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.

July Fun & Late Summer Fun

Well, apologies for the long delay between postings, but we have been busy! Fai was home visiting from her Peace Corps adventures in Mali. We have been diligently working away at the house removing the front porch and getting it rebuilt among other things. Fourth of July was way cool. We went up to the cabin and had two sets of guests (Auntie Marilynn, David B, Olivia and Amelia) and then my dad, Tien, Fai, Aunt Lily and Eddie. Sheesh ... It was busy, but fun! Beautiful weather, good company ... you really can't beat that. I posted pictures on my Photobucket site here. I hope you enjoy them!

The kids are still spending their Summer vacation with me which has been interesting to say the least! The Art in the Park where Anita infamously performed for a crowd in 2005 happened in July as well. See below:


The kids decided to make money and use our driveway / front lawn as a make-shift parking lot on Friday and Saturday during Art in the Park. They made $ 25.00 USD altogether for two days worth of work. Not too bad! :O)

@ the Cabin (06.01.2007 ~ 06.03.2007)

We spent the weekend at the cabin with Roger & Granny. It was a blast! The weather was great, and the cabin looked fantastic.

Celebrating in style when we arrived at the cabin ...


The morning after: The kids and "Hoppy the Happy Frog" who they found in the creek behind the cabin.


Granny & the kids hanging out in Suttons Bay.


We took the boat out on a ride in South Lake Leelanau. It's looking quite dark up there, doesn't it?


Yes, Minnie was driving the boat ... and driving it quite well!


Dinner served on Saturday night by MJM: Lamb, Hamburgers (with Oat Life cereal ~ Perfecto~), Chicken Breast and Pork Chops. It was a delicious feast with enough for lunch the next day ... and dinner the evening after!


... and don't forget the grilled Cedar-Planked Salmon. We purchased some cedar planks from a local lumberyard on the way to Suttons Bay and soaked them in a cooler first...


Then, MJM cooked the salmon right on top of the cedar plank.

Memorial Day Weekend 2007 (05.24.2007 ~ 05.28.2007)

Although our Memorial Day weekend was fun last year (links 1 / 2 / 3 / 4), we also had a blast this year at the cabin!

Here are the kids on the pier by the little beach on Thursday.


The kids found an injured sucker fish that washed up on the beach. It was still breathing, but it did die when the kids brought it back to the cabin. Dad told the kids that they needed to take it back to the lake and let it reclaim the fish.


An annoyed Minnie who wants to catch a fish! We did go fishing on the boat, but alas, no bites.


We saw this swan family a number of times when we went riding in the boat. This is our first encounter, and the male ventured close enough to the boat (not pictured) to warn us to stay away from his family. This picture shows a baby catching a ride with either its mum / dad. CUTE!


We drove the boat to Leland several times over Memorial Day weekend. It's a short boat ride from South Lake Leelanau North to the middle where Leland is located. Here is a pretty flower picture snapped by MJM.

MRM's Birthday (04.28.2007)

Hello fair readers:

Apologies for the delay in posting... We've been really busy with EO (end of) year activities for the kids and enjoying the weather and our backyard!

I wanted to post a few pictures of Minnie's birthday that we had at the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City and time up at the cabin on Lake Leelanau. We tricked the kids in thinking that they were going to school when we actually drove directly up North to hang out at the cabin. LOL - it was awesome!

The night before we left, we stuffed both the Cruiser and Roger's truck to the brim.




On our way to get breakfast, MJM told the kids the truth.



Minnie is the center of attention as he listens to dad tell him about the rocket. We're at the Great Wolf Lodge in this picture.


The kids playing at the beach at Leland.