A Trip (+ Spill) Down the River

Hey friends! We are back to reality today… and coming from views like this, it is not the easiest transition to make.

Scott and I spent some quality time away from the world and with family last weekend. Friday night, we arrived at my grandmother’s house in a very small town of Lovells, Michigan. She has lived in this same house in the woods since I can remember, and although it had been fourteen years since my last trip up here, nothing has seen an ounce of change.

Still the same house.

Still the same garden full of fresh produce.

Still the same breathtaking view of the stream in her backyard!

This time, however, I got to share the experience of “Grandma’s” with a few new loved ones!

(This picture cracks me up. Does it or does it not look like Roadie is talking to this guy? Hilarious.)

A Sunday For Relaxing

This trip, I made sure to bring a good pair of all-terrain running shoes. Scott and I went for a good run on Saturday before hitting the wineries in Traverse City.

Since he had to make a day trip back to Detroit and back on Sunday for a work event, I grabbed a new running buddy to help protect me on my run through the woods.

Oh, Roadie was in heaven up here. From the streets of Orlando (remember, we literally found him on the streets?) and living in a high rise condo the country roads in Northern Michigan, there was a lot of new things for him to see and smell.

I was a little worried about how his poor paws would do running through dirt and gravel, but he didn’t seem to mind the obstacles. Any time I could get on a paved road, I did. The sun was visible, but not hot, which made for an amazing run for us.

After an even three miles, I dropped him back off at home to rest and set back out for another three miles. I think both of us loved the fresh air!

I really feel like I could run forever here! I would have gone another few miles, if I didn’t know we had a visitor arriving.

As I cleaned up, a friend of my dad’s from college who still lives in the area popped in for an afternoon visit.

While they chatted away on the porch, I took a few minutes to capture a few of my grandmother’s projects on the property. I mean, seriously… the woman is 96 years old! Granted, she has help from whoever comes for a visit, but I am thoroughly impressed that she is still able to keep her place up. It would be a challenge at any age!

Throughout the property, there are pretty displays of flowers and interesting things planted all over.

Nothing goes to waste here, even if it is a full tree that has to be cut down. (See the lining of this planted area?)

She’s simply amazing.

Sunday was as relaxing as I’ll get out. Without a phone or Internet connection, I was forced to unplug and take in a few days of good ‘ol fresh air.

When not exploring the surrounding cities, we ate at home and it was always a big meal prepared by my grandmother. I was on clean up duty, and helped out as much as she would let me but she is pretty set in her ways of wanting to take care of others.

Sunday’s meal was wonderful with fresh greens from her garden, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and Cajun marinated chicken my dad grilled outside.

Oh, and don’t forget the homemade strawberry shortcake!

I would be in some serious trouble if I lived here full time, I tell you.

After dinner, we enjoyed talking by the fireplace, (yes… with temperatures in the low 60s we had the fireplace going!) Already. Can you believe it?

Scott finally arrived back about that time, and we made sure to welcome him back home with plenty of dinner leftovers.

(Somehow he had service. Slow… but there. iPhone 5 (mine) vs. 4 (his), really?)

A Trip Down the River

The next morning, we made a trip down the river before having to head back home. I wasn’t brave enough to take my phone with us (thank goodness!), so I snapped a few photos of the kayaks before we left.

My dad took the single one and Scott and I took the double with Roadie in the middle of us. Yup… I said with Roadie in the middle of us. Brave right?

Unfortunately, I won’t have pictures of that share with you until my dad returns home and has service to send me them. To make a long story short, the three of us did great the entire time untillll the very end.

To avoid running face first into a branch of doom (so scary right?), I grabbed it and naturally leaned over, flipping the entire thing over. Let me just say a few things: the water was not warm in any way, Roadie was not very excited about being in the water, and Scott thought it was all pretty funny. We were so close too! Oh well, “you haven’t experienced the river without a tip-over,” as Scott said.

When we got back to the house, we quickly changed and packed our stuff up to hit the road. I was sad to have to say goodbye to my family, but it was so nice to get to spend as much time as we did with them!

Thank you for a wonderful weekend grandma, Happiest of Birthdays to both you and my dad!