Crossing the Mackinac Bridge that connects the UP to "the mitten," downstate Michigan.

July 22, 2021 - Thursday morning

59 degrees/cloudy skies/calm winds

Pentoga Road

We're home. After leaving Coldwater, Michigan, a beautiful community close to the Michigan/Ohio/Indiana borders Wednesday morning, we made our way up through the middle of the state.

One single windmill blade

Traffic wasn't too horrible and the further we drove, the more grateful we were that we hadn't navigated the hornets nest around Detroit. Though riddled with long areas of construction, traffic moved right along and we enjoyed the scenery of cornfields, small towns, and towering windmills. 

We stopped several times yesterday, either to stretch our legs or to do a bit of shopping. Stopping on a long road trip isn't built into my DNA, but Sargie, in her bend-but-never-break way, taught me the benefits of smelling a rose or two along the way. We enjoyed yesterday's drive back to Pentoga Road.

The weather was favorable for crossing the Mackinac Bridge. We spotted a large freighter and Mackinac Island with it's Grand Hotel seemed so close that one could almost reach out and touch it.

One last stop was made in Escanaba at the top of Lake Michigan last evening before continuing onto Pentoga Road. The trip had been a good one, but oh Lord, how good our little house with the red roof looked as we pulled in the drive.

I realized my goal during this past week and that was to check on my baby boys and grandbabies, to make sure all were well. I guess it doesn't make any difference that they are successful grown men, well into their thirties and forties. Every now and then, a parent just has to see and touch his babies for reassurance.

It makes me happy to know all are doing great without their dad living next door. I'd expect no less. They're Pennington boys. It's how we roll.

Thanks to Yooper Brother Mark and Isabella for keeping Sargie's flowers alive and well during our absence. The lack of rainfall would surely have killed them without frequent watering, so thanks again.

I'm heading out the door for my walk then going to work in the garden for a bit this morning. The pond looks horrible. There's a scummy film and lots of algae. The fish look great, but I'm going to see if I can clean it up a bit. The garden plants look good, but need a good watering. If the sun stays under, I'll do that today rather than wait for this evening. Then there's wood, lots and lots of hardwood to bring in. 

As Andy would say, "It ain't gonna bring in itself."

I guess this means our vacation is over.

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

So are the tales from Pentoga Road...