The Filming of Youth in Revolt | Lake Leelanau, MI (06.26.2008)

I'm sure most folks outside of Michigan may not have heard of the tax incentives that are given to movie production companies who film in Michigan. One movie that we were very fortunate enough to see filmed was "Youth in Revolt." The movie is based on the novel by C.D. Payne. The crew and members of the cast that we met were extremely nice and allowed us to take pictures on set and while filming. Here is an article in the local paper that talked about the filming.

Filming here wrapped up in the park yesterday, and everyone has left. According to rumour are, they are now filming in Brighton and in the metro Detroit area.

(l) Welcome to Restless Axles Trailer Park! (AKA Lake Leelanau RV Park)
(r) The campground's office was turned to a church / meeting hall.


(l) The production crew built this double trailer for the movie.
(r) The trailer as it was during filming.


(l) The back of the double trailer during filming.
(r) My Green Haven (AKA "The Green Turd") was brought on site for the movie. The residents of this site were relocated across the street from us.


(l) Jean Smart is on her way via golf cart to the movie set.
(r) The crew is getting ready for the next scene.


(l) Portia Doubleday and Yummers.
(m) M. Emmett Walsh and MJM.
(r) Michael Cera and Yummers.

Memorial Day Weekend / TdL / School EOY / USS Silversides / The Raising Sand Tour

Hi everyone: Sorry it's been a while since I posted, but here is a fresh new set of blog entries for you. Enjoy the pictures! Cheers, P. :O)

The Raising Sand Tour (06.17.2008)
Michael really wanted to go see Robert Plant in concert at the Fox Theatre but couldn't get the tickets he wanted. He ended up talking to his sister, who said, "Why don't I call Alison to see if we can get tickets to the Detroit show?" Marilynn just happens to be Alison Krauss's physician back home. She made a few calls, and it was a done deal. We had great seats, and the music was great! We were lucky enough to meet members of their backing band as well as T Bone Burnett and Alison. It was a wonderful night! If you want to see the other pictures, let me know. Cheers, P.



Robert Plant & Alison Krauss | "The Battle of Evermore"


Robert Plant & Mr. T. Bone Burnett | "Who Do You Love?" (Tribute to Bo Diddley ~ RIP)


Robert Plant & Alison Krauss | "Black Dog"


Troop 863: USS Silversides (06.15.2008 - 06.16.2008)
Troop 863 spent Father's Day sleeping in the USS Silversides submarine in Muskegon. I think everyone had a great time spending time with one another. I got to sleep by one of the torpedoes, too. Very cool! On the morning after, we went to PF Hoffmeister State Park and had a nice picnic lunch as well as visit their nature center. Some pictures for your viewing pleasure below...

(l) Dockside view of the USS Silversides.
(r) The Captain George tugboat. It's yours for $ 60,000!


(l) Our beds. My bunk and Michael's bunk is on the very bottom. The kids got to sleep in bunks near their friends.
(r) Troop 863 Group Picture!



School EOY (End of Year - 06.13.2008)
Another school year has come and gone, and another picture in front of the Farrand School sign.



TdL - Tour de Leelanau (05.25.2008)
During the Memorial Day weekend, we were Road Marshalls at two stops (the Homestead & Kolarik / Jeleniak Roads). We were there at the beginning of the race in Leland and watched the end at the casino

(l) Kids on the old tree stump in Leland before the race.
(m) Kids at the Start Line.
(r) The riders are ascending to the finish line at the top of the small hill behind the kids.



Memorial Day Weekend (05.24.2008 - 05.26.2008)
Over Memorial Day weekend, we hung out at the cabin, went to Blackstar Farms & Leelanau Cheese, fished and Minnie caught another Easter Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly.

(top left) @ Blackstar Farms: The kids are by the horse stable.
(top right) The grape vines at Blackstar Farms.
(bottom left) Minnie & his butterfly
(bottom right) Yummer on the boat pier

Farrand Talent Show & Piano Recital all in one night (05.22.2008)

Apologies for the lack of posts ... but we've been pretty busy. The kids had a piano recital and their school talent show both on the same night. Basically, they played their pieces at their piano recital and then we shuffled off to the middle school where the school talent show was held. It was a busy, but fun night! Enjoy the performances.

Anita and her piano recital performances.


Minnie and his piano recital performances.


Anita and her talent show performances. (Apologies for the blurriness and initial confusion ... I thought she was going to be on the stage, too!)


Minnie and his talent show performances.