And they're off

Swim, swimmers, swim!

There's a gorgeous egg up ahead, round in all the right places. Don't be shy, introduce yourselves!

Weekend

What a wonderful vacation. I'm glad to be home but so sorry it's over.

Shockingly (unless you've met us and would in no way be surprised), we had a late start. With needing to stop at the store on the way home from work Thursday, packing bags, filling the cooler, and sitting and reading for a few minutes here and there, we left about two hours later than we'd anticipated. I don't know who I thought I was kidding with the We'll be on the road by 6:00 bullshit. We reached Marquette around 2:30 a.m. and conked out for the night.

As we got going the next morning, I realized we'd only visited my sister's new place once before, and might not remember all the intricacies of actually arriving at the front door. Cell service was nil, but I called at one of the gas stations along the way to nail down the particulars.

There's nothing like finally seeing someone you miss. Especially when she feeds you the way my sister feeds you. Well, not you. Me. Sorry about that - you're missing out on some good shit. Every single meal and snack had us shaking our heads in that damn, this is GOOD way. I cook reasonably well, but my sister and her husband go to town. Pasta with clam sauce, shrimp fajitas, breakfast cakes with fresh-picked raspberries and french toast with strawberries.



Alexis and Sean loaded up their canoe Saturday morning and we drove into Wisconsin to get on the Brule River. Apparently it's pretty popular on the weekends so they were out of canoes, but we found Lake Nebagamon on the way back and pulled in for a picnic lunch and shared turns on Lexi and Sean's canoe. After we'd each been around the lake some, we swam out and jumped and dived off a pontoon dock, then had a little Dairy Queen and bought some (legal, damn it) fireworks.



Throm it!
Bang drop it!

We sat around a fire that night and watched the sky light up with heat lightning. It got brighter and more constant and was getting pretty close when the breeze picked up and drops started falling. We gathered up our things and moved to the front porch for an hour or so where we could watch the storm move in and the trees dance across the street. From start to finish, it was a great day. No rush, singing with my sister, swimming, ice cream, good eats, star-watching and a storm. Can't be beat.

It was very difficult to get in the car Sunday night, and I teared up a little halfway down the block. It's just so far away, and although I know we're lucky to be able to see each other a couple times a year, I miss her.

Leaving Duluth when we did, we hit Marquette about 2:30 in the morning again and didn't check out of the hotel the next day until the last possible minute. Matt and I went to Presque Isle Park and intended to jump in the water, but it was overcast and cool and the plan was tabled. We did find a cove where Matt could skip stones while I dipped my feet in Lake Superior, and the next time we go I think we should make up a lunch and spend a little more time there.

The only problem with a long drive is that it's hard to pull over or make time for little things once you're actually on the road, cruising along with another seven hours ahead of you. The pottery shops, the shops with pasties and fudge and smoked fish, the areas along Highway 2 where you can pull over and swim for awhile in Lake Michigan - we tend to drive right by them, thinking Next time. Well, next time we're doing it. Stopping. Looking. Taking 20 minutes to sink our feet in the sand. The best parts of this weekend were the little things - conversation, star charts, swiss cheese and salami on pumpernickel rye, guitars and fire pits.

There's great satisfaction in making good time on the road, but it's the small things that make a vacation.

Vacation!

I'm blazing through work trying to clear my desk and tie up loose ends so there is NO thought of anything but relaxation and fun for the next week and a half or so.

I am giddy.

GIDDY.