Cherry Picking in Michigan

The lovely Robin and I had the sweet experience of taking our four grandchildren cherry picking on Old Mission Peninsula, in Michigan, while their parents toured an Old Mission Peninsula vineyard and winery.

The trees were laden with a couple varieties of cherries, and an ample supply was available on branches low enough for a three-year-old, four-year-old, and six-year-old to pick a whole lot.
We were told that we would be paying $2 a pound, and a minimum of five pounds. I wanted to make sure we got at least what we were gonna have to pay for. So, of course, we picked thirteen pounds of cherries.
And, of course, that's not counting the few that we sampled as we worked.
The eighty-degree heat tired us out after a while, or we may have picked twenty pounds or more.
What a wonderful way to spend part of our last afternoon on the peninsula. The kids were so proud of their hard work--and the fruits (get it?) of their labor. So were the lovely Robin and I.

National Cherry Festival, Traverse City, Michigan

Our family Fourth of July celebration included a visit to the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City.
The day was pleasantly warm and the place crowded but not unpleasantly so in either case.
The kids got to ride the Dizzy Dragon....
...and the Ferris wheel....
...and carousel, too.
A few of the grown ups indulged in Funnel Cakes, and the kids devoured big Sno Cones (I take no pleasure in the spelling).

As dark descended, we pulled out the sparklers.

And we enjoyed most of the thirty minute fireworks show before heading to our cars for the drive home.
Oh, and I almost forgot: we ate cherries, too.

Lighthouse Point

The lovely Robin and I visited Lighthouse Point on Old Mission Peninsula again, with our kids and grandkids.
Unlike our 2011 visit, the lighthouse was open for tours--which, because it is a small lighthouse, is pretty short. But we learned that when it was in operation the light could be seen at a distance of twelve miles.
The park features one of the most distinctive beaches, marked by a wide expanse of sand, stones, and shallow water.
And any time the grandkids are along, the opportunities for great pictures are practically endless.
We made two attempts (on the way in and the way out) to reenact a photo taken two years ago (before Ryder was born). The second time there was general cooperation, resulting in the photo above.

Miles Calling to the Seagulls

It's a lonely job but somebody's got to do it.

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Some Places Are Just Better for Reading Than Others

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The Jolly Pumpkin

The Jolly Pumpkin Restaurant, Brewery, and Distillery on Old Mission Peninsula, which the lovely Robin and I visited this evening, was recommended to us by friends. We will thank them when we get home.
I loved the "rustic atmosphere marked by fireside warmth and earthy woods in a comfortable cottage like setting" (that's from the website, www.jollypumpkin.com).
I fully intended to experience one of their impressive array of gourmet salads. Honest, I did. But Robin was tempted by the Farmhouse Ale Marinated Hanger Steak (below). And I wasn't going to eat a salad--not even a Cherry Pecan Salad--while she had steak. So I ordered the Crab Tater Tots appetizer (above)...
...and Hickory Smoked Baby Back Ribs and Ale Battered Great Lakes Perch with fries.
It was all good, good eating. Robin even enjoyed her locally grown asparagus, which was a surprise. After thirty-six-plus years of marriage, I guess she can still surprise me.

The Jolly Pumpkin is located at 13512 Peninsula Drive on Michigan's Old Mission Peninsula. And no, we didn't sample any of their signature brews or spirits; but the ice water flowed freely all night, I can assure you!

A Hike at The Point

The lovely Robin and I took a hike today along the 45th Parallel at Old Mission Point, the northernmost tip of Old Mission Peninsula.
It was a beautiful day for a hike and the trail--one of many in the park--was accommodating.
We differed in opinion as to whether the tree above is one tree or four or five. I took the right side, she took the wrong.
But despite her intransigence, the walk was relaxing, and the views just beautiful. A great way to enjoy the distinctive landscape around the historic lighthouse at this site.

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