Power of the Woods

I grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan.  Although it continues to grow now that Hollywood and the elite are coming in and setting up camp, along with everyone else, there is still a fair amount of small town charm remaining.  We have unsalted waters where the biggest stress is a zebra mussel cut (thanks to ballast water from foreign vessels) or the random leach having a go at some hemoglobin (though I hear some pay big money for their cleansing abilities).  

Something I miss most of all from our life of travel is the ability to walk in the woods as I can do up north.  The woods of the north is simple and safe.  The foliage is easily passable and the predators are non existent.  As we journey down the east coast and through the islands, we learn that this is not the case.  We have to maintain awareness as we hike of snakes, gators, poisonous insects, etc.  etc. etc.  We have to stay on paths and maintain a vigilance.  Not all woods are created equal.  

We spent nearly two weeks at a secluded family cabin where the kids ran without restraint, built forts, and tested the limits of nature.   As it was surrounded by woods and water, it was a dream come true for kids looking to experience a bit of freedom.  Such is tough in a world where you have to keep your little ones under your heels.  They stayed away from anything with three leaves (poison ivy possibilities) and donated a fair amount of blood to starving mosquitos while having the time of their lives.   They kayaked to cross paths with other kids and painted their faces with charcoal from last nights campfires to blend in to their surroundings better.  They were wild and they were free.   Armed with their imaginations, there was no creature that could hurt them and nothing that held them back from living. Such freedom is a lost art, if not a total impossibility.  And when the oppertunity arises, most do not know how to take advantage of the great outdoors in these electronic times.   

I love the cottage.  It had been in the family since the fifties.  It is very special... Orange carpet and all.  I am so grateful for the chance to share it with my little people.   It is surrounded by woods, Platte Lake, and Platte River.  Having the company of my cousins and family makes it even better!    

Fallon didn't skip a beat and tagged right along with my cousins in jumping off the Frankfort pier into Lake Michigan.  

A little mouse was captured thanks to Kayden's eagle eyes and lived to see another day.  Kai released him by the compost pile.  I'm sure he was glad to be transplanted to such a spot.  

There is much more that I failed to capture on film but we have many memories that will always be with us.  Thank you all for making us feel so loved.  

Now onto OHIO where more Great Lakes  fun awaits us.