July 17, 2026 Harvest

 Working on our wonderful harvest of green beans.

July 11, 2026 Ohio and Michigan Part 5

On our way home we stopped in Dayton, Ohio.  We had plans to do one adventure, but due to the high chance of rain we changed our plans and went to the Wright Brothers Museum (which also happens to be a National Monument).  It was such a fun museum and a nice break from driving.  Since it was a National Monument, the kids got yet another junior ranger badge.

While we were at the museum there was about a group of about 50 people that were dressed in clothing from around the 1900's.  Turns out that they were a club gathering of people who collect, restore, and ride antique bikes from the time period of the Wright Brothers.  It was fun to talk to them, and even more amazing to see them all get on their bikes and ride down the road like a small parade.
 

July 9, 2026 Ohio and Michigan Part 4

 Today we moved west a bit and visited Petoskey State Park.  It is a beautiful state park on Lake Michigan.  Also this location is known for Petoskey stones.  Those stones are unique fossilized coral rocks.  We did not find any, but we did find a lot of pretty rocks.

Here everyone is looking for pretty stones.

Showing off their finds.

Next we went to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.  Here the kids are at the bottom of the small dunes.

And here they are after running up to the top of the first rise of the small dunes.

They ran up, they ran down, and had a blast on the dunes.  This was not what we expected to see in Michigan but it was a wonderful surprise!

And since it also is a National Park they got sworn in and got their junior ranger badge.

July 8, 2026 Ohio and Michigan Part 3

Today we went to Mackinac Island.  This island does not allow cars on the island, so to look at the sights you need to walk, bike, or ride in a horse drawn carriage.

We got the ferry to go from Mackinaw City to the Island.

Then we rented our bikes.  The ride was beautiful and easy (for the most part).

We did hike up 208 steps to see Arch Rock which is one of the most popular sight seeing locations on the island.

Grace took a similar picture of this (her gazing over Lake Huron) when we went to Jordan Lake in Acadia National park.  She wanted to try to recreate it.

One of the first things we biked by was a large park that had lots of chairs, a gazebo, and TONS of Canadian Geese!  

It was a fun day and a very unusual beautiful town.
 

July 7, 2026 Ohio and Michigan Part 2

It was a long drive from Ohio to Mackinaw City, Michigan.  We got to the hotel and were ready to just collapse, however I convinced Grace and Glen to walk across the street to see the lake.

They were both amazed that this was a LAKE!  It is HUGE.   So we spent the first night exploring the beach of Lake Huron that was near our hotel. 

    

Grace decided that she wanted to see the sun rise over the lake.  So we got up VERY early the next morning and sat to watch the sun slowly rise.  It was amazing to watch and fun to spend some time with her.

 

July 6, 2026 Ohio and Michigan Part 1

 This summer we decided to explore two states that we have never been to.  So we chose to go to Ohio and Michigan.

On the first day we traveled to Ohio to visit Cuyahoga National Park.

This park was beautiful and had such a fun junior ranger packet.  In the packet they had a scavenger hunt that took place around the visitors center.

It required us to go to places, see things, and have experiences in the park that we might not have otherwise.

They finished the packet and got sworn in as junior rangers.

June 30, 2026 Home From Spain

 

After 8 days in Spain, she is home!

I know she had a fabulous time,

But it is so good to have her home again.