Procrastination

misty farmland

“There’s no time to be bored in a world as beautiful as this.”

Running behind – again. It’s not that I have been putting off writing this post, or that I didn’t want to do the things I haven’t been doing
– I did, and I do. Someday, maybe, I will learn how to fit it all in – ummmm, maybe…

Our trip to the upper peninsula was fantastic!

Michigan farm

Beautiful weather and cycling

through beautiful farmland,

adirondack chair

along the shore of Lake Superior,

misty sunrise

and wow – the western edge of our time zone – where the sun rises and sets an hour later…

lakeside dock

watching as day broke over the misty lakes and fields, savoring the slowness of morning while warming myself with a cup of coffee.

Traveling to new places always brings new sights, new experiences, and new people. We cycled with a wonderful, eclectic group of cyclists from all parts of this country. As touring cyclists, these trips are all about enjoying the outdoors, camaraderie and lots of laughs.

schoolhouse

We also had a lot of fun meeting local residents, excited and proud to show off their neck of the woods. This pair of construction workers on their lunch break, teased us from the window of their truck as we struggled up the hill – but then, enthusiastically pointed out all there was to see from the vista at the top.

vista

I was so happy to be carrying my new point and shoot in my pocket – making frequent stops to click – mostly leaving it in “auto” mode. I will learn more about its other features another day.

fishing

Happy, also, to be unplugged from the outside world – although I did post on instagram a few times 🙂

Our last day took us to Mackinac Island.

Mackinac Island

Which is quaint in a touristy sort of way,

arch rock

but then, this is only to be expected from an island whose natural beauty speaks for itself.

I’m pretty sure the main industry in northern Michigan is fudge.

But don’t quote me on that one…
And not that we minded this – at all. If you have never tasted Mackinac Island fudge ice cream, I strongly suggest you click on over to  expedia.com – asap.
I kid you not – it is that good!

adirondack chairs

So yes – I am back at home and back at work, vacation ending all too quickly. But during this stressful time in my office, this trip was exactly what I needed to gain some perspective – take a step back and allow my thoughts to sort themselves out.

And now I am catching up – so many things I know I have missed during my little respite from the “real world”. I hope you have all been well – I’m slowly making my way through my blog feed; enjoying your photos, your stories – and excited to see what you have been up to!

I am happy to have experienced this beautiful part of our country. So – okay, Michiganders – since I was seeing this everywhere – what does your slogan “Pure Michigan” mean to you?

I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend – enjoying the beautiful world around you.

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9 responses to “Procrastination”

  1. Lynne Avatar

    Happy your vacation, cycling in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was just what you needed . . .
    Beautiful photo pictures . . .
    You captured much of what is Pure Michigan . . .
    My favorite PURE would be the vast sandy beaches, dunes and the water overlooks.
    And for me . . . that is huge . . . because I do not enjoy sandy feet.
    But walking in the sand . . . the freedom I allow . . . is bliss.
    Living so close to the “big lake” and to be able to walk the shoreline, dunes, plus wooded areas,
    and see the Bald Eagles high in the trees . . .
    Hear the waves . . .
    Enjoy all the natural beauty.
    Pure as can be . . . oh my . . .

  2. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Pure Michigan – gosh so much I could say, but I always say it best with my photographs. But honestly…I could easily spend the rest of my life in the state of Michigan and be completely happy. Plus you know north is my heaven. I think Michigan agreed with you photographically and for your soul, I sense it so much in your photographs. Plus I really enjoyed seeing my state through your eyes.

  3. Cathy Hubmann Avatar

    I feel peaceful just looking at your lovely photos of Michigan! Riding bikes through the beautiful countryside may be harder, but the experience of slowly enjoying the beauty makes up for that. So much better than whizzing be in a car!

  4. Debbie Avatar

    pure michigan, i think you defined it so well with your pictures.. the 3rd and 4th pictures are extraordinary!! i’m glad you used the “little” camera, keeping it on auto focus makes these moments so much easier to capture! i’m glad you had a nice trip, that you unplugged and enjoyed the outdoors, our favorite place to be!!

    meeting the locals is the best, they always share their local flare!!!

    sounds like a wonderful trip!!!

  5. Beatrice P. Boyd Avatar

    Thanks, Karen, for sharing the beauty you experienced on your cycling trip. It was nice to travel along quite effortlessly. The new camera did well and I was curious as to what make/model you were using. I also bought a new camera recently and have much to learn about its capabilities and mine too. Hope this break de-stresses work.

  6. Michelle B Avatar

    I am glad you had your new point and shoot. It takes wonderful pictures for you to show us. 🙂 I love the pastel colors with the lake pictures. I have only been to the southern border of Michigan to visit my husband’s aunt at their lake house ( A very little lake, can’t remember the name.) That part of Michigan looked very similar to Ohio. Where you went almost looks like you were at the ocean, very pretty. Looks like you had a wonderful time!

  7. Barbara Behmer Avatar

    Hi Karen, One of my best friends grew up in Eagle Harbor in the UP, and several years ago I visited her at the family cottage on the banks of Lake Superior (they’ve since sold the cottage). It was about this time of the year and the fall colors were magnificent. I loved its unspoiled remoteness. I hope you had a pastie while you were there. I would have trouble partaking on my current vegetarian diet, but it was definitely a doughy treat! Your photos are splendid. I’m glad you got away for a bit. It always eases the mind to be in beautiful natural surroundings. Thank you for your kind email. Barb

  8. Jeevan Avatar

    Looks you had a wonderful trip and peaceful vacation through pleasing landscapes and pretty cool weather to experience and explore places across your way. I believe a real experience comes out of comfort and cycling or explore by foot means a lot to live life to the fullest. Hope you continue to cherish this trip and the excitement will keep you going through the stressful of anything. I enjoyed your photos. I was off from blogging sometime due to house shifting and now we have moved at last for me to get back to blog.

  9. Carola Avatar

    Vacations go by way too fast, but they are wonderful to take a step back, leave the busy-ness of our lives and just refuel. It looks like you did exactly that, and in such a beautiful setting. Your lake pictures (esp. 4 and 5) are stunning! “Pure” really is the word that comes to mind. I visited Michigan back in 2007 and it reminded me a lot of the North of Germany.

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