Last Michigan Post

After digging a sweet fire pit it was decided that it needed to be put to use. Here's the sunset and more.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

Last Friday while in Michigan after going to the Traverse City Cherry Festival, I was taken on up even farther north to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes in Empire. They were gigantic(400 feet tall if I remember correctly) and after walking what might have been almost a mile up-hill in the sand, we came to a sign that told us Lake Michigan was still over a mile away. Needless to say it was getting dark so we did not continue our journey, but the view was worth what we ended up with.

Just starting, you can see the people are very far up there and they're only about half way up this first hill.

We finally came over one last dune to get a peak of the Lake before turning back.
A view from where we came from once we had gotten about half way up the first hill. You can see all the little tiny cars in the parking lot below.
After the first set of dunes we headed a little ways down the road to a small private beach to get in a quick dip before heading home.About to get into the chilly water, though it wasn't so cold compared to the temperature of the air.

Traverse City Cherry Festival

After Kayaking the other day while in Michigan I headed with Josh on up to Traverse City to the annual Cherry Festival. After catching a glimpse of a cherry pie eating contest we spotted a dog jumping contest that consumed the rest of our attention. Those dogs were amazing I tell you.
Pie eating contest.
Cocker Spaniel mix.
Keep your eye on the prize.
This one could jump like no other.

Kayaking the.....

...well I can't remember anymore the name of what river, but it was fun. Michagan is beautiful.
The rapids were pretty non-existent, but that's ok, I still got wet.
Water man.

A taste of Lake Michigan

A few days into being in Michigan we drove on out to...I think it was Traverse City? I no longer remember, but it was nice. Unfortunately about 30 minutes after arriving on the beach some of the most ominous clouds I've seen in my life rolled in and so we high tailed it back to the car.

Goin' out to check out the lighthouse.
Staying warm and dry.
Josh actually got into the cold waters for a few minutes before deciding it was time to get out of the weather. Note the clouds forming in the background.

More Vacation

After Chicago I continued my vacation by heading up to Josh's family lake house in Cadillac, Michigan. It's beautiful up north and I wish I could stay longer.
I love how close to the water they are. And to boot they get lake view sunsets.

Chicago

This past weekend just after the 4th I took a Greyhound bus on up to Chicago and played in an Ultimate Tournament Sandblast. But before all of the festivities and play I got a little tour of the city in the small window of time I had on Friday. I went and visited the Navy Pier that had a large fair, visited the Contemporary Art Museum and took a small Lake Michigan tour that also included a river tour of some of Chicago's history and architecture. This proved a pretty packed day and I was spent by the time we finished. This front ride with all the kids on it really threw me for a loop. I was ready to get off by the third spin, but it just kept on going.
Looking down from the Ferris wheel
Sun going down while on the boat tour.

In front of the Contemporary Art Museum.
And this has little relevance except for the fact that it is a flower growing in Kevins "front yard."

Sandblast Party 2007

Once again Chicago put out one of the best parties I've been to since last years tournament. I was pretty tired, but managed to stay up long enough to win the party. Afterwards, somehow, a few of us ended up in a little mexican shop that had a mexican elvis towards the back singing. Great night.
Rachel and I.
Late night rock show.

Sandblast 2007

Well this past weekend marked my second year of being an American Gladiator at the Ultimate tournament Sandblast in Chicago. Once again a great time.

One of our water baloons busting on a badmitten player.

A different style of boat racing.

4th

Jade's folks sure know what fireworks are in style these days. Sorry that there arn't too many exciting photos, the intensity that is Jades backyard was too overwhelming to remember my camera.