- I work Friday and Saturday, the prime travel days. I work weekends, and no one else in my family does, so if I do travel with them, I get screwed and have to take my only two days off work in order to go places.
- My vehicle is not in the best condition for long distance travel. I'm lucky if I make it to Detroit and back.
- I am poor. Travel requires at least some amount of money at some point.
Friday: The day began with some heavy procrastinating on my part (I blame Hunter Revenge on Yo Gabba Gabba), which ensured that we didn't leave the house until 6 PM on Friday, and we left in a torrential downpour, complete with thunder and lightning. Luckily, the kids occupied themselves by watching Old Dogs and some of The Simpsons Movie, leaving Aunt Noell and I to talk, and me free to film.
The trip up was almost uneventful, besides the three people hydroplaning off the road within a five mile stretch in Ingham County. And my tomato truck.
Around Ionia, things began to get interesting. The kids were done with their movies, and we were having a nice family chat when Aunt Noell let out a giant string of expletives, and exclaimed that she had lost track of the gas gauge, and that we had to stop. We were all thirsty anyway, and we needed to load up on snacks, so we stopped at a disgusting Pilot Truck Stop for fuel, sustenance, and urination. My favorite (that I didn't get a picture of because we were all being rushed) was the Intense Blend Coffee, which I had a cup of. It wasn't very intense.
Later, the "Are we there yet?" started. But we were almost there, so it didn't matter. Here's the end of our drive.
In town, on the way to Tom's, we passed a school that was about the size of my junior high school. I giggled and was like, "Is that the high school? It's so cute!" I quickly found out that the cute school was the only school. When we got to Tom's, I said something about it, and he told me that the Pentwater graduating class this year is only about forty people. I laughed.
After the grand tour of Tom's house, the first order of business was to test out the hot tub. Of course, mother nature had other plans for me, so I can say that my feet and calves thoroughly enjoyed taking a tub, while the rest of my body shivered and endured the misting rain. Bed was next, so I shacked up with my favorite T-Bag in Ansley's room, cuddled with Lambchop and Grover, and drifted to sleep to the sounds of Blaqk Audio.
Saturday: The weather was horridly cold, so most of my leisure was spent inside on Saturday. I was the first one up, but shortly after, everyone invaded the twin bed - even Hunter (a husky-shepherd mix) and Francis (a chow). After an epic Landon-Hunter forehead butt, Francis decided to ruin our party by jumping up on the bed, vomiting, and then running away. The rest of us evacuated to the living room in search of better pursuits, also known as breakfast, ala Chef Tom, and the rest of Avatar, ala Annoyance Landon.
The girls got sick of the movie and took another tub, while I bundled up and pursued photographic endeavors.
When they got bored, we all piled inside once more. I drew while they watched TV. Aunt Noell and Tom made the trip to Ludington (the closest actual town) to get Shelby and I our meatless meat. Later, Shelby and Ansley took a moped ride, while Landon hung out with his friend Wyatt (who we all hate - even Landon).
Most of the rest of the day was spent secretly working on Mother's Day projects in Tom's office, which features beautiful glass French doors and a greenhouse-like atrium.
Mom and Sadie arrived Saturday night, and Mom stayed in a hotel a ways down the street. By the end of the day, Ansley, Shelby, and I were exhausted, so we all went to bed early. In the same bed.
Sunday: On Mother's Day, the weather was absolutely better than the day previous. It was breezy, but the sun was shining. We presented our mothers with their presents: a chalk rendition of the woods outside the sliding glass door in the living room for Mom, and a hand-made shirt for Aunt Noell. Chef Tom made breakfast once again, and then everyone was left to their own devices for the morning. The girls rode mopeds again, Landon played Wii, the moms went to Ludington, and Tom...I don't actually know where Tom was, because I was napping on the lounge with Francis and Sadie.
When everyone returned from their individual expeditions, we gathered as a family and went into the village so I could take pictures. Our first stop was Pentwater Marina, which feeds directly into Lake Michigan.
Next, we visited a three-story antique shop, with which Aunt Noell and I fell love. The building was erected during the civil war, and still stood largely in its original condition.
Aunt Noell's next request was the homemade fudge/coffee shop, which has a gorgeous facade. Inside, the owner (an older lady) was busy with customers when the phone rang, so she asked some old guy to answer the phone. Turns out the old guy used to be the mayor. Quaint.
Finally, we visited the beach, which is what I had been waiting for. I've seen Lake Michigan from the Milwaukee side, but the beach honestly wasn't that great over there. In Pentwater, it's a whole different story.
At the end of the pier, there are a bunch of big, flat rocks known as The Mermaid Rocks.
Perfect for photo ops.
When we got back to the house, we enjoyed our Mother's Day ice cream cake before Mom and Sadie left for home. The rest of us hung out and played "ImagineIff...", a really sweet board game. Aunt Noell and the kidlets took one last tub before we packed up and headed out...almost. We stopped at Tom's parents' to wish his mom, Joanie, a Happy Mother's Day, but it turned into a half hour trip, so we didn't leave Pentwater until 7:40-ish.
On the way home, we occupied ourselves by playing the alphabet game. We stopped for food in a piss-ant town called Coopersville, where the following dialogue occurred:
Shelby: What town am I in?
McDonald's Guy: You're in Coopersville.
Shelby: Where?
McDonald's Guy/Ansley/Me: Coopersville.
Shelby: (disgustedly) Oh...
After Coopersville, the backseat got a little crazy with tickling, laughter, and milkshake toes. Shortly after, the kids all fell asleep, and Aunt Noell and I cruised home while blasting I Heard a Voice, much to Ansley's chagrin. We finally made it home around 11 PM.
No comments:
Post a Comment