A walk at "The Big Lake"

I snapped this shot of my husband and daughter while we hunted for rocks along Lake Michigan, just outside of Leeland, MI. Even though the water was cold, I think my daughter would gladly have gone for a swim. She loves waves!

In the breeze

An English Breeze

Up with the sun, the breeze arose,

Across the talking corn she goes,

And smooth she rustles far and wide

Through all the voiceful countryside.

Through all the land her tale she tells;

She spins, she tosses, she compels

The kites, the clouds, the windmill sails

And all the trees in all the dales.

God calls us, and the day prepares

With nimble, gay and gracious airs:

And from Penzance to Maidenhead

The roads last night He watered.

God calls us from inglorious ease,

Forth and to travel with the breeze

While, swift and singing, smooth and strong

She gallops by the fields along.

—Robert Louis Stevenson

Fall Glory

Along "The Lost Pathway" trail in Northern Michigan

Shrooms

I got down on my elbows and knees to get this shot. We were hiking on "The Lost Pathway" in Northern Michigan a month or so ago, and these little guys almost got stepped on before I noticed them. They were just so perfect that I dropped down to grab the shot. I just love that there's a little bit of sand on everything in this picture. That's Western Michigan for you. I love that.

Fishtown

Fishtown in Leland, MI

Fishtown is a 145-year-old fishing village in the town of Leland, MI. It's home to many quaint shops and charter fishing companies. It's also the gateway to South and North Manitou Islands. It's one of our family's must-see destinations when we're in the area. It is home to such places as The Dam Candy Store, Tug Stuff, and The Village Cheese Shanty (which also has great local wines).

On our recent trip to Northern Michigan, we stopped in Leland to do some rock hunting, and then visited Fishtown, and watched the salmon in the channel. 

According to the Fishtown Preservation Society, "Fishtown is a collection of weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats along the Leland River in Leland, Michigan. Once the heart of a commercial fishing village, the structures and docks are real places where people can walk through, see and feel a connection to Lake Michigan’s fishing heritage. For the past half-century it has been enjoyed and appreciated by thousands of visitors and regional residents who find the shanties, fish tugs and docks that make up the property a living legacy of our maritime culture."

I love Fishtown!

Click-ish Photographers

I'm really excited about a new photo group that I'm a part of, here in Lexington, and I wanted to let you all know! It's a group of photo-minded women in the area, and we get together to share ideas, learn, and grow as photographers. Be sure to check us out at http://click-ishphoto.blogspot.com, and become one of our followers! We'll be posting regular updates of our meetings and sample photos from our fun photo shoots.

Fall Surf

This was taken on a beautiful Fall day at Lake Michigan. I believe we were just south of Leeland at the time, on our way to Fishtown. We stopped to do some rock hunting. I just love the deep aquas and blues of the water. When I look at this picture now, I realize that it has some of my favorite colors in it. When I took it, I wasn't thinking about that—I just loved how the surf was crashing on the shore.

Even though it's really cold most of the time (you'll only find me swimming in it when the water temp is above 70ºF), I've come to really love and appreciate Lake Michigan. It's free of sharks, and other living creatures that could kill you. That's a plus! It generates some of the most beautiful stones I've ever seen. The water is ALWAYS beautiful, even on stormy days. You never know when a piece of a famous shipwreck will wash up, as you're walking by (ok, that's not normal, but it's cool when it happens). And, I love the uniqueness of the Lake Michigan coastline in the dead of winter—the frozen, snowy parts that stick out and break up the surf. It's really an amazing body of water.

A Garden in Fall

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.

So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

Photo taken at Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, MI

Cherry Republic

I hate cherries. I do. I have just never enjoyed their flavor. But, I enjoy visiting the Cherry Republic in Glen Arbor, MI. Strange, I know. They do everything from chocolate-covered cherries to various types of cherry-based salsas and barbecue sauces, and cherry sodas, wines, etc.

We were walking around the Pop & Wine Tasting Room, and I mentioned to someone that I hate cherries, and the guy behind the counter said, "Wrong place." Haha! I didn't realize he had heard me! Oops!

Fall sunset

I noticed these plants as I was walking along the Platte River, on the way out to Lake Michigan, with my sister- and mother-in law. I loved how the sunset was hitting the pods and seeds on this plant. These kinds of plants are interesting to me, because the older plant is dying, but it is giving birth to new life—even as it dies. Regeneration is so amazing!

I'm listening to an audiobook of Anne's House of Dreams, right now. I still LOVE that series. It revives my imagination, and makes me use phrases like, "Drink it in!" :o) Reading (or listening to) them revives the Anne-spark in my spirit.

The West Bay

We recently returned from a family vacation in northern Michigan. There's just nothing like Michigan in the Fall. It's so . . . Fall-ish! The colors are gorgeous. While the weather can be all over the board, the week we were there was absolutely breathtaking. It was cool, and the sky was as blue as blue can be. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful week!

I took the picture above, as we were driving along 37 South on Old Mission Penninsula, on the way back through Traverse City. At the time, we just left Chateau Grand Traverse, and noticed this gorgeous view of the West Bay over the vineyards. So, we all stopped for one last look and a few pictures. I already miss it!

Gourdy

Have I mentioned that I love Fall? :o) I love the colors, smells, everything. And you can bet that right now, I'm just reveling in it all. Pumpkin pie, anyone?

Cock-a-doodle-doo!

My daughter's favorite animal use to be a rooster. She did the cutest little crow, whenever she saw one. Of course her favorite animal changes almost daily, now. I think it might be a buffalo, now.

This pretty rooster just strutted around showing off at the apple orchard we visited recently. While his "friends" came over to the fence to greet us, he remained aloof. I decided to snap his portrait anyway.

My friend the goat

As you can see, I made a new friend when we recently visited the apple orchard. This goat was extremely friendly. He kept wanting to give me a kiss . . . or eat my camera. I can't tell. Anyway, he was an eager little guy.

Going to market

Welcome Fall!! I missed you!

Eagle Falls

Eagle Falls

Cumberland Falls State Park

I know I've quoted this little "song" before, but I always think of it when I post a picture of a waterfall. Since reading that book, waterfalls always "sing" this song to me, when I sit near them.

"From the heights we leap and flow

To the valleys down below,

Sweetest urge and sweetest will,

To go lower, lower still."

—the water's song

from Hinds' Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard

Cumberland Falls

I finally made it to the woods! This summer has been so hot and buggy, that it's made it nearly impossible to want to be outside. So, I haven't wanted to venture out on the trail, even though I've desperately wanted to!

Well, a couple of weekends ago, I got my chance. The weather was perfect—highs in the mid-70's, 0% humidity, and breezy. Now, that's my kind of weather! So, we made it a goal to get out in the woods, and traveled about an hour and a half to Cumberland Falls State Park. We packed our lunches in the daypack, grabbed our trekking poles, and hit the Eagle Falls Trail. Since we had our daughter with us (21-months, today), we didn't want to take on more than we could handle, so we thought the 1.5 mile trail would be perfect. It would give us the chance to see both Cumberland and Eagle Falls, and allow us to be in the woods.

The trail was gorgeous, mostly shaded, and all-around wonderful! But, don't let that meager 1.5 miles fool you. This isn't just a piece-of-cake hike. Parts of this trail are described as "very rugged." But, it's so worth it! It offers an up-close look at Eagle Falls, and some of the best views of Cumberland Falls (see above). It's truly a beautiful trail. And, it satisfied my craving to be "in the woods." We were exhausted by the time we were done, but so happy, too. Now, I'm just hankering for the next trip . . .

The last bit of summer

I'm finding it difficult to believe that the summer is coming to an end. It blows my mind to think that we're already half-way through September. My daughter is getting closer and closer to her 2nd birthday. We just bought a house. We're in the midst of a kitchen remodel. Vacation is coming!! There's a lot going on!

I love the Fall, so I'm honestly not that sad to see summer go. Maybe that will change when we have a child in school, but for now, I really enjoy Fall. It's one of my favorite seasons . . . well, as long as it's not too hot. That makes me grumpy. But, I do love Fall. We've already been to the apple orchard once, and I'm sure we'll visit a few more times before Winter. Can you say, "cider doughnuts?!"

Another review coming soon!

I'm being given another opportunity to review another camera-related item from CSN Stores, and I'm really excited. CSN STores is literally like an online mall. They carry just about anything you can imagine, and I've been pretty impressed with their products, so far. They offer everything from furniture, to everything you need for home improvement, housewares, things for pets, cheap bedroom furniture, luggage, and so much more! They have some great stuff, and I've been really pleased with the camera bag that I was able to purchase from them a while ago.

So, stay tuned to see what great camera accessory ends up being reviewed! I'll post all the ins and outs, and pros and cons. Coming soon!

Week 37: Vroom, Vroom Photo Challenge! (I Heart Faces)

We went to the apple orchard yesterday afternoon. It just wouldn't be Fall without going to the apple orchard . . . a few times. :o) I just have to have fresh apples in the Fall. I'm a bit of an apple snob. There, I said it. I'm an apple snob! I really only have apples during this one season of the year. After the taste of fresh-picked apples enters your mouth, there's just no turning back. Store-bought apples have completely lost their appeal for me. So, in the Fall, it's off to the orchard.

This was the first time we've gone apple picking since my daughter was a baby—her first trip as a toddler, who can actually say, "Apple!" My how time has flown! She's such a busy little bee, too. She liked the wagon ride for a little bit, but after that, it was only running and walking for her until we left.