Falling Water & Michigan

Our goal was not to spend too much time in the east.  However, since we were driving right past Falling Water in Pennsylvania; this became the beginning of our adventure.  Falling Water is an amazing balance of architecture and the environment.

 

 

The picture that everyone takes

From PA, off to western Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.  The park is on the shores of Lake Michigan with vast dunes and crystal-clear lake waters.  Growing up, we often heard about pollution and the imminent death of the Great Lakes so it was a real surprise to find Lake Michigan to be so very clean.  The upper area of Michigan produces lots of fruits and some very nice wines.  Yup, always time for a little wine tasting.  Note:  A special “Thank You” to Greg Sprout and Brenda Aanderud for their list of Michigan sites; Michigan did not disappoint us…  A very beautiful state and wonderful people.

If you look closely, you will see the people walking down to the water.  Keep in mind, what goes down must also go up and many of them looked like they just might die...

 

Traverse City

Mission Light House

View from the vineyard deck

 

Mackinac Island is a “must see” for anyone traveling in northern Michigan.  Accessible only by ferry with no motorized vehicles (yes, it has a distinct smell of horse poop), Mackinac Island takes you back in time to a place from not “so long ago”.  Walking along an island road or city street with only people, buggies and horses is a lovely way to spend a day.

Bridge connecting upper and lower Michigan

The Grand Hotel

For our girlfriend, Pat

Rock art in the water (yes, the art is under the water)

Small church as we approached The Grand Hotel

 Next stop, South Dakota.

2013 Adventure Preface / June in Vermont

For those who haven’t heard, we’ve purchased Pop Up Trailer, fondly referred to as PUT.  With this new purchase, we begin our 2013 adventure, a cross-country road trip from Virginia to Washington.

Travel began in Vermont with PUT’s maiden voyage.  Following the addition of air shocks to the Sienna, we’re ready for the great open spaces between Virginia and Washington.  Hope you enjoy our experience…

June in Vermont

Summer in Vermont is always a special time and this year we had the opportunity to share some of Vermont with Lauren and Nick.  It’s always good to spend time with family and friends.

Pop Up Trailer, fondly referred to as PUT



Lauren & Nick

Mary (Dan's sister) and Bill

Dan's sister, Diane

Dog fishing in Grand Isle

Dan's dad

Vacation buddies, Chris & Sue

Gisele (Suzanne's sister) and Steve

Nephew Nick

Good friend, Jim

Good friend, Linda

Lauren with her grand parents

Lauren with Great Grandma who turned 100 years this past January... 

Watching a storm come in

Storm over the pond

Tiger lilies near the pond

Girls having fun on the pond

Lauren and Nathan (cousin)

St Agnes Church, Lester Junction (Vermont).  The little church Suzanne attended as a child.

Tom preparing his home made pizza oven for a dinner with friends.

Robert Todd Lincoln home in Manchester

Beautiful Vermont

Dan pondering...

 

January thru June 2013

It’s been a while since we’ve posted but that’s not due to inactivity.  This post summarizes some of our activities for the first half of 2013.  It’s been a busy year…

Gramma’s 100^th Birthday Party held in Vermont on January 20^th.  All who could attend gathered to celebrate this great lady’s 100^th Birthday.  Yes, Gramma is as good as she looks.

Dan and Gramma

From left to right, siblings Diane, Mary Sue, Dan and Randy

Left to right, Howard (son) Eleanor (daughter) Leonne (married to Howard) Donnie (married to Shirley) Shirley (daughter)

 

In February, we were off to Philly to tour the historic district.

Great events occurred in this room

 

With February comes a day of memories.  This year, Courtney would have celebrated her 25th birthday on the 17th.  We can't allow this memorable day to pass without honoring her memory.

Courtney, Chris & Lauren

Just a little sassie

Courtney's favorite color, yellow.  Roses from a wonderful friend to honor Courtney's birthday.

 

In late February and early March, we were off to Washington State’s Cascade Mountains for a ski outing with our vacation buddy, Chris and his son Zach.  This included collecting Lauren and Nick for a couple of days at Steven’s Pass before we set off to Chrystal Mountain.

Suzanne, Nick, Lauren and Dan - Steven's Pass

Chris, Zach & Dan - Steven's Pass

Chris, Suzanne (just so you know I also went on this trip) & Dan - Steven's Pass

View of the Olympic Mountains

Navy Museum

Chris, top of Chrystal Mountain.  Mount Rainier in the background.  Chris at 7K+ feet, Mt Rainier at 14K+ feet.

 

Spring time in Virginia is always a favorite.  This year, we hosted my brother and his daughter for a few days followed by a couple of Dan’s college friends.

Rene's first trip to DC

Yvon & Rene

Great timing, blossoms in full bloom

Yes, I did take this picture

And this one too

Ric and Kate (old friends from college)

This picture is so cool.  Not everyone knows what this is..  Do you?

Color coordinated with nature

 

One of the great joys we share with people is the marriage of a loving couple.  Courtney’s best friend, Morgan, married a wonderful young man in May.  We were very fortunate to be included in this joyous occasion.  Love our “little red haired girl”.

 

Mike & Morgan

A very beautiful bride

The beginning of a future