We have friends in Ludington, Michigan. The kind of friends you can drop in on and stay two weeks. The kind of friends who built an RV site so we can hook up to electric and water. Our own little oasis in their Michigan woods. These friends just built a house in the middle of ten acres of forest. Glen and I saw lots of possibilities to use our gifts to serve our friends. After all, acts of service is his love language. So, he picked up a chain saw almost as soon as we arrived, helping to fell trees and work on the driveway.
I stared at a bare patch of dirt for a while before asking our friend if I could have the privilege of planting a garden there. Like quilts, I love the design and piecing parts. To be able to do that and then, leave someone else to maintain and water? Priceless. So off we went to the garden store. Or I should say stores. After visiting three, I learned enough about what grows and can survive Michigan winters. Fortunately, most of the garden centers were winding down for the season so we could buy several carloads of plants on clearance. Though the temps were hotter than I expected, and I had to sit down and rest several times, we planted that small area in the back of the house as well as another area in the front. We also decorated the front porch with found objects and potted plants. It was so much fun and offered immediate rewards!
Our time in Ludington was not all work. Glen went fishing several times and caught three large King Salmon. The salmon, using scent, leave Lake Michigan and enter the river where they were born. Their task is to spawn and create a new generation. Each river has its own smell and the salmon swim until they recognize the scent of their “own” river. In Ludington, they go through Pere Marquette Lake (named for a priest who helped explore Michigan) on their way to Pere Marquette River. Our friend filleted the salmon which we enjoyed for dinner with lots left over in the freezer for future meals.
We also took several walks along Lake Michigan to see the sunset, drove to Muskegon for lunch and to see an art exhibit, and went to Pentwater, a small lakefront town with a restored downtown, cute shops, a fish market where they cook your fish while you wait and a large candy and ice cream store. We also picked up fresh corn from a self-serve stand. I can’t say enough about Michigan corn. I remembered why my grandfather called creamed corn, Southern Ice Cream!
What did the Big Dogs do during our stay? Happily ran the ten acres tracking deer and being free. They were exhausted and content every night.
We hated to leave that little spot of paradise, but it was time to move on. Motorcycle races were calling Glen! So, we packed up and headed to Springfield, Illinois, home of Lincoln and the Springfield Mile Racetrack.
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