As long as Sargie had the day off and we were in Iron Mountain, we decided to drive the extra fifty miles to Escanaba, located on the north shore of Lake Michigan.

August 29, 2017 - Tuesday

47 degrees/clear skies/calm winds

Pentoga Rad

What an unexpected treat it was to find that Sargie has today off. Since today isn't a doctor's day, she decided to use some of her vacation time and stay home. I could get used to this.

Monday was a fun one. After Sargie's appointment in Iron Mountain, we decided to drive onto Escanaba, fifty miles to the east. There's a food wholesale store where one can buy meat for much less than in our local grocery. We walked away with ten pounds of hamburger and a large pork loin, both to be eaten this coming Sunday when we host the Mighty Milligan Labor Day Celebration.

A stop was made at the mall in Escanaba. It's sad. Like many across America, it's mostly empty, a reminder that brick and mortar stores are quickly fading into history.

What was once a vibrant shopping center now resembles a ghost town. I wouldn't be surprised if the entire structure becomes a parking lot within a few short years.

Still, Sargie found her favorite hand soap in Bath and Body Works, one of the few remaining stores.

We enjoyed walking through the recently opened Meijer Department Store. It's always fun to check out the new and different items. 

Sargie's "cleardar" (clearance radar) quickly led her to the bargain items.

From there, we went to Menards where we found several goodies to put in our basket. I purchased an LED shop light for the new addition. We also bought a new indoor/outdoor thermometer/clock to replace the one that recently died.

No trip to Escanaba would be complete without a drive along Lake Michigan. We stopped at Sand Point Lighthouse and walked around for a bit, mostly enjoying the afternoon sun and warmth.

The park by the yacht club is a beautiful place. I thought about looking around for a yacht to purchase, just a little something on which we could spend the weekends, but then I'd have to hire a full time cook, crew, and captain, and decided it was more trouble than it was worth.

The water in the Great Lakes is crystal clear. I grew up in the days of man made water pollution, when every river and lake was a dump. 

As I remember, it was the Cuyahoga River flowing into Lake Erie that caught fire in Cleveland, Ohio, in the late 60's due to industrial pollution. 

It was a quick ride home. Going by the old Alpha General store, we noticed some changes had been made to the exterior and we saw a new sign.

What's this? A new micro brewery in the old store that was once a bus barn attached to the abandoned high school!

It appears big times are coming to our neck of the woods.

Last evening was a quiet one on Pentoga Road. After seeing what I brought in from the garden, Sargie requested veggie omelets.

I included broccoli, two types of peppers, cucumbers, zucchini, tomatoes, and basil. To make it well-rounded, I HAD to throw in a handful of bacon. Pigs need love too, even the two-legged kind.

It's time to get this uploaded and head out the door for the last picking of blueberries. I've said that three or four times before, but I think I really mean it this time. I've never had blueberries last this late in the season, but then the entire garden is running six weeks behind.

Even the giant pumpkin has finally begun to grow.

If only we could have another three to four weeks of frost free nights. I seriously doubt that will happen. The forecasted highs for next week are only in the fifties, let alone what the nighttime lows will dip down to.

Be that as it may, those blueberries aren't going to pick themselves. It's time to head to the garden.

After all, a man's work is never done.

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...

Only a retired school teacher can truly appreciate the pure joy of not having to head back to the classroom this time of year.