A Quick Trip to Michigan...

Saturday, August 30th, was time to hit the road again. This time, we headed to Michigan for a very quick trip. It was Labor Day weekend so we figured heavy traffic. After a breakfast stop at Chick-filA, we headed up I-75 to Holton, Michigan. 

Whenever we do this drive, I am always fascinated with this nuclear plant. It is the Luminant Miami Fort Station in Shawnee, Ohio. The Greater Miami River comes into the Ohio River at this point. There is always concern with a nuclear power plant. It always looks so peaceful. 

We made it to Nunica, Michigan. While preparing for our Zanesville trip, I came across a listing of all the henges in the United States. As I read the list, I realized there was one in Nunica, Michigan. We pass thru here often going or coming from the Tyler home. Usually we think of Stonehenge when one uses the term henge. There are actually many of them in many countries. A henge by definition is a ring-shaped bank with a ditch on the inside. In today's world, we tend to make them out of all kinds of things. There are some even made of cars buried part-way in the earth. The makers of this henge had used Styrofoam and made and exact replica of Stonehenge in England. It is in their front yard so it is on private property and NOT a tourist attraction. Claude drove down the back road and dropped me off at the end of their driveway. He drove on down the road to turn the car around. I walked to their big gate and took this picture from the gate. We have a fascination with all these henges and will stop to find them. Happy we found this one. Now we need to go to Munfordville, Kentucky and find the one located there!!

We tried to get to Holton on Maple Island Road. It is a straight show (mostly) to M120 and then to Nissa and Todd's home. We made it to White Road and Maple Island and found a barricade across Maple Island with a police car, lights flashing, stationed on the other side. Our detour took us all the way back to Muskegon and the north on Hwy 31 to M120. Ugh!! There are lakes and rivers across this stretch of Michigan so no crosses of them except for Hwy 31 and Maple Island. 

We made to Holton. Nissa had a nice roast in the crockpot waiting for our arrival. We enjoy a delicious meal with Nissa and Todd and a quiet evening chatting and then watching the first University of Michigan game for the year. Todd is a HUGE UofM fan. 

Sunday, August 31st, we were up at 8am and got ready to go to church with the Ropers. This was the Sunday Drew would be ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood. Claude would do the ordaining. This is a very important thing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were so happy that Drew wanted Claude to do this for him.

We attended Sacrament Meeting first. Then the kids, Katelyn and I, attended Primary. Drew and Claude attended the 5th Sunday group meeting. 

I was so impressed that the leader asked Joel if he would give the opening prayer. Joel gave a very firm "yes". Then she asked if Joel would like to have his mother help him. Again, Joel gave a very firm "yes". He did a great job of following Nissa's lead to give the prayer. These things please me on may levels. First, it is so important to learn to talk with Heavenly Father. Next was the ability to do that in front of people. Joel is four years old. He is the youngest one in Primary. What a great way to learn to be in front of other people. So many good feelings. Raelyn also was asked to read the 13th Article of Faith. She cheerfully did this as well. So happy they participate this well. They have a very, very small Primary. There were not even 10 children in it.

Then we went to Joel's Primary class which Katelyn and Drew teach. Drew was with Claude, so I got to be with Katelyn as she taught Joel. He went right to the classroom and looked up at the windows which are very high across the top of the room. He asked for the bag of blocks so he could make a temple. My heart melted. Katelyn asked him questions, showed pictures and video. He kept playing with the blocks the entire time but he answered every question. At one point, Katelyn showed him a picture of Jesus reading from toral scrolls. He knew it was Jesus. I showed him the scrolls and explained that was how they read a book when Jesus was on the earth. I took out a piece of paper and a pen and Katelyn helped him make a scroll with two of his little blocks. He wrote on it with the pen. It was very quick but he got the idea. This was a fun experience for me to watch Joel learning. 

After the meetings, we met at the clerk's office where Claude ordained Drew to the Aaronic Priesthood. This little congregation really needs Drew holding the priesthood to help with the Sacrament. Claude gave Drew his 'Line of Authority'.  Drew will add his name to the top. 

Then it was time for lunch. The kids were very excited we were at church with them because, the habit is, to take them to McDonald's for lunch after the meeting. We did just that. Everyone enjoyed a nice lunch together. 

Then we headed to the Roper home. Katelyn had asked Claude to bring his staple gun to help her with a repair. They did that and I played with the kids for a bit. Kennedi was eyeing my bead necklace. I asked her if she wanted to wear it. She assured me she really did. I took it off my neck, wrapped it so it was two layers and put it around tiny Kennedi. She was very happy.

I tried to get pictures of the other three. The girls, Emelia and Raelyn, were doing what all children in today's world tend to do, playing with their devices. I asked them for a smile and did get one.

When I asked Joel for a picture, he immediately turned around. He did finally look my way so I could get a quick picture of our little man.

We bide farewell to the Roper's and pointed the Buick toward Chelsea, Michigan. We had reservations are the Comfort Inn for two nights. We arrived and were settled in the room by 5:15pm. We wanted something for dinner and were both thinking chili from Wendy's. There is a Wendy's across the street from the Comfort Inn. We walked across the street and the door was locked. There were cars in the parking lot on the other side of the store. They only had the drive-thru open. We walked back to the hotel and got in the Buick and drove through for our dinner. Then back to the room to eat. A little convoluted, but we got the job done.

Monday, September 1st, we arranged to meet Jake at 1pm. He had the day off but had some things he wanted to get done before we started our visit. Claude and I try to be very mindful of the fact all the rest of our family works. Their days off need to be respected so they can accomplish what needs to be done on that day. We needed to get something in Claude's tummy because of morning meds. We drove to McDonald's and got him a wrap. Then we parked in front of the hotel with the windows down to enjoy the air while Claude ate. It was so pleasant until the sun caught up to my side of the car. We drove to the park in Chelsea and sat there till time to pick up Jake. 

Jake suggested we go to Ann Arbor to see about some things he was interested in. 

We first went to REI which is a store to buy hiking things. Claude was contemplating a smaller backpack to take on our Greece trip. He checked these out as well. We ended up buying nothing at REI.

Our second stop was a bit more productive in the spending department. We went to Barnes and Nobel. I was fortunate to find Christmas presents for all the great grandmonsters and Bailey. How cool is that?! Jake found a couple of books but opted not to purchase yet. 

We found our way back closer to the freeway and had a nice meal at Applebee's. 

Then we drove back to Chelsea and stopped at Jake's apartment to see if Soot would come have something to eat. Soot is Jake's cat and stays mostly outside as long as the weather is warm. Jake had a good interaction and felt comfortable getting back in the car with us and heading to our hotel room for a visit. 

I purchased Hershey's chocolate almond bars for each of us. We had  a little dessert and sipped on water and visited for a good while. 

Then Jake suggested we go to Twisters for ice cream. We enjoyed our traditional ice cream run and then took Jake back to his apartment. 

We spent the rest of the evening watching television. Apollo 13 was on followed by another Tom Hanks movie. It must have been a Tom Hanks marathon. We enjoy Tom Hanks so this was not a problem.

Tuesday, September 2nd, we slept in a bit before getting up and hitting the road for home. A stop at McDonald's to get a little something to go with Claude's meds. This time it was breakfast time so I enjoyed probably the best biscuit I ever had from McDonald's. 

We stopped in Dundee to stop at Cabela's. Claude found a backpack. I found a cotton jumper and another nice pair of capris. Success!!

We stopped in Beaver Dam for gasoline. Then on to City Barbeque in Florence, Kentucky for dinner. Then home! 

We emptied our suitcase and curled up in our recliners for a quiet evening watching Castle. So nice to be home. Such a good quick trip to Michigan. Love seeing our family.