End of summer

It's so sad to see the summer end. It seems like it was just getting started. We finished off this summer season by going to my parents' cottage. We could not have asked for better weather. It was absolutely gorgeous - mid 80's, lots of sun, and a slight breeze. It was a work weekend, pulling out the boat and hoist and shrink wrapping the boat for the winter. Jason was my dad's right-hand man shrink wrapping this year, and for his first time, he did a very nice job!

Of course, we spent some time playing, too. We went to the annual Labor Day Hillcrest Association picnic at the beach where Hannah got lots of attention. She and Daddy also spent some time relaxing in the hammock.

When the guys were pulling the boats out, my mom and I babysat our friend Pat's little girl Jozlyn. What a cutie! She's a couple of weeks younger than Hannah, so it was fun to see them play together. They were both very curious checking each other out.

Jason was also kind enough to give my parents' (my former) dog Abby a bath. As you can tell from the picture, she wasn't too big on getting clean. I think she was plotting her escape if she hadn't been hooked up.

We wrapped up the weekend by going for a nice, long morning walk - over the Mackinac Bridge! Every year my dad wants to go, but nobody ever wants to go with him. Since I haven't done it in quite a few years, and Jason has never done it, we decided that we'd go. My dad is big on getting there right when it starts, so we all got up at 3:30 a.m. to make it to Mackinaw City by 5:30 to get in line to take one of the school buses across the bridge for the walk. We made great time and actually got to the St. Ignace side before the walk even started. It was a fabulous morning, the best weather we've ever walked in. The last time I walked it, they closed the walk early due to high winds. I was among the "lucky" few who walked into the 50+ mph winds :-) The bridge was absolutely packed! Once we were off, my dad was on a mad dash to make his best time. He certainly doesn't walk like he drives! He was cutting in and out of people all over the place. Jason and I finally gave up and just met him back at the van. He made his best time yet - 1 hr. 20 min. Jason and I made good time, too, probably about 1 hr. 30+ min. At the finish line, we each got a stamped certificate with our finish number. Jason and I were 2000+, while my dad was in the 900's! After we finished, Jason and I agreed that it was fun to do, but we're good for awhile. Maybe we'll do it again when Hannah can join us.

My dad (blue pullover and hat) speeding off ahead of us

Enjoying our walk

And now onto my favorite season - fall!!