Grand Island Paddle Trip

Aaron and I just got back from our belated anniversary trip, which we attempt to take every year to remind ourselves that we still know how to have fun. We did a paddle trip to Grand Island, near Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Lake Superior. We had been saving, and Aaron got a deal on some kayaks that we have been wanting for a long time, a couple of Current Designs sea touring kayaks. So we loaded them up and drove up to Munising, MI, then paddled across to Grand Island for a wet and cold weekend. It was the first weekend in October, in the U.P., so I wasn't expecting 70s, but I also didn't expect it to rain on and off the entire 4 days we were there. Thank goodness we have good gear, otherwise we would have been miserable. As it was, despite the rain, the winds were blowing (or not blowing, really,) in our favor, and we were able to paddle a good portion of the coastline, which is marked by 200-foot cliffs, waterfalls, sea caves and sea arches. It was beautiful! I gripe about the rain, but it really was a great trip, and already has me planning our next destination, which will probably be the Les Cheneaux Islands, near Drummond Island in the U.P. Although with the possibility of snow in the forecast this weekend, that trip may have to wait until next year.

Birthday fun

We had the boys' birthday party at Greater Kalamazoo World of Gymnastics. This was the first year we invited school friends and not just family, and the boys had a blast! Aside from the gym being in a warehouse in an industrial park area of town, it was really cool. A coach led them though a whole bunch of gym activities: rings, trampoline, vault, and something she referred to as "big blue." For two boys who like to run and climb all over everything, it was a dream come true!













After the gymnastics party and cake, we had another gathering at our house, with family and more friends, and a couple of Darth Vader pinatas. I was a little disappointed that the dark lords of the Sith didn't put up a better fight. A few whacks with a bat and they spilled their candy guts all over the place!