Tour de Leelanau (09.16.2006)

We participated as road marshalls in the second annual Tour de Leelanau bike race this year. It was very interesting as we just decided on a whim that we would volunteer to do something. So, after a flurry of phone calls and e-mails, we were assigned as road marshalls at two junctions (Junction # 59: M-22 / Westman Road outside of the Homestead and Junction # 102 Kovarik Road / Jelinak Road).

We arrived early at our first post. We chatted with several local people who lived at the Homestead. Then, Greg and Clarissa arrived. They were also assigned Junction # 59 as road marshalls. They gave us our road marshall T-shirts and briefed us from the previous night's meeting.

After the men's breakaway group of four and peleton went around Westman, the women's race began from the top of the Homestead. While we were chatting, one of the men's riders pedaled past us and continued down M-22. We quickly hopped into the minivan and caught up with him pretty far down the road. Michael drove alongside while I yelled at him, "You missed the turn!!!!" With which the rider replied, "Oh crap!" We watched in our rear view mirror as he turned around. Oops!

We continued heading towards our second post at Kovarik Road / Jelinak Road past the little town of Isadore. When we were done, we headed towards the finish line to watch and then attend the afterglow party where we feasted ravenously.

After the party, we drove to Sutton's Bay and checked out a couple stores to show the kids what Petoskey stones looked like. Minnie was fascinated with a book on fossils, and the kids really enjoyed looking at the loose crystals and rocks that were for sale.

We headed home to the cabin afterwards where the kids looked for rocks on the beach and biked to the playground. Michael and I took a little walk and heard someone yell out, "How did you like the tour?" which we replied with a thumbs-up (MJM) and "It was excellent!" from me. Michael then said as we walked by, "I think that was the announcer from the race." I shook my head and disagreed. Later on after the kids went to bed, we went back to their campsite, and Michael was right! It was the announcer and several team members and family of the Sunrise Sports bicycling team who competed in the TdL! They were really cool, and we had a very nice conversation with them as well. All in all, an excellent day!

Without further ado, here are the pictures and some video!

It's early Saturday morning, and the kids are getting into the spirit of things!


Are you ready? You better be!


Tailgating kids!


Snoozing Yummers!


The motor brigade at the bottom of the Homestead getting ready for the women to start their race.


Here is the corner of our secong post at the corner of Kovarik Road and Jelenak Road looking towards Kovarik Road.


The kids are getting the intersection clean for the riders (and picking flowers, too). On a side note, Minnie found a rock with small fossils imprinted on it. Very cool!


While we were waiting, Dad took the kids to the adjacent apple orchards. Here is a picture of apples still on the tree.


The kids and I are ready to show the riders which way to go!


When we were done directing the remaining riders, we drove to the finish line at the Leelanau Sands Casino. Along the way, we were stopped by other road marshalls and the police during the progression of the race.


Here are the kids with the first place Men's winner, Eddy Hilger, from the Priority Health team! Eddy was nice enough to give his bouquet of flowers to Yummers and his cycling cap to Minnie!


The first three women's racers are celebrating at the Finish line. The third place finisher (woman on far right) is originally from Plymouth and now resides in Colorado Springs). The 2nd place finisher (woman on the left) is in the process of completing her PhD. Incredible ... Go girls!


Here are the kids at the after-glow party! Behind them is Lake Michigan.


Tour de Leelanau: Here we are as road marshalls on the corner of M-22 and Westman Road right outside of The Homestead. This is the breakway group of four leading the pack.


Tour de Leelanau: The one-two-three finish of the Women's race at the Leelanau Sands Casino.


EDIT on 10.02.2006: Results and other sites with pictures and video!

Leelanau.com

Beatles (Clothes) For Sale

Wow. I've always wanted to buy the "Beatle boots." Now, I know where I can get them! :O) http://www.beatwear.co.uk

Also, take a look at the Casbah Club which just gained "Grade II Listed Status" in England. Article here.

The Demolition of 136 S. Union

The new owners of the house next door started tearing it down. It's a bit sad 'cos the little white house was moved from the railroad tracks by our house to its current location and was over 130 years old. Unfortunately, our previous neighbor let the house go to hell. He had completely gutted it with some really strange idea of renovating it. Michael talked to the owner of the company that is tearing it down and putting a new house up. Apparently, the guy lost the house to the bank due to foreclosure.

In any case, we found out that it will take a year to build the house 'cos they are in no rush. It's a mother and a daughter who is already going to Plymouth-Canton schools. So, cool beans, and we look forward to meeting the new family!

Heading home! (09.10.2006)

On Sunday, we went fishing at the end of the pier. No fish this time --- only a few bites. We packed up and headed down to the Traverse City marina to check out the boats. Then, we had lunch at a nice Traverse City restaurant (just missing brunch, darn it!) and headed home. Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment!

Granny, Groom-Gram, kids and I at the cabin.


Roger and the kiddies at the Traverse City marina.

First Night in the Cabin and the Bluebird Restaurant (09.09.2006)

We drove up on Saturday morning to the cabin and had dinner at the Bluebird Restaurant. We had a splendid time in The Bluebird Bar side of the restaurant versus the more formal side. The bar was far more casual and very quiet / elegant on the other side. I don't think Yummer and Minnie could have handled being on the formal side!

Here is a picture of Minnie & his fish.


The two Anitas are waiting for dinner.


Here is Yummer and Minnie getting ready for bed for the first time in the cabin! It was COLD in the cabin due to the fact the heater was not working. Roger did figure out how to fix it (- of course -) in the morning. I was actually toasty warm surprisingly!

Fall Festival 2006 (09.08.2006)

I didn't take as many pictures at the Fall Festival as I should have ... Oh well! It was still a blurry and colourful array of lights like last year. Here are the kids getting ready to ride the little Dragon rollercoaster. :O) Roger and Michael came separately and checked out the classic cars that were already parked on Main Street and Penniman for display and judging. Saturday: We're heading back to Lake Leelanau again!

First Day of School (09.06.2006)

Here are pictures from the first day of school for the kids. For Minnie, it was a new school, new teacher and classmates.

The kids are posing by the information sign.


Minnie is in front of the Morning Crew classroom.


Minnie is in the classroom!

Labour Day Weekend 2006

We trekked over to the northwestern part of the lower peninsula for Labour Day weekend and had an amazing time. It is breathtakingly beautiful and serene in that part of the state. We stayed three nights and in one day visited the fine cities / towns / villages of Leland, Maple City, Cedar, Empire, Glen Arbor, Glen Haven, Sutton's Bay and of course, Traverse City.

Folks, if you have never visited the area and are from the Great Lakes State, I highly recommend a visit. We stayed on a corner lot at the Lake Leelanau RV Park in Lake Leelanau, Michigan and were very impressed with the facilities and the events they had for kids (i.e. movies, tractor rides, treats and even an organ concert!)

Without further ado, here are pictures of our adventure! Note: This is a VERY long post!

Here are the kids in front of our home for the next few days.


Some of the sites were accented with plaques with the names of the owners and decorated with plants and flowers. This one was particularly creative.


To the beach! The park's beach was very small, but very nice. It is next to the marina where we would later rent a boat to go fishing.


Yes, the water is really this blue in Michigan! We're looking across to the Dune Climb of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.


The National Park Service helps preserve the memory of this little town with donations from visitors. This former canning factory now houses boats that have been restored or are under restoration. Interesting.


The general store was restored to the way it looked in the 1920's. It sells souvenirs and treats. You can even get a postmark stamp that says you visited the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes.


We headed to the Maritime Museum which is close by. The Maritime Museum consisted of the US Coast Guard station and the boat house where the Guardsmen would rush and rescue people who were shipwrecked.

Here is the boathouse itself which has been beautifully maintained inside and out.


Here are three heads on a boat in the boathouse!


This picture displayed how the US Coast Guard rescued folks who were shipwrecked along Lake Michigan's shorelines. We were very thankful for a beautiful sunny day and didn't have to worry about any gales!


The kids are heading upstairs of the US Coast Guard House where the men resided.


The kids are on Bunk #7. All of the men (numbered 1 - 7) were required to reside in the house. If married, they were allowed to see their family one day a week.


A secret room!


Here is Granny sitting on the front porch of the house.


This is sitting on the porch of the former US Coast Guard station at Old Mission Point. Sitting here and looking at this scene reminds me of a Monet print we have at our house. It's just a perfect moment in time. It was at this moment, I truly understood what he and his contemporaries were trying to convey during their lifetime. Amazing.


This beautiful farm is almost directly across from the Dune Climb which is part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes.


The kids are getting ready for the climb up! It's 150 feet.


We all made it! Yummer and I at the top of the dune. We didn't feel ambitious enough to continue the three - four hour hike over four or five larger dunes.


After the Dune Climb, we decided to embark upon the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive. It was well worth the time and drive. This picture is Stop # 2 of Glen Lake.


Groom Gram, Yum, Minnie and I overlooking Glen Lake.


This tree is fighting to survive in its environment. Look at its exposed roots.


See this sign?


This was Stop # 9 on the P.S.S.D. Note the boat and how small it is. Amazing.


These folks are making the trek back up to the top.


Another view from the deck.


After the drive, we drove to Leland and walked around. It has a very charming little enclave called "Fishtown" as you can see below.


We are sitting at Rick's Cafe and looking directly at this. Next door to this is a hotel.


Sunset at 8.19 PM EST in Leland, Michigan.


On Sunday, we rented a boat and went fishing in Lake Leelanau. Here is Yum with a strange man in the back of the boat.


Minnie steering the boat with Dad's help.


Groom-Gram, Min, Dad and Yummer. We had a few nibbles, but no fish, I'm afraid!


After fishing, we drove over to the Old Mission Peninsula. This is a very (VERY) nice area. We drove as close as we could get to the tip of the peninsula, parked, visited the Old Mission lighthouse and walked to where it ended.
Here is Granny and Yummer hanging out together while we were there.


An arty picture by MJM.


Here is the Old Mission Lighthouse. It is modest in size, but to many a sailor on the rough waters of Lake Michigan, it was a welcome beacon.
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Looking up at the lighthouse with the lake behind us.
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This is the sign outside of the lighthouse. Cool beans!


Minnie!


Yummer!


Michael and I ventured down the well-worn path to the very tip of Old Mission Peninsula. It was not a bad walk at all. Along the way, he took some cool pictures of plants and flowers that grew on this tip. Here is one of them.


There were some interesting rock sculptures left by previous visitors.


The road ends here, and I'm at it ...


so is Michael! (I guess he's looking for another way back!)


You will be surprised to see so many vineyards in this area. Not that I drink wine, of course. We stopped at the Chateau Chantal after our visit at the lighthouse. It was closed by the time we got there, but simply being there to soak in the views was enough for us!


The cash crop!


We went to eat at Dick's Pour House before retiring for the night. It was the end of a long busy day!


On the last day (Labour Day), we went fishing again in the morning. The kids caught a baby perch! See?


Here is video of the 450 foot drop on this sand dune overlooking Lake Michigan. It's # 9 on the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive.


Here is video of the view from the Chateau Chantal parking lot.