Holland, Michigan trip - Day 4

This afterrnoon the Brouwer family got together again for coffee and pie.  Thanks to everyone for a great time of reminiscing and good food.  Our prayer is that everyone will be in good health and able to get together again soon.

Tomorrow we head for home.



Judy with her brother, three sisters and their spouses





Judy's sisters Shirley & Rose



Rose & her husband Lee

Elmer, Glen & Peter

Judy's brother Denny & his wife Emily

Rhubarb Custard Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

Emily cutting the pies

Holland, Michigan Trip - Day 3

Yesterday afternoon we enjoyed a family get together at the home of Judy's brother in Zeeland, Michigan.  We haven't seen them since September 2009.

A visit to Holland, Michigan typically includes a visit to the North Holland area where Judy was raised.  We were thrilled to learn that the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church (which now sits on the Brouwer family farm property) used bricks from the family home to construct a large sign (see photo below).

Ordinarily the tulips would be in full bloom at this time of year but with the unusually early Spring, they were pretty much past their prime stage of beauty.  However, the blossoming shrubs and trees, especially on South Shore Drive, helped compensate for the lack of tulips.

One noticeable change since our last visit.  It is obvious that the State of Michigan has taken steps to reduce wind erosion of its famous sand dunes.   Areas that were once exposed to the strong winds coming off Lake Michigan are now covered with a protective layer of grasses and small shrubs.

Church sign constructed with bricks from Judy's family home

Tunnel entrance at Tunnel Park on Lake Michigan

Self-portrait at Tunnel Park beach lookout

Another photo at Tunnel Park, Lake Michigan 

Historic lighthouse at entrance to Lake Macatawa from Lake Michigan

Holland State Park Beach

Tulips past their prime

Large dwelling on South Shore Drive

Unknown variety of tree with Violet blossoms

Beautiful shrub, possibly an Azalea

More beautiful shrubbery on South Shore Drive

A not-so-typical dwelling on South Shore Drive

Dutch Windmill at Windmill Island Gardens

Holland, Michigan Trip - Day 1

Destined for Holland and Zeeland, Michigan to visit Judy's siblings, we left Waterloo, Ontario at about 10:30 am.  Aside from a 40 minute wait at the Canada / US border (Sarnia / Port Huron), we made excellent time.  While awaiting our turn at the US Customs gates, we were treated to a flock of 25 to 30 hawks, possibly in migration, circling above the staging area.

The day began pretty much wind free so the first leg of the journey was smooth.  However, once across the border the southwest winds began to increase, hitting us broadside from the left and occasionally from the right.  The strong winds, compounded by the poor condition of some sections of the interstate highway, added up to a white knuckle ride at times.  A messy windshield, the result of thousands of bug and butterfly impacts, surely didn't help.

Heading into the sun, the interior temperature rose to nearly 29 degrees Celsius by mid afternoon.  That's when we realized that our in-dash air conditioning wasn't working, so we fired up the generator and switched on one of  the roof top air conditioners to keep cool.

Approaching the Blue Water Bridge

  

Near the highest point of the bridge

Port Huron shoreline

Will they let this guy into the USA?

Hawks riding an updraft at the Canada / US border

Ship approaching bridge in the fog

Our bug splattered windshield

Our destination campground, Zeeland, Michigan

Pond at the campground

Elevated view of our campsite... Judy in foreground

MacGregor Point Winter Camping Windup

Although April 16 is technically the last day for the On Site Winter Storage Program, many of the "Winter Warriors" chose to leave today.  Yesterday we celebrated the end of the 2011-2012 Winter Program with a 10 a.m. breakfast, hosted by Tom and Kerry B. at site 44.  It was well attended and everyone enjoyed the good food and seasonal weather.  Tom was able to arrange a brief Skype call to Frank and Lucy who hosted the Winter Program for a number of years.

Included with the photos below is a daylight photo of a racoon.  With the early spring we seem to be seeing a lot of them, both at night as well as during the day.  Perhaps this racoon was part of the gang that decided to attack the roof of Maynard & Lorraine's trailer.

Thanks to Tom and Kerry for hosting yesterday's breakfast, and here's wishing an enjoyable summer to all the Winter Warriors.

Breakfast at site 44

Tom hooking up a Skype connection

Custodians of the campfire

Why does the smoke seem to follow me?

An early Dandelion at site 61

Bold racoon at site 61

A March Summer Day

What a perfect day... 23 degrees Celsius and solid sunshine.  Hard to believe it's March 17. 

We started the day with the removal of the winter tarp and within minutes, Hugh and Tom arrived to provide some assistance.  By 12:30 pm the job was finished.

Lots of activity in the Park with children making good use of their bikes.  At the beach we actually saw some kids in bathing suits and others wading out to a small island.  Turtles in Turtle Pond were soaking up the sun and the Wood Frogs in Ash Swamp were calling for mates.

We finished the day with a bonfire and roasted some marshmallows.  A terrific day!

Tarp removal in process

Judy's camera caught Hugh & Tom helping (or supervising).

Young family down by the lakeshore

Wood frog in Ash Swamp

The Fire Watcher

Are they ready yet?