I’m afraid not, but sometimes you get your wish, or at least a bit of it.
I was wishing for a longer summer season because it seems like this year’s had just arrived and was already over.
Well, it seems that my wish has come true, at least for a little longer.
Summer really has been extended this year with a week or two (including this one) of mid-80s to over 90 degrees predicted this week here in Clare.
So, we went looking for fall.
It seemed to be a little soon for that though, as the warm weather lately is keeping summer around and pushing fall back.
That’s okay, it has given us an opportunity to spend some time in the north woods – this summer we have only had a couple of short visits, due to my health, extreme humidity and high heat which keeps me mostly inside where it is air conditioned.
Back to our weekend trip.
Luckily we missed the worst of the heat around here by heading up to Roscommon (my “up north” childhood home) for a long weekend in Sister-in-Law Marlene’s trailer. It’s our first time staying at the campsite that we have used for so many, many years since we took our 5th Wheel back down to Clare and sold it, so it was really enjoyable to get away again for a few days (thanks to her generosity) and do a bit of “leaf peeping.”
Marlene, now 86, used to spend the summer there, but now only comes for a month or so. We have some great memories of camping there together,
She spent August at her trailer and visiting family around Crawford County before returning to her home in Ocala, Florida just a couple weeks ago. We got to spend some time together, something that doesn’t happen nearly enough anymore.
So, she headed home and we, with her blessing, took over her spot here in mid-Michigan.
She said she arrived home to 90 plus hot and steamy degrees. I certainly don’t envy her the hot weather they have been having.
Anyway, heading north last weekend, we took the back roads up to the property northeast of Roscommon in Crawford County, and did see a few splashes of color starting here and there, but not much.
Also saw more detours and road construction than ever before!
We went north on M-30 via a doctor’s appointment I had in Midland – a different route this time.
It was different all right with four detours, three over to M18 and back, one right through West Branch plus a small job (complete with stop lights) around road construction just south of West Branch.
Our normally a little over an hour trip turned into easily two hours — three with a stop for a meal at the Lumberjack Restaurant in West Branch, but we finally arrived.
The Lumberjack is one of our favorite eateries, although it is a little pricier than it used to be.
Then it was the final leg of the trip and guess what we found? Just before our arrival…more road construction!
I guess it was a good thing we were “meandering” up to our destination. It made for an adventure to remember, despite the detours, and turned into a nice trip to a cooler destination.
Oh, it was still pretty warm up there, but always much shadier than our wide-open spaces around home, so a nice oscillating fan created a lovely breeze in Marlene’s 12 foot by 36 foot screened in porch.
Loving the outdoors the way I do, I fell in love with that porch, which has an unbeatable view for miles to the north and a “swing.”
I want one – actually both – the porch and the swing…
Luckily I can have them…we just have to drive a little way to enjoy them!
At least, with her insistence that we head north and use her place anytime we want, I guess I am getting that wish fulfilled too.
It sure made for a relaxing enjoyable weekend.
