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.