May 16, 2012.  From Ludington to Saint Ignace, along the lake shore the scenery was beautiful.  Lighthouses, deer, old barns, the cystal blue shimmer of the lake, covered bridges, sand dunes and church steeples caught the eye and formented a deep appreciation for the beauty of Michigan.  Every state has its strong points.  Michigan has its fair share.  We are in Saint Ignace State Park tonight and will cross the straits to Mackinac Island in the morning. 

Mackinac is one of our favorite places.  It is the place we went after my final interview for my current position.  I was worn down by the anxiety and the interminable waiting.  With the final interview laid by, we flew north and discovered the island where there is history and fudge, but no motor vehicles.  There, under a cloudless Colorado-blue sky, I laid in the grass, on my back in front of the old fort and fell asleep.  I had not fallen asleep in the grass since I was a very young boy.  Such was the relaxation we experienced on our first trip to Mackinac. 

This will be our fourth trip.  We may spend a day, we may spend two.  It depends.  However long we are there, we will enjoy it.  And, we'll have a piece of Mackinac fudge for you.

Oh, the one inconsistent photo above is of the Curves for Women in Traverse City.  Annie has worked out each day this week at one Curves after another halfway across America.  She is so dedicated!  While she works out, I take a nap in the back of Harvey.  She works hard enough for both of us.  

And, today, she was introduced to the big, soft Hula Hoop at the Curves featured above.  It is a special oversized hula hoop designed for women who want to reduce their waistline.  We could not leave Traverse City without one.  So, we backtracked ten miles and bought one at the home of the inventor.  Fifty dollars and fifty minutes later, she was a happy woman.  Giddy woman may be a better description.   When Annie is happy, Malachi is happy.