Third Day of Vacation

Wednesday, September 16, we left our hotel in St. Ignace and drove a couple hours to Fayette State Park to tour the historic village. Unfortunately, the village was down a sloping road and Jessie absolutely refused to go down. So, Jon went on his own and we went back to the van and I fixed us sandwiches for lunch. That was disappointing to me.

From there we went back north to Palms Book State Park to see Kitch-iti-Kipi, "Big Springs", which is Michigan's largest spring. Over 10,000 gallons a minute gush from fissures in the underlying limestone. The flow continues throughout the year at a constant temperature of 45 degrees F.  

We have been there several times so I knew that Jessie wouldn't go on the self-operated observation raft, so we had an ice cream cone instead and Jon went on the raft. The first picture is looking down into the spring from the raft and the other one is the land surrounding the raft.

A short hour's drive found us in Munising at our hotel, and we ate dinner at the DogPatch. Jess did pretty good inside. Coming out we passed people going in and Jessie told them to "go somewhere else!" Sometimes I am so glad that people don't understand her words!

It was a tiring day, traveling 221 miles, but so nice. I was glad that we were going to be in this particular hotel for 2 nights.


Fast forward to two weeks  ...Wednesday, September 30. Rachel came and took Jessie to her Art Class then they went to Yates Cider Mill for cider and donuts and they had hot dogs for lunch at a Coney Island. Jessie vacuumed the carpets and they made pumpkin cupcakes for the Book Club tonight.

I went out in the morning and went to the post office, bank, Walgreen's, Kohl's, Michael's, Bath and Body Works, church, Meijer's for gas, McDonald's for lunch, then back to Walgreen's. It was a very productive morning followed by more paperwork this afternoon.

Jon came home from work tonight looking like "something the cat dragged in!" Oh, dear.

Walkin' In The Rain

This is my second post for today, the one below of our second day of vacation.

Jon went back to work and his residents were VERY HAPPY to see him. He said it was good to get back into a routine again.

I spent most of the day doing paper work. I thought I was only one month behind in recording for Jessie. Seems I'm 2 months behind. Not good. Spent most of today just getting the papers in order. Tomorrow I record and tape.

Jessie can't swim for two weeks until she sees the doctor so instead Brenda took Jessie on a small walk. They prepared for rain, and it did rain. That's really OK because Jessie LOVES being in the rain. They had lunch at McDonald's then went bowling. I had Jess come home early because she had an unexpected doctor's appointment at the behaviorist's office at 3:30 p.m. That took 2 hours out of my paper work time. Oh, well.

Second Day of Vacation - Tuesday, September 15

Two weeks ago today we visited Sault Ste. Marie, MI. We were lucky this time and there was a large ship in the locks. Jessie sat on the bench the entire time writing and Jon and I took lots of pictures. It was a very large ship and the second picture is when they were stopped and ready for decent.

The 2 men in orange suits were standing at the railing with some type of machine in front of them - I suspect a computer of sorts. They were relaying information to the captain of the ship.

In the 3rd picture you can barely see the men's white helmets, the boat has lowered so much. The 4th picture is of the Pilot House. The Captain waved at us. Or maybe he was the Cook. Who knows?

It's amazing to think that there have been so many sinkings of large ships like this one on the Great Lakes. The Edmund Fitzgerald in the 70's. They look indestructable.

We had a nice picnic lunch on the water then Jon took a tour of the USS Valley Camp. Both Jon, Bill and I have been on it before, but it's always nice to do it every once in awhile. Just like being at the Soo. We've never seen a big ship go through before, so this was new to us and very enjoyable.

When we arrived back at St. Ignace, we ate dinner at the Galley again, having eaten there the night before. We go there every time we can. Jon LOVES the white fish livers and blue gill. I just love everything they have, EXCEPT for the white fish livers and blue gill. If you are ever in that area, we highly recommend this restaurant.

Two Weeks Ago Today

Two weeks ago today (Monday, September 14) we began our week's vacation to the Upper Peninsula. Our first stop was Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City. This is a MUST stop for both Jon and Jessie as they really like the fort. Jon likes to look at any new buildings and this year there was a new garden that he enjoyed. Jess knows each building and what is in them and which ones she'll go in and which ones she won't.

Unfortunately, while walking around the Fort, Jess turned her ankle in a small hole.  For some reason I threw in my medicine bag a baggie of ankle wraps that I usually carry for me, as I'm so clumsy. I'm glad I did, as it came in handy for her. I wrapped her ankle each day and it helped her walk.

The picture of Jessie on the bed is what she likes to do in a hotel room. She stakes claim to her bed, gets out her DVD player and ABC tiles or Apples to Apples cards and watches her favorite (at that time) movies. This year it was Full House episodes.

The bottom picture is the view of Mackinac Island from our hotel room in St. Ignace, which is across the bridge. We stayed there 2 nights.




Today ... September 28
Rachel and Jessie went to the Library and Blake's Orchard to pick apples. Unfortunately, Jessie refused to get out of the car. Rachel said she seemed to be having a panic attack, so no apple picking today.

I spent the day with Jon. We went to many places - in and out - for various items. We left around 9:30 a.m. and got home at 3:30 p.m.

My friend, Karen, came over and brought Jessie a cookie bouquet to "Get Well Soon". She stayed and we visited for a bit. Jessie was really excited to get it. She also got a card from them in the mail today. Thanks, Karen, and family!

I neglected to say that Rachel and Jane also gave Jessie a "Get Well Gift" of beautiful fresh flowers and a balloon, the day after she came home from surgery.

Jess seems to be doing OK. Until she starts yelling and screaming at me, clinging to me and is definitely not herself. That's the only way I can tell that she needs some medication. She's not going to be happy, either, when I tell her in the morning that she can't go swimming for 2 weeks!

Sunday

Jon wasn't feeling well this morning - his joints ached pretty bad - so only I went to church. We went to Benny's for lunch and saw my "old" and good friend, JoAnne. She still lives on the street we grew up on since 1968. I was a year ahead of her in school, but we do go way back! She sat with us when she finished her lunch then came back to the house to visit. I finally gave her her birthday gifts - her birthday is in January! Pathetic. Jon, JoAnne and I watched last week's episode of "Scorpion", then she left to run errands. Jess has been pretty crabby, weepy, moaning, yelling, and just plain miserable. We gave her plenty of medication thinking she may be in pain and she'd take a nap. Not a chance! She's less crabby, but definitely WIDE AWAKE! Oh, dear!

Nap Time For Jessie

Jessie seemed to have a good morning. I worked around the house and sat down around 12:15 to take a break. Jess said she wanted to sit by me. She got a couple pillows, piled them up on me, laid down and went to sleep for 2 1/2 hours! I was stuck but didn't care. I also took a nap. She's been pretty good the rest of the day. Jon cleaned out the garage so I can park in it again. There are a few things I want to do out there, too, before I do that.

A Great Day For Jessie

Jess woke this morning as if nothing ever happened yesterday. Most likely because of all the versed she had. No pain. Just raring to go! Rachel took her to breakfast then they went to Meijer's grocery shopping.

Jon and I, on the other hand, woke up this morning as if we were one of "The Walking Dead". Jon eventually got better, but I've had a pretty bad physical day and haven't done much of anything but sit on the back deck and read. I'm planning of tomorrow being a better day.