boardwalk. Fortunately she was a much better sport about swimming in the lake and going for a paddle to cool down after the hike.


























The tent caterpillars were in the process of eating all the trees (apparently they were done with the cherries and had moved onto something less desirable). Below is a picture of one of their tents.