Miscellaneous

I'll start with my drive to get to a cleaning job this morning. I took Conrad Road where it goes through the tunnel of trees. Link below will lead to other seasons. It's just a favorite local place.

Now we'll back up to some more from the weekend. Jean and I stayed at Tahquamenon Falls State Park. It was everything you would expect at a popular park in the summer. Full, busy, semi-noisy, and almost more wood smoke than was pleasant. But it had a bathroom and didn't cost what a motel or cabin would have. Basically we just used it to crash.

I have a lot of leftover hiking food yet. I ate backpacking meals for most of the weekend. I did allow myself to buy a hot dog and an ear of roasted corn, and a blueberry muffin, but that's it. OK, I had a slice of pizza in the car on the way home but I needed something I could eat in the car. I need to keep making a dent in the leftover trail food! This is one dinner. Cous-cous salad and some mixed fruit. I know this doesn't look like much, but that's the point. A small amount rehydrates and is very filling.

Here's one of the friends I ran into. This is Les. I don't think I've seen him for maybe 15 years! We both belong to the same organization from Ann Arbor days. We had a nice visit. And you can see what a great trail advertisement the new shirt is.

Today I had the cleaning job, answered a lot of correspondence, and tried to chill a bit. I'm really grateful for the cleaning jobs. They require no thought or decisions. I just show up, do the work, receive money, and leave! I can use some of that in my life.

See Conrad Road Tunnel of Trees

Good Times in Paradise

I am safely home, but I'm headed for bed as soon as I finish this post.

First of all, I did really well with sales. Even though it's a long drive up there, I'll probably do this event again.

It's not JUST a vendor event. There is live music or a show going on nearly all the time. There is food to buy. Some is vendor trucks, but they do a blueberry pancake brunch for hours with huge lines. There is blueberry buckle, blueberry cake, blueberry muffins, and volunteers make 600 blueberry pies to sell each year. Now, keep in mind, this is the Wild Blueberry Festival. Someone has to pick all those wild blueberries. Yeah, there are lots of them in the UP, but still. Wild blueberries are very small.

Here is a comedy juggler act. I didn't catch the pins in the middle, but they were throwing them back and forth.

There was a concert this afternoon by a really good gospel/folk group. I didn't catch their name.

Yesterday, there was a wandering troubador. I'm not sure if this was totally spontaneous, but maybe. The kid knew the chorus to American Pie, so the man sang the verses and the boy did the chorus. He was pretty good.

I ran into several people I know. That may seem weird, but the trail goes very near Paradise and a lot of people come to this festival.

With my usual talent of paying more attention to the animals than the people, I did not take a picture of me with Jean, even though we shared a campsite. But for this event, she brought Kay-Kay's friend, Laya. In another year, Laya may have her own book too. Here is Laya.

I woke up at 3 am, so I'm thoroughly tired by now, but it's all good. However, I'm too whipped to be more chatty.

See Ludington in Paradise

Ludington in Paradise

There are actually four vendors from Mason County at the Wild Blueberry Festival! Here is Steve Begnoche with his outstanding photographs.

And Bill and Shirley Mitchell have cards with his lighthouse drawings and her knitting.

I am missing a picture of the other Mason Co vendor, but here I am with my setup. And look who is with me! This is Amiya who hiked for a day with me last winter. It's a lot of fun to see trail friends here at the vendor event. You can tell the wind is still an issue with the tablecloth all bunched up.

I did well again today, but I am beat. It was non-stop talking. I'm blogging from the parking lot again, so I'm keeping it short.

All is well. See you tomorrow.

See Blue in Paradise See Snow with Amiya

Blue in Paradise

No blues in the emotional sense. Not at all! It was a lovely day with blue Lake Superior behind my canopy in Paradise.

This is a huge, well-attended event with about 100 vendors crammed into a small area. I'm doing well. Two more days.

There are two other vendors here from Ludington. Steve Begnoche sells photos, and Bill and Shirley Mitchell sell prints of his artwork and her knitting. Steve and Brenda invited all of us to their cabin for dinner. We are modeling festival blueberry pie for you. Bill and Shirley hosted my on my hike last winter.

Sorry, I'm keeping this really short and pointed so I can get back to the campground before dark.

See Rain in Paradise

Rain in Paradise

Here's the obligatory picture proving that I crossed the bridge.

But it's raining in Paradise. Hmmm. The rain was supposed to be done before evening. Oh well. There were really stong winds at the vendor site, so I also didn't set up the canopy yet. I'll do that in the morning. Hopefully the weather will be nicer for the event.

Meanwhile, Jean Davis and I are sharing a campsite. Not much emphasis for us on the camping. It's just a place to stay that isn't too expensive.

Can't seem to upload any other pics now. See you tomorrow!