Overdue Update!

Well, I suppose being back down under the bridge isn't so bad. I've had a great last internship at the Therapy Institute in Haslett. One week left!!!! I've impressed myself over the past 6 months with what I know and can do for my patients. I LOVE my job and I can't wait to finally get paid for it!!! I'm planning a trip to Tucson at the end of November to see my new doggie nephew Jonas and mountain bike/hike. I'm also planning a return trip to Houghton to attempt some cross country skiing and visit with the friends I made while I was there this summer. Then in February, I want to get to Ireland to visit with family and see the country itself.

Besides all of that, here's a pic of Mike and myself at his house after watching football all day long.

One more...

Cynthia, Jennifer, Pat, me, and Diane at the end of the Fat Tire race

My Keweenaw family!

My "see you later" gathering - These people are extraordinary and I will miss them like crazy. Owen, Margaret (Owen's mom), Susan, and me.
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!!!!! See you all in December!

Fat Tire Bike Race in Copper Harbor and the final farewell

Oh, where to start...Copper Harbor was a blast! Good friends, tough bike race, great music and dancing, and lots of wind! The pics are of Diane and myself, Diane, Kevin, and myself, Ryan and Kara, then Pat and Diane during the race. I volunteered my time again to help out at the short/long split and also helped out at the Kids race. The weekend was a nice close to my time here and I enjoyed every minute of it here. I'll be back in December to experience cross country skiing. Thanks to everyone for a great time in the Keweenaw!

Great Deer Chase, PT Team, and Michigan Tech Trails

So here's the last update before I head back Down State. I volunteered my time at the Great Deep Chase bike race in Calumet's Swedetown trail system. The first photo is of Arlyn and Sandy on their mountain tandem as they passed where I was stationed. They were the sweep for the race. The second photo is the PT/PTA crew at HCMCF (Sandy, Cassie, Jim, and me). The third photo is Diane in the Michigan Tech trails. The trails were awesome that day. The fourth photo is of course me at the Tech trails and the last photo is a shot of how FANTASTIC it is up here (sideways, but you get the picture). I'm heading to Copper Harbor this weekend to volunteer at the Fat Tire bike race and camp with the CH crew. Then, I have to come home... :( I don't want to leave!!!!

1st Annual Portage Paddle Fest

The 1st Annual Portage Paddle Fest was held last weekend. I took 3rd place in the Women's Fun Race and Owen took 2nd place in the Men's Fun Race. We had to paddle about one mile to the Lift Bridge, paddle across the Canal to a certain spot, paddle backwards into shore, do 10 jumpropes, paddle across the Canal again to a certain point where we had to half paddle in, catch a water balloon, throw it through a hula hoop (which I totally missed, but in my defense my hand was really wet so it slipped out) then paddle another 1/2 mile back to the finish line. It was kind of a misty rainy day, but it turned out to be beautiful later on. The boy in the kayak with Owen is Adam, one of his friend's son. He's a really good kid.

Copperman Triathalon

I headed north to Copper Harbor again this weekend. The Copperman Triathalon was happening and it was really cool too watch. There were 317 people in the race (only 300 are supposed to be admitted but apparently there are always exceptions to the rule!) I knew a few people in the race from last week's trail rides. It was beautiful day. I would have gone biking again, but I took a little tumble at the Tech trails on Thursday night and hurt my hand. Kind of tough to bike with a tender hand! So I hung out with Gromit again while her owners went riding. We walked to Copper Harbor marina and took a boat ride...her first ever...to the lighthouse and hiked around for a couple of hours. I met a couple from Minnesota and showed them what aThimbleberry was and enjoyed eating a few on the trails. Later, I just relaxed at the campground then visited with other people I had met a few weeks ago here at the music festival. I am going to return to Copper Harbor next weekend ( I hope!) and go kayaking! I also want to hike out to Manganese Falls and Lake Manganese up there, so i'll see how much time and energy I have left! Only 4 weeks left :(

Freida Beach

Went to Freida Beach this past week and enjoyed some more of Lake Superior. We went to escape the 95 degree heat here and ended up watching a nice thunder and lightning storm roll onto shore. There were some peaks of sunlight which reflected on the water with some great colors. Gromit the dog went swimming in the bigger waves after big sticks and my friends and I ate dinner then hiked a bit. We drove to this old damn that was made back in the 1800's, so I got a little history lesson. I was glad it rained...took all the humidity out of the air and the residents at the nursing home weren't as grumpy. :) and me too!

McClain State Park

Well here is yet another post. It's really hot here today. Supposed to get to 100 degrees tomorrow. This is the house where I'm staying with the ever growing garden. They just pulled up garlic plants the other day- 6 different kinds! Below are photos from McClain State Park. It is usually 10 degrees cooler up there. I was told today that the sand never used to be that dark grey color. Apparently, once the Mine across the way closed down, the coal somehow made it's way to the state park. Anyway- off for another ride at the Michigan Tech Trails. It's kids night so I'm helping set up a bit then go for a good ride.

I hate Canon!

So, remember i bought a brand new camera before i left for this venture? well, it decided to delete all my pictures that I took while in Marquette this weekend so you all can't see them. SORRY! but i can tell you that I had a great time at Art in the Park with Susan, Owen, and Owen's mother, Margaret. It was a beautiful day and i hiked out to the light house which got quite treacherous halfway through with big jagged rocks. I didnt' buy anything there...everything was quite expensive, but i chatted up photographer from Chicago who just returned from Ireland, so that was cool. It was Owen and Susan's wedding anniversary, so we all went to Red Lobster and devoured the cheesy biscuits and tasty seafood dishes! Then the cats got into the leftovers bag and had a feast of their own! At least they didnt' get into the cheesy biscuit bag, 'cause I would have been so ticked!

I rode for the first time on a mountain tandem bike on the Maato Hiito trails. It was scary at first, but I was told I did quite well. I saw some BEAUTIFUL country and bear doo-doo. That's all for now, but hopefully I'll have some more pics up this week for ya'll!

Hope everyone is doing well!

People

People can simply amaze you. I am amazed at the laid back, kind, and helpful individuals I have met up here. I have never felt so welcomed and appreciated by complete strangers. I am in awe. I just thought I would share my thought with you all.

Copper Harbor Music Festival

Northern Exposure Trail from Keweenaw Mountain Lodge heading toward Copper Harbor downtown area. This is a hiking/mountain biking trail. The puppy with me is Gromit, a border collie/black lab mix. She gave my arms quite the workout for being so small. The music festival was a blast; lots of bands playing anything from folk to jazz. It was a LONG day, but I had tons of fun. I'm planning on returning in a couple of weeks to go sea kayaking on Lake Superior with some people I have met up here.

Eagle Harbor Sunday

Waterfall in Eagle Harbor (top left), Host Family Owen and Susan (top right), Lake Superior from Eagle Harbor (bottom left), Eagle Harbor Lighthouse (bottom right). This was a fun trip out. We had a BBQ lunch which was so good at the house then headed up to Eagle Harbor for dinner with some of Owen and Susan's friends. I'm going to try to see the new Harry Potter movie this week, then try to head up to Copper Harbor for the weekend, depending on the weather. Ciao!

Out 'n' aboot!

This is Rosco, a hound and shepard mix. Mack is the other dog and Gus and Nicki are the two cats. I forgot how much i miss having a pet. I went out with my clinical instructor Sandy, and her husband to a friends place out in the woods for some good eats and good wine. It was nice meeting some new people. I'm going out for another mountain bike ride on monday...hopefully I'll be a bit better than last week. Apparently, I'm out of shape! I bought a membership to a local gym...a bit bigger than HealthStyles, so hopefully I will gain some strength and endurance. Well, I hope everyone is doing well. Miss you!

The Mighty Mac

The Mackinaw Bridge on the Mackinaw City side - This is how I spent 7/7/07. It was a hot drive up to St. Ignace and my forearm was sunburned! I enjoyed sleeping a REAL bed that night and treated myself the following morning to a wonderful breakfast compliments of Lorraine at the infamous Northern Lights restaurant in St. Ignance.

Lake Superior

Lake Superior on the West side of the Bunny Ear at Calumet Water Works Park. The water was crystal clear with quite a rocky terrain. The water didn't feel too cold... :) It was nice to have Monday off to explore a bit.

Portage lift bridge between Houghton-Hancock, MI.

Portage Lake/Canal taken from Houghton side.

Honorary yooper!

Well, i made it to Houghton on Sunday afternoon. My "host family" is very nice and fun to hang out with. They gave me a personal tour of the town Sunday evening and treated me to a nice dinner. Monday I headed out on my own since i didn't start my internship until Tuesday. I bummed around town and gathered some flyers for things to do while I'm here. I saw a posting for the Calumet Theatre in Calumet, where the Gaelic Storm will be performing, so i'm going to get tickets for Friday. Apparently they are very good.
I also drove north along the 203 (for those of you inclined to look on a map) and did a bit of hiking on the shoreline of Lake Superior. Lots of rocks and crystal clear water! I'm going to attempt to download the software on the computer here so i can show you all pictures, but probably not until this weekend.
Anyway- i'm having a blast so far and can't wait to show off pictures! Take care, eh!

Erin!

This Is the Beginning of the Rest of My Life...

So, I decided to start a blog. What in the world is a blog? Who thinks of these things? Anyway- I am leaving for the Upper Penninsula in one week and thought this would be a great way for my family and friends to see what I'm up to for the two months I'm in Houghton. I'll be on my second physical therapy internship. I plan on doing a lot of hiking, kayaking, and mountain biking in my spare time...something I haven't seen the likes of in quite sometime so I'm excited to share my adventures with you all. I hope I meet some cool people that will make me feel at home. Well, wish me luck and I will see you all in 2 months.

Ciao,
Erin