The Crane Fest

Last Sunday David and I traveled a few miles south to Bellevue, MI to witness part of the Sandhill Crane migration.

On our drive there, all we really knew was that we were headed to a "Big Marsh Lake" that Sandhill Cranes visit in droves during their migration south. A church member had told us about it. What we didn't realize is there is a Crane & Art Festival centering on this migration that hundreds of people attend.

So, though completely unexpected, we took advantage of the many attractions: a guided nature walk, art exhibits, birds of prey exhibit, and hillside nature chats. Of course, the main attraction was the Sandhill Cranes, which were flying back to the marsh for the evening from grazing in the nearby fields. Here are some shots we took from our hillside vantage point, while sitting on a picnic blanket, munching on festival caramel corn.

The Climatis

This summer I bought a flowering vine for my backyard. It is supposed to be tough enough to last through the winter, and it even came with a one-year warranty.

About a week after I transplanted it from the store-bought pot to the yard, it began to slowly wither away. The one flower soon dried up and each day more leaves were brown and dead. I was really beginning to get disheartened. I kept it watered, following the directions on the label, but nothing I did seemed to work.

Finally, I decided to stop worrying over it and watch it from a distance for awhile. After all, if I killed it, I could take it back for a refund, right? =)

Well, after coming back home from one of our summer vacations I noticed some life coming back. New leafy vines were starting to wrap itself around the trellis.

Then, yesterday morning I looked out and saw that two beautiful new flowers had bloomed. I was so excited I had to run upstairs for the camera.

I just love watching God's creation at work. Whether it's flowers blooming on a dying vine or tiny sprouts peaking out of the soil from a seed, the wonder of God's creative power never ceases to amaze, or excite, me.

Traveling Home

On our way home after the reunion, David and I stopped in Houghton, MI to spend the weekend with our friends, the Ramoses. They live on the Keweenaw peninsula, the northernmost area of Michigan, and it is beautiful. We enjoyed hiking near Copper Harbor, finding waterfalls and 500 year-old trees, and seeing Lake Superior from scenic vantage points.

On Sunday we had a hard-core training day involving biking, running and swimming. Then on Monday, as a superb ending to a fabulous long weekend, Judy took me for a trail run along the beautiful Hungarian Falls. To think places like this exist in Michigan.

Thanks for a wonderful time in upper Michigan, Judy and Israel!

One more week and we'll be back to represent Team Revolution at the Great Northern Race - the Kuparisaari (half iron distance) Triathlon. 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike and 13.1 mile run. Here we come.