How satisfying to fill the porch with family – my first overnight visitors! And we have more furniture. And gravel. Things have been busy both indoors and out as the Cabin at Many Moons continues to come alive…so busy that I’ve had little time to write. Here’s the update from the far-north in photos and captions. (But first, please take a moment to recognize the anniversary of this date. Maybe give thanks that we did not have another major terrorist attack, as expected. Sometimes, the federal government gets things right. I worked at DHS HQ so I know what was prevented.)
Here’s a reminder of just how far north I am. Recent FB comments showed that many aren’t familiar with Michigan. Some think it’s just “the mitten.” Detroit is in the lower right. I’m at the red dot. That northern part is called the Upper Peninsula (UP), where I grew up. It’s remote, forested, and gorgeous.
Speaking of gorgeous, the new house looks great at night when it’s all lit up inside. Even better, the family gracing my front porch…seven visitors, though just three stayed overnight.
My grandnephews goofed around with Roscoe, who took it in stride.
We sojourned to three cemeteries to visit ancestral graves, including Dad’s parents’. I never knew them but am very aware of their legacy. (The new house is sprinkled with items that came from the old farm that they built and where Dad grew up. I’ll do a photo tour of those items someday.)
After the 5-day break for family, we returned to work. We’re tired of tracking sand into the house so needed to do more landscaping. Jeff created some basic wood borders on two more sides, just like the ones on the east (water) side, to hold gravel in place.
We got two truckloads of “road gravel” to make a sort of parking lot at the front (west) door.
Jeff used his backhoe to push it into place…
…but first, had to jump on his Iron Mule to pull the huge truck out of the soft sand. His biggest machine is proving useful for many things. Jeff is also proving useful for many things! But you knew that.
Then we got a load of washed gravel to put on the south side. This is the same stuff that covers the east (water) side and helps keep things clean.
Jeff got back on his backhoe again to push it around, and then we raked it into place more carefully. We also picked up more mulch from the local sawmill to fill in around the gravel.
Indoors, I have a few more pieces of (used) furniture and a new rug. Not quite the colors I want, but fits the theme. Can you tell that’s a cross-cut of an oak tree? (Echoing the real oak inside.)
More family is coming this weekend, so we needed a kitchen table. While I continue to research options, we decided to bring in one of the picnic tables. (Jeff built those also, years ago…four of them in a day, on the tiny deck of his tiny off-the-grid cabin.) That new fridge is such a kick with the “mirror” on the right side. If you tap on it, the light comes on so you can see what’s inside. Too gimmicky for me, but it’s what was in stock. I’m getting used to it, and it amuses visitors.
I took time for another outing with the Sunday hiking group…this time, to several waterfalls on the nearby Silver River. There was no trail so they were hard to get to, but so worth it.
Noisy geese called me out in the rowboat a few days ago, and I got this shot of one in flight. It’s a bit blurry because I magnified it, but can’t you just hear him squawking? Mouth open!
On the way back from my goose visit, I noticed more landscaping that needs attention–like trimming more trees. I know that will never end, but it’s a joyful task. For the view!!
I end with a picture of the road to camp. The new-and-improved road to camp. We used to stagger from one side to the other to dodge potholes and “crud.” I’m not kidding. Now it’s smooth and clean. I take some credit for this, though I’m not sure it’s deserved. After hearing neighbors complain for years, I decided to take action. (If you want something fixed, you need to speak up, right? I spent 26 years in government, so, yeah, I know this!) A petition to the township, copy to the road commission, signed by neighbors. A year later, voila. Yeah, they probably would’ve fixed the road anyway. But it pleases me to think that I hurried it up. š
For Many Moons 