Sand Dunes

Lake Michigan, the only all American lake (the other Great Lakes border Canada as well), sits on the West side of the state. When visiting the grandparents, we are a mere 45 minute drive away from this gigantic lake, that to anyone eyes', looks no different than an ocean.

This visit, we went to a different beachfront than usual. We wanted the kids to see the sand dunes that make a great runway into the lake.

Because we had not been there before, we didn't quite know which path to take to get to the lake...but we were up for an adventure.

The day was warm, and humid. The path was pleasant at first, but the deeper we got into the woods, the more flying creatures appeared. Mosquitoes. Everywhere.

We realized that if we stopped at all, we would be eaten alive by these large blood-sucking pests. So we did our best to keep charging ahead, not knowing how far we were from the shore.

It felt like a long time of walking fast, focusing on the end. Californians are not used to mosquitoes due to frequent droughts and low humidity (how did I make it in Thailand?). I was not going to lose the battle, however. Not even with all the questions coming from the five-year-olds like: "How can they eat us alive?" or "Where did the mosquitoes come from?" or "Can we stop to look at that wetland?"

A mile or so later, we reached our destination at last. Soft sand, calm waters, not another soul in sight (because, ummm, we chose the longest path to get there). And we had left behind the mosquitoes in the woods.

We surely went back a different route, much shorter, more direct, and for some reason, much fewer of the dreaded insects!

Vacation part I

Lassen National Park, California

Gathering for campfire

Butte Lake, Lassen National Park

Grand Haven Light House, Michigan

On the shores of Lake Michigan

We have been to so many places in the last couple of weeks, I can't possibly write about it all in one posting!

And as you know, sometimes, pictures can tell a thousand words.

So I will let that happen here for now, and will be back with some stories to share.

Summer!

See the dolphin in the water?

Summer is in full swing here.  It does not get hot too often in Santa Cruz, especially in the summer time.  So when it does, we feel extra summery around here.  Lots of beach, pool, more beach, and more pool.  Picnics with friends, post-dinner walks and blackberry-picking.  These are just some of the things we are enjoying right now!  How very lucky we are...

More Art

Frog, by Momo

Vase of flowers, by Claire

Scorpions in the desert, by Momo

Who needs some expensive art work, when our own 5 year old artists-in-residence can produce such pieces?

The only question is, what happens when we run out of wall spaces for the exhibit?

Home

Sometimes Claire will say that she is a 'home body'.  Like today. It was beautiful out with no fog in sight. They had just spent a few hours at 'camp' in the morning (which gave me some time to straighten up the house, and make a few things for it), and when they got home, they just wanted to stay home.

I am glad they like their home, because I do, too.

4th of July in Wine country

Streams of cars were heading into town for the long holiday weekend, as we were heading out on Friday. That was a good feeling...

We spent the weekend with family in Sonoma.  Great parade, great fun, and very relaxing to add.

On the way home, we drove down the coastal route to avoid some traffic, stopped at a beach, before saying 'home sweet home'!  That's the way a holiday weekend should be!