Rays Retreat Ramblings

Lake Superior Shore and Waves

It is no surprise to any of you that know me well, I love Michigan! The Great Lakes are always calling me to wander their shorelines. Lake Superior is the largest inland lake in the world, and the largest of the Great Lakes. LAKE Superior Facts 

Drive in the high winds was nerve wracking and tiring for Mike and Sparky. It made for spectacular waves crashing onto the shoreline which made for great pictures. And also washed up many rocks for me to enjoy. The sound of the roaring surf was impressive.  








The favorite spot of our vacation was inGrand Marais, right along the shores of Lake Superior. The town has 400 winter residents, that more than triples during the summer months. Its right at the eastern edge of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore . Beautiful, wild country. Sparky and Gizzy took us for a twilight walk through the streets of the little town. Many of the homes were lit up with the orange lights and decorations for autumn/halloween. In the background was the sound of those wild winds and waves. We were bundled in our winter coats, hat and gloves.

Snowmobile trails were right at the campgrounds. Very nice campgrounds,managed by the city. Woodland Park was our home for two nights. We will definitely return!   

Bring your Friends to Rays

Rays Retreat Country Inn is the perfect place for a family reunion,or a golfing group. This weekend we hosted a guys golfing group. They arrived Friday night.

We set up the backyard for their Friday evening grilled steak dinner. The rain held off until just as they were finishing up.

Saturday morning we woke up to more rain, which continued thru the day. Most of the guys went to the casino, while others played cards in the dining room.

They were all back in the evening for grilled hamburgs/hot dogs and an evening playing cards and visiting.

At least Sunday brought sunshine, so they were able to head to the golf course.

Anytime you have a group think of staying at Rays. We'll be glad to accomodate you. The backyard patio area is great for visiting, and nothing beats a campfire in the evening for getting to know your friends even better. 

Summer Weekend

Another summer weekend comes to a close, and we are both good and worn out. This weekend the Old 27 Classic Car Tour headed out from Coldwater, MI up to Cheyboygan, MI. We always make a point to be outside when they drive by Rays Saturday morning. This year we were surprised when this car pulled out of line of cars into the motel.

It was our old friends Dorthy and Clayton Stevens. Clayton and Mike grew up together in Ontario, IN.

This is Dorothy's car, but Clayton has many of his own back at the shop. Its been his life work restoring these classic cars. He's extremely talented not only with cars, but artistic.

It brightened a grey weekend seeing these dear old friends and brought so many memories of our younger years.

A thank you to Bob, Bob and Dan for the corner cabinets that you snowmobilers will espcially enjoy this winter. Another spot to put helmets, gloves and all that extra gear. Special thanks to Bob for his long Friday of assembling these cabinets.

And... unbelieveable.......the dogs and I went thru the path in the woods for our walk tonight, and there was a small fallen tree blocking it AGAIN! The chain saw comes out tomorrow.

Another Sunday

If you had outdoor activities this weekend, its been a wash out of a weekend. Rain and cool all day yesterday. During the night, the high and humidity arrived. At least we had until about 3 pm with sunshine which just made it hotter, muggier.. and then storms arrived. Heavy rain.

Sparky won't like me for sharing this picture of him.........................he's climbed up to get as close as he can to Mike during the storm.

So there's been no last minute prep for tomorrow's Dog Show. He will not participate in anything while stormy weather is around. Hopefully, it will be clear tomorrow.

We had a great group of people this weekend. The gentleman who stayed in room 9 gave us a high compliment when he checked out.... said that he would give us a rating of 12.5 on a scale of 1 - 10 with the 10 the highest! He enjoyed his stay at Rays Retreat!

We had many people attending a large family reunion at the state park. Lukcily they had rented a large tent.

Another Sunday coming to a end.........we cleaned all but two of the rooms today. Alot of sweat, so hoepfully one of us will have lost a pound or two.

States with Worse Drivers.....

The Nation's Worst Drivers by State

No. 18: Ohio

2009 Average Test Score: 75.6%
-------------------
2008 Average Test Score: 78.9%
2007 Average Test Score: 76.5%

Random Fact:
Respondents continued to have difficulty on questions about yellow lights and safe following distances.

Michigan wasn't on the list! 

Rays Roving Retreat

 

We enjoyed a great mini fall vacation in Rays Roving Retreat... the Fleetwood Motorhome that I was rather upset when Mike purchased it. But I have to admit - I love it!

It's a great way to travel. Gizzy and I greatly enjoy the big wide front windows, the swivel very comfortable passenger seat.

It very quickly turns into a permanent campsite once you pull it in.

Sparky is still not real comfortable while in motion. He has to stand on watch almost all the time. I'm sure its tiring work. He slept like a log every night.

The week started out cool, but each day warmed. The colors in the U.P. were at their peak. We enjoyed the state park in St. Ignace. Beautiful spacious campsites along the lake, with the great view of the bridge.

The dogs and I walked along the beachfront, and discovered such a peaceful cemetary as  ways down, and up a hill. A great final resting place. I thought how comforting it must be for the loved ones left who come out to visit and contemplate. The surf, wind, birds, and beauty can be restoring to the soul.

Peak color is all over northern Michigan now. This is an absolute perfect Fall weekend, color and weather. Hope you're enjoying it.

In the days when I took Drivers Training

Back in the days when I took Drivers Education we were taught a few basics that the people I encountered on the road today either a. did not learn    b. forgot what they learned    c. think they can make their own laws.

We made the 70 mile one way trip over to Lake Leelanau to celebrate Daylen Rose Ray's 5th birthday.

We were at an intersection with a two-way stop sign. We had the stop sign, and the driver directly across from us had the stop sign. I had the turn signal on, turning right. They had their left turn signal on. We were both at complete stops. In my drivers education class, the people turning right had the right of way to go first. I proceeded, and nearly got broadsided as he proceeded.

Next incident was on a hilly curvy stretch of road. Double yellow lines. Which, if people weren't such idiots we wouldn't need because good sound sense would tell you not to pass when you can't see what will be coming because of curves and hills. Double yellow lines means it is not only stupid, but illegal to pass. Well, obviously, the idiot passing had never had that chapter in their Drivers Education Class.

But the highlight of the days travel was as we were going through Traverse City, along the bay which has many stop lights and on a Sunday early afternoon a good bit of traffic. We were slowing down approaching a red light when we heard a blaring loud airhorn sounding. In the oncoming lane was a Johnson Oil tanker, flying through the red light blaring his horn! Not a yellow, a red light that had been red! No attempt to slow down. Thank God, the car that was coming through slowed down. Blatant God complex apparently.

Drive Safe! and always, as I was taught in Drivers Ed............Drive Defensively, you share the road with many idiots.