  On Charlevoix's shores, vacation fun and County Roads II
Not a bad way to end a vacation week. Toss in daily trips to Kilwin's for ice cream - like chocolate chip cappuccino or key lime pie - in freshly-made waffle cones; visits to McLean & Eakin in nearby Petoskey for summer reading materials; playtime with granddaughters - Gwendolyn, who was very intent on finding Petoskey stones on the beach, and baby Ella, who loves to "Goo" at her brightly-colored mobile - and the picture of relaxation is complete. Almost too perfect, in fact. It's a bit of a challenge getting back into work mode - especially with the heat and humidity that's been part of the daily routine here in Riley since the return home last Sunday evening. Cool breezes have been pretty much non-existent, and sparkling blue water - forget about it. Such is life. * * * Readers who have asked about the status of the 'to-do' list that was detailed in a pre-vacation column will be pleased to know that I did accomplish a few tasks prior to closing out my hiatus from work on the sunny shores of Lake Michigan. Carpeting in my home office and bedroom was removed, but the chore of painting walls and ceilings still remains - meaning patience is required in getting new floor coverings. No point in putting down new carpeting so that I can drip paint onto it. More fun vacation stuff at home included two trips to Felzke's for yummy strawberries - lots of strawberry shortcake last week and plenty of freezer jam stashed away to enjoy during the dead of winter. The garden was tilled, hoed and is looking pretty decent. Rain would be a bonus, of course, but a nightly soaking with well water is helping blossoms thrive on the tomatoes, beans and peas. Ditto for the flowers - the roses are fragrant and lovely, although I am having a problem with some sort of insect who is chomping on the jade-green leaves. Suggestions for wiping out the pests are appreciated. A thoroughly enjoyable forenoon was spent in the company of co-worker, Brian Gradwell. He remains as upbeat and positive as ever about winning a battle with cancer - although there was little talk about that war. Discussion about Civil War battles was more to our liking. He'd finished Shiloh which I had loaned him - and, I just remembered, forgot to retrieve. Guess he'll have to bring it along when he returns to work. A late evening stop at the Roadhouse with another friend also proved to be an enjoyable - and enlightening - vacation happening. Ryan's breezy side porch was humming with the conversations of local residents, recounting adventures on the golf course and other summertime topics when a nearby voice called my name. "Hey, Rhonda. Why don’t you write any more of those stories like you used to - about different places in the county and things that happened years ago?" As it turned out, the voice belonged to Don Stoddard. The exchange that ensued about the County Roads series I had written awhile back and other similar columns drew the attention of folks at a nearby table - Mo and Vi Sharick - who joined in the conversation. It felt like I had walked into Cheers - everybody knew my name and had an opinion. The chance encounter with the Sharick's was particularly interesting. Mo was part of a group that my brother, Rollie Kloeckner, was friends with in high school - just a few years ago. Like several other of Rollie's baseball teammates from that era, Mo recalled the 'little kid' who was always hanging around - nice to know I made such a favorable impression. Talking with Don and the Sharick's prompted me to think about making a second swing through the county - it's amazing how often people have come up to me since that series concluded and asked when I'm going on another 'road trip.' It appears to have been quite a popular feature. I'm not sure what direction 'Roads Part Deux' will take - there are certainly plenty of byways left to travel from the first go-round, and lots of other historic spots that need to be visited. So, in the next week or two, we'll hop in the car and see where the road leads us. Happy Trails to us. |
Blue sky, bright sunshine and a cool
breeze dancing across the waves off Lake Michigan onto the Charlevoix shoreline.