Black Lake – Relaxation, Adventure . . . and Friendship

It’s hard to believe our three weeks at Black Lake are almost done and we’ll be heading for Mackinac Island on Monday afternoon.  Our time here with Sue and Terry has been a combination of great friends, good food, engaging conversation, coffee by the lake, reading in the hammock, and happy hour on the deck.  It’s been awesome getting to know Sue and Terry better- as well as their many lake friends. Here’s a little bit of what we’ve experienced for the last three weeks!

TERRY AND TED’S EXCELLENCE ADVENTURE

“Let’s put the kayaks in at the Red Bridge and paddle down the Upper Black River to Black Lake.” Sue and I don’t remember if it was Terry or Ted who came up with the idea, but – guys being guys – once the idea formed, executing it couldn’t be far behind.

The Red Bridge – precisely in the middle of nowhere . . .

. . . and where Sue and I dropped the two adventurers off in the middle of a cool Michigan morning. Please note: Ted is NOT planning on raiding a bee hive during the trip – he is guarding against the attack of black flies and mosquitoes. Thankfully, neither were problems on this trip, and Ted took the headgear off after only five minutes on the river.

Terry shoves off from the bank . . .

. . . and after a few moments, they disappeared from view around a bend. Sue and I swear it was at this point we heard the sound of dueling banjos in the distance.

But – luckily- they didn’t encounter any backwoodsmen, and three hours after we dropped them at the bridge they arrived back at the cabins – none the worse for wear.

TERRY AND TED’S NOT-SO-EXCELLENT ADVENTURE

The second kayak trip started much the same way as the first – at Happy Hour. This time Hawkeye Conlon and Chingachgook Horton planned to put in further up the river and travel through even rougher wilderness country back to the lake. Were Sue and I worried?  Of course not! We knew our husbands wouldn’t dream of doing anything outside the realm of safety!

Once again, the guys secured the kayaks in the back of Terry’s truck, and Sue and I drove them (down roads I’m sure are not recognized by Google Maps) to the “dropping off” point – Kleber Dam.

As they prepared to launch, Sue and I asked the caring and concerned question wives have historically asked whenever their husbands prepare to start out on an adventure: “Is your life insurance paid up, dear?”

As Ted paddled into the middle of the stream (the Upper Black River), we noticed the water was flowing pretty fast . . .

. . . and by the time we had the truck back on the bridge at the top of the dam, Hawkeye and Chingachgook  were nowhere to be seen.

The story as it was told to us around the campfire that evening: Ted: “As soon as we rounded the first bend, we encountered rapids.  Terry paddled right and got caught on some rocks, so he yelled to me to go left, which I did. Bad news – to the left were more rapids, and I immediately found myself in the water, with my kayak upside down.  I lost two bottles of water, and my kayak was full of water. I turned it over and got most of the water drained out before climbing back in.”

Terry: “By that time I had pushed myself off the rocks, and we were paddling downstream again.”  Ted:  “It was about then I realized what else I had lost when I tipped over – my glasses!  Luckily – at the last minute before we left – I had switched out my good pair for my spare pair!”

Terry: ” The majority of the trip was filled with rapids, log jams, curves, and rocky areas we’d have to maneuver around.”

Terry: “When all else failed, we’d be forced to pull up on shore and portage around the obstacle.”

Ted: “We portaged around log jams six or seven times during the next four hours.”

The guys were planning to kayak back to the lake, but after four hours of battling the river, Terry sent a message to Sue which basically read:  “We are at the Red Bridge.  Come get us.”  We gave our brave husbands gold stars for realizing another four hours from the Red Bridge to the cabin may have been a little more than what they’d planned for – after all the unexpected “fun” they’d had the first four hours! 

BEAR AND THE TUMMY BUG

On Sunday, out of the clear blue sky, Bear started exhibiting all the symptoms that accompany a stomach bug.  I won’t go into details on what that means, but I’m sure you can figure it out.  He was sick all afternoon and all night.  Monday morning found us at the Indian River Animal Hospital where tests showed he’d picked up a really nasty bacterial infection.  The doc said it was just a matter of encountering different bacteria in a different environment than he was used to.

It took about 24 hours for the four meds he was given to clear up the infection. My boy was one sick baby for a while.

Three days later he was back to his old self and off to the groomer for a new summer “do”. This is the shortest I’ve ever had him cut, and at first I was almost in tears when I saw him. It’s growing on me though (no pun intended), and eventually it will grow out.  Kinda looks like teddy bear fur!

BLACK LAKE PHOTOS

Besides our friends, two of the things I miss most about our Georgia home are the trees and the ability to plant flowers whenever and wherever I want. Sue has certainly given me my “fix” during these weeks at Black Lake. She loves gardening and has flowers in pots, hanging baskets and window boxes.

Makeshift shoe dryer!

Ruby Sue – always on guard!

Geraniums . . .

. . . geraniums!

Terry – mostly retired, but still doing a little work from the back deck.

Sue – beginning a birdhouse project. She plans to hang brightly-painted birdhouses on what’s left of the trunk of a tree that was cut down this week.  This lady NEVER slows down!  LOL – I used to be like that!

Speaking of cutting down trees – this guy was using the biggest slingshot I’ve ever seen to hook a rope around a branch at the top of a tall pine . . .

Success!

Best place to pretend you’re going to read when you know you’ll be asleep in three minutes! The tether tied to the tree is so when you briefly wake up you can pull the rope and start yourself swinging again.  It’s also an aid to getting OUT of the hammock.  Love it!

Among the pines . . .

. . . and always close to their beloved lake – the graves of two former Golden Retrievers (Abby Louise and Murphy Louise) and one Irish Setter (Kelly May).

Much used and enjoyed toys – jet ski, kayaks, canoe and floats.

Everything that’s needed for lake living.  LOVE the sandy beach!

Ted – collecting golf balls he’s hit into the lake. The water is clear, shallow, and you can easily see the bottom.

“Golf balls? I love golf balls almost as much as tennis balls! Let’s play a game where you hit them – but not IN THE WATER – and I’ll retrieve them!”

“Even better!  Hide and seek golf!”

 

Settling down for a nap in the sun.

A late Saturday afternoon pontoon boat cruise with Sue and Terry and new friends Kathy . . .

. . . and Todd, who have just moved to Florida also!  Like we used to do, they stay in Michigan all summer to enjoy the cooler weather in a place that’s been in their family for a couple of generations.

Sunrise view from our cabin.

A huge thank you to Sue and Terry for inviting us to stay in one of the cabins at Whispering Pines these last few weeks.  It’s been a perfect time of relaxation, and you’ve made us feel at home from the moment of our arrival.  We can’t wait for you to come over and stay with us on the island!

On Monday we’ll do some last minute cleaning and packing, and by late afternoon we should be settled into the condo on Mackinac for the next six weeks.  Sure hope you’re planning to come along with us!

God bless.

More Springtime Stuff! 4/26/15

Hi Everyone!

Matthew and Jordan spent Friday night with us while their parents were out of town, and they had a great time playing in the “sand box”, then watching an old late-50’s movie about surfing – Gidget (I remember watching this movie about 12 times as a pre-teen and having a really BIG crush on its male star, James Darren – aka Moon Doggie).  Matthew thought it was hilarious because of the old surfboards and the really horrible “so fake” close-up shots of the surfing.   I admit it was pretty bad compared to today’s standards on special effects, but it’s still a sweet story, and Jordan loved it!  I guess it’s a girl thing.

Bear – taking in the cool breeze last night at twilight . . .

. . . while Maddie hunts lizards (the reptiles have taken over from south Georgia squirrels in her “let me at ’em” list of things to banish from the face of the earth.

We’re visited almost every day now by at least 2-3 manatees in our inlet. So fun to watch them swim in, feed, then swim back out to the intracoastal.

From Molly McGreevy: “The staph infection from my surgical drain following the initial surgery is gone now, but one of the antibiotics and the Motrin they were giving me to reduce my fever hurt my kidneys.  My kidney function the day I came to the hospital was excellent. A couple days ago, not so good.  It’s improving ever so slightly with time since the Motrin has been discontinued, but I have to stay in the hospital until my kidney function returns to normal.  Other meds are causing GI issues and nausea, and I’ll probably have to have my PIC line replaced.  Thanks again to all my friends and family and all the “strangers” along the way that have helped me or are helping.  Sitting on my couch watching a movie with my husband and petting my dog sounds like Heaven right now.  To breathe fresh air – don’t take it for granted.  I miss my home.  God bless.”

Please continue to keep Molly in your prayers.  She’s been in the hospital for over a week now (although just today she was moved to one closer to Mackinac).  She can’t start her chemo until all these issues have been resolved. 

My good Mackinac Island friend, Orietta Barquero, posted the next photos on-line yesterday.  These are so bittersweet to me, mainly because this is what the island looked like when Ted and I would arrive on Mother’s Day weekend for the last few years.  We get so used to seeing the island either lush and green, with flowers in every possible color spilling out of hanging baskets and flowerbeds, or pure white with snow so bright it dazzles our eyes.  But in May . . . in May the island is like a ticking clock.  We know the green lies just below the brown of the grass, and the flowers are just beginning to bud and open.  In another month it will be Lilac season, but right now there are miracles happening below all that brown.  I LOVED being there to watch it happen. Oh heck, I just loved being there.

Have a great week!  God bless. 

 

Mackinac Memories 4/12/15

I was fretting this morning about there really being nothing to write about today, and when that happens my mind automatically turns to Mackinac.  In the six summers Ted and I lived on the island for the season, I can count on one hand the number of times when I honestly couldn’t come up with a subject.  As I’ve said many times before, all I needed to do was pick up my camera and walk out the door – there was always a story down the hill, or up the hill, or in town, or looking out over the Straits.

When the Baileys were here last Monday evening we were sitting in a little Italian restaurant downtown in Flagler Beach, waiting for our dinner and talking about the island in general.  Jeri-Lynn, who has spent many more seasons on the island than Ted and I (with husband Brian and their children, they go when the Chippewa and Lilac Tree Hotels open), leaned in close and asked, “What was it that first drew you to the island?”

I thought a moment and said, “Before I fell in love with the people of Mackinac, I fell in love with the woods.”  Jeri-Lynn said it was exactly the same for her.  We went on to chat about the magical and almost spiritual aura that many people soak up on Mackinac, and we talked as well about how others feel none of the magic whatsoever.  I shared with Jeri-Lynn that walking in Mackinac’s woods calms me as no other place I’ve ever visited, and there is almost a holiness I find there.  Jeri-Lynn shared that when she walks those woods she feels as though she’s joined by the people over the centuries before her who walked the same paths.   I was struck by our different impressions of the same place – the solitude of my walks, the fellowship of hers.

For those who love that little spot of land rising serenely from Lake Huron, it makes no difference what emotion Mackinac stirs within us.  We each take from her what we need and what she willingly offers – peace, joy, fellowship, a sense of escapism blended perfectly with the contentment of belonging.

Below is a blog – the first ever written by Bear – posted the first summer I began Bree’s Mackinac Island Blog.  It’s great fun for me to skim back through the archives and re-read what’s been written over the years.  This posted May 26, 2009, and it was on one of those rare occasions when I felt as though I had nothing to write about. It still makes me smile.

_____________________________________________________________________

Hi! My name is Bear.  I’m a golden retriever.   That’s me in the picture above with my bratty little sister Maddie and my mom Bree (well, actually her name is Brenda, but she told me once she never liked that name and had always wanted to be called Bree).  I don’t care – I just call her mom.  Maddie and I are not really related, although there was this 145 year old lady one time who looked at us and asked, “Are they brother and sister?”   Pleeeasseeee!  Do you see who mom is holding tightly in her arms in that picture?  Do you see that the brat has on a collar AND a halter AND a leash??  Do you see me just sitting there looking gorgeous without even a COLLAR on my beautiful neck?   Sister??  Geeezzz!

Mom had been fretting all day yesterday about the weather and about how she couldn’t come up with a story idea for her blog (whatever that is).  She said the weather was really nasty – 46 degrees at 2:00 p.m., cloudy, threatening rain, not a good day to go out and take pictures. (I personally consider that a perfect day.  It’s chilly and there is a good chance I could get seriously wet.  What else could a golden retriever ask for?)  Anyway, she and dad (that’s Ted) were having a little “discussion” about him forgetting something in town again and that “somebody” had to make another trip down the hill.  So I said, “Come on, mom – let’s you and me go to town together.”  I know what you are thinking – dogs can’t talk.  But I swear, two seconds later she looked at me and said, “I think I’ll take Bear to town with me.”  Need I say more?

So she started getting on all these clothes – undershirt, sweatshirt, fleece coat, blue jeans, socks, wool cap, gloves  . . . . . . .  good grief! It’s not Antarctica!  It’s just Mackinac Island in May.  Tomorrow it will be sunny and 70!    So, she’s finally ready, and we start to leave.  Maddie goes running down the stairs like she’s going too, but mom says, “No, sweetie, it’s just me and the big boy going this time.”  You should have seen her pout.  Mom put on my collar (a Georgia Bull Dawg collar, I might mention), attached my leash (leash law downtown) and away we went. I promise I did NOT look back and stick my tongue out at the brat.

Yeahhhhhh!  We got to the bottom of the first rise, and it started RAINING!!!  What fun is that!!  I could stick my tongue out and catch WATER!!  I don’t know why mom was so cranky.  I did happen to notice that all the tourists who ride around in those buggies pulled by those insanely big horses were all wrapped up like mummies.

When we got to that gigantic white building where about a gazillion people stay every night , we spotted Anna who works for The Grand Hotel .  She is always there somewhere outside The Grand, and she always has the most beautiful smile on her face and is so friendly.  Me and mom and dad just love Anna.  She is from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and dad always says to Anna, “That’s where I was born!”  He must have said that to her about a million times now.  I think that’s what happens when people start getting a “little older.”

By the time we talked to Anna a few minutes, the rain had stopped.  That’s how it is on Mackinac Island – one minute it’s raining, the next minute it’s sunny.  I LOVE it!  Our next stop was the bank.  Mom stuck her head inside and asked if it was ok to bring me in.  The nice ladies in the cages said, “Sure!”  This really sweet girl wanted to pet me (I’m soooo used to that), and mom asked her if she would hold my leash while she did her banking, and she said she would love to.  I got a LOT of good petting and ear scratching from  her!

We stopped in to say “hey” to Bill and Jim at Mackinac Realty (they sold us our great condo), but only Jim was there.  He offered to dogsit me while mom went in the post office, but mom said no, she’d just tie me up outside.  Huh?

Mom explained to me that dogs were not allowed in post offices anywhere, including Mackinac Island, unless they are seeing eye dogs.  I told her that I see with my eyes, but she acted like she didn’t hear me and tied me up anyway.

We started back home, then ducked into the shelter under the awning at the Great Turtle Kite and Toy Store to warm up a minute.  The cute girl in that store invited us in (I can get mom in ANYWHERE).  I was really bummed out when I discovered that this was a KID toy store, not a DOG toy store, but I had fun looking anyway.

When we got home, mom said, “I still have no idea what I will write about tomorrow.”  So I put my head in her lap, and said, “Don’t worry, mom, I’ll write it for you.”  And so I did.

______________________________________________________________________

What’s changed since this story?  Bear was a two-year-old when he began his writing career – he’s eight now.  Anna-of-the-smiling-face is now an island taxi-driver, and the toy store has moved from Cadotte into the Lilac Tree Hotel’s mall, next to the Island Bookstore.  The bank still gives out doggie treats, and Bear still has to be tied up outside the post office. 

I silently chuckle as I read back over the words I’ve written today.  I know those of you who read this blog know what I’m trying to express. You know why – in my mind – I’m already heading north.  And in June my body gets to follow.

God bless.

I’m Back . . . Sort Of! 3/24/15

Hi Friends!

Just a note to let you know I picked up my laptop late this afternoon, and I’ll be back Thursday evening with what’s been happening with the Horton clan while my computer’s been in the hospital.  I figure it’ll take that long to figure out where the computer doc put all my files (he wiped it clean and reloaded everything).  I seem to be missing a few things, but I’m hoping they’re just hidden somewhere I haven’t looked!

See you back here on Thursday, good Lord willing, with news from Florida and Mackinac Island!

Sunset through a palm leaf.

Daddy’s little girl.

Contrasts . . . and a Special Request 2/22/15

After a few days of “bitter” cold (low of 29), we awoke on this glorious Sunday with the weather person on TV proclaiming a high for today of 78 (a few degrees cooler out here on the beach).  But hey!  It’s the first time it’s been over 60 in several days, and we took full advantage!

“Let’s go, let’s go, let’s GO!”

One day I’ll count the number of steps from our front porch to the ocean, but all we really need to know is we can make it from our door to the water in under three minutes (plus or minus 30 seconds for traffic when we cross the highway and whether it’s high or low tide)!

A beautiful Beverly Beach day!

We still can’t believe that neither Bear nor Maddie seem to care at all about running into the ocean. I guess when you get to senior citizen status in dog years – before really being exposed to the ocean – all that water can be a little intimidating!

Approaching a surf fisherman . . .

. . . who had three poles stuck in the sand and seemed content to sit quietly and wait for a strike.

Maybe half a mile from our house is a strip of land directly on the ocean where RV’s can park for a night or for several months by the ocean’s edge.

These two little Westies have a front row seat to watch seagulls, people, other dogs, and sunrises.

The four of us!

 MEANWHILE, UP NORTH

There’s nothing warm up north in the way of weather this week.  Blog reader and friend Steve Fridley was on the island last week and shared some great photos (as usual).  Steve arrived in St. Ignace to find it was snowing too hard for Great Lakes Air to be flying, so – never one to give up easily – he decided to hitch hike across the ice bridge.  He decided to do WHAT?!  I lost 10 years off my life when I read that!  Even though Steve DID think about walking across, providence intervened in the person of an islander who was crossing and offered him a spot on her snowmobile.  Steve says he really WOULD have turned around after only a few steps if no one had picked him up, and I’m holding him to that!  The first four photos are from Steve.

Hoban Street. Cawthorne’s Village Inn (on Hoban) is open for business all winter, and it is there and the Mustang (on Astor)  where most visitors stop for food and drink while on the island.

Downtown on Main Street early in the evening.

The Iroquois Hotel – still strikingly beautiful in the snow and cold.

Another downtown shot toward the west end of town.  Thank you, Steve, for sharing your photos!

Absolutely one of the eeriest photos I’ve ever seen from Mackinac in the winter. Larry Pennell was out on the ice when he captured the sun setting over this other-worldly landscape.  I think this photo shows how easy it would be to get lost out there without the Christmas trees marking the Ice Bridge.

A VERY SPECIAL REQUEST

Over the years, while writing about Mackinac Island, you’ve heard me mention Molly McGreevy several times.  Molly is a dear island friend who has driven private tours for Gough Livery for many years, and she’s always who I recommend to friends who want something special in a tour driver.  She is the BEST!

Molly – driving by our condo at the end of a day helping visitors make happy memories.

We learned this weekend that Molly has just been diagnosed with breast cancer and is getting ready to start the fight of her life with surgery, chemotherapy and possibly radiation.  Here is Molly’s story in her own words:

My name is Molly McGreevy. I was born and raised in Utica, NY but have lived on Mackinac Island for almost 22 years. This is so hard for me to do as I am a very private person.  But here goes.  On January 29th 2015 I found out I have cancer.  I have an invasive breast cancer, that is also in some lymph nodes, that I will need Surgery, chemotherapy and possibly radiation.  The news has been devastating to my husband and I.  We married on September 9, 2013.  He is my soul mate.  We cannot imagine life without each other. He started a new job in May after working for the same company for almost 30 years. The company restructured and luckily he was able to find a good job.  We also are moving due to not being able to afford the rent.  It doesn’t rain, it pours. lol. My surgeon and Oncologist said that I will not be able to perform my job this summer as a Private Carriage Tour Driver on Mackinac Island.  This is a crushing blow as I love giving tours and I love my horses.  I’ve been doing private tours for over 18 years.  However with the chemotherapy I will be weak, and succeptible to viruses and infection because my immune system will be down. With the surgery I will be unable to lift or strong enough to drive the horses.  So times are going to be very tough for a while.  Our community is wonderful and has helped.  But we are still struggling financially. My Jeep has over 123,000 miles and has major electrical, and suspension problems.  We don’t know how much longer it will last and we never drive over 50 miles away anymore. With all this going on we are going to need help.  Even with financial help from the community and our insurance we had spent over $2000.  out of pocket in less than a month on travel expenses for appointments and copays, etc.  We are overwhelmed emotionally and financially.  If you can help us even in a small way by donating it would mean so much to helping me win this fight with Cancer.  My mom died of breast cancer back in 1986, and I don’t intend to go that way.  I’m not ashamed to admit I am scared. But I plan on winning this battle.  Anyone that knows me  knows that I never give up.  Please donate.  Thank you.

All of us who know Molly know how hard it was for her to make this request.  If you possibly feel led to make a donation to Molly’s fund, you can do so by clicking here:  http://www.gofundme.com/mollysmedicalfund. 

It goes without saying that your prayers throughout this journey will be so appreciated.

God bless.

Molly and Ed on their wedding day – September 9, 2013